Background first - For years I had a Perception 14.5 Carolina kayak with rudder and loved to kayak the salt water in Rhode Island and nearby bays. As I got older, however, it became more and more difficult to load and unload the kayak from my vehicle, so I sold the kayak and thought that I was done.
Five years later, however, I wanted to start kayaking in local rivers and ponds and after much research settled on the 18 pound Aquaglide Deschutes Inflatable 11 foot Kayak. I am really impressed with the performance and comfort of the kayak. I also bought the Aquaglide hand pump thinking that if it was difficult or took too long to inflate, I could always buy an electric pump.
Well, it took only 10 minutes to easily inflate the kayak and attach the seat and skeg and I was in the water. No need for electric pump.
Comparing it to the Carolina - Slower than the Carolina as expected but faster than I thought it would be. When I stopped paddling, the kayak would continue to glide for some time. The inflatable is much more stable from side to side than the Carolina. The bow seemed to move side to side a bit as I paddled, however, it tracks straight and is easy to turn.
The seat is surprisingly comfortable and can be adjusted fore and aft for proper distance from the permanent foot rest. The hull is semi-rigid and when I mistakenly ran over a slightly submerged rock, I was pleasantly surprised to find no damage to the hull, not even a scratch.
I keep discovering greatly engineered features. For example, in addition to the handles on either end, there is a handle in the center, which makes it really easy to carry the inflated kayak one handed to the water after inflation. No need to drag it.
So yes, this is a great kayak, even for someone who comes from a more traditional kayaking background.
| Brand | AQUAGLIDE |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 19 Pounds |
| Material | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Color | Orange, Black |
| Style | Deschutes 110 |
| Seating Capacity | 1 |
| Weight Limit | 300 Pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 132"L x 36"W x 9.5"H |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 29.75 x 18.25 x 15.5 inches |
| Package Weight | 14.52 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 132 x 36 x 9.5 inches |
| Brand Name | AQUAGLIDE |
| Warranty Description | 2 year limited |
| Model Name | Deschutes |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Aquaglide |
| Part Number | 790628042833 |
| Included Components | Included in Purchase: ONE (1) Deschutes 110 Inflatable Kayak, ONE (1) Seat,ONE (1) Pump, ONE (1) Quick-Release Fin, ONE (1) Storage Bag |
| Size | 11 FT |
