Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Inflatable Kayak

If you need a kayak that you can pack up in a suitcase and take it with you, then this is the one! The craftsmanship and material are excellent. I bought the backbone and have never used the kayak without it. I would recommend you get the backbone even though it probably adds several minutes to setup time. This kayak is ultra-stable. It would be very hard to turn it over in calm water. This was my first kayak and in about two hours I'll be exploring the Willamette Narrows in it. My wife and I use it in tandem mode. I will be purchasing the deck tops in the future, but the open double cockpit make it easy to learn how to enter a kayak for 60+ people. I was fortunate to get it from Amazon at the amazing price of $418.

I think I would prefer a rigid kayak on the water, but I don't want to deal with it when it's not in the water (transport, storage). I don't think you can beat this kayak when you want the convinience of an inflatable. I don't have the backbone, but with that it may be just as good as a rigid. The only reason not to get this kayak is if you are planning on using it in rough water.

This kayak is the best of both worlds- storable and usable. Yes, it is a bit heavy at 56lbs, but tracks well, is faster than you expect, and is a really good boat. Spent a week on Frenchman's bay in Maine in it and it handles wind, chop, and tides, and tracks very well. Not as knife cutting as a hardshell, but unless you're on a weeklong, open water, island hopping paddle, you won't notice. Extremely durable. Landed on beaches of mussel shells and rock weed and not a scratch.

Everyone came up to it skeptical and to a person walked away, if not impressed, then accepting that it is an actual kayak, not a pool toy. A few asked me if it was a Klepper until they got right up to it.

If you can't store a hardshell or want an extra kayak that you can throw in the trunk for friends, this is a great boat. For the extra fee you can also check it as luggage if you want to paddle in far off locales.

Time to inflate: 35 minutes the first time, 20 every time thereafter.
Time to deflate and pack (not including drying): 25 minutes.
What fits in the bag: Kayak, deck cover, seats, and paddles (4 section).
Must haves: The deck covers which tighten the line a bit and make it a really comfortable paddle.