I have a Tucktec and I love it! It fits in the backseat of my car and stores in my closet. I take it out on the lakes and rivers in Florida. I recommend watching the entire assembly video and practicing putting it together a couple of times before taking a maiden voyage! The guy’s biggest complaints were the footrest and side foams not working, and that was because he didn’t have them installed correctly.
Got mine in September and took it out on a lake today to face some heavy boat wakes. Very surprised by the stability of these things. I wouldn't be taking it into any beach surf, or anything larger than a Class II rapid, but if you assemble this correctly, it surprises to the upside!
You think this would be stable enough to shoot out of and have a dog jump in and out of? How about durability scraping over sticks and reeds? Was thinking about one of these for duck hunting to be able to pack in and paddle around the marsh. Ha
I respect the negative comments, but for me, the Tucktec is perfect for my use. I got mine last year and it's got the combination of low price, sturdy (it really does feel sturdy and stable), easy to assemble, compact, and always in my truck bed ready to deploy. Plus, with the exception of really long lead time to ship to me (which is most likely resolved now) customer service has been great; they were responsive and able to work with me on getting a replacement seat ASAP (I was able to request a couple of their "beach chair" versions of their seats which have better support, and they really did work to make me a happy camper). I contemplated an ORU, but the price and complexity of the setup wasn't worth the robustness, performance, and capability for my uses. At the end of the day, I just wanted something that would make it easy to get out on the water and the Tucktec fit my bill. I'm not looking to do a sea tour or brave rapids, and I knew exactly what I was getting. If you want that, you've gotta compromise on price and/or storage. I've seen some TH-camrs push the limits of this kayak, but that's not for me. The seat design is honestly the worst aspect of the Tucktec, but if you can score one of the metal backed versions of the seat or find a seat hack, the Tucktec is probably more than decent for most.
I definitely think im getting this, I just wanna do some casual fishing on a lake once a month at the most but id at least like to get onto the water to fish plus I drive a miata so I don't have the room for much else
You're supposed to put the seat and side parts inside the kayak as you fold it closed. I think you should have taken the time to watch the tutorial videos put out by the manufacturer on how to assemble and fold before you started messing with it and risk breaking it. That piece you couldn't figure out what it was for is the foot rest. Ofcourse, you would have known that had you read the instructions lol.
Hehehe. Written instructions would be very helpful. And I was totally expecting my kayak to come with some, but all there was was a video that I watched, and in that video, it never mentioned a foot rest. Thanks for taking the time to correct my ignorance.
Unfortunately this guy did not do his research before purchase and didn't know what some of the parts are for, such as the foot rest. As a result he gives a negative slant.
Heh you also didn’t finish assembling it correctly. 😂😂😂 The side foam gets held down by the bungees with those hooks they act like the cotter pins do for the clamps on the side of the boat just like on the clamps on the bow and stern. Then the foam won’t move. Also the thing you couldn’t figure out is the foot rest which admittedly does suck. As for the foam sides and the seat they do fit inside the whole set up folded up. No need to store them separately (You know just like it was when you opened it in the first place 🤪)
My wife and I got ours in the beginning of summer 2021. It's the next generation from yours with slightly different implementations of some features. I have to say I’m quite happy with mine, although I initially had some problems with getting the kayak to go straight. I just needed to make sure I folded the stern so that it was tight and the skeg tracked correctly in the water. I've had it in pretty choppy water and had no fear of it tipping over. I've had it in small lakes and rivers. It's not designed for rapids. Doing an unboxing and assembly without watching the Tucktec instruction video gives an unfair impression of the kayak. As far as portable folding kayaks go it's more solid than a Oru, but it's obviously not going to be as solid on a sit-on kayak with a solid shell. I'd say the kayak's virtues are stability in water and portability.
I appreciate your honest feedback. Also it's good to hear from someone who has some hands on experience with this kayak. When I say "rapids" in the video, I imagine the sorts of little white water splash-splashes you would encounter in a river. Haha! I'm not looking to die in true rapids.
I just got mine and it pulled so hard to the right, I couldn't figure it out, so this helps! I'm not sure how I can fold it tighter but I am certainly going to try!
@@Kyla94934 Make sure the fold in the rear that comes into the boat is straight. Also make sure the skeg (rudder) is not bent. They're plastic so sitting them down on the ground with the rudder pushed to one side may make your kayak steer to one side if you don't straighten it out before you put it in the water. I ended up putting a sawed off paint stick inside mine to make it straight. Also if your rudder moves back and forth like a fish tail too much is not helpful. Keeping the fold tight with the plastic strap is important. One more tip: when you lower the rudder into the water the top line or the rudder should be more or less parallel with the surface of the water. You don't want it out of the water, but you don't want it flopping to its lowest point either. Keep playing with it. It took me three or four times till I got it right. Have someone in another kayak tell you if you rudder is wiggling too much or if it's level. You can't see that yourself while you're paddling. My wife's kayak identical to mine except in color has never had a problem. Just my luck, I guess.
I have the 2020 "ECO" Tucktec model (almost same one you have in this video, just a different seat design). I live in Canada, ordered it in 2020, and pre-pandemic shipping was quite fast. I love that this kayak will fit in my small hatchback, no need for roof/hitch rack, or special storage. I found the start of the video pretty honest of how all of us unbox, unroll, and then realize we need to watch the instructional video (I had watched it previously, but thought I remembered enough. I was wrong, and the moment you get it flat and want to do the first fold, that's when it hits. 😅) The footrest bar was confusing to me at first too, because it's so adjustable and I'm tall, it felt weird to press it forward with my feet, and then have it immediately loosen if I moved my feet away from it. So you're not wrong about the awkwardness of it, but it was amusing to watch you be perplexed by it. The rest, I hope you realize by now, is really a user problem (that many of us experience first time out). Because it's not a hard shell, you really can't use the sides for any weight bearing. Getting in and out of any kayak is not exactly graceful, but the paddle can be laid across and used to aid, and standing in it is a preferred method. (Also the flex of the plastic allows the kayak to touch bottom, so more sturdy than hard shell kayaks, imo). Last but not least, it's meant for calm waters, so that pond looked perfect to me (other than being noticeably a bit busy). I have fished from mine, my 13 year old son took it for a spin and loved it, I really find it to be a good option. P.S, the seat and foam do roll up inside. There's an instructional video for that too 🤪 I do agree with you that paper instructions would be helpful to include with the kayak for first timers, if for nothing else than to diagram the pieces included. Just in case someone is out of tower range when assembling and doesn't have access to the internet to see the video!
I promise you the lack of paper instructions was a huge part of why they can offer this at the price it is. Printing and paper and ink cost a lot when multiply by 1k orders having owned a business where it was occasionally necessary to do this, it adds up very quickly.
I wouldn't bring it down rapids. It's a recreational kayak so not meant for that. I am curious how it will hold up in some rougher chop. As you can see in some of my old videos I've been in some fairly large chop on bays and coastral areas with my Old Town Vapor 10. I would like to see more video on this TuckTec.
I will probably try it out on the river that goes through town first, since there are some little rapids but nothing extreme. Definitely don't want it to just fold in half and break. Haha!
I am just curious, did you actually watch the instruction video? All of your questions about assembly and disassembly were clearly answered in the video. It seems like we're just winging it...
Haha! I kinda skipped through the video, so pretty much was still winging it all the way. But I got it in the water and afloat, so that's got to count for something, right?
Very good video. Sure you already figured out that the piece you did not know what it was for was the foot rest. Anyway bought 2 for my wife and I and they are going back. After putting it together and taking it apart a few times it's actually easier to load a standard kayak on and off a car then putting these together and repacking them.
That’s my feelings exactly! It’s a cool piece of equipment to have, but a solid kayak is waaay more convenient! Thanks for the view and comment, my friend!
I was just on one of these for the first time today and it did fine, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that it's extremely sketchy. My biggest complaint is the seat, that seat is trash. Every time I would lean back even in the slightest the seat would just collapse.
Company makes a 8 and 10 foot version with a 200/250 pound capacity accordingly. Company claims folding joints are good for 1000 foldings. Company also claims these units are US coastguard certified, but they would have provide a certification # to prove that claim, I didn't see any # when looking on their website but that doesn't mean they don't have certification, you might have ask for it specifically. What gives this kayak good stability is it's wide flat contact surface area in the water and being puncture proof (hard plastic) compared to air blow-up's and the units easy transport and storability.😎
The website literally expresses that these boats aren't meant for rapids, but for calm paddling on lakes and such... As for the "whatever this thing is" about the footrest, and parts that broke off... The guy obviously has not done any research about this thing he purchased, cause he unfurled that roll like a bull in a China shop, and the footrest is called.out in every drawing of the damn boat. Can't expect everything from this little boat, but if you do your reading, you won't be surprised, like this dude seems to be. Also, he broke something on the first go, his own fault, but tuckTEC has a three year warranty sooo...
Honest review. Thanks for sharing this. We also got to see everything you went through to figure this thing out too. There is one for sale here, and I've been wanting something light to throw in the car for a quick paddle. This was very informative.
I know this video is 3 years old, but I want this forrest green color. The website shows the green as a lime green. Did that change or is the color exaggerated on the site?
That's a great question. Wish I could help, but I never had any contact with the company even after putting this video out there! Have you tried reaching out to their customer service?
Are you going to test it more and I was interested in what had broke on it. I am an avid kayaker and outdoors man. I am really interested in seeing it tested more
Yes sir! I have plans to take it out again now that the weather is getting nice and I’m getting more free time from work. The only thing that broke was a string that just needed retying. Otherwise, it’s still fine
One of the elastic retention pieces popped out of its hole, so I'll need to retie it, and that foot brace detached as well. Seems like pretty simple repairs, though. Everything else (that's actually structural) did surprisingly well.
I'd be interested in seeing this on choppy water. I just ordered mine and the lakes where I live have pretty choppy water from boats and wind. Oh, and how does it do in wind?
I have no idea about wind performance or choppiness yet. I have not brought it out to any large lakes yet. I want to try it out on a river first to see how it handles choppiness, and then I'll try it on a large reservoir.
How the heck do you get out of the thing? I've kayaked for years and typically hold on to both sides of the boat to counter balance when getting out but the sides are so flimsy that's not possible. Seems like you just have to kind of dump out of it. I'm considering returning mine for this reason
Hahaha! I definitely struggled getting out (and in) to this kayak. Felt like it was going to fold in half on me. I kinda wind up just stepping into it without holding onto anything. It feels a little like stepping onto a paddle board. Getting out is either the same, or you'll wind up just having to get a little wet.
My wife ordered two of these for us. We live on a small tidal river. We watched the video a couple of times and decided to assemble them at home to be sure we knew what we were doing. My wife went first. It took parts of two days, probably because it was new and very stiff. After she got it together with help from me, she got in it and said it was pretty comfortable. She got out, we moved the seat back and I got in. This is a definite no for me. There was no back support and I was not at all comfortable. Getting in and out was a trial all by itself. I told her to send mine back. I’m glad we hadn’t already bought the paddles. Also, the back strap above the skeg would not stay on. This is totally unusable for me.
@@stephenmullen1215 no support from the seat. I felt like I was about to fall over backwards. It was extremely uncomfortable. The rear strap that holds the back end together kept coming off. It might get easier to put together with time, but it was very hard to get the folds to bend right. And yes, we went online and watched the video on how to assemble it - several times.
The look on your face is exactly what to expect from the foldable kayak I give it a 3⭐️ it feels it will tip over easily and the seat is not the most comfortable seat for the price it’s a hit and miss and what it’s worth.
Yeaaah... it's an OK-ish kayak. I wish I went with a solid one of equal price for more stability and features, but it's easy to store and fun to paddle around with.
Haha! It is a bit sketchy at times. Once I can, I'll be investing in something with a little more structure to it, but for paddling around calm-ish water and fishing, it's pretty perfect. Thanks for checking out the video, my friend!
If you're looking for a packable, foldable kayak, this one is really convenient and a pretty competitive price. If you don't need something foldable/easily storable then maybe look at something a little sturdier. Just my 2 cents. Thank you so much for checking out the video!
Thank you so much for the support! I am pretty sure it's a Tilley LTM6. I've had it for many years, and it's still solid. Washed it a couple times too, and it's still going strong.
Haha! Well, I did watch the instructions on putting it together after we had already started filming, but watching me watch the instruction video was a bit dull, so I didn't keep it in my final edit.
Yeah, who likes instructions? I always start with new things and when I get stuck I start reading. For the boat I find this not a bad invention, keep in mind that it is a foldable boat people! I know how freaking hard that is to design. Did a bath once for my graduation. Thing looked great, costed me a rib from my chest (as a student) and did not work at all because it was to expensive to make. Designing can take years. Some people are lucky to have more talent or better timing and they create the perfect thing for thàt moment. This kayak when you're travelling and have some spare room is perfect to be able to do that without renting or having them logs on your vehicle which can then be stolen etc.
I’m thinking of purchasing one and I was wondering if it really took that long to get yours shipped to you?any insight would be helpful since zombie apocalypse and all.
Zombie apocalypse? Do you know something that I don't know?... It did take about 4 months, but that's because I purchased it as a pre-order before they finished production on them. It would probably get to you faster than it did for me depending on their covid-19 delays...
On their website, it says 4-6 weeks for shipping it out. They are based in the Carolinas so they note that it may take some time depending on where you are from the Carolinas.
@@TheWildernessEnthusiast they're also like 3x the price. maybe good if you decide to stick with kayaking as a hobby/outdoor activity, but if you're unsure and want a cheap trial i'd rather drop $350 than a G before choosing to upgrade
I probably would just because it's easy to store in my apartment and didn't really break the bank like some of the other lightweight kayaks would, but if money and storage were not an issue, then, to be honest, no, I probably wouldn't.
If you're going to review a product, I think it's only fair that you review the instructional video as directed and take you're time assembling it the first few times. It's clear from your confusion upon seeing it out of the box that you were winging it and didn't end up assembling it correctly. I would also suggest that anyone buying something should review what they want to use it for. This is an open style recreational kayak. It's not meant for rapids so if you purchased hoping to do white water, the problem isn't with the product it's with your clear ignorance of the uses it's designed for. All that being said, I'm very disappointed in this review and would likely not trust the reviewer's opinions on other products.
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to watch and critique my video. Honest comments like this one really do help me create better videos. However, this video is NOT a review video. It's an unboxing and first use video. So of course I was winging it! This was authentically the very first time I've ever had to put this kayak together, first time ever using it, first time ever even seeing it. I do this type of video specifically to show a viewer what they can expect when they receive a product. If you don't find it helpful, no biggie. But that's why the title of this video never says REVIEW cause it's NOT a review. Also, I am NOT a reviewer. Never tried to be. I enjoy sharing and using gear in real-world situations and filming the experience in entertaining and fun ways. If I review a product, it will be after months and months (if not years) of real and serious use. I can't force you to enjoy my videos or trust me, but I appreciate you watching and commenting anyway.
This is a realistic perspective, how most buyers recieve items. It's helpful to those who can relate. It helped me make my purchase decision, as I am intuitive with majority of my purchases and how to use them.
I clicked because the tucktec foldable had me curious so thanks for the review, I got what I came for. However your obvious disappointment with the product is biased since you never took the time to inform yourself or watch the video prior to assembly. You probably should have tried it out once off-camera first... we can't blame your honesty though, that's for sure 👍
Very cool I like the SOLID construction idea way more than those Inflatable versions like Dave Canterbury uses!! Seem like a little learning curve no biggie take care brotha stay safe&happy!!(=
I know what you mean. Those inflatable ones seem way more fragile than this one, and they take more time to prep. Thanks again, brother! You stay well too.
I honestly have no idea. It seems like it could last that long if you take good care of it, but if you abuse it a bit too much or fold it wrong, it could certainly break within that timespan. It also depends on how much you actually use it throughout those five years.
Hey Jude🙂 Looks pretty cool man. And heavy😂 was it very expensive? I’ve been looking at Swift canoes. They have really light trekking ones. Like 20 pounds. That one looked pretty cool for something to keep in your trunk or the back of your truck. I don’t know man.... I’d rather have a solid one. I’d definitely like to see you go down it in rapids though😂😂😂
I think it's close to 30lb, and it was waaaaaaaay less than a swift canoe. This one cost me $350. I won't be able to afford a swift until we're as big as Joe Robinet.
I find it heavy to move, however the shoulder strap makes that easy enough. Once folded it is easy for two to move it, or one to drag it over grass or sand. Where it shines is as a still water sporting boat, rides over speedboat wakes, although prefers quiet water. !You can easily put it in the back of the car!! We go camping take two or three folded kayaks, two bikes on the back, all gear in back seat or in a roof box. Look out lakes and streams. No need to hoist ungainly boats to roof of car.
First! I'd be scared of ripping that thing while putting it together, but then again I'm also an oaf. Looks more durable than a lot of the inflatable ones I see though. I think I'll pass on this one.
Haha! I gotta start tallying how many times you win. ;) It's definitely better than an inflatable one, but I really want to take it down a more intense river to see just how strong it is.
Thought the idea was interesting, better than inflatable and cheaper than origami but looking at it in a video the product seems a bit too much like a bad prototype . Maybe future versions can be better. Didn't liked the product but liked watching you
You gave better visuals of this kaycrap than anyone. I was debating purchasing it but I will save and pull the trigger on an Oru Inlet $900. Tucktec $350 rated 10k folds, Oru Inlet 20k. Oru looks more like a regular kayak.
You really think you are going to use your kayak more than 10K times? If you assembled it twice a week it would take 100 years to reach 10k. I would probably replace it after only 50 years. The oru has a much better paddling shape although it has more parts.
You mean to tell me in the 3 months you waited to get this, not once did you sit down and watch any of the informational videos that they put out on their website? SMH... I've watched a few of these "review videos" of these kayaks and not one single person knew what they were doing. I don't think any of you guys have sat down and really "watched" the instructional video not only before you purchased it, but after you actually purchased it either .
Before I even opened the video I could see it wasn't properly put together in the thumbnail. Unfortunately, I did facepalm 3 times during this video. However. Good music I guess. Good quality camera. Overall... I don't hate ur videos, they are just ehhh... A little. Blah. 🤣🤓 Have a nice night, sleep tight. Don't let them bed bugs bite!
Judging by the way he entered the kayak and the way he hold his paddle, obviously he have no paddling experience at all and have no idea on what he was talking about.
I don't remember if I kept the shot in the final edit, but I did test to see if that front bar was for my feet. It felt weird at the time, so I didn't use it.
Awh! Thanks, man! You're probably right. A river might rip this one apart. How about a slow moving river with only a few little rapids? Cause that might be fun?
@@SurvivoTek I think the pond you are in probably has enough current for that kayak. But, who knows? As long as you can get to the bank without going thru a lot of trees and shrubbery it might be ok?
Hahaha! I don't think I'd enjoy dying for a video either. Idaho has some intense rapids, but I don't think (even for testing) I would go down those. Maybe just the little bumps and rapids floaters go down on the Boise River.
Just don't see the point to be honest. You can just buy a kayak cheaper than this. You don't need anything special to transport it, a cut in half pool noodle to keep it off the roof of your car and some rope and you're good to go. Deal with the space to store it, this is just gimmicky.
It's like the trade off between comfort and portability. Very portable... not super comfortable. It's actually surprisingly sturdy for paddling around still water. Not sure how it will do on actual rivers.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a Tucktec and I love it! It fits in the backseat of my car and stores in my closet. I take it out on the lakes and rivers in Florida. I recommend watching the entire assembly video and practicing putting it together a couple of times before taking a maiden voyage! The guy’s biggest complaints were the footrest and side foams not working, and that was because he didn’t have them installed correctly.
THANK YOU! I live in a department and this is just what was looking for.
You go out on the waters in Florida, in this?! Are you insane?!
don't they have crocs in florida rivers? you must be out of your mind son :D
@@geraldbroflovski8114 I've been taking Inflatables in Florida lakes and rivers for years. Never had a single issue.
@@oreosk8ter Good for you buddy.
Got mine in September and took it out on a lake today to face some heavy boat wakes. Very surprised by the stability of these things. I wouldn't be taking it into any beach surf, or anything larger than a Class II rapid, but if you assemble this correctly, it surprises to the upside!
That's good to know! I feel a little more confident bringing it out to paddle around.
You think this would be stable enough to shoot out of and have a dog jump in and out of? How about durability scraping over sticks and reeds? Was thinking about one of these for duck hunting to be able to pack in and paddle around the marsh. Ha
@@sethrich5998 I was thinking the same thing for duck hunting deep into public land. If you ended up getting it, I would love to hear your thought.
I respect the negative comments, but for me, the Tucktec is perfect for my use. I got mine last year and it's got the combination of low price, sturdy (it really does feel sturdy and stable), easy to assemble, compact, and always in my truck bed ready to deploy. Plus, with the exception of really long lead time to ship to me (which is most likely resolved now) customer service has been great; they were responsive and able to work with me on getting a replacement seat ASAP (I was able to request a couple of their "beach chair" versions of their seats which have better support, and they really did work to make me a happy camper). I contemplated an ORU, but the price and complexity of the setup wasn't worth the robustness, performance, and capability for my uses. At the end of the day, I just wanted something that would make it easy to get out on the water and the Tucktec fit my bill. I'm not looking to do a sea tour or brave rapids, and I knew exactly what I was getting. If you want that, you've gotta compromise on price and/or storage. I've seen some TH-camrs push the limits of this kayak, but that's not for me. The seat design is honestly the worst aspect of the Tucktec, but if you can score one of the metal backed versions of the seat or find a seat hack, the Tucktec is probably more than decent for most.
Anybody want to watch me take this thing down an actual river with actual rapids?? Let me know in the comments!
😁✊🔥 OH PLEASE!!!🔥✊😁
YESSS!!
Do it! Haha
Sure
I would love to see that, but you better have on a good life jacket and maybe a wetsuit
I definitely think im getting this, I just wanna do some casual fishing on a lake once a month at the most but id at least like to get onto the water to fish plus I drive a miata so I don't have the room for much else
You're supposed to put the seat and side parts inside the kayak as you fold it closed. I think you should have taken the time to watch the tutorial videos put out by the manufacturer on how to assemble and fold before you started messing with it and risk breaking it. That piece you couldn't figure out what it was for is the foot rest. Ofcourse, you would have known that had you read the instructions lol.
Hehehe. Written instructions would be very helpful. And I was totally expecting my kayak to come with some, but all there was was a video that I watched, and in that video, it never mentioned a foot rest. Thanks for taking the time to correct my ignorance.
Unfortunately this guy did not do his research before purchase and didn't know what some of the parts are for, such as the foot rest. As a result he gives a negative slant.
That’s not the only reason he gave it that slant.
I like noob reviews because if they cant figure it out…
Question what is a negative slant?
What is a slant in kayaking?
@@danielleininger5422 he means his review was on the negative side overall.
Heh you also didn’t finish assembling it correctly. 😂😂😂
The side foam gets held down by the bungees with those hooks they act like the cotter pins do for the clamps on the side of the boat just like on the clamps on the bow and stern. Then the foam won’t move. Also the thing you couldn’t figure out is the foot rest which admittedly does suck. As for the foam sides and the seat they do fit inside the whole set up folded up. No need to store them separately (You know just like it was when you opened it in the first place 🤪)
Hahaha! Whoops! Must've missed some things. Thanks for the advise!
Thanks for the review. Great job. I've been looking at the boats for a while
The best thing about this has to be the weight and portability. I bet its nice to paddle not having alot of weight to it.
I'm shopping around, but now leaning more toward a hard shell, foldable one. They cost a lot more but I'd feel a bit more confident in one, I think.
My wife and I got ours in the beginning of summer 2021. It's the next generation from yours with slightly different implementations of some features. I have to say I’m quite happy with mine, although I initially had some problems with getting the kayak to go straight. I just needed to make sure I folded the stern so that it was tight and the skeg tracked correctly in the water. I've had it in pretty choppy water and had no fear of it tipping over. I've had it in small lakes and rivers. It's not designed for rapids.
Doing an unboxing and assembly without watching the Tucktec instruction video gives an unfair impression of the kayak. As far as portable folding kayaks go it's more solid than a Oru, but it's obviously not going to be as solid on a sit-on kayak with a solid shell. I'd say the kayak's virtues are stability in water and portability.
I appreciate your honest feedback. Also it's good to hear from someone who has some hands on experience with this kayak. When I say "rapids" in the video, I imagine the sorts of little white water splash-splashes you would encounter in a river. Haha! I'm not looking to die in true rapids.
I just got mine and it pulled so hard to the right, I couldn't figure it out, so this helps! I'm not sure how I can fold it tighter but I am certainly going to try!
@@Kyla94934 Make sure the fold in the rear that comes into the boat is straight. Also make sure the skeg (rudder) is not bent. They're plastic so sitting them down on the ground with the rudder pushed to one side may make your kayak steer to one side if you don't straighten it out before you put it in the water. I ended up putting a sawed off paint stick inside mine to make it straight. Also if your rudder moves back and forth like a fish tail too much is not helpful. Keeping the fold tight with the plastic strap is important. One more tip: when you lower the rudder into the water the top line or the rudder should be more or less parallel with the surface of the water. You don't want it out of the water, but you don't want it flopping to its lowest point either.
Keep playing with it. It took me three or four times till I got it right. Have someone in another kayak tell you if you rudder is wiggling too much or if it's level. You can't see that yourself while you're paddling.
My wife's kayak identical to mine except in color has never had a problem. Just my luck, I guess.
@@LightsOnMultiMediaMindArts thank you so much!!! I can't wait till I can get out again and try out these tips
@@Kyla94934 You're welcome. If you still have a problem, I'll take some photos to illustrate.
I have the 2020 "ECO" Tucktec model (almost same one you have in this video, just a different seat design).
I live in Canada, ordered it in 2020, and pre-pandemic shipping was quite fast. I love that this kayak will fit in my small hatchback, no need for roof/hitch rack, or special storage.
I found the start of the video pretty honest of how all of us unbox, unroll, and then realize we need to watch the instructional video (I had watched it previously, but thought I remembered enough. I was wrong, and the moment you get it flat and want to do the first fold, that's when it hits. 😅)
The footrest bar was confusing to me at first too, because it's so adjustable and I'm tall, it felt weird to press it forward with my feet, and then have it immediately loosen if I moved my feet away from it. So you're not wrong about the awkwardness of it, but it was amusing to watch you be perplexed by it.
The rest, I hope you realize by now, is really a user problem (that many of us experience first time out). Because it's not a hard shell, you really can't use the sides for any weight bearing. Getting in and out of any kayak is not exactly graceful, but the paddle can be laid across and used to aid, and standing in it is a preferred method. (Also the flex of the plastic allows the kayak to touch bottom, so more sturdy than hard shell kayaks, imo).
Last but not least, it's meant for calm waters, so that pond looked perfect to me (other than being noticeably a bit busy). I have fished from mine, my 13 year old son took it for a spin and loved it, I really find it to be a good option.
P.S, the seat and foam do roll up inside. There's an instructional video for that too 🤪
I do agree with you that paper instructions would be helpful to include with the kayak for first timers, if for nothing else than to diagram the pieces included. Just in case someone is out of tower range when assembling and doesn't have access to the internet to see the video!
I promise you the lack of paper instructions was a huge part of why they can offer this at the price it is. Printing and paper and ink cost a lot when multiply by 1k orders having owned a business where it was occasionally necessary to do this, it adds up very quickly.
Where in Canada?
Weird how he doesn’t like it but has this smile on his face like an excited kid at Christmas the whole time!
Lol you work at tucktec fasho
probably amazed he didn't sink
I wouldn't bring it down rapids. It's a recreational kayak so not meant for that. I am curious how it will hold up in some rougher chop. As you can see in some of my old videos I've been in some fairly large chop on bays and coastral areas with my Old Town Vapor 10. I would like to see more video on this TuckTec.
it probably may just fold in half in chop
I will probably try it out on the river that goes through town first, since there are some little rapids but nothing extreme. Definitely don't want it to just fold in half and break. Haha!
I am just curious, did you actually watch the instruction video? All of your questions about assembly and disassembly were clearly answered in the video. It seems like we're just winging it...
Haha! I kinda skipped through the video, so pretty much was still winging it all the way. But I got it in the water and afloat, so that's got to count for something, right?
The video is for an older model, and does not accurately explain the latest changes.
The video is for an older model, and does not accurately explain the latest changes.
Very good video. Sure you already figured out that the piece you did not know what it was for was the foot rest. Anyway bought 2 for my wife and I and they are going back. After putting it together and taking it apart a few times it's actually easier to load a standard kayak on and off a car then putting these together and repacking them.
That’s my feelings exactly! It’s a cool piece of equipment to have, but a solid kayak is waaay more convenient! Thanks for the view and comment, my friend!
I was just on one of these for the first time today and it did fine, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that it's extremely sketchy. My biggest complaint is the seat, that seat is trash. Every time I would lean back even in the slightest the seat would just collapse.
You must use the adjuster strap that holds the whole thing together. Wrap through the seat and tighten it down
"i dont hate it"....i just regret my decision to buy it lol
that was a pretty honest review
I have to keep it real. Haha! Thanks, my friend. Yeah, I honestly wish I had saved my money and bought something a bit sturdier.
@@SurvivoTek check out the sea eagle razorlite
Thanks for this review! I didn’t get the impression that you were impressed.
Thanks for checking it out. Honestly, it's not my favorite. I think I'm gonna save for a solid kayak instead. Haha!
The thing he was confused about in the beginning is the feet support (anchor).
Company makes a 8 and 10 foot version with a 200/250 pound capacity accordingly. Company claims folding joints are good for 1000 foldings. Company also claims these units are US coastguard certified, but they would have provide a certification # to prove that claim, I didn't see any # when looking on their website but that doesn't mean they don't have certification, you might have ask for it specifically. What gives this kayak good stability is it's wide flat contact surface area in the water and being puncture proof (hard plastic) compared to air blow-up's and the units easy transport and storability.😎
A real man doesn’t need instructions.
Here's a good tongue-twister: Take a Tucktec to Tuktoyaktuk
The website literally expresses that these boats aren't meant for rapids, but for calm paddling on lakes and such...
As for the "whatever this thing is" about the footrest, and parts that broke off... The guy obviously has not done any research about this thing he purchased, cause he unfurled that roll like a bull in a China shop, and the footrest is called.out in every drawing of the damn boat.
Can't expect everything from this little boat, but if you do your reading, you won't be surprised, like this dude seems to be.
Also, he broke something on the first go, his own fault, but tuckTEC has a three year warranty sooo...
That looks pretty slick!
It's definitely fun to paddle around. We'll see how sturdy it winds up being.
THATS IT ! . . . I'm Makin One !
Think it's great especially for the price
Great Video. Also have to say, I loved you in "It's always sunny in Philadelphia".
Can you mount rod holders and a fish finder onto these?
Honest review. Thanks for sharing this. We also got to see everything you went through to figure this thing out too. There is one for sale here, and I've been wanting something light to throw in the car for a quick paddle. This was very informative.
I know this video is 3 years old, but I want this forrest green color. The website shows the green as a lime green. Did that change or is the color exaggerated on the site?
That's a great question. Wish I could help, but I never had any contact with the company even after putting this video out there! Have you tried reaching out to their customer service?
Thanks,I was going to buy one but now there's no way now
Ty so much for the review 👍🦋
I’m so happy you found my video helpful!
I wouldn't try it on Mississippi River, which i have kayaked on (and south of STL)
You did great explaining. Love your Tilley!
Thank you so much for the support!
Are you going to test it more and I was interested in what had broke on it. I am an avid kayaker and outdoors man. I am really interested in seeing it tested more
Yes sir! I have plans to take it out again now that the weather is getting nice and I’m getting more free time from work. The only thing that broke was a string that just needed retying. Otherwise, it’s still fine
I got mine- have to wait until next summer to try it out. P.S. Package says, water ready in 2 minutes LOL!
2 minutes? Haha! Not even close to that for me. I bet if you practice a bit more you'd be able to get it folded pretty quickly.
you said some pieces broke. what pieces? and i think that other foam piece might be for your feet to brace against
One of the elastic retention pieces popped out of its hole, so I'll need to retie it, and that foot brace detached as well. Seems like pretty simple repairs, though. Everything else (that's actually structural) did surprisingly well.
I'd be interested in seeing this on choppy water. I just ordered mine and the lakes where I live have pretty choppy water from boats and wind. Oh, and how does it do in wind?
I have no idea about wind performance or choppiness yet. I have not brought it out to any large lakes yet. I want to try it out on a river first to see how it handles choppiness, and then I'll try it on a large reservoir.
How the heck do you get out of the thing? I've kayaked for years and typically hold on to both sides of the boat to counter balance when getting out but the sides are so flimsy that's not possible. Seems like you just have to kind of dump out of it. I'm considering returning mine for this reason
Hahaha! I definitely struggled getting out (and in) to this kayak. Felt like it was going to fold in half on me. I kinda wind up just stepping into it without holding onto anything. It feels a little like stepping onto a paddle board. Getting out is either the same, or you'll wind up just having to get a little wet.
My wife ordered two of these for us. We live on a small tidal river. We watched the video a couple of times and decided to assemble them at home to be sure we knew what we were doing. My wife went first. It took parts of two days, probably because it was new and very stiff. After she got it together with help from me, she got in it and said it was pretty comfortable. She got out, we moved the seat back and I got in. This is a definite no for me. There was no back support and I was not at all comfortable. Getting in and out was a trial all by itself. I told her to send mine back. I’m glad we hadn’t already bought the paddles. Also, the back strap above the skeg would not stay on. This is totally unusable for me.
Why a no from you? Did you follow the new instructions from the newer model / seat ?
I got mine pretty good I'm 5'11 btw
@@stephenmullen1215 no support from the seat. I felt like I was about to fall over backwards. It was extremely uncomfortable. The rear strap that holds the back end together kept coming off. It might get easier to put together with time, but it was very hard to get the folds to bend right. And yes, we went online and watched the video on how to assemble it - several times.
@@frankstabler1920people buy aftermarket seats and use them in place of the original seat, they probably don’t put a nice seat in to keep msrp down.
Dude, you talk about the Kayak and all I want to know is where to get that hat.
Why did it take 3 or 4 months. I'm thinking or ordering one. Is that normal?
I think I ordered it on a preorder so they weren’t shipping yet. If they’re in stock, they’d probably ship much sooner than that.
@@SurvivoTek thanks!
The look on your face is exactly what to expect from the foldable kayak I give it a 3⭐️ it feels it will tip over easily and the seat is not the most comfortable seat for the price it’s a hit and miss and what it’s worth.
how would you feel in it with boats going by & making waves with the shallow sides?
In all honesty, it would probably get a little wet in there if there were waves any larger than a ripple. Haha!
You didn't look so happy about your new kayak?
Yeaaah... it's an OK-ish kayak. I wish I went with a solid one of equal price for more stability and features, but it's easy to store and fun to paddle around with.
I've never heard of anything like this before. Very interesting concept, but that thing just looks sketchy as hell 😆
Haha! It is a bit sketchy at times. Once I can, I'll be investing in something with a little more structure to it, but for paddling around calm-ish water and fishing, it's pretty perfect. Thanks for checking out the video, my friend!
The Oru brand ones are way more legit.
@@ConstanceWhenever you pay for it tho, at almost 3x the price they're not really comparable products
I actually own one of their early models and its been about 13 years or so. Tough as hell. But yeah roughish waters are to be avoided
@@ConstanceWhenever shipping taxes and duty for it are almost $400 the same price as this boat delivered
Thank you for the review I appreciate it :-)
Things snapped and popped out?
Why didnt you show them?
doesn't come with paddles?
No it didn't. Although, you might be able to order them along with it.
But can it hold a 260lb man with fishing gear?
Have you gave ORU kayak any thoughts?
I haven’t heard of them. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@SurvivoTek No problem, I think you’ll be impressed.
I want one but not sure. It's expensive.
If you're looking for a packable, foldable kayak, this one is really convenient and a pretty competitive price. If you don't need something foldable/easily storable then maybe look at something a little sturdier. Just my 2 cents. Thank you so much for checking out the video!
@@SurvivoTekthsnks
Folding after awhile may diffidently cause some leakage issues later
My uncle has had one for two years and he’s used it dozens of times, never had an issue with leakage yet. 🤞
They work in calm waters. Have one 20 plus years.
So no whitewater for me, hm? That's ok. I didn't necessarily love the idea of being swept away by the rapids.
Point of video: Need to read the directions!
Looks like Quinn's pond in Boise...
Subbed for more adventures ;-) Dang that hat makes you look like INDY JR got to love that. Which model is it?
Thank you so much for the support! I am pretty sure it's a Tilley LTM6. I've had it for many years, and it's still solid. Washed it a couple times too, and it's still going strong.
Nice review
It’s just for fishing in a large pond
Agreed.
They have instructions for a reason...
Haha! Well, I did watch the instructions on putting it together after we had already started filming, but watching me watch the instruction video was a bit dull, so I didn't keep it in my final edit.
Yeah, who likes instructions? I always start with new things and when I get stuck I start reading. For the boat I find this not a bad invention, keep in mind that it is a foldable boat people! I know how freaking hard that is to design. Did a bath once for my graduation. Thing looked great, costed me a rib from my chest (as a student) and did not work at all because it was to expensive to make. Designing can take years. Some people are lucky to have more talent or better timing and they create the perfect thing for thàt moment. This kayak when you're travelling and have some spare room is perfect to be able to do that without renting or having them logs on your vehicle which can then be stolen etc.
that black bar is a foot rest
I’m thinking of purchasing one and I was wondering if it really took that long to get yours shipped to you?any insight would be helpful since zombie apocalypse and all.
Zombie apocalypse? Do you know something that I don't know?... It did take about 4 months, but that's because I purchased it as a pre-order before they finished production on them. It would probably get to you faster than it did for me depending on their covid-19 delays...
I would seriously consider getting an Oru Kayak instead...
That’s just how I refer to the COVID pandemic. Lol. Thank you for the information. I would consider the OruKayak but the cost is what gets me.
On their website, it says 4-6 weeks for shipping it out. They are based in the Carolinas so they note that it may take some time depending on where you are from the Carolinas.
@@TheWildernessEnthusiast they're also like 3x the price. maybe good if you decide to stick with kayaking as a hobby/outdoor activity, but if you're unsure and want a cheap trial i'd rather drop $350 than a G before choosing to upgrade
Would you buy it again?
I probably would just because it's easy to store in my apartment and didn't really break the bank like some of the other lightweight kayaks would, but if money and storage were not an issue, then, to be honest, no, I probably wouldn't.
You are using paddles backwards
Will it survive alligator infested waters?
Hahaha! I think it would have to have a bit more metal in it to survive waters like that!
If you're going to review a product, I think it's only fair that you review the instructional video as directed and take you're time assembling it the first few times. It's clear from your confusion upon seeing it out of the box that you were winging it and didn't end up assembling it correctly.
I would also suggest that anyone buying something should review what they want to use it for. This is an open style recreational kayak. It's not meant for rapids so if you purchased hoping to do white water, the problem isn't with the product it's with your clear ignorance of the uses it's designed for.
All that being said, I'm very disappointed in this review and would likely not trust the reviewer's opinions on other products.
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to watch and critique my video. Honest comments like this one really do help me create better videos.
However, this video is NOT a review video. It's an unboxing and first use video. So of course I was winging it! This was authentically the very first time I've ever had to put this kayak together, first time ever using it, first time ever even seeing it. I do this type of video specifically to show a viewer what they can expect when they receive a product. If you don't find it helpful, no biggie. But that's why the title of this video never says REVIEW cause it's NOT a review.
Also, I am NOT a reviewer. Never tried to be. I enjoy sharing and using gear in real-world situations and filming the experience in entertaining and fun ways. If I review a product, it will be after months and months (if not years) of real and serious use. I can't force you to enjoy my videos or trust me, but I appreciate you watching and commenting anyway.
This is a realistic perspective, how most buyers recieve items. It's helpful to those who can relate. It helped me make my purchase decision, as I am intuitive with majority of my purchases and how to use them.
Lol is this Quinn's pond?
I clicked because the tucktec foldable had me curious so thanks for the review, I got what I came for. However your obvious disappointment with the product is biased since you never took the time to inform yourself or watch the video prior to assembly. You probably should have tried it out once off-camera first... we can't blame your honesty though, that's for sure 👍
I feel like a wake from a boat would be catastrophic
You're probably right, but that's what tests are for!
I has not been. Rides the wakes well.
Very cool I like the SOLID construction idea way more than those Inflatable versions like Dave Canterbury uses!! Seem like a little learning curve no biggie take care brotha stay safe&happy!!(=
I know what you mean. Those inflatable ones seem way more fragile than this one, and they take more time to prep. Thanks again, brother! You stay well too.
Not really fair to complain about things you didn't want to look at the instructions for and use properly. Hate reviews like this.
Do you think it'll break over time, like in 5 years?
I honestly have no idea. It seems like it could last that long if you take good care of it, but if you abuse it a bit too much or fold it wrong, it could certainly break within that timespan. It also depends on how much you actually use it throughout those five years.
They come with a 3 year guarantee.
What is happening at 3:48
The dummy in the water right?
A few things breaking or pulling loose on first setup sealed my decision. Thanks for the review
You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful!
Unfortunate he didn't watch the assembly instructions
Ima watch this again, just cuz you're so damn cute! Thanks for the review!
Hahahaha! You’re making me blush!
Anyone ever tried this in rapids?
Nope. I was going to, but the next time I took it out, it was so unstable on calm water that I decided I didn't feel like dying.
@@SurvivoTek good to know
Hey Jude🙂 Looks pretty cool man. And heavy😂 was it very expensive? I’ve been looking at Swift canoes. They have really light trekking ones. Like 20 pounds. That one looked pretty cool for something to keep in your trunk or the back of your truck. I don’t know man.... I’d rather have a solid one. I’d definitely like to see you go down it in rapids though😂😂😂
I think it's close to 30lb, and it was waaaaaaaay less than a swift canoe. This one cost me $350. I won't be able to afford a swift until we're as big as Joe Robinet.
I find it heavy to move, however the shoulder strap makes that easy enough. Once folded it is easy for two to move it, or one to drag it over grass or sand. Where it shines is as a still water sporting boat, rides over speedboat wakes, although prefers quiet water. !You can easily put it in the back of the car!!
We go camping take two or three folded kayaks, two bikes on the back, all gear in back seat or in a roof box. Look out lakes and streams.
No need to hoist ungainly boats to roof of car.
First! I'd be scared of ripping that thing while putting it together, but then again I'm also an oaf. Looks more durable than a lot of the inflatable ones I see though. I think I'll pass on this one.
Haha! I gotta start tallying how many times you win. ;) It's definitely better than an inflatable one, but I really want to take it down a more intense river to see just how strong it is.
@@SurvivoTek Just depends on when you post and what's going on at the moment with work.
try ripping ⅛ " polyethylene it is super tough. I can't even easily rip a plastic milk carton and that is ¼ as thick.
Thought the idea was interesting, better than inflatable and cheaper than origami but looking at it in a video the product seems a bit too much like a bad prototype . Maybe future versions can be better. Didn't liked the product but liked watching you
You gave better visuals of this kaycrap than anyone. I was debating purchasing it but I will save and pull the trigger on an Oru Inlet $900. Tucktec $350 rated 10k folds, Oru Inlet 20k. Oru looks more like a regular kayak.
You really think you are going to use your kayak more than 10K times? If you assembled it twice a week it would take 100 years to reach 10k. I would probably replace it after only 50 years. The oru has a much better paddling shape although it has more parts.
You mean to tell me in the 3 months you waited to get this, not once did you sit down and watch any of the informational videos that they put out on their website? SMH...
I've watched a few of these "review videos" of these kayaks and not one single person knew what they were doing. I don't think any of you guys have sat down and really "watched" the instructional video not only before you purchased it, but after you actually purchased it either .
kool
I’d be afraid if it unfolded on me mid voyage
Before I even opened the video I could see it wasn't properly put together in the thumbnail. Unfortunately, I did facepalm 3 times during this video.
However. Good music I guess. Good quality camera. Overall... I don't hate ur videos, they are just ehhh... A little. Blah. 🤣🤓 Have a nice night, sleep tight. Don't let them bed bugs bite!
That front bar is obviously there to push and rest your foot, dont get how that wasn't intuitive to you in the first minute?
Judging by the way he entered the kayak and the way he hold his paddle, obviously he have no paddling experience at all and have no idea on what he was talking about.
I don't remember if I kept the shot in the final edit, but I did test to see if that front bar was for my feet. It felt weird at the time, so I didn't use it.
And I don't have immense paddling experience, but it's not exactly rocket science.
I have kayaked a bunch and always find it awkward getting in, it was refreshing to see I'm not the only one who isn't graceful with it
Sailboat tender
Thanks you talked me out of buying one
Just got mine and the hardware is different than your video.
Oh really? Yours probably works out better, hopefully.
Yeah they listened to customer feedback and updated a bunch of stuff, gotta like a company that pays attention to what's working and what isnt
You could’ve mentioned the price of it in this so-called “review” here, Captain Blackbeard…. just sayin’
Absolutely wouldn't want to see that you going down the river in that thing. Cool to jaunt around the park you were in, but a river? No!
Awh! Thanks, man! You're probably right. A river might rip this one apart. How about a slow moving river with only a few little rapids? Cause that might be fun?
@@SurvivoTek I think the pond you are in probably has enough current for that kayak.
But, who knows? As long as you can get to the bank without going thru a lot of trees and shrubbery it might be ok?
@@SurvivoTek I've done it. It's fine.
That is such a cool idea for a kayak 🤘
I would like to see you down rapids but also I don’t think death would look good on you brother, lol
Hahaha! I don't think I'd enjoy dying for a video either. Idaho has some intense rapids, but I don't think (even for testing) I would go down those. Maybe just the little bumps and rapids floaters go down on the Boise River.
We enjoy your work. You rock. We'd be flattered if you'd follow us here on TH-cam. 👍
Thank you, and I'll check out some of your content.
This really is a poor man’s oru kayak 😂
Hahahaha! Oh yeah! It matches me pretty well, then.
@@SurvivoTek I bought this just to get in the water because I’m poor. Can’t afford oru
It looks like something a kid made during nursery school using paper mache.
It'll prolly grow on u man .
I hope so. I want to take it to a good fishing spot and try it out in that way.
Foot rest.
I would never trust that in ocean
Me neither! I think I’d only trust this in quiet and calm lakes and ponds.
Just don't see the point to be honest. You can just buy a kayak cheaper than this. You don't need anything special to transport it, a cut in half pool noodle to keep it off the roof of your car and some rope and you're good to go. Deal with the space to store it, this is just gimmicky.
Sorry! Not for me
No need to apologize! It's certainly not for everyone.
Nahh! I won't feel comfortable using this thing
It's like the trade off between comfort and portability. Very portable... not super comfortable. It's actually surprisingly sturdy for paddling around still water. Not sure how it will do on actual rivers.