I have owned this kayak for…
I have owned this kayak for five weeks, and have been out every weekend since on local rivers, small lakes and reservoirs in the greater DC area. Overall I am very happy with it. I am 4'11" and did not want to have the hassle of loading and unloading a boat onto the roof of my car. This boat is so light, and so easy to set up, that I don't think twice about throwing it in the car and getting on the water. Yes, it's a bit on the slower side, and doesn't track great (but actually not terribly). But the ease of packing and transport more than makes up for that, and it hasn't detracted at all from my enjoyment. While I had heard some issues with drying time for some of the advanced elements kayaks, I haven't had a problem with that so far. On a summer day I take it out of the water, dry it off as much as I can manually, then semi-deflate and just leave in a sunny spot while I put my other gear away, have a snack, etc. - and within a few minutes it is dry. I am very comfortable in the boat, but I am quite small - the cockpit is very roomy, but I imagine it might be tricky for a taller/bigger person. The boat is also very stable, and feels very durable. Some day I hope to own a sleek and speedy sea kayak, but this boat has gotten me out on the water quickly and hassle free, and for that I am extremely happy with it.
When I first used the Ultralight I was really dissapointed and wanted to send it back. I went out with a group and I didn't want to hold them up and I couldn't figure out how to put the seat in right, I didn't see where it buckled, I couldn't figure out how to set up the frame parts and I under inflated it. I was really unhappy. Then I decided to give it a second chance. I set it up in my living room, found out how everything worked, where everything went and the proper inflation. Then I took it out alone so I wouldn't feel hurried and set it up perfect. I was suprised how simple it was to set it up once you knew how. Then I got on the water. I'm really short, 4'11, so besides the seat I also had a inflateble seat and used the ADVANCED ELEMENTS foot brace. I was so comfortable and the boat cut nicely thru the water, It tracked beautifully, was extremely stable and it was really fast for a inflatable. You just have to make sure the tubes are properly inflated and the velcro holding them is even. It's so easy to carry. You can launch about anywhere. The only complaint I have is I wish it had inflateable coaming so i will be able to use a spray skirt, but I love it so much I feel confident in adding the ADVANCED ELEMENTS EXPEDITION ELITE which does have that feature to my little fleet. I'm beggining to like it better then my hard shell and that's saying alot. I wouldn't be buying another more expensive one of the same line if I didn't.
