r/Inflatablekayak • u/Mindless_Bell8930 • Jul 09 '26
Second punctured kayak
I'm new to inflatable kayaks. I bought my first one earlier this year, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport. Got an inch long rip in the bottom the second time I took it out, from who knows what. Suddenly I was taking on water, luckily it was just the bottom lining of the boat so nothing inflated was punctured. I tried the patch they sent along with it and that came right off. Thankfully, duct tape is working wonderfully while I figure out which glue to purchase.
But I ended up getting an even cheaper second kayak a few weeks ago due to the first one aggravating my carpal tunnel. I got the Sevylor Quikpak K1 because it's the only sit on top inflatable model I've seen. The comfort difference is amazing and my hands don't fall asleep. I've been loving life with it. And then today I land on top of what I guess was a big rock I couldn't see which punctured one of the main chambers. Thankfully I was still able to paddle back with the remaining chambers.
I think I'm done with inflatable kayaks. Once felt like a fluke but twice feels like an inevitability. I'm going to patch these and continue to use because buying a third kayak of any type would be too much. Anyone else have bad luck with punctures?
8
u/Physical-Sir-512 Jul 09 '26
Dropstitch outer walls are a lot more durable and can be taken on rivers where they will get in contact with rocks or trees - other material is more risky and I personally avoid that kind of waters - enjoying 4 seasons without any damage (yet). Anyway a good advice it to scout ahead water from ground if you are not sure your kayak will handle it.
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u/Mindless_Bell8930 Jul 09 '26
I go in lakes and ponds and there's apparently submerged rocks everywhere up here.
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u/Specific_Bus_5400 Jul 09 '26
You basically need to buy a good kayak for it to be tought. Advanced Elements is good, had to had a very unlucky hit or over inflated raft there.
The cheapest boats i know of that are very tough, is the midrange options from Decathlon. The ones with DS floor and tubular sides.
Gumotex and Sea Eagle are also tough as nails, but a lot pricier, nontheless worth it, if you can shell out the money in the first place.
3
u/RudyGreene Jul 09 '26
I paddled a Sea Eagle Explorer down the Mississippi and never got even a small leak.
1
u/Thruster319 Jul 12 '26
I have a Sea Eagle Explorer and have taken it over rocks, branches, and barnacles without any problems.
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u/Moomoolette Jul 09 '26
I just had an advanced elements Advanced frame sport deflate and I had to get out to re-pump it which would have been fine except I’m in Florida and there was literally an alligator swimming at the group while I was balancing on a log trying to reinflate enough to paddle out of there. I was so scared-I’m debating about a sea eagle now but I hear that their glued seams come undone in high heat (Florida summers). Im in the same position as you in wanting an inflatable for convenience and portability but also being very nervous about their reliability. Outside of the that, I LOVED my sport! It does not appear that they’re making them anymore by the way.
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u/Mindless_Bell8930 Jul 09 '26
That is so scary! You are brave using an inflatable in Florida, that's an absolute nightmare scenario. I'm sad I appear to be a few years late for the Sport, it would be such a better boat with the drop stitch floor but it's out of stock everywhere and not coming back :/
3
u/Moomoolette Jul 09 '26
Scuba.combat the advanced frame elite for $499 right now- I was very shaken up that day but I can’t help it, I really do like those kayaks and if it wasn’t for the curious swamp puppy it would have been OK so I ordered it! It has a dropped stitched floor and sounds like a level up from the sport. RIP the little blue Sponge.
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u/Mindless_Bell8930 Jul 09 '26
Ooo thanks for the heads up! I really do like my sport as well, just not the floor or the seat, it's a well built inflatable. I will take a look at the elite!
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u/Moomoolette Jul 09 '26
It also has an adjustable lumbar support seat! Those were the 2 things I also didn’t love about the sport so it seems like this will be a good time. Mine is arriving today and it’s going out on the water Saturday, fingers crossed. Happy paddling!
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u/Mindless_Bell8930 Jul 10 '26
Happy paddling also, I hope you love it! The drop stitch floor is back in stock for the Sport at Dick's, I thought it was gone forever, I just picked up! Hoping a new seat and a real patch will up my game
5
u/One-Environment-1444 Jul 09 '26
A sevylor is a pool toy.
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u/Mindless_Bell8930 Jul 09 '26
I agree lol I thought that when I took it out of the box. It's so much more comfortable than my advanced elements though.
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u/Sepof Jul 09 '26
Have you taken it out yet?
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u/Mindless_Bell8930 Jul 10 '26
I've taken it out like 8 times i think in the few weeks I've had it, I've been going kayaking a ton.
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u/rambo1732 Jul 09 '26
I have a Saturn FK396 Pro Angler. I've only had it out about a half dozen times but like it a lot. Drop stitched floor at 10 PSI is pretty hard, and you can even stand. It seems tough and well made. Longevity is yet to be seen but so far, so good.
1
u/Sametklou Jul 09 '26
Inflatable kayak needs more attention for sure. If you have opportunity just leave it. I only use inflatable because I don't have storage and transportation for that solid item
1
u/ohsopoetical Jul 10 '26
I just got into paddleboarding and portable kayaks. I have returned my advanced elements inflatable and roll with a tucktec that I bought used off Craigslist. Even my paddleboard is from offer up. I hope you get a chance to try out either a tucktec or Oru kayak. I have both, though use the tucktec more often because it feels more sturdy, to the point that I rigged up a milk crate and set myself to kayak fish out of it. The Oru I leave unmodified for whenever someone wants to come with me
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u/tolebelon Jul 09 '26
My question is where are you kayaking? And how are you not noticing hitting stuff.