This light-gray solo/tandem inflatable with 13'4" length is worth considering for a variety of reasons.
Design/Features/Performance:
1. This is a 3 psi boat, plus has crossbar(s) you can use; these things make it good and solid/rigid.
2. Glides nicely, even when you stop paddling, especially for an inflatable. Solo paddling can do 3 to 3.3 mph with fairly easy effort, exceed 4 mph w/ firm continuous paddling, and even approach 5.5 mph at a sprint – these are good speeds for an inflatable. (Note that these speeds are about the same as I can do in my Advanced Elements Advance Frame Convertible which is 15 foot long and has stiff bow and stern inserts to give it more of a hard-shell type of shape.)
3. Tracks nicely, especially for an inflatable.
4. Like the sleek profile which a) takes less space when transporting, b) gives it a longer waterline meaning higher theoretical maximum hull speed, and, c) sits under the wind more easily.
5. At around 30" wide, it is narrower than some inflatables, which helps speed slightly.
6. Has flexibility to use the seats/crossbars that it comes with, or to leave them off and instead use inflatable seats such as a Sea Eagle's; inflatable seats are the most comfortable and also allow you to locate the seats wherever you want instead of being stuck with only the exact seat locations that the back-support bars dictate.
7. It has a rubber tracking fin in both the front and back that are fastened to the boat; they are each 18" long and stick down a couple inches. I have never seen this type on any other inflatable, but I like that they are low profile so you can handle shallower water – maybe even just 6 inches of water.
8. Boat does fine with both solo and tandem paddling.
9. Swimline Corp., which is the wholesaler of this boat, seems to offer good customer and warrantee service.
Tips:
Be aware that its weight capacity is only rated at about 400 pounds. It does not have any bungie cords, but does have D-rings at both bow and stern ends. Note that the low/sleek profile a) has minimal rocker, and, b) does allow some spray into the boat if there is chop, so it is a bit like a sit-on-top kayak. Note that if you use Sea Eagle's deluxe inflatable seats instead the Solstice seats, they will sit you higher than would be ideal for this boat – so I inflate the seat portion only about a third as much as normal for better stability. The boat has good secondary stability, but it can have a little side-to-side "rock" to it (i.e. feel a little "tippy") when in choppy water or rolling wake, so it is most ideal for flatwater. Take a close look at the symmetry of the boat when inflated; this style of boat may not always be truly symmetrical.
Manufacturing/Durability:
Their sister kayak, the Solstice "Trekker" which is of similar style, is orange, and is a bit shorter, has had issues with manufacturing defects and w/ durability (see my review on it). I cannot say at this time if those issues are or will be present with this Traveller II boat as well, as I only have one Traveller II and am satisfied with it.
This boat has a lot of nice features at a reasonable price. At this time I can only give it a 7 because I haven't had it long enough to verify the durability; also over time we will see if they maintain adequate symmetry in the construction of this style of boat, and if the pump and pressure gauge have good durability. If things are proven durable and the manufacturing is consistent, I would bump the rating up to an 8.
