Sawtooth

The speed feels close to the Innova Sunny, I can't tell which is faster. I sold my Innova Sunny so I could buy the Sawtooth I. I wish they sold the Sawtooth in red or blue instead of yellow. I was worried the yellow would attract bugs, but have not had problems with that at all. So far it has stayed relatively clean; I applied some protectant before using it the first time.

I took two points off the rating due to the retention of water. Aire kayaks are quite durable due to their skinned approach (outside layer and an inside bladder). However, water finds its way into the boat and it takes a long time to drain it out. After I fold it up I put the bundle on its side to drain for a few minutes before putting it in my car on a tarp. Then at home I unfold it and take a towel to it again.

On rivers it handles well. In deeper water I always put the skeg on, and am pleased with how the Sawtooth tracks. It's a comfortable craft for paddling into the middle of the lake on a sunny day, leaning back, and relaxing. Love it!

Set up is a breeze as with most inflatables, using a bravo 6 pump I can inflate this boat in approx 10 min. I didn't care for the factory cheetah chairs so I bought a gts sport seat which simply clips into place in seconds. There is no footrest w/ the kayak so I use an Aire thwart seat as a foot brace. there are a lot of tie downs to accommodate such accessories (32 I think).

On the water this kayak is STABLE & tracks true w/ the removable skeg. On the stability it really shines, I have had this boat on Lake Erie in some serious chop & never once felt insecure about tipping over. I've had decent sized waves & boat wakes hit this boat from all sides & it simply handles them all perfectly. Self rescue is a snap, just grab a side tube kick your feet,pull up & you're on, it's that easy (I'm 5'7" 185).

This is a fairly fast kayak (again for an inflatable), at first I was disappointed with the speed, but I was using a super heavy paddle & had no idea what good paddling technique involved. After much research, money on paddles (Eddyline windswift for longer trips & Mitchell escape for sprints) & a lot of practice I found I was going farther than I ever thought possible when I first started.

Touring the western basin of Lake Erie, I was paddling for distances of 6 to eight miles in 2 to 3 hrs. this kayak probably maxes out at 4 mph at all out effort but a normal cruising speed is around 2.5 to 3 mph depending on the wind & surf. speaking of wind this boat isn't all that affected by it, the single side tube are low so you don't blow around too much.

Again it tracks straight, there is no wag in the front end as you paddle. It is also fairly responsive & turns well considering it's length & beam. The only cons I can find is this boat is it's sort of heavy (approx 42 lbs), compared to an Innova Sunny it's only real competition it's about 12 pounds heavier. this is a bladder boat also so it will take on water between bladders & the pvc skin after a long tour especially in rough water. Folding it up after use I pick the boat up, squeeze & water drips out for a minute or 2. bladders also gives this boat a longer drying time & you better clean it in hot weather or you will get a nasty smelling boat if it sits too long folded (yea it happened to me)

The bailing holes to me are more of a downside than a plus. again I have the American made prototype & the bail holes on this boat are a bit larger than the Chinese version but I find I'm sitting in a puddle of water, sometimes big sometimes small. during the hot months I don't care but now as the weather is getting colder I do. I am trying a wide array of duct tapes to cover the holes (none seem to want to stick to this damn pvc!) & have met some success.

This is a very well designed boat, if you are in the market for a easy to use performance inflatable kayak this is it. kudos to the guys from Aire, it's been a good summer.