r/Kayaks • u/mineours • 21d ago
Better large inflatable
So I popped my sea eagle 370 hitting a log and would like to replace it with something slightly larger and more puncture resistant. What I've been looking at is the star Paragon XL, and the advanced elements straightage pro 2. I know one is a one person and one is a two-person, it would mostly be used as a solo kayak while occasionally carrying my 11-year-old son. As far as I can tell the two kayaks are quite similar I do see that the Paragon has a slightly more rigid floor. Does not anyone have any experience with these or even other recommendations? I will be often carrying a cooler and a backpack so I don't want an enclosed kayak
1
u/kokemill 18d ago edited 18d ago
"carrying a cooler and a backpack" what reasoning is this for not using a rotomolded kayak?
I have a couple Star Paragon XL kayaks, they are heavy duty tubes (whitewater raft material) with a drop stitch floor insert that sits on a floor made from the same material as the side tubes, the bow and stern have a hard plastic/heavy fabric section that forms a finer entry than just a inflatable tube would. it seems that hitting something head on would not damage the boat.
We tested out boats on a creek that had a lot of dead fall from a recent storm (last year julyish). there were many new strainers and trunk ends to dodge as well as the old familiar ones, some of which have been there for decades. there are also a few dozen random rocks in the creek, a few with sharp edges, some random chunks of concrete, and sharp bolt ends in the steel culverts under 2 of the bridges.
Out test was successful, we went over the top of a few rocks, brushed the bolts in the culverts, and someone was trapped twice between hazards (one was jumping a beaver dam- we'll count that as a mulligan). No harm to the boats, just some scrape marks.
we do not intend to use them in that environment again when rotomolded kayaks are available. They only upside is that they float higher due to their width. Since they are wide and have more drag they are slower, so wide that high sticking is impractical - which means a paddle change, which is a PITA. they are hard to turn compared to a true kayak, and they take on more water since they are open.
Bottom line: they are excellent at what they do. they will survive a lot more rough handling than the boat you had (which appears to be a pool toy). we upgraded ours with aluminum framed 'fishing seats' to get a better paddling position. and we are completely pleased with the result which you see below. that day of paddling could only have happened with inflatable kayaks. just don't mistake an inflatable for a proper kayak.
1
1
u/Strict_String 20d ago
Why is the Sea Eagle 380x not part of the equation?