Check out my new TH-cam channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
This is an absolutely awesome boat. I live in Europe so America may be different but I can get on a train or a bus with this kayak and paddle down a river, then get on a train or a bus and get back home. It's perfect, I wouldn't be able to do that with a hardshell kayak. And what's great about this boat is that it actually does perform like a hardshell kayak, which is very unusual for an inflatable kayak.
@@dertypeko That one, thanks to drop-stitch tech like on paddleboards, actually looks like kayak. Gumotex boats like Palava, Baraka, Twist, Thaya .. are great for some WW, but they are more like slim raft. For kayak their width is a bit too wide IMHO. That Itiwit or Tomahawk from Aqua Marina they actually looks like real hard shell kayaks! I see a bit downside in this Itiwit that cockpit rim seems a bit flimsy (but it's expected for inflatable) tight for more standard skirts. Hard to imagine doing eskimo in it. Generally, nice touring kayak especially for shorter trips with great portability!
I have been using this kayak for about three years already, and it is really great. Even in winter conditions. I have been using it also in easy conditions on a sea.
@skyak Indeed, with a skirt, it might be getting hot on warm and sunny days. It is also dependent on water, as on the Baltic sea, it was not an issue (druting a hot summer).
I knew you'd love it! Talking about beginners with the appropriate mindset, I'm one of them. I transitioned from Challenger K1 straight into the x500 Strenfit and I love every minute spent using it! All the kayaking skills I now have are thanks to this boat. 😁 When it comes to the skirt, the Lomo Rebel spray skirt I have has a pretty thick bungee cord. I've never had any difficulties with attaching it to the coaming, though. Yes, it takes a minute because everything is flexible (that's expected) but it's easy. Paired with a wing paddle and sprint technique or a Greenland paddle and its respective technique, opens even more opportunities for fun paddling. 😄 Thank you Ken for reviewing this kayak. Your opinion is almost entirely aligned with mine. 👍
Thanks for reviewing this kayak! It's become my most used among my inflatables and has worked well in choppy winter waves, in archipelago open sea water, in snowy narrow creeks and for traveling to other countries by ferry or plane. My only concern is it tends to hog the videos I upload compared to other kayaks, which might be a bit unfair. Keep up the awesome work!
@@DustinRea Hehe, thanks for the kind thought. That would be an honor indeed. And yes, you're right, the kayaks have accumulated and there are a bunch of them in Stockholm that are always available for esteemed guests and a joint paddle around the city or archipelago 🙂 Wish you all the best and happy paddles!
I love the X500 and your review, thanks a lot! I have been using it for one year, and I’m simply marveled by its smart engineering and wonderful performance for a portable kayak. It’s amazing value for its price - one of the best toys I’ve ever purchased. Love it.
Glad you finally got to play with this boat. I have had one for a few years now, and I do level 2/3 river runs.. multiday trips loaded with a ton (80lbs) of gear. Best possible boat for my situation where I couldn't store a hard shell. Love this boat.
Thats a very nice and honest review, thanks for that! It almost feels unfair to compare these Decathlon X500 boats to other inflatables, these things are miracles in my eyes - and I cant stop to wonder how nobody else has done this before. But let me explain this for a second: Drop stitch material is two layers of textile material (usually woven) connected by lots and lots of monofilament threads (like fishing line). All these dots you can see on the surface of the material are spots where these connective threads run from one layer to the opposite one. What we first saw being built out of this was SUP boards, which are just plain boards, so no difficulty in shaping there. Then came Kayaks like the ones from Advanced Elements, Aqua Marina and so forth which were basically "boxes", sometimes with bent walls, but no complex geometry. Quite good for a start, but you cant paddle straight without fins underneath and a little wind will shove you around the water. I own an Aqua Marina Kayak with Drop stitch bottom and been touring with that, trust me I know that. Now there comes Decathlon and builds these beauties, single and double kayak and the canoe I own, which look like real boats. But are inflatable, how did thy pull this off? Technically its not a big deal to give these two layers of woven material (with the drop stitch yarns in between) different lengths when weaving them. So you can create curved surfaces. Most of these boats are produced in China though and nobody ever seems to have bothered trying something new as long as you can sell thousands of the old designs. But Decathlon is big, really big and they have the push behind them to make manufacturers do something different. I guess thats the reason why we only now see something different coming from them. Inflatables with the beautiful curves of a real boat shape. Btw, as I mentioned I own the X500 canoe, which is awesome! You should test this, too, it paddles almost like a hardshell boat and is your own canoe in a rolling suitcase you can fit in the trunk of almost any car, take by train or bus or even plane. I've just been on a tour with it, four days down river with my girlfriend, our doggy and lots of baggage. Awesome performance, lighter than a hard boat which was important for portages and its ours, no need to be somewhere at a certain time to return it. :-)
Based in the UK, I recently bought one of these as a progression from using one of Decathlon's more entry levels kayaks I'd be using for the past 2-3 years. I'm still very much a relative novice, but I do agree that while it's a step up and sacrifices some stability, as a beginner looking to improve and take the hobby more seriously it really is a great piece of equipment. Great work with the review and all the other content you post 👍
I got mine a bit over two years ago. I really like it, I agree with everything in the review. I have used if about 40 times. So far durability seems great. Only thing I dislike is that the nylon straps on the side (the handles) take a while to dry, and I would guess that it is better to dry them before storing. Regarding stability : one thing to watch for is that there are two versions of this boat. The first version was much less stable (if you believe the reviews). It is however not produced anymore, but some Décathlon stores might still have some in stock, so you might want to pass on them. Version 2 is better (that's the one I have). There is a label that says "V2" on the pack of version 2. Btw I paid $800 CAD for a floor model with a small tear on the dry bag style closure on the hatch - it was an easy repair using the kit that it comes with.
Well Ken I know I wasn't the only person last year to tell you to try this yak but I knew you would love it. Quick tip for you when packing it away the pump you was using is the same as mine and it has a reverse side to suck air out and I find if you pull a bit more out of the boat with the pump once you put it back in the bag there is loads of room. Also as for sitting in it I find the seat very comfortable for about 4 hours but then I start to feel it on my bum, so what I've done is got myself one of them gel cushions, but had to cut a couple of inches of the cushion because as you know now the seat in the boat is a little bit narrow, but wow it made all the Difference and now I can paddle quite comfortably for 7 hours or more and my bum is great. One more thing I will mention for anybody thinking about buying this boat it's also great for winter it cuts through Thin Ice that has settled on the River very well. Great review Ken I'm so happy you like this boat and I have a feeling we're going to see it a few more times on your channel.
Which pump is that? I bought the one Itiwit recommended at the time I bought my kayak, and while it does the job, I hate that I can't fold or remove the handles and footrest. It takes up far more room in the boat than it needs to.
After using mine for close to 2 years now there is one important thing i would add. The cockpit is severely cramed if you are not flexible enough as it is in my case :) and it leads to leggs falling asleep. I have never experienced this in other (whitewater and touring) kayaks. This is due to relatively short space between the bottom and top of the boat (forcing you to keep leggs extended) as well as the boat tapering verry quickliy at the front (forcing your feet together) This can become an issue if you are an owner of a long pair of leggs and are not flexible enough. Try sitting on the floor in an L shape. Can you do it without bending your back? If not the kayak might feel uncomfortable. However it might also encourage you to spend more time working on your flexibility.
As someone with long legs, I found that was an issue with hardshell kayaks generally...my legs would go to sleep and I'd always fall over when getting out....much amusement for everyone else! One of the reasons I migrated to canoeing...........
I found the seat a little too hard myself. So I normally use an additional foam seat pad from decathlon hiking/camping set. And it's a game changer for me. I can spend hours in this kayak feeling pretty comfortable.
Thanks a lot for the great review. A hundred percent agree with the conclusions. I myself have been using such a kayak since November last year, I live a kilometer from the Mediterranean coast and without a car, this is the best solution. A standard skirt really does not fit. Thanks again.
I love this kayak, been using it for 4y. The only downside is when you are 1m91cm like me. cramped legs after a couple of hours is quite frequent. But so are most of the other kayaks. Great boat!!
Ah, disappointing to hear this. Could this be solved with longer straps for the footrests? I'm 196cm and liked the look of this as a capable kayak to pack into a small yacht
Yay! 🎉 I'm so glad you finally were able to review the x500! Would it be possible to have a head-to-head comparison with the SeaEagle razorlite as a future video? Thanks!
Please do Ken! Also include the 15lbs Aquaglide 110 in your comparison as these are likely the top 3 kayaks that someone looking for something like this sort of kayak would be choosing between.
One more thing, it seems to me the right kayak to seriously learn to kayak. It has a good instability which makes it faster. I find it perfect for paddling in other countries and taking it on a plane.😊
I've flown with mine a few times. A backpack cover is highly recommended; the first time I flew with it, a strap got caught on something, and a belt wore a hole through the bag and into the kayak.
Hey Ken, well after many months trying to make my mind up I finally bought one of these and took it paddling yesterday. Absolutely delighted. Everything you say in your review is spot on. I'd like handles on either side of the cockpit for easy lift and overhead portaging but that really my only issue. I was nervous about the stability but soon got used to it and, after five hours, was very comfortable in it. Love what you do. Keep up the fantastic work.
This is my first kayak, I’ve been using it for a little over a year. Great review I completely agree with your assessment. I got this boat as a beginner knowing there would be a bit of a learning curve, but it’s something I could push and grow with. I’ve been all over the lakes and protected bays of Vancouver island with zero issues. I have complete confidence in this boat. Bought it after weeks of research into inflatables and highly recommend it. The biggest issue I’ve had with this kayak is that the seat floats! If you tip this and get water in it it is a pain, the seat will pop out. The rear deck hatch is not water tight if you try to re-enter the kayak after tipping from the rear, the hatch will let a lot of water in. I recommend getting an inflatable paddle float and getting back in from the side. Get back to shore and reset. All that being said aside from the city first day on the water with some decent chop I have not tipped it and am not concerned about tipping it. Worth practicing recovery to build confidence and make sure you know what to do. I’ve read reviews that claim you can roll this kayak. I have not tried it but I intend to after learning how do do it in a hard shell.
Thank you for the great review (as always)... I own this beauty for 3 years now and I simply love it. I had to repair a small scratch with liquid PVC once and that's all. I'm also surprised for the price difference between Europe 650€ (Spain here) and the US. I've tried it in calm rivers and some rough sea conditions and it really delivers. For new buyers just say that the learning curve is amazing, first day is the hardest one, then you get it and boom... Total fun!
@@GTN355 It really can, depending on your ability 😅. Main difference with yours (I read you have an aircanoe 393) is the (non) flat floor. That gives you a great feeling and more stability in waves. About capsizing... I've tried It twice and never got It right 😢, although I think it's posible with a better tecnique than mine. I hope this helps
Thanks a lot for the review, i have been on the fence on this one for a while now, and you are the first one who makes a really good review of it. I am a little surprised by the price in NA as it is rather cheaper over here in Europe though. Keep the great content !
I think you have managed to make me buy this one with this review, I've been eyeballing it for several months now. If it performs like my hard shell sit-in, for me the biggest reason to buy it would be definitely portability and being able to make trips with train. I am so tired of needing 2 cars all the time. Thanks for the great review, Ken!
The ability to take it on public transport indeed opens up a world of possibilities! I regularly take mine downtown on the bus, and on the train further afield. It's also small and light enough to check in as hold baggage on the plane, though I'd definitely recommend adding a backpack cover to prevent the straps getting hung up and a hole in your bag (and potentially in your kayak) - guess how I know that >:(
@@EckieOutdoor But then again the Pakayak and TRAK 2.0 are a lot more expensive over here : Pakayak : 2000 USD vs. € 2999 TRAK 2.0 : 3000 USD vs. € 4599 OUCH!!! :(
It's a shame there is no chance for PaddleTV to test the V1 currently, because I am really curious if all those stories about it were true ?! Was it really that bad ?!
You can already find many of those on the PaddleTV TH-cam Channel ;) For the TRAK 2.0 there are about 2 main videos and 2 others in which the kayak appears too!
Great to see you finally get to this one. I have this boat and love it, but now when I'm considering other boats I can compare what you said about this one to those to help inform my decision! Just FYI anybody reading, they also make a 2 man version of this boat if that's something you're interested in. In Europe (UK at least) it's also around the 600-700 mark on price depending on promotions (699 is full price). Ken - what did you think of the paddle too? I have this paddle and it's the only paddle I have ever used. So when you compare this to other paddles you have reviewed on your channel, what would you say about it?
Love, love, love this boat. The only weak point is the seat. It's uncomfortable after a few hours. If you roll and fill the boat it'll pop off its mount points and won't go back on till you drain the boat. I've had it replaced under warranty when the hinge material ripped with no provocation whatsoever. (Decathlon's customer service rep: "Tired of hearing about this.") And because it rests on the bladder behind the cockpit, any sand or grit whatsoever will rub pinholes into the bladder; after repairing several of those over the winter, I've now glued rubber window insulation strip to the bladder to keep the seat off it. I really hope Decathlon, or someone, comes up with an alternative seat that fixes all these issues. I've a fair idea how I'd do it, but don't have the tools and materials.
I have this one too for 3 years, and it's awesome! I use it on a river and it's very funny! one of the best ever kayak that I never bought for sure. I'm pretty happy to see that I'm not the only one in love with the x500 =)
I've followed Ken's suggestions before and haven't been disappointed. I bought a Bonafide EX123 for fishing and I love it! I'd get one of these Itiwits in a heartbeat if they had a higher max capacity. 275 is too low for a bigger dude like myself. If it was 325 I'd drop the money for it in a heartbeat.
The Sea Eagle Razorlilte 393RL holds 500 lbs, and has lot of room with it's open cockpit design. Also about $300 cheaper once you buy a paddle & pump. Seems fairly comparable kayak, mostly depending on if the buyer prefers an open or closed cockpit.
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 I think we should not call those two the same or comparable : Flat hull vs. V-Shaped hull is far from the same thing! Don't get me wrong : I like both of them! But comparing a flat water boat vs. one that can do many things is just silly...
There is two versions of this kayak. The first was not stable at all so decathlon modified the back shape, the V2 is much more stable. V2 is printed on the transportation bag. By the way the main issu with this kayak is the lack of comfort that come from the fact that the seat is too flat. I own a K1 and a K2 X500. I used these kayaks on long distance trip between 30 to 40km/day but I have to make a break during my day trip as I have too much pain in my buttock. As you say this inflatable kayak is as fast as a hardshell one. I use also bus and train, for instance I was in Venice Italy few weeks ago for a tour around Venice named the Vogalonga, I used the bus from the campground to go to the departure. With a hardshell it took me between 3hrs and 3hrs1/2 to do this 33km tour with the K2 X500 we did it in 3hrs1/4
I have used one of these in big swell and it performed really well. It easily cruises at 3.5 knots and keeps up with "serious" sea kayaks. I fitted two closed cell foam hip pads which locked me into the boat and really improved edging. BUT, here in the UK they had reliability issues, mine had to go back. I spent the refund on a drysuit, but am hoping Santa will get me another x500.
I read somewhere there were issues with the seams and the creases where the kayak folds up (probably for those who keep it stored in the bag for long periods, or maybe those who use it a lot for day paddles where you unfold it and then fold so frequently) if you do multi day tours you are more likely to unfold it once, use it for a couple of days, and then fold it back up.. thus limiting the frequency of the unfolding/folding..
Agree, just got it, great and can reccomend! Actually, I love it so much, I got serious with kayaking, got muself full carbon paddles and now it goes like a race car :-) To be honest, love it so much, would buy next if this one dies on me. Thank you for the review.
I didn't know the background on Decathlon, so thanks for that 👍And i can definitely say they're great, both in choice in shop and quality, and lower prices than other big brands. Everything I've got from them has been better than anything else for the money.
I always love your inflatable kayak reviews. I'd be interested to hear your views/comparison between this (or the 2 seat version) and the Advanced Elements Convertible kayak
I finally ordered the boat today largely thanks to this review. I'm four hours from the ocean and at least an hour from river rapids, so I'll mostly use it on flat water, but I wanted something suitable for class 2 occasionally. Already have an inflatable for flat water, and I'm ready to graduate. I'm a little worried about long-term wear, but with only occasional rough water, I'm hoping it'll last with minimal maintenance.
This looks like a great option for a lot of people. I’ll pass along your video. As always, great review. For the back carry case, Decathlon can take a lesson from the Isle Switch. The. Switch bag has plenty of room to hold everything needed for paddling. It came packed with the 11’6” board, 1 inflatable seat & foot brace, 4 piece SUP/ kayak paddle, fin, leash, dry bag, patch kit. I since added a second seat and & PFD’s with room left for the 12v air pump when it arrives.
Hi Ken, I knew you would like it. I have had it for 3 years, I row in Guatapé Colombia in it and other rigid kayaks that I have and the speed difference is 1 or 2 km/h
Another thing, when I have traveled by plane with the kayak, I wrap it in another blanket so that they do not damage the bag on the plane. I have paddled in Santa Marta Colombia and it did very well with the swell and with the wind
That's a great point... and something that has come up with other portable kayaks. Portable kayak bags are generally designed to get from your home to the water - not to deal with the incredible abuse that bags experience during air travel. The only bag I can think of that is truly designed for air travel is the TRAK bag. For all others, it's a good idea to 'bag the bag'.
I only did that once with the Sea Eagle Paddleski 435ps. In 2014, we flew it for free on South West as luggage, and our full sail rig for it in another bag with our destination of the Florida Keys. We had no problems at all. Now that I have a spare 435ps, I'd be even more likely to want to fly one as I'd be less worried about damage to it, except I can't replace it easily as they stopped this incredible model.
Just had my £78 new Intex Challenger blown up in the garden. Already I want this. Off to Decathlon tomorrow to buy a jacket. Hopefully I don't walk out with one of these! 😮❤
Interesting pricing, I'm in Europe and I got the X500 a few weeks ago for $830 (picked it up at Decathlon, so no shady business). A rare occasion where the European price isn't 30 % higher than the NA price.
@@rocketboards4160 Huge price differences a over the world for this kayak. The US being the most expensive, South East Asia being the cheapest, the UK & Europe being in between. Get this, the US being more than double the price of South East Asia.
In Sweden this is around $800 if you buy from Decathlon, which is weird since our currency is shit (inflation n all).. They do however refuse to acknowledge if you'll get version 1 or 2, which is a little shady in my opinion... If they have stock in the physical store one could check before hand I guess, but still..
Thanks for the excellent review as always. I've been looking for a portable kayak For the cost the features this seems to be a top contender if not the winner.
That was impressive. It seemed to perform well. I am glad you got to see Okeefenokee...I was just there 2 weeks ago. I paddled the canals and walked a bunch of trails. How did you enjoy paddling with alligators? I live in Fl and I am use to seeing them.
Hi. The boat is ok, but: 0. There is classic leak point behind the seat, where it presses into the "back masik" 1. if capsize, seat comes off every time,you have to attach it additionally for it to stay inplace. 2. you cant start in 1.5-2m. waves without skirt attached: it takes a lot of time because of soft rim, the boat will flood with water from coming waves, in part because of desk shape and time required to secure the skirt 3. no knee pads, I've tried to make custom ones from closed-cell foam. The deck is soft.
I repaired a few pinhole leaks behind the seat over winter, really stupid design to have the seat rubbing on it. I've now glued some rubber window insulation strip to the bladder to keep that from happening again.
Yeah that once again reinforces my rule -air must not be required for structure when going offshore. I wouldn't fish in it either. I expect it would be too warm on a hot day, but wonderful in very cold weather.
@@skyak4493 def not a fishing kayak, I own one and it's uncomfortably unstable when stationary. Ok to grab a bite, have a drink, or rest your arms from rowing, but too unstable for longer times, also, there really isn't room for easily accessible tackle and such, so if you hook one, you'd get a new problem of what to do then. It is however a touring kayak, as in, it has enough room to store camping gear (albeit in dry bags) you can easily store a sleeping bag in the bow, further stuff can be stored in the hatch in the back, and decathlon sells a 30L drybag with straps that click to the deck in front of you. I would never recommend this for fishing, but can't be happier for touring a recreational reasons
@@DanielSultana FWIW, I design kayaks and there might be some simple things you can do to significantly improve stability. Your kayak is plenty wide. If it is pumped up and acting like a solid then either your seat is too high or more likely, there is play (relative motion) between your hips and the boat. I have a Pax 20 race plyak that is under 17" wide at max and it is about as stable as you describe. My seat is carved out of firm foam with no padding thickness at the very bottom. For your inflatable I would make something similar but maybe cut a base out of thin ply or even corrugated plastic (corrugations longitudinal) running tightly full beam.
I really wish Europe would cater more for me when it comes to inflatable kayaks / canoes to cater for my size and weight, I am 6ft 7 and weight 300 LBS. Most, if not all manufacturers here in the UK do not come close. Still, as a past proud owner of several Sea Eagles I am now looking to buy a 380X. I love this channel as your reviews leave me well informed... I watch to the end, even, as in this case, the Decathlon is not quite suitable for my requirements. Best wishes
Decathlon is great for all sorts of outdoor gear. First started in Europe, Spain I believe and now all over here in the UK. Great prices, very competative and good quality.
suggestion: add getting into the kayak from deep water into these inflatable reviews. some of these pontoon-free inflatables are notoriously difficult to re-enter from the water
Muy buen reportaje, con muy buenas conclusiones. Enhorabuena !!!. Llevo un año con el X500 y practicamente estoy de acuerdo con sus comentarios, navega muy bien en el mar, rios,etc.Si que es algo incomodo el asiento cuando estas mucho tiempo navegando, pero el hecho de que sea portatil y se comporte en el agua como un kayak rigido compensa los pequeños inconvenientes.
Nice review, Ken! Also, nice they you've gone down to my US state (I live near Belleville, Ontario now). I know the drive well unfortunately. 🤣 Keep up the great reviews!
What a nice review, i have one of these for about two years and 100+ hours in it, no white water though. perhaps worth to mention that the peddles will not fit inside the bag. the bag is for me the biggest downside, it is too small and the straps could use a little more padding.
Decathlon is not only in Europe, its also in Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. Its probably the number one store chain for Sports/Outdoor equipment in the world.
What’s the bottom line on portable kayaks that are hard-shell-like, if you’re not willing to spend a ton and wait a long time for a Trak 2.0? You’ve tested the Itiwit, the Pakayak and the Oru, and maybe some others. What’s your pick?
My opinion : Just don't go for Oru Kayak or other brands selling the same kind of boat and you will be just fine! ;) I have seen/read about people having issues over and over again with those things and still calling them "AWESOME!!!111oneoneone" and IMHO that is just a serious case of the Stockholm syndrome! :(
I live in Europe and i have this Kayak for 3 years now and i am very satisfied whit it. But the price of this thing in the US is way too high. Here in Europe i paid 650 EURO and that was in 2020. Even the two seater version is cheaper here in Europe then the single seater in the US. Nice review!!
Thanks Anthony! Depends on the rock... If it's a sharp rock and you hit it hard - I don't know. Not many inflatable kayaks will handle that. It feels fairly durable, but I will be careful to minimize the rock banging on rivers.
Brilliant review. There’s a great company in the UK that produce the Sandbanks Optimal Style. Be nice to see you reviewing one of these, if they’ll send one to you to test.
@@PaddleTV I got back from my first outing with the Oru a little while ago. I'm not the best person to give a review, as I've only been out kayaking a few times prior, and always in wide, slow rec kayaks. But I'll give my thoughts. I was paddling on a wide, meandering, slow-moving creek, so no rough water observations. Assembly and disassembly aren't too hard. I followed Oru's instructional video in my back yard the first time around, but was able to to do it from memory at the boat launch. I'm still a little slow, but I'll get faster with practice. It's definitely portable. I hauled it to the boat launch strapped to a trailer attached to my ebike. Assembled with all my (probably excessive) crap attached I was able to pick it up and carry it to the end of the ramp. Speaking of attaching crap: I don't love the deck lines. I feel like they should be tighter, and the position and recommended way to stretch the elastic lines makes attaching something like a Gear Lab Outdoors Deck Pod in a useful location annoying. I think I found a workaround to both after the trip: Stretch the elastic deck lines across the boat and hook them to the non-elastic line. That results in better tension on the non-elastic deck lines, and an elastic line at the border of the deck for attaching a deck bag. It took me a minute to get used to the reduced primary stability compared to kayaks I've paddled previously, but once I did I had no problem keeping it stable. Compared to the wide, stubby rec kayaks I've paddled in the past, the Bay ST is a missile. It's fast, it accelerates quickly, it turns quickly, it can be pointed through narrow spaces with a good degree of precision. My only complaint as far as performance and handling go is that it tends to drift left or right (usually right for me) when I stop paddling. Not sure if that's the current or something I'm doing or what, but it's mildly annoying. I wish I could say similarly positive things about the comfort. If I sit on the stock thickness seat pad, my butt goes to sleep pretty quickly, and I'm regularly repositioning my knees from being out to the side under the coaming to being together protruding above the coaming to keep my legs and feet from going to sleep. If I sit on the thicker gel seat pad, my butt is ok, but I can't move my legs around and they start going to sleep even more quickly than my butt did with the thin pad. (Edit: After more consideration, I think that the persistent numbness I mentioned but deleted is from an impact in exactly the wrong place, not just sitting in the kayak.) I have a couple ideas to improve the comfort, and I'll contact Oru's support and see if they have any recommendations, but if I can't resolve the comfort problem I think I'll have to either exchange the boat for one of their open top models so I have more room to change position, or return it for a refund and buy something like the Itiwit X500 or one of Advanced Elements' nicer boats. That would be a shame, because I quite like this boat otherwise, but the comfort issue is just too big to ignore. I'd be curious to see your review. You have vastly more experience both kayaking and reviewing kayaks, and not many people have done substantial reviews of the Bay ST. It's usually the rec boats like the Inlet or Beach, or the Coast, a full-on ocean kayak (or such is the claim).
Hi Ken, I'm a new subscriber from Massachusetts and I'm also new at kayaking, I just recently bought one, a cheap one around $300 so if I find it's not for me I'm not out too much money. I'm one of those people who like the inflatable kayaks, use it break it down put it in a bag until next time that's for me. I like the style of the life vest you wear, could you tell me what kind those are so I can pick one up, also I love your videos I find them very informative, people like you Ken, encourage people like me to get off the couch, thank you...
Welcome to the world of paddling! :). The PFD I'm wearing is the NRS Odyssey: bit.ly/41yCpK0. It is a great PFD. I recently did a video about choosing the right life jacket/vest/PFD. You might find it helpful. Here's a link to it: th-cam.com/video/jH99hBZB_l8/w-d-xo.html Cheers!
Welcome to kayaking. I live on the border of MA and there are many great places to go kayaking in MA. One thing I don't like about MA & CT now since I could walk to either state, is some locations now charge out of state $30 to park, and many were free previously. Not very nice to their neighbors, and our state generally doesn't charge generally and we also have the sailing capital of the USA. I will warn you that it can be addictive. I started off with a $200 Sea Eagle kayak, and several years later now have 7 and some expensive accessories beyond what you normally see on kayaks.
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 my wife and I are in our sixties and just looking for some peace, quiet, and relaxation. I think this would be good, I'm not looking to shoot the rapids, I just want to go out and cruise around. After seeing Ken's videos I think this is for me, it looks like fun, as soon as my life vests come in I'm going out, wish me luck...
I've had this kayak for several years. I love it. Use it in lochs (lakes) and at sea. It is fast and tracks well. I find it quite stable and very comfortable. I'm 6 ft 1" and wouldn't recommend it for anyone much taller than 6' 2". Can get a tent and cooking stuff, change of clothes in it for overnight camping. Packing it away in the rucksack is easy enough if you are disciplined about folding it exactly in half then quarter, with still room for pump, shoes, towel etc. I'd thoroughly recommend it. 🙂
I really like it!! I would have liked to hear more comparison to other inflatables… I totally understand there are some trade offs vs ridged boats. But is this the best touring inflatable? …not sure that was answered
This is a great boat. But even more cool is the double version. I ride it with my child. Much more stable, while being easily controlled by one person, fast - I walk alone at the same speed as my son / wife on singles. Everything fits in the car... I would like to add only two things. 1. Think of something with the seat. The back and legs in it become numb after an hour of rowing. 2. I go for 2, 3 days sometimes. And it’s inconvenient to drag a boat + an extra backpack on yourself. Ideally, it would be some kind of more spacious backpack in which you can fit the boat and some things (and so everyone puts things in there, but I would like more)
Great review, I have been looking for a kayak like this to put on my yacht to explore shallow creeks. Looks ideal. Deal on in U.K. £649.99. Thx. Andy UK
I've been in two minds to selling my pyranah pro white water kayak and buying the x500 mainly due to not having a way of transporting the kayak now l have a different vehicle, so the x500 is number one on my list, its definitely a contender for the rivers and surf at saltburn uk.
Very nice Review bro! Good job! I used to paddle a lot surf ski and sea kayak, so all I worry about is the speed for X500，what if compare to normal hard shell kayak? I should be living in apartment for next few years so really dont have a space for hard shell sea kayak storage, so would you recommend me to get a x500?
Thanks for this great review. I've searched all over the Decathlon site and can not find warranty info on the Itiwit500. Do you know how many years warranty that it has? Thanks.
Great review. It would be a great solution to pack into a yacht. Shame to hear that it may not work for my height (6'5") - could the straps be lengthened, or does it hit against the limits of the rails the footrests sit in, or a bulkhead? I'm a very experienced sea kayaker and see that this could be a hoot.
I've been using this boat for a number of years now. And I would most recommend it. I've taken it on rivers and lakes. It handals beautifully. Loads of space for gear, stove, etc. It always attracts attention even in the middle of a lake. It's a fantastic bot of kit.
This is the fastest inflatable Kajak there is!!! Definitely! Not really stable enough for fishing and my taste. But if you want to go a bit more fast and sporty than this is amazing as you can pack it so small and it’s so easy to handle. Had the pleasure once to sit in it and it was so much faster than my gumotex rush inflatable with only dropstitch floor. PLUS the price is amazing for that quality!!!! Here in Europe it just costs 750-800 dollars! Equals 700€.
Would love for you to review the v1 x500 in comparison and give your thoughts having them paddled the 2. Finally put this stability thing to rest Ken 😂
Been looking into getting a kayak, and portability is definitely a major factor as I don't have a car, just a bicycle (well, 2, one of which I have a trailer for that could carry this....but I digress). I wasn't even considering an inflatable until I saw this video--though it's a bit steep for my budget at the moment. I'll probably end up getting an Oru Lake+. My budget needs to wait a month anyway (which would be nice timing as my birthday is next month)
Thank you for the excellent review. I am definitely considering buying one but am a bit concerned about leaks. I intend to use it a lot on small rivers and streams where I will bump into lots of underwater stuff (branches, logs, etc). Is that an issue?
It doesn't fit in the bag (too long), which is fine if you're not flying with it. That alone ruled it out for me. I went with a cheap 4-piece from Advanced Elements once I got sick of my Intex Challenger paddle!
Thanks Ken for the enthusiastic presentation. If it's not a personal question, what size are yor feet? You are dimensionally similar to me and I worry about getting my US size 14 feet up toward the bow in one of these.
I have the same issue with both feet and legs probably being too large for the X500 so I am hoping to find it in one of their stores as a demo model so I can sit inside it and see if I fit inside it or not...
Great video! What is the material the kayak is made of. It makes a difference if you have to make a field repair or a DIY repair when you get home. Also, where is the kayak manufactured?
The main fabric is PVC, which is a pretty easy fabric to repair. As for where it's made... that I don't know. For the price of it, I'm guessing it's made overseas.
I had one 3 yrs ago in Belgium but it never felt stable unless I was moving. I sold it after a few paddles. I'm 6'2", 220 pounds. I felt top heavy for this kayak and never could just sit back and relax. Too bad as it is beautiful and quick.. I forgot to add that I had version 1. Version 2 appears to be more stable as the hull beneath the seat has been flattened slightly.
Pricing is indeed interesteing, especially when i tell yout that i bought it 4 years ago in europe for 599 Euro :D How would you rate that value?? Insane. I dont know why no other manufacturer has come up with a rival boat. I love this kayak, i just wish for a little more length and a better seat or maybe a bit more room for tent etc. Also, there are two versions of this thing. V1 was even a littler tippier and a little faster until a lot of novice paddlers complained to Decathlon that they can not use the Kayak. So they made a V2 with a little more stability. I love my V1 and love that it is a bit faster as i am a more experienced kayaker.
Damn. 1300$ for that thing in the US :o I can drive 10 minutes and buy it at my local Decathlon for 720€ or roughly 800$ US, but it sure is a steal in any way👏
Yikes... that's an impossible question to answer. Totally depends on the type of paddling I'm focused on. The X500 is a great touring boat for mild conditions. The Trak is a much higher performing kayak and can travel faster and comfortably handle any rough conditions. They you have portable kayaks like the Pakayak, which is a true hardshell and is super fast. For whitewater, I would want something like the Star Raven Pro, or the Sea Eagle 380X, and for kayak camping trips, I might go for the Sea Eagle 393rl, because it has so much capacity and is fast. If I had a lot of carrying to do, I would love the AquaGlide Cirrus, which is less than 15lbs! OMG. I'm glad I don't only get 1 kayak! :)
@@PaddleTV I agree 100%. Different kayaks for different purposes as you said. If I could only have one, it would be my Sea Eagle 435ps because no other kayak can handle my Torqeedo 1003 motor (or a 3 HP gas motor), provide a good sailing hull, and still paddle as well as many inflatable kayaks, and fit in my car's trunk.
![PASULOL รามเกียรติ์ ตอนที่ 4 นนทกพบรัก [Ramakien Ep.4: Nonthok in love]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMUQgmZzf_A/mqdefault.jpg)
Check out my new TH-cam channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
This is an absolutely awesome boat. I live in Europe so America may be different but I can get on a train or a bus with this kayak and paddle down a river, then get on a train or a bus and get back home. It's perfect, I wouldn't be able to do that with a hardshell kayak. And what's great about this boat is that it actually does perform like a hardshell kayak, which is very unusual for an inflatable kayak.
Awesome... I wish we had public transport that made getting to the water that easy!
@@PaddleTV I think you just got your answer about what is different.
Same here. You can even bike with that thing on your back. Just remember to inflate the tires for that extra 20kg 😅
Try Gumotex Boats 😉
@@dertypeko That one, thanks to drop-stitch tech like on paddleboards, actually looks like kayak. Gumotex boats like Palava, Baraka, Twist, Thaya .. are great for some WW, but they are more like slim raft. For kayak their width is a bit too wide IMHO.
That Itiwit or Tomahawk from Aqua Marina they actually looks like real hard shell kayaks!
I see a bit downside in this Itiwit that cockpit rim seems a bit flimsy (but it's expected for inflatable) tight for more standard skirts. Hard to imagine doing eskimo in it.
Generally, nice touring kayak especially for shorter trips with great portability!
Thanks Ken, no one reviews Kayaks in the informative & comprehensive way you do.
I have been using this kayak for about three years already, and it is really great. Even in winter conditions. I have been using it also in easy conditions on a sea.
He didn't mention warmth but drop-stich is a great insulator. I was wondering if it is too warm to use the skirt on sunny days.
@skyak Indeed, with a skirt, it might be getting hot on warm and sunny days. It is also dependent on water, as on the Baltic sea, it was not an issue (druting a hot summer).
I knew you'd love it!
Talking about beginners with the appropriate mindset, I'm one of them. I transitioned from Challenger K1 straight into the x500 Strenfit and I love every minute spent using it! All the kayaking skills I now have are thanks to this boat. 😁
When it comes to the skirt, the Lomo Rebel spray skirt I have has a pretty thick bungee cord. I've never had any difficulties with attaching it to the coaming, though. Yes, it takes a minute because everything is flexible (that's expected) but it's easy.
Paired with a wing paddle and sprint technique or a Greenland paddle and its respective technique, opens even more opportunities for fun paddling. 😄
Thank you Ken for reviewing this kayak. Your opinion is almost entirely aligned with mine. 👍
I have seen many of your X500 related videos : Keep up the good work! :)
Thanks for reviewing this kayak! It's become my most used among my inflatables and has worked well in choppy winter waves, in archipelago open sea water, in snowy narrow creeks and for traveling to other countries by ferry or plane. My only concern is it tends to hog the videos I upload compared to other kayaks, which might be a bit unfair. Keep up the awesome work!
I thought I'd send you the video, but I realized you've seen it. I think it's very good that it's your favorite inflatable kayak...😊😊😊😊😊
I hope one day you both join up for an adventure. You have enough gear that if Ken flew to you, he wouldn't need to bring anything on a plane hey?
@@DustinRea Hehe, thanks for the kind thought. That would be an honor indeed. And yes, you're right, the kayaks have accumulated and there are a bunch of them in Stockholm that are always available for esteemed guests and a joint paddle around the city or archipelago 🙂 Wish you all the best and happy paddles!
I love the X500 and your review, thanks a lot! I have been using it for one year, and I’m simply marveled by its smart engineering and wonderful performance for a portable kayak. It’s amazing value for its price - one of the best toys I’ve ever purchased. Love it.
Awesome to hear!
Glad you finally got to play with this boat. I have had one for a few years now, and I do level 2/3 river runs.. multiday trips loaded with a ton (80lbs) of gear. Best possible boat for my situation where I couldn't store a hard shell. Love this boat.
Thats a very nice and honest review, thanks for that! It almost feels unfair to compare these Decathlon X500 boats to other inflatables, these things are miracles in my eyes - and I cant stop to wonder how nobody else has done this before. But let me explain this for a second: Drop stitch material is two layers of textile material (usually woven) connected by lots and lots of monofilament threads (like fishing line). All these dots you can see on the surface of the material are spots where these connective threads run from one layer to the opposite one. What we first saw being built out of this was SUP boards, which are just plain boards, so no difficulty in shaping there. Then came Kayaks like the ones from Advanced Elements, Aqua Marina and so forth which were basically "boxes", sometimes with bent walls, but no complex geometry. Quite good for a start, but you cant paddle straight without fins underneath and a little wind will shove you around the water. I own an Aqua Marina Kayak with Drop stitch bottom and been touring with that, trust me I know that.
Now there comes Decathlon and builds these beauties, single and double kayak and the canoe I own, which look like real boats. But are inflatable, how did thy pull this off?
Technically its not a big deal to give these two layers of woven material (with the drop stitch yarns in between) different lengths when weaving them. So you can create curved surfaces. Most of these boats are produced in China though and nobody ever seems to have bothered trying something new as long as you can sell thousands of the old designs. But Decathlon is big, really big and they have the push behind them to make manufacturers do something different. I guess thats the reason why we only now see something different coming from them. Inflatables with the beautiful curves of a real boat shape.
Btw, as I mentioned I own the X500 canoe, which is awesome! You should test this, too, it paddles almost like a hardshell boat and is your own canoe in a rolling suitcase you can fit in the trunk of almost any car, take by train or bus or even plane.
I've just been on a tour with it, four days down river with my girlfriend, our doggy and lots of baggage. Awesome performance, lighter than a hard boat which was important for portages and its ours, no need to be somewhere at a certain time to return it. :-)
Based in the UK, I recently bought one of these as a progression from using one of Decathlon's more entry levels kayaks I'd be using for the past 2-3 years. I'm still very much a relative novice, but I do agree that while it's a step up and sacrifices some stability, as a beginner looking to improve and take the hobby more seriously it really is a great piece of equipment.
Great work with the review and all the other content you post 👍
Thanks Anthony!
I got mine a bit over two years ago. I really like it, I agree with everything in the review. I have used if about 40 times. So far durability seems great. Only thing I dislike is that the nylon straps on the side (the handles) take a while to dry, and I would guess that it is better to dry them before storing.
Regarding stability : one thing to watch for is that there are two versions of this boat. The first version was much less stable (if you believe the reviews). It is however not produced anymore, but some Décathlon stores might still have some in stock, so you might want to pass on them. Version 2 is better (that's the one I have). There is a label that says "V2" on the pack of version 2.
Btw I paid $800 CAD for a floor model with a small tear on the dry bag style closure on the hatch - it was an easy repair using the kit that it comes with.
40 times in 2 years is not a lot ?!
I wish you a lot more free time to kayak in the future! ;)
That's a great tip, the V2 point on the packaging. I'm in the UK and have read that myself in reviews, so thank you!
Well Ken I know I wasn't the only person last year to tell you to try this yak but I knew you would love it.
Quick tip for you when packing it away the pump you was using is the same as mine and it has a reverse side to suck air out and I find if you pull a bit more out of the boat with the pump once you put it back in the bag there is loads of room.
Also as for sitting in it I find the seat very comfortable for about 4 hours but then I start to feel it on my bum, so what I've done is got myself one of them gel cushions, but had to cut a couple of inches of the cushion because as you know now the seat in the boat is a little bit narrow, but wow it made all the Difference and now I can paddle quite comfortably for 7 hours or more and my bum is great.
One more thing I will mention for anybody thinking about buying this boat it's also great for winter it cuts through Thin Ice that has settled on the River very well.
Great review Ken I'm so happy you like this boat and I have a feeling we're going to see it a few more times on your channel.
Which pump is that? I bought the one Itiwit recommended at the time I bought my kayak, and while it does the job, I hate that I can't fold or remove the handles and footrest. It takes up far more room in the boat than it needs to.
@@6yjjk it's called the STAND-UP PADDLE AND KAYAK DOUBLE ACTION £39.99 HIGH-PRESSURE EASY PUMP 20 PSI
@@THE-RIVER-RAT Nice one, thanks! I see that the footplate unscrews, so I could replace that with a 3D-printed one that folds.
Good tip on the gel cushion. I also use the pump to deflate the kayak more and it is much smaller. Thanks for your videos too.
After using mine for close to 2 years now there is one important thing i would add. The cockpit is severely cramed if you are not flexible enough as it is in my case :) and it leads to leggs falling asleep. I have never experienced this in other (whitewater and touring) kayaks. This is due to relatively short space between the bottom and top of the boat (forcing you to keep leggs extended) as well as the boat tapering verry quickliy at the front (forcing your feet together)
This can become an issue if you are an owner of a long pair of leggs and are not flexible enough. Try sitting on the floor in an L shape. Can you do it without bending your back? If not the kayak might feel uncomfortable. However it might also encourage you to spend more time working on your flexibility.
As someone with long legs, I found that was an issue with hardshell kayaks generally...my legs would go to sleep and I'd always fall over when getting out....much amusement for everyone else! One of the reasons I migrated to canoeing...........
Never kayaked, I just really enjoyed this review. Very interesting and well delivered review.
I found the seat a little too hard myself. So I normally use an additional foam seat pad from decathlon hiking/camping set. And it's a game changer for me. I can spend hours in this kayak feeling pretty comfortable.
Any link for seat please?
Thanks a lot for the great review. A hundred percent agree with the conclusions. I myself have been using such a kayak since November last year, I live a kilometer from the Mediterranean coast and without a car, this is the best solution. A standard skirt really does not fit. Thanks again.
I love this kayak, been using it for 4y. The only downside is when you are 1m91cm like me. cramped legs after a couple of hours is quite frequent. But so are most of the other kayaks. Great boat!!
Ah, disappointing to hear this. Could this be solved with longer straps for the footrests? I'm 196cm and liked the look of this as a capable kayak to pack into a small yacht
Yay! 🎉 I'm so glad you finally were able to review the x500! Would it be possible to have a head-to-head comparison with the SeaEagle razorlite as a future video? Thanks!
Please do Ken! Also include the 15lbs Aquaglide 110 in your comparison as these are likely the top 3 kayaks that someone looking for something like this sort of kayak would be choosing between.
I think it's a great idea! I really like both boats, and they have different pros and cons! Stay tuned....
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242
Sorry, but that thing is a toy compared to the Sea Eagle Razorlite 393RL and even their own Chellan models! :)
One more thing, it seems to me the right kayak to seriously learn to kayak. It has a good instability which makes it faster. I find it perfect for paddling in other countries and taking it on a plane.😊
I've flown with mine a few times. A backpack cover is highly recommended; the first time I flew with it, a strap got caught on something, and a belt wore a hole through the bag and into the kayak.
Hey Ken, well after many months trying to make my mind up I finally bought one of these and took it paddling yesterday. Absolutely delighted. Everything you say in your review is spot on. I'd like handles on either side of the cockpit for easy lift and overhead portaging but that really my only issue. I was nervous about the stability but soon got used to it and, after five hours, was very comfortable in it. Love what you do. Keep up the fantastic work.
Are you a beginner? is it easy to tip over?
@@SmartPorter No not a beginner but had still heard that the boat was tippy. It has about the same stability as my Story Division 1.
This is my first kayak, I’ve been using it for a little over a year. Great review I completely agree with your assessment. I got this boat as a beginner knowing there would be a bit of a learning curve, but it’s something I could push and grow with. I’ve been all over the lakes and protected bays of Vancouver island with zero issues. I have complete confidence in this boat. Bought it after weeks of research into inflatables and highly recommend it.
The biggest issue I’ve had with this kayak is that the seat floats! If you tip this and get water in it it is a pain, the seat will pop out. The rear deck hatch is not water tight if you try to re-enter the kayak after tipping from the rear, the hatch will let a lot of water in. I recommend getting an inflatable paddle float and getting back in from the side. Get back to shore and reset. All that being said aside from the city first day on the water with some decent chop I have not tipped it and am not concerned about tipping it. Worth practicing recovery to build confidence and make sure you know what to do.
I’ve read reviews that claim you can roll this kayak. I have not tried it but I intend to after learning how do do it in a hard shell.
I was wondering if adding some conic inflatable bags to the back would help, though it would prevent using the back hatch ?
A very thoughtful review, well balanced and clear.
Thank you for the great review (as always)... I own this beauty for 3 years now and I simply love it. I had to repair a small scratch with liquid PVC once and that's all. I'm also surprised for the price difference between Europe 650€ (Spain here) and the US. I've tried it in calm rivers and some rough sea conditions and it really delivers. For new buyers just say that the learning curve is amazing, first day is the hardest one, then you get it and boom... Total fun!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Can it surf waves properly ?
I have seen it being sold for € 569 or € 589 in November/December 2022 by the Decathlon Webshop in The Netherlands :)
@@GTN355 It really can, depending on your ability 😅. Main difference with yours (I read you have an aircanoe 393) is the (non) flat floor. That gives you a great feeling and more stability in waves. About capsizing... I've tried It twice and never got It right 😢, although I think it's posible with a better tecnique than mine. I hope this helps
@@dansom1975
That's the reason I am looking at this X500 model : The V-Shaped hull ;)
Thanks a lot for the review, i have been on the fence on this one for a while now, and you are the first one who makes a really good review of it. I am a little surprised by the price in NA as it is rather cheaper over here in Europe though. Keep the great content !
Cheers!
I think you have managed to make me buy this one with this review, I've been eyeballing it for several months now. If it performs like my hard shell sit-in, for me the biggest reason to buy it would be definitely portability and being able to make trips with train. I am so tired of needing 2 cars all the time. Thanks for the great review, Ken!
The ability to take it on public transport indeed opens up a world of possibilities! I regularly take mine downtown on the bus, and on the train further afield.
It's also small and light enough to check in as hold baggage on the plane, though I'd definitely recommend adding a backpack cover to prevent the straps getting hung up and a hole in your bag (and potentially in your kayak) - guess how I know that >:(
@@6yjjk good points as well, thanks 👍🏻 In Europe it’s much cheaper, at the moment 50% of the US-Price 🙃
Hope you love it!
@@PaddleTV Cheers man
@@EckieOutdoor
But then again the Pakayak and TRAK 2.0 are a lot more expensive over here :
Pakayak : 2000 USD vs. € 2999
TRAK 2.0 : 3000 USD vs. € 4599
OUCH!!! :(
I really want this kayak now. Been seeing reviews for a year now. This is the second iteration of the boat, being much more stable than the version 1.
It's a shame there is no chance for PaddleTV to test the V1 currently, because I am really curious if all those stories about it were true ?!
Was it really that bad ?!
Great video Ken! I'd love to see a video comparing how long it takes you to set up and pack away your portable kayaks.
You can already find many of those on the PaddleTV TH-cam Channel ;)
For the TRAK 2.0 there are about 2 main videos and 2 others in which the kayak appears too!
Great to see you finally get to this one. I have this boat and love it, but now when I'm considering other boats I can compare what you said about this one to those to help inform my decision!
Just FYI anybody reading, they also make a 2 man version of this boat if that's something you're interested in. In Europe (UK at least) it's also around the 600-700 mark on price depending on promotions (699 is full price).
Ken - what did you think of the paddle too? I have this paddle and it's the only paddle I have ever used. So when you compare this to other paddles you have reviewed on your channel, what would you say about it?
I have seen this Itiwit Strenfit X500 being sold for € 569 or € 589 in November or December 2022 !!!
Love, love, love this boat.
The only weak point is the seat. It's uncomfortable after a few hours. If you roll and fill the boat it'll pop off its mount points and won't go back on till you drain the boat. I've had it replaced under warranty when the hinge material ripped with no provocation whatsoever. (Decathlon's customer service rep: "Tired of hearing about this.") And because it rests on the bladder behind the cockpit, any sand or grit whatsoever will rub pinholes into the bladder; after repairing several of those over the winter, I've now glued rubber window insulation strip to the bladder to keep the seat off it.
I really hope Decathlon, or someone, comes up with an alternative seat that fixes all these issues. I've a fair idea how I'd do it, but don't have the tools and materials.
I have this one too for 3 years, and it's awesome! I use it on a river and it's very funny! one of the best ever kayak that I never bought for sure. I'm pretty happy to see that I'm not the only one in love with the x500 =)
I've followed Ken's suggestions before and haven't been disappointed. I bought a Bonafide EX123 for fishing and I love it! I'd get one of these Itiwits in a heartbeat if they had a higher max capacity. 275 is too low for a bigger dude like myself. If it was 325 I'd drop the money for it in a heartbeat.
The Sea Eagle Razorlilte 393RL holds 500 lbs, and has lot of room with it's open cockpit design. Also about $300 cheaper once you buy a paddle & pump. Seems fairly comparable kayak, mostly depending on if the buyer prefers an open or closed cockpit.
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242
I think we should not call those two the same or comparable : Flat hull vs. V-Shaped hull is far from the same thing!
Don't get me wrong : I like both of them!
But comparing a flat water boat vs. one that can do many things is just silly...
There is two versions of this kayak. The first was not stable at all so decathlon modified the back shape, the V2 is much more stable. V2 is printed on the transportation bag. By the way the main issu with this kayak is the lack of comfort that come from the fact that the seat is too flat. I own a K1 and a K2 X500. I used these kayaks on long distance trip between 30 to 40km/day but I have to make a break during my day trip as I have too much pain in my buttock. As you say this inflatable kayak is as fast as a hardshell one. I use also bus and train, for instance I was in Venice Italy few weeks ago for a tour around Venice named the Vogalonga, I used the bus from the campground to go to the departure. With a hardshell it took me between 3hrs and 3hrs1/2 to do this 33km tour with the K2 X500 we did it in 3hrs1/4
Good seeing you again Ken! It's that season again.
Nice fun looking toy there too, finally something to put the SeaEagle RazerLite to shame.
How? RazrLite has much bigger capacity.
I have used one of these in big swell and it performed really well. It easily cruises at 3.5 knots and keeps up with "serious" sea kayaks. I fitted two closed cell foam hip pads which locked me into the boat and really improved edging. BUT, here in the UK they had reliability issues, mine had to go back. I spent the refund on a drysuit, but am hoping Santa will get me another x500.
May I as what is the reliability issues...just curious
I read somewhere there were issues with the seams and the creases where the kayak folds up (probably for those who keep it stored in the bag for long periods, or maybe those who use it a lot for day paddles where you unfold it and then fold so frequently) if you do multi day tours you are more likely to unfold it once, use it for a couple of days, and then fold it back up.. thus limiting the frequency of the unfolding/folding..
God I love your honest and concrete review.
Thank you for the great feedback and experience with this Kayak
You bet!
As usual an excellent and thorough review. This may be a boat in my future.
A really helpful and well rounded, detailed review. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Agree, just got it, great and can reccomend! Actually, I love it so much, I got serious with kayaking, got muself full carbon paddles and now it goes like a race car :-) To be honest, love it so much, would buy next if this one dies on me. Thank you for the review.
I didn't know the background on Decathlon, so thanks for that 👍And i can definitely say they're great, both in choice in shop and quality, and lower prices than other big brands. Everything I've got from them has been better than anything else for the money.
I always love your inflatable kayak reviews. I'd be interested to hear your views/comparison between this (or the 2 seat version) and the Advanced Elements Convertible kayak
I finally ordered the boat today largely thanks to this review. I'm four hours from the ocean and at least an hour from river rapids, so I'll mostly use it on flat water, but I wanted something suitable for class 2 occasionally. Already have an inflatable for flat water, and I'm ready to graduate. I'm a little worried about long-term wear, but with only occasional rough water, I'm hoping it'll last with minimal maintenance.
Sweet. I'm thinking of buying it. Thank you for reviewing it.
Thanks for the review with which I mostly agree. The price here in Switzerland is USD 649. Why is it so expensive over there?!?
Wish I could join you. I live right by the swamp. I always been wanting to paddle that area. Hope you enjoy the trip. Liked the review.
Amazing 'backyard' you have. I had a trip of lifetime on the Okefenokee! I'll be back.
This looks like a great option for a lot of people. I’ll pass along your video. As always, great review.
For the back carry case, Decathlon can take a lesson from the Isle Switch. The. Switch bag has plenty of room to hold everything needed for paddling. It came packed with the 11’6” board, 1 inflatable seat & foot brace, 4 piece SUP/ kayak paddle, fin, leash, dry bag, patch kit. I since added a second seat and & PFD’s with room left for the 12v air pump when it arrives.
Funny, I've never had any trouble getting everything I need into the X500 bag. Maybe I'm just fat enough that I can compress it more!
@@6yjjk
Never saw the Decathlon so I can’t comment on what it holds. I was responding to comments he made on the size of the Decathlon bag.
Great review, with the exception of showing the size packed up.
There are plenty videos showing that! Perhaps even too many! ;)
Hi Ken, I knew you would like it. I have had it for 3 years, I row in Guatapé Colombia in it and other rigid kayaks that I have and the speed difference is 1 or 2 km/h
Which kayaks have you compared the X500 with ?
Another thing, when I have traveled by plane with the kayak, I wrap it in another blanket so that they do not damage the bag on the plane. I have paddled in Santa Marta Colombia and it did very well with the swell and with the wind
That's a great point... and something that has come up with other portable kayaks. Portable kayak bags are generally designed to get from your home to the water - not to deal with the incredible abuse that bags experience during air travel. The only bag I can think of that is truly designed for air travel is the TRAK bag. For all others, it's a good idea to 'bag the bag'.
I only did that once with the Sea Eagle Paddleski 435ps. In 2014, we flew it for free on South West as luggage, and our full sail rig for it in another bag with our destination of the Florida Keys. We had no problems at all.
Now that I have a spare 435ps, I'd be even more likely to want to fly one as I'd be less worried about damage to it, except I can't replace it easily as they stopped this incredible model.
Just had my £78 new Intex Challenger blown up in the garden. Already I want this. Off to Decathlon tomorrow to buy a jacket. Hopefully I don't walk out with one of these! 😮❤
Nice review, Ken. Very profesionally done👏🏼
Interesting pricing, I'm in Europe and I got the X500 a few weeks ago for $830 (picked it up at Decathlon, so no shady business). A rare occasion where the European price isn't 30 % higher than the NA price.
The prices also differ a lot in Europe. From my observations the boats are in France and Germany at least 100$ cheaper than in Austria or UK
@@rocketboards4160
Huge price differences a over the world for this kayak.
The US being the most expensive, South East Asia being the cheapest, the UK & Europe being in between.
Get this, the US being more than double the price of South East Asia.
In Sweden this is around $800 if you buy from Decathlon, which is weird since our currency is shit (inflation n all)..
They do however refuse to acknowledge if you'll get version 1 or 2, which is a little shady in my opinion... If they have stock in the physical store one could check before hand I guess, but still..
@@packraftadventures I don't think you can even get v1 anymore, it's been some time since v2 came out.
Thanks for the excellent review as always. I've been looking for a portable kayak For the cost the features this seems to be a top contender if not the winner.
Thank You very much for this review. I hope You do more Decathlon reviews in the future. Tahe Breeze HP2 would be a great one for me
Great review. Love my x500 cost €650 in the Netherlands.
Or even less than that : € 569 / € 589 :)
I own this Beauty and I simply love it. Feels like a hard shell and is really fast and agile.
That was impressive. It seemed to perform well.
I am glad you got to see Okeefenokee...I was just there 2 weeks ago.
I paddled the canals and walked a bunch of trails.
How did you enjoy paddling with alligators?
I live in Fl and I am use to seeing them.
Hi. The boat is ok, but: 0. There is classic leak point behind the seat, where it presses into the "back masik" 1. if capsize, seat comes off every time,you have to attach it additionally for it to stay inplace. 2. you cant start in 1.5-2m. waves without skirt attached: it takes a lot of time because of soft rim, the boat will flood with water from coming waves, in part because of desk shape and time required to secure the skirt 3. no knee pads, I've tried to make custom ones from closed-cell foam. The deck is soft.
I repaired a few pinhole leaks behind the seat over winter, really stupid design to have the seat rubbing on it. I've now glued some rubber window insulation strip to the bladder to keep that from happening again.
Yeah that once again reinforces my rule -air must not be required for structure when going offshore. I wouldn't fish in it either. I expect it would be too warm on a hot day, but wonderful in very cold weather.
@@skyak4493 def not a fishing kayak, I own one and it's uncomfortably unstable when stationary. Ok to grab a bite, have a drink, or rest your arms from rowing, but too unstable for longer times, also, there really isn't room for easily accessible tackle and such, so if you hook one, you'd get a new problem of what to do then.
It is however a touring kayak, as in, it has enough room to store camping gear (albeit in dry bags) you can easily store a sleeping bag in the bow, further stuff can be stored in the hatch in the back, and decathlon sells a 30L drybag with straps that click to the deck in front of you.
I would never recommend this for fishing, but can't be happier for touring a recreational reasons
@@DanielSultana FWIW, I design kayaks and there might be some simple things you can do to significantly improve stability. Your kayak is plenty wide. If it is pumped up and acting like a solid then either your seat is too high or more likely, there is play (relative motion) between your hips and the boat. I have a Pax 20 race plyak that is under 17" wide at max and it is about as stable as you describe. My seat is carved out of firm foam with no padding thickness at the very bottom. For your inflatable I would make something similar but maybe cut a base out of thin ply or even corrugated plastic (corrugations longitudinal) running tightly full beam.
@@skyak4493 can just use pvc pipe and pool noodle... cheap, flexible, and works great to add more stability
This is the kayak I've been for!
Just bought this thing. Performs well. Just have to master packing it back up better.
I really wish Europe would cater more for me when it comes to inflatable kayaks / canoes to cater for my size and weight, I am 6ft 7 and weight 300 LBS. Most, if not all manufacturers here in the UK do not come close. Still, as a past proud owner of several Sea Eagles I am now looking to buy a 380X. I love this channel as your reviews leave me well informed... I watch to the end, even, as in this case, the Decathlon is not quite suitable for my requirements. Best wishes
Decathlon is great for all sorts of outdoor gear. First started in Europe, Spain I believe and now all over here in the UK. Great prices, very competative and good quality.
It is a French company
suggestion: add getting into the kayak from deep water into these inflatable reviews. some of these pontoon-free inflatables are notoriously difficult to re-enter from the water
Muy buen reportaje, con muy buenas conclusiones. Enhorabuena !!!. Llevo un año con el X500 y practicamente estoy de acuerdo con sus comentarios, navega muy bien en el mar, rios,etc.Si que es algo incomodo el asiento cuando estas mucho tiempo navegando, pero el hecho de que sea portatil y se comporte en el agua como un kayak rigido compensa los pequeños inconvenientes.
Nice review, Ken! Also, nice they you've gone down to my US state (I live near Belleville, Ontario now). I know the drive well unfortunately. 🤣 Keep up the great reviews!
Ha! I'm not looking forward to doing that long haul down I75 again!
@@PaddleTV it is rather long, especially if you have 7 dogs and 2 kids with you for the ride in your truck!
What a nice review, i have one of these for about two years and 100+ hours in it, no white water though. perhaps worth to mention that the peddles will not fit inside the bag. the bag is for me the biggest downside, it is too small and the straps could use a little more padding.
Decathlon is not only in Europe, its also in Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Its probably the number one store chain for Sports/Outdoor equipment in the world.
What’s the bottom line on portable kayaks that are hard-shell-like, if you’re not willing to spend a ton and wait a long time for a Trak 2.0? You’ve tested the Itiwit, the Pakayak and the Oru, and maybe some others. What’s your pick?
My opinion : Just don't go for Oru Kayak or other brands selling the same kind of boat and you will be just fine! ;)
I have seen/read about people having issues over and over again with those things and still calling them "AWESOME!!!111oneoneone" and IMHO that is just a serious case of the Stockholm syndrome! :(
I live in Europe and i have this Kayak for 3 years now and i am very satisfied whit it.
But the price of this thing in the US is way too high.
Here in Europe i paid 650 EURO and that was in 2020.
Even the two seater version is cheaper here in Europe then the single seater in the US.
Nice review!!
Thank you for the great review. I was wondering about durability. Is it going to survive if I'm in a river and smoke a rock I can't see?
Thanks Anthony! Depends on the rock... If it's a sharp rock and you hit it hard - I don't know. Not many inflatable kayaks will handle that. It feels fairly durable, but I will be careful to minimize the rock banging on rivers.
Brilliant review. There’s a great company in the UK that produce the Sandbanks Optimal Style. Be nice to see you reviewing one of these, if they’ll send one to you to test.
I wish this had been posted a couple weeks ago! I just bought a Oru Bay ST, but this would've been a meaningful alternative choice to consider.
Sorry! :) I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Bay ST. I like the looks of that kayak too!
@@PaddleTV I got back from my first outing with the Oru a little while ago. I'm not the best person to give a review, as I've only been out kayaking a few times prior, and always in wide, slow rec kayaks. But I'll give my thoughts. I was paddling on a wide, meandering, slow-moving creek, so no rough water observations.
Assembly and disassembly aren't too hard. I followed Oru's instructional video in my back yard the first time around, but was able to to do it from memory at the boat launch. I'm still a little slow, but I'll get faster with practice.
It's definitely portable. I hauled it to the boat launch strapped to a trailer attached to my ebike. Assembled with all my (probably excessive) crap attached I was able to pick it up and carry it to the end of the ramp.
Speaking of attaching crap: I don't love the deck lines. I feel like they should be tighter, and the position and recommended way to stretch the elastic lines makes attaching something like a Gear Lab Outdoors Deck Pod in a useful location annoying. I think I found a workaround to both after the trip: Stretch the elastic deck lines across the boat and hook them to the non-elastic line. That results in better tension on the non-elastic deck lines, and an elastic line at the border of the deck for attaching a deck bag.
It took me a minute to get used to the reduced primary stability compared to kayaks I've paddled previously, but once I did I had no problem keeping it stable. Compared to the wide, stubby rec kayaks I've paddled in the past, the Bay ST is a missile. It's fast, it accelerates quickly, it turns quickly, it can be pointed through narrow spaces with a good degree of precision. My only complaint as far as performance and handling go is that it tends to drift left or right (usually right for me) when I stop paddling. Not sure if that's the current or something I'm doing or what, but it's mildly annoying.
I wish I could say similarly positive things about the comfort. If I sit on the stock thickness seat pad, my butt goes to sleep pretty quickly, and I'm regularly repositioning my knees from being out to the side under the coaming to being together protruding above the coaming to keep my legs and feet from going to sleep. If I sit on the thicker gel seat pad, my butt is ok, but I can't move my legs around and they start going to sleep even more quickly than my butt did with the thin pad. (Edit: After more consideration, I think that the persistent numbness I mentioned but deleted is from an impact in exactly the wrong place, not just sitting in the kayak.)
I have a couple ideas to improve the comfort, and I'll contact Oru's support and see if they have any recommendations, but if I can't resolve the comfort problem I think I'll have to either exchange the boat for one of their open top models so I have more room to change position, or return it for a refund and buy something like the Itiwit X500 or one of Advanced Elements' nicer boats. That would be a shame, because I quite like this boat otherwise, but the comfort issue is just too big to ignore.
I'd be curious to see your review. You have vastly more experience both kayaking and reviewing kayaks, and not many people have done substantial reviews of the Bay ST. It's usually the rec boats like the Inlet or Beach, or the Coast, a full-on ocean kayak (or such is the claim).
I've got the small Advanced Elements single kayak and it's great, this one is on another level lol
Hi Ken, I'm a new subscriber from Massachusetts and I'm also new at kayaking, I just recently bought one, a cheap one around $300 so if I find it's not for me I'm not out too much money. I'm one of those people who like the inflatable kayaks, use it break it down put it in a bag until next time that's for me. I like the style of the life vest you wear, could you tell me what kind those are so I can pick one up, also I love your videos I find them very informative, people like you Ken, encourage people like me to get off the couch, thank you...
Welcome to the world of paddling! :). The PFD I'm wearing is the NRS Odyssey: bit.ly/41yCpK0. It is a great PFD. I recently did a video about choosing the right life jacket/vest/PFD. You might find it helpful. Here's a link to it: th-cam.com/video/jH99hBZB_l8/w-d-xo.html
Cheers!
Welcome to kayaking. I live on the border of MA and there are many great places to go kayaking in MA. One thing I don't like about MA & CT now since I could walk to either state, is some locations now charge out of state $30 to park, and many were free previously. Not very nice to their neighbors, and our state generally doesn't charge generally and we also have the sailing capital of the USA.
I will warn you that it can be addictive. I started off with a $200 Sea Eagle kayak, and several years later now have 7 and some expensive accessories beyond what you normally see on kayaks.
@@classicarcadeamusementpark4242 my wife and I are in our sixties and just looking for some peace, quiet, and relaxation. I think this would be good, I'm not looking to shoot the rapids, I just want to go out and cruise around. After seeing Ken's videos I think this is for me, it looks like fun, as soon as my life vests come in I'm going out, wish me luck...
@@steelmonkey7609 You'll love it.
I've had this kayak for several years. I love it. Use it in lochs (lakes) and at sea. It is fast and tracks well. I find it quite stable and very comfortable. I'm 6 ft 1" and wouldn't recommend it for anyone much taller than 6' 2". Can get a tent and cooking stuff, change of clothes in it for overnight camping. Packing it away in the rucksack is easy enough if you are disciplined about folding it exactly in half then quarter, with still room for pump, shoes, towel etc. I'd thoroughly recommend it. 🙂
Thank you very much, Ken!
I really like it!! I would have liked to hear more comparison to other inflatables… I totally understand there are some trade offs vs ridged boats. But is this the best touring inflatable? …not sure that was answered
This is a great boat. But even more cool is the double version. I ride it with my child. Much more stable, while being easily controlled by one person, fast - I walk alone at the same speed as my son / wife on singles.
Everything fits in the car...
I would like to add only two things.
1. Think of something with the seat. The back and legs in it become numb after an hour of rowing.
2. I go for 2, 3 days sometimes. And it’s inconvenient to drag a boat + an extra backpack on yourself. Ideally, it would be some kind of more spacious backpack in which you can fit the boat and some things (and so everyone puts things in there, but I would like more)
Great review, I have been looking for a kayak like this to put on my yacht to explore shallow creeks. Looks ideal. Deal on in U.K. £649.99. Thx. Andy UK
I've been in two minds to selling my pyranah pro white water kayak and buying the x500 mainly due to not having a way of transporting the kayak now l have a different vehicle, so the x500 is number one on my list, its definitely a contender for the rivers and surf at saltburn uk.
Very nice Review bro! Good job! I used to paddle a lot surf ski and sea kayak, so all I worry about is the speed for X500，what if compare to normal hard shell kayak? I should be living in apartment for next few years so really dont have a space for hard shell sea kayak storage, so would you recommend me to get a x500?
Thanks for this great review. I've searched all over the Decathlon site and can not find warranty info on the Itiwit500. Do you know how many years warranty that it has? Thanks.
I think the warranty is 10 years. When I found out about this, I realized that Decathlon is quite confident in this product. This data is in Colombia.
@@TouringKayakGuatape Thanks!
Great review. It would be a great solution to pack into a yacht. Shame to hear that it may not work for my height (6'5") - could the straps be lengthened, or does it hit against the limits of the rails the footrests sit in, or a bulkhead? I'm a very experienced sea kayaker and see that this could be a hoot.
I've been using this boat for a number of years now. And I would most recommend it. I've taken it on rivers and lakes. It handals beautifully. Loads of space for gear, stove, etc. It always attracts attention even in the middle of a lake. It's a fantastic bot of kit.
The price here in Europe is about €649 for a single seat. The price for a double seat is €1210. Please notice ! 😊
Decathlon is the REI of Europe. Great store, lots of selection, good customer service, ect. But I personally still think REI is better.
Now I know why there are soo many REI videos online! Thanks! :)
This is the fastest inflatable Kajak there is!!! Definitely! Not really stable enough for fishing and my taste. But if you want to go a bit more fast and sporty than this is amazing as you can pack it so small and it’s so easy to handle. Had the pleasure once to sit in it and it was so much faster than my gumotex rush inflatable with only dropstitch floor. PLUS the price is amazing for that quality!!!!
Here in Europe it just costs 750-800 dollars! Equals 700€.
Would love for you to review the v1 x500 in comparison and give your thoughts having them paddled the 2. Finally put this stability thing to rest Ken 😂
Been looking into getting a kayak, and portability is definitely a major factor as I don't have a car, just a bicycle (well, 2, one of which I have a trailer for that could carry this....but I digress).
I wasn't even considering an inflatable until I saw this video--though it's a bit steep for my budget at the moment. I'll probably end up getting an Oru Lake+. My budget needs to wait a month anyway (which would be nice timing as my birthday is next month)
Thank you for the excellent review. I am definitely considering buying one but am a bit concerned about leaks. I intend to use it a lot on small rivers and streams where I will bump into lots of underwater stuff (branches, logs, etc). Is that an issue?
Thanks for the great review. How's the Itiwit Paddle?
It doesn't fit in the bag (too long), which is fine if you're not flying with it. That alone ruled it out for me. I went with a cheap 4-piece from Advanced Elements once I got sick of my Intex Challenger paddle!
The blades are made of plastic, and they are not strong enough to confidently shove from rocks. I broke mine last summer. Not recommended
Thanks Ken for the enthusiastic presentation. If it's not a personal question, what size are yor feet? You are dimensionally similar to me and I worry about getting my US size 14 feet up toward the bow in one of these.
I have the same issue with both feet and legs probably being too large for the X500 so I am hoping to find it in one of their stores as a demo model so I can sit inside it and see if I fit inside it or not...
Looks awesome, I'll get one.
Great video! What is the material the kayak is made of. It makes a difference if you have to make a field repair or a DIY repair when you get home. Also, where is the kayak manufactured?
The main fabric is PVC, which is a pretty easy fabric to repair. As for where it's made... that I don't know. For the price of it, I'm guessing it's made overseas.
I had one 3 yrs ago in Belgium but it never felt stable unless I was moving. I sold it after a few paddles. I'm 6'2", 220 pounds. I felt top heavy for this kayak and never could just sit back and relax. Too bad as it is beautiful and quick.. I forgot to add that I had version 1. Version 2 appears to be more stable as the hull beneath the seat has been flattened slightly.
Excellent review
How resistant is the fabric against punctures, say thin branches, thorns, sharp rocks, etc.?
My feeling is that it will hold up to quite a bit... would love to hear from people who have used one for a while.
Thank you for the video. I will buy the Itiwit x500. . What camera do you recommend? Are there any front and rear waterproof simultaneous recording?
I would refer to Decathlon as the IKEA of Sport. Not the best of the best but solid products for a reasonable price.
Pricing is indeed interesteing, especially when i tell yout that i bought it 4 years ago in europe for 599 Euro :D How would you rate that value?? Insane. I dont know why no other manufacturer has come up with a rival boat. I love this kayak, i just wish for a little more length and a better seat or maybe a bit more room for tent etc. Also, there are two versions of this thing. V1 was even a littler tippier and a little faster until a lot of novice paddlers complained to Decathlon that they can not use the Kayak. So they made a V2 with a little more stability. I love my V1 and love that it is a bit faster as i am a more experienced kayaker.
Damn. 1300$ for that thing in the US :o I can drive 10 minutes and buy it at my local Decathlon for 720€ or roughly 800$ US, but it sure is a steal in any way👏
Hey Ken, if you could only choose one portable kayak, would it be this or the Trak 2.0?
Yikes... that's an impossible question to answer. Totally depends on the type of paddling I'm focused on. The X500 is a great touring boat for mild conditions. The Trak is a much higher performing kayak and can travel faster and comfortably handle any rough conditions. They you have portable kayaks like the Pakayak, which is a true hardshell and is super fast. For whitewater, I would want something like the Star Raven Pro, or the Sea Eagle 380X, and for kayak camping trips, I might go for the Sea Eagle 393rl, because it has so much capacity and is fast. If I had a lot of carrying to do, I would love the AquaGlide Cirrus, which is less than 15lbs! OMG. I'm glad I don't only get 1 kayak! :)
@@PaddleTV Yep, you're one of the lucky ones. Don't think I can house that many boats. ;)
@@PaddleTV I agree 100%. Different kayaks for different purposes as you said.
If I could only have one, it would be my Sea Eagle 435ps because no other kayak can handle my Torqeedo 1003 motor (or a 3 HP gas motor), provide a good sailing hull, and still paddle as well as many inflatable kayaks, and fit in my car's trunk.