Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 23 conversations about:
ATPaddler
36
Jan 11, 2018
bookmark_border
I have the AF non-sport model and really enjoy using it. I do use the backbone. It takes me 10-12 minutes to go from the bag to being ready to use. With the backbone, the boat is rigid, and tracks pretty well. It's 10 feet, with some rocker, so it's not going to go straight like a 17 foot sea kayak. But it goes relatively straight, and fast enough. I love that I can have it in the trunk of the car, see someplace I want to paddle, and in minutes, be on the water. I don't know exactly what the hull is made of, but it's durable. You sit nice and low (I usually put the storage bag under the seat so I sit up a little higher), so you're stable. The air chambers stick up more than on my hard shells, so I can get pushed around by wind more, but if I quarter into or away from the wind, I get where I'm going.
I have one of AE's four part paddles, too. I don't know if it's the same model, but considering the cost, it's likely. It has a very nice catch, and the connections don't have any wobble. For me, the paddle shape doesn't drip much... though as with most paddles, a little water ends up in the boat with you.
I also have the smaller size boat--can't remember the name, and the ultralight version for backpacking into small mountain lakes. AE makes good boats, if you want an inflatable. I have hardshells, too, but they are bulky, and require car topping. During "the season," I always have a boat in the car, just 'cause.
Here in Wyoming, and with it being an inflatable, and 10 feet long and no more, I have to have it inspected for invasive species, but I don't have to buy the invasive species sticker every year. (Cha-ching!)
This is a great little boat, and a nice paddle. I'm not too fond of the bellows air pump, because it's a pain to store IN the boat while you're paddling, and I don't want to go paddling without having a pump available in case I need a bit more air in the chambers. But the bellows-type pump lets you fill the boat with foot-power (using strong leg muscles) and it's efficient.
Get the whole set. Be happy.
Jan 11, 2018
View Full Discussion