Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Actually 4.5 stars but for this kind of money I gave it the bump to 5 stars. First of all, you have to realize what you are considering here, you are looking at an ultra convenient and extremely inexpensive all-inclusive tandem kayak package. If you are expecting to get a Nordic style fiberglass racing machine you are going to be sorely disappointed. Now, having said that, what this boat will provide is FUN, and lots of it. It's got it's ups and downs which I found when I took it to a slow moving section of the Colorado River below Hoover Dam. First thing I did when I got it was set it all up in the garage (I recommend you do the same) to familiarize myself with everything. I did order the yellow Airhead 12V pump to get things started and finished with the supplied pump to get it up to final pressure, using the clear gauge provided. Right away I noticed the ropes supplied on the bow and stern were entirely too long, so I made those adjustments. Also the paddles that are provided are very flimsy and you will never be satisfied with them unless you like going very slow or are planning to just let the kids use them, for which they would be fine. Get yourselves a set of decent paddles, seriously, it will make all the difference in the world. If you ever have to power into wind or against current these things will fail you. I also did the the skeg fishing line mod although after looking the system over I don't think it's really needed unless doing a lot of scraping going backwards. The skeg clips in from bow to stern so even if you hit something it wouldn't fall out if you are headed forward. The old skeg system was different and maybe that's what people were having problems with? This one seems very secure though. Now, onto the water............This maiden (and only thus far) voyage would be a solo paddle on a day with 10-20mph upriver winds forecast. The inflation went flawlessly aside from the floor, which really should be a Boston valve, the valve provided is an oversized pool toy valve and it is probably one of the biggest downsides to the boat. If the inner flap isn't just so, air will leak back out as soon as you pull the pump out to seal it. The trick with these types of valves is to not insert the pump end too far in, let the air push the flap down with each pump and it will self seal. Next, I secured a dry bag in the front with a biner to the spray skirt rope, secured my cooler to the front seat strap, and secured the pump with a large carabiner to my seat strap behind me. While paddling solo I would recommend leaving the front seat in for the very purpose of having attachment points in the boat for gear since there are no D rings. (the more expensive Sea Eagles don't have them either) Paddling up river with a tailwind I am moving along decently, without much trouble. But then the going seems to get tougher and tougher when I realize the boat has lost a lot of firmness. Ok, well, the water is 52 degrees and the ambient air temperature was about 80 at the time of inflation. So, I easily spin around in my seat, grab the pump, and give the 3 valves conveniently located behind my seat enough pumps to get it back to a good firmness, this made a HUGE difference. I did end up having to do this a couple of more times as the water got rougher because I think with it splashing on the tops of the side chambers it was continually cooling down the air inside. Also the left seat strap kept loosening so I had to twist the end multiple times around itself to get it to stay put, fairly annoying but I remember what I paid and deal with it. The paddle was actually really good given the conditions I was dealing with. The wind gradually increased and there was white capping chop in all but the shoreline. I went out and played in it and even surfed a couple of times in some bigger troughs, it was really fun! Wound up paddling a little over 2 miles upriver and 2 miles back. For the return trip the wind kicked up to the upper teens with short gusts around 25 and it was a chore to get back. I deflated my seat bottom to lower my profile and also offset my paddle blades to cut through the wind better and those things did help. I did pass a couple of canoes that were each being tandem paddled so that was cool. You won't regret it, just know that you aren't buying a $700 AE Convertible and be realistic in your expectations. I would say this boat competes much more directly with the Sea Eagle line even though they are about 3X the price. If you want inexpensive fun and lots of bang for the buck, buy this boat, you won't regret it!