Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame

Size, weight, capacity

AdvancedFrame is 10 ft. 5 in. (318 cm) when fully inflated. The vast majority of this length is in front of the cockpit, so you have maximum leg room. At 32 in. (82 cm) wide, you would have to work quite hard to make this feel unstable. 

This is a mid-sized kayak with a capacity of 300 lbs. (136 kg). While this is plenty of space for most medium adults, it doesn’t necessarily allow you to make the most of the ample storage opportunities that make this a great overnight tripper.

Weighing in at just 35 lbs. (16 kg), the AdvancedFrame is really easy to move around both on and off the water.

Features

The AdvancedFrame has seven air chambers. Multiple chambers keep you safe on the water, ensuring that you always have buoyancy even in the event of a puncture. Inner tube covers give the boat additional abrasion protection and stiffness, so you get more response from the boat.

Rigid panels at the bow and stern further increase responsiveness. It’s these panels which give the kayak the AdvancedFrame the crossover feel of a rigid kayak. They improve the tracking prowess, so often lacking in an inflatable, to the point that it can comfortably compete with rigid recreational kayaks. There is also a tracking fin on the rear to enhance this even further.

Internal seating in the AdvancedFrame is comfortable and supportive enough that you can stay out on the water all day without complaint.

Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxEfnt8ilCk

The kayak is finished off with rubber handles at the bow and stern, as well as pockets and bungee for equipment storage on the water and a paddle stow so you can go hands free.

Performance

This kayak is really stable, even for an inflatable. Not just that, but the internal frame gives it a level of tracking rarely seen in an inflatable. It sits a little lower in the water than most inflatables, which helps it stay on course in windier conditions. They also give the boat an extended waterline, so you can easily keep up with those in hard shell kayaks.

The external design gives the AdvancedFrame a really strong design which can withstand rough landings and being dragged up and down beaches. This also gives you a sense of security on the water, safe in the knowledge that the risk of a puncture is really low.

While on the water, this is a brilliant inflatable, off the water it is perhaps a different story. Once you get to grips with it, this is an easy kayak to set up, but getting to grips with two different types of valve and seven air chambers can be a tricky task.

Not just that, but as far as inflatable kayaks go this is heavy. At 35 lbs., this is far from the smallest boat on the market. It doesn’t pack down as small as others, either. While it will fit in the trunk easily and you can store it easily, you won’t want to park too far from the lake.

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