Inflatable Kayak Stability Tests - GoPlus | Gumotex | Story
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ค. 2022
- Inflatable Kayak Stability Tests - GoPlus | Gumotex | Story -
I decided I'd do some stability tests on the water to see how hard/easy it was to capsize 3 of my boats. They're all very different designs so it was a good test with varied results. The Costway GoPlus Drop Stitch Kayak, the Gumotex Twist 2 and the Story Highline drop stitch kayak.
I was also seeing how hard it would be to get back in once I was in the water while at the same time testing the functionality of my wetsuit and my favourite dry bags.
Thanks to Oldest Friend for his excellent on shore camera work. You can find him on TH-cam here @rambledogs2012
Kit seen/used in this video -
Boat Kit
GoPlus Kayak
eBay - bit.ly/3GSv8v3
Costway - bit.ly/31xRv8W
Amazon - amzn.to/3CNwlkJ
Gumotex Twist 2 - www.manchester-canoes-and-kay...
Story Kayak bought from here - euroskateshop.uk/water-sport/...
Winnerwell 250cm Fibreglass Paddle - amzn.to/3rXJe5M
Omouboi Buoyancy Aid - amzn.to/3zrEcng
Pumps
Pumteck - amzn.to/3pQnNFw
Beautyovo - amzn.to/3sT0WuF
Wetsuit Gear
PAWHIT Wetsuit - amzn.to/3FxOoxy
PAWHIT Wetsuit socks - amzn.to/398Fb2u
Osprey Wetsuit boots - amzn.to/37D2b9K
Camera Kit
GoPro Hero 7 Black - amzn.to/3FV1V1Y
DJI Osmo Action Camera - amzn.to/3Hh5ro0
PGYTech Osmo Cold Shoe Cage - amzn.to/3DnQ4YR
Camera Windshield - amzn.to/3uJmmKB
Anozer Bendy Leg Tripods - amzn.to/3F7nET9 - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Kit seen/used in this video -
*Boat Kit*
GoPlus Kayak
eBay - bit.ly/3GSv8v3
Costway - bit.ly/31xRv8W
Amazon - amzn.to/3CNwlkJ
Gumotex Twist 2 - www.manchester-canoes-and-kayaks.co.uk/
Story Kayak bought from here - euroskateshop.uk/water-sport/kayak/inflatable-kayak.html
Winnerwell 250cm Fibreglass Paddle - amzn.to/3rXJe5M
Omouboi Buoyancy Aid - amzn.to/3zrEcng
*Pumps*
Pumteck - amzn.to/3pQnNFw
Beautyovo - amzn.to/3sT0WuF
*Wetsuit Gear*
PAWHIT Wetsuit - amzn.to/3FxOoxy
PAWHIT Wetsuit socks - amzn.to/398Fb2u
Osprey Wetsuit boots - amzn.to/37D2b9K
*Camera Kit*
GoPro Hero 7 Black - amzn.to/3FV1V1Y
DJI Osmo Action Camera - amzn.to/3Hh5ro0
PGYTech Osmo Cold Shoe Cage - amzn.to/3DnQ4YR
Camera Windshield - amzn.to/3uJmmKB
Anozer Bendy Leg Tripods - amzn.to/3F7nET9
Another great analysis Karl! Excellent videos.
It's worth emphasising the difference between primary and secondary stability. For example my old Sevylor Colorado was very stable initially, but flipped suddenly and quite forcefully in rough seas, gIving something of a false sense of security. Other inflatables feel more tippy initially, but give a more progressive roll into the full capsize My Seawave is good in both primary and secondary, the X500 tippy initially, but then predictable. A good low brace makes all boats safer.
Thanks for adding that. I learnt a lot more about primary and secondary after doing this 😁👍
That is SUCH a useful video! You can see now why I was so nervy on my first trip in the Story. I’m glad I’ve now bought a boat a similar shape and style to the Go Plus. I can get on the water in that, get my confidence up, and the graduate to the Story. Thanks for the really useful video, big man 👍🏻👍🏻
I'm glad it's useful Si... What other boat did you get?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner the one I sent the link to the - the "3-in-1" thing so a very similar shape to the Go Plus
Thank you. I just bought a Goplus and now I’m glad I got this one.
I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it. You might find the paddle and pump a bit 'lacking' though.
Mate - thank you for this!! Just the exact content I was looking for. (Thanks for the disclaimer at the start, I personally didn't need it as I was hoping that you would actually go to whatever lengths needed - and that's no reflection on the craft.)
Anyway, thanks for this - good video, good sound, good filming, good commentary.... well done mate!
Thanks Adam, that's great to know :D Have you seen the others where I tried to get back in and the one where I found 3 working methods?
A lovely refreshing canal. Nice one mate.
Hahaha refreshing indeed! 😂 Cheers Billy... I've yet to sleep in one though! 😜😆
Awesome mate, great video. I'm looking into getting into kayaking but didn't know where to start. I wasn't sure on getting a hard shell or inflatable and this video helped me decide. Cheers bud 👍
What have you decided?
I'm glad it's helped by the way 😀👍
You have absolutely sold me on the GoPlus. I can only find the green color or blue right now. Probably because I’m in missouri usa, but I can’t wait to get it! Thank you for your reviews and follow ups!
You're welcome, I'm glad you've found them useful. If you've got the cash and they're available where you are, consider the Aqua Marina Cascade. Same style as the GoPlus but much better build quality and better accessories. Not only that, it's built as a true SUP hybrid so it's more versatile 👍😁
Great video, only you would do this Karl! Keep doing what you do - really useful, thank you.
Thank you sir 👍😁
Karl, thank tor taking one for the Team!
You're welcome... However I also did this for my benefit too :D
Wow, above and beyond for subscribers there Karl 👏
Gotta do your bit John 😂 Joking aside, I did this as much for my benefit as anyones given that I'm not a great swimmer.
Good video there Karl, the Go Plus is a great boat I got mine last year after watching your review its great value for money, very stable, tracks well and puts you at ease on the water, I've been out on mine today on the Chesterfield canal.
Cheers Gary... as I keep saying - it continues to surprise me! And I would like to try another brand of 'hybrid' 👍😀
Only had mine in the sea on Pembrokeshire coast and went for a swim but it took a sizeable wave 😁
I bet it did! hahaa
Really great demonstration with the flipping.. was fun watching you trying to tip them!
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. I hope you appreciate I jarred my wrist trying to tip that ruddy boat 🤣
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner ouch.. hope it’s ok now! I look to the next video of you getting back on the kayaks!
@@Fishaholicboy yeah, me too..
Cracking video dude, we were looking at our 1st Kayak and thought of the Aqua Marina Tomahawk but after seeing your video we think it would be too unstable, cheers
Yeah they're along the lines of the Story, yes? The thing is, if you got that and got used to it, anything else would seem easier after.
Great video, lots of info there. The GoPlus was really surprising
It certainly was... I did expect to be able to drag it over. I've actually jarred my wrist trying! Bizarre :)
I'm guessing we'll be meeting this weekend?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner yeah I'll be there.. catching the train out of Ipswich at 9:15, should arrive at 4:30 ish..
Good stuff... I should be rocking up some time between 6 and 7. Save me a good spot 😂
I love these videos.. no gab all info.
Cheers, although I do gab at times 😅👍
Wow I'm amazed at the ironing board! I don't kayak (me in a kayak lol) but I always watch and cringe when you get in cause it looks like they are going to tip over! So I was really surprised at that one.
I would love to try it when I have shifted some of this timber!
Cheers Kooky... There's a technique to getting in and I've covered that in a couple of videos specially about that. But yeah... the ironing board... and true to my word in the video I'm currently checking out another different brand and considering giving it a go :)
I’m really getting into your videos. I’ve only been kayaking twice and already have 3 boats. I’d love to you review those 3 boats in the video and compare speed and stability etc and why you bought each one. Keep it up 👍🏻
On my channel there are reviews for each of them. A speed comparison test between these 3 is also in the pipeline 👍
Karl, this is such a great video, knowing how stable your boat is so important, and the ability to get back in if the worst happens. I’ve got a Sea Eagle 370 which is really stable, and a drop stitch Aqua Marina 375 which is like the Story. I’ve never fallen out of the Sea Eagle, but I have tested getting back in, and it was really easy. I’ve tested getting back in the AM in my local lake and just couldn’t do it, it kept turning over as I tried to get in, so I’ve bought a paddle float, but haven’t been able to test it out yet. I paddle on the River Dee in Cheshire a lot and the river bank is very sheer in most places so being able to get back in is really important to me. One thing I have found with the AM was that its twitchy, but when trying to heel it over it went so far then stopped as the side of the boat touched the water. I’ll keep using it and get to know it and it’s limits better
I think when I release the re-entering video next week you might find my results similar to yours. I've got some ideas as to how I might make this easier and I feel a few more tries and videos coming up as a result :)
That’s great I’m really looking forward to seeing how you got on, I may even get round to doing my own “how to” at some point👍
@@geoffknight7322 I think it's one of those things worth finding out for yourself 😁
I want stability more than anything. I have been on some canoe courses and never liked rigid kayaks because of their instability. I don't want something for white water but a gentle paddle. I was looking at the go plus. However, on Amazon there are a number of reviews that say there are faults on the boat and it doesn't last. One reviewer returned one and received another and had the same problem. From your experience which is the most stable and reliable boat.
To be quite frank, if you avoid the 3 panel drop stitch crafts like the Story in this video, and go for one with wider side chambers, you can't go far wrong in terms if stability.
All the boats I've currently got, the Ottawa, Cascade, Freein, Chelan, Cirrus, Deschutes and the packrafts, they're all really stable with not much between them. The Ottawa and the Cascade whilst also really stable can feel unstable only because you sit on top of the boat more on top of the water, whereas the wider ones you're more IN the boat, if that makes sense.
Nice Video. My short experience with gumotex thaya says that the fear of some people is stronger treath than danger itself. When we came on high waves caused by Wind my girl got patrified. I told her to stop paddeling and calm down. The feal suddenly changed. Thaya is handling the waves easily, it is almost boring, it decreses excitement instantly once you relax, once you just stop and Look how easily it Händles it. We did that few more times and now she really trust the boat :) i did Not know that before those Tests, i Just got faith in my wonderful boath :) it was still great experience for both of US to bild more confidence
Gumotex are great boats and like I said in this video - what happens here is user error i.e. me testing it to an unnatural extreme. They're all good and as long as you use them as intended you shouldn't have any problems. It's good you got your girl to relax and trust the boat :)
Fabulous vid' mate. As a Story owner very interesting to see how easy it rolled although not really a surprise. It raises a very pertinent question about the origami boats we've been discussing, significantly the ability to self-rescue, which isn't too good. Since they're not inflatable and don't have watertight compartments they can fill with water and be very hard to re-enter. That's basically why the open deck versions are classified for calm water only although people add bow and stern float bags and a bilge pump when they take them anywhere that's likely to be choppy. Anyway, I'm selling my Story!!! ...Only joking. I love it really.
You know, I did wonder about the origami boats and re-entering, especially after having done this. And yes I have seen the float bags - I wondered about those cos I thought they were just taking up space I'd want to fill with camping gear. I don't think it's for me.
Looking on YT there's not a lot out there about IK stability and how to re-enter. There are a lot of hardshell ones but they're a different beast. I've still got the re-entry tests vid I did on the same day to produce but I'm already planning more on this score.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner To be honest the inability to re-enter is probably only a big issue when you're too far out to swim to a bank but it would definitely make me think if I were paddling in the sea. That aside the Oru is a fabulous kayak. Different, but very good, nimble, and more stable than the Story... But not more stable than the unsinkable ironing board!
Hi, great video, where is the best place to buy the go plus please??
Amazon have it on offer at the moment at just under £300 amzn.to/3zNe886
I see most drop stich sup and kayak are inflatable to 10-15 and even more psi.
Is this Goplus with 8psi enough ?
Yes it's firm and rigid at 8psi.
Witch kayak would you recommend based on price/quality, durability, ease of rowing, speed , Just for lakes and slow running rivers. ?
All 3 of these are good, and each of them has strong points and weak ones.
The Story is faster.
The Gumotex more robust.
The GoPlus more stable.
What an informative video. We are going from a hard shell sit on top kayak and a paddleboard to something in between. Having limited mobility (age and weight) stability is a major plus, along with ease of entry. Looks like cheap(er) and cheerful is the way to go.
So thanks for the info. Also, where was your "get in" for this video?
This was filmed on Selby Canal.
As far as stable boats are concerned, yes the GoPlus is pretty awesome. I've tried all 3 of the same style available here in the UK and I favour the Aqua Marina Cascade over them all for overall build quality and accessories 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Cheers Bud.
Food for thought. I have been looking at the Cascade but also at the Spinera, too.
Is that part of the canal close to Selby, we are in Pontefract.
@@lawrencecrowe1214 the whole canal is only 5 miles long running from Selby to West Haddelsey. This was filmed at Brayton Bridge about a mile out of Selby.
Try an Itiwit X100. It has a dropstitch floor with standard side sponsons. Have been using mine for about a year and it's a great balance of stability and performance.
I imagine it would be on a par with The Ironing Board 👍
Stability of the craft is one thing, stability of the user is another. ;-)
Width is a huge factor and tubed sides also make a major difference to how secure a person would feel.
I got rid of my fully dropstitch bluewave glider as it felt just a bit too tippy for me, a 6'3" 59 year old with dodgy knees.
I'm a lot more at ease not in my 2 person Story Ranger Hybrid.
You're so right Steve. In the Koa folding boat I feel unstable in that, but it's more me not the boat.
My new Cirrus is akin to the Ranger and yes it too is a very stable craft. You can see it in my upload today :D
Just bought a GoPlus mainly based on your videos. We are new to kayaking and wanted something stable. We find it very stable, easy to set and deflate and put away. We bought a new paddle and pump based on your recommendation, However, even with the provided pump, we find it very easy to inflate. What I'd like to see demonstrated is a speed comparison. The GoPlus seems very slow, which I pretty much expected. Wondering how much faster other types of inflatables are, though. The Story looks much faster, but I'm not ready to give up the stability for the speed yet. Do you think the GoPLus is almost too slow? Thanks for your videos.
I have since sold it and the Spinera as I prefer the Aqua Marina Cascade, and space is a premium at my place. However I didn't find it too slow. Yes, it's slower than something like the Story because it's not as sleek, nevertheless it pootled along at around 3mph quite nicely. But as you say, the trade off is stability.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Thanks. I have since realized that I was using the included paddle. Bought a new one. Maybe that will make a difference in speed.
@@capnjsknotaide9168 oh yeah, the included paddle is fine for a spare, but spare only!
Great stuff. I would love to see you take the stable kayak on rougher water. Something like a ride down Langham Flumes.
Whilst it might well stay upright it wouldn't handle white water well at all. It really needs the skeg for tracking otherwise it's all over the place 😏😆
That's a very good point. Would either of the others fare better, do you think?
The Gumotex is probably the most robust in that it's more rubber than PVC however they do other models more geared for whitewater. The one I've got here has a very open front and rear and you'd get a lot of water in and it's not self bailing.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner two inflatable kayaks I know for whitewater is Gumotex Safari 330 and Grabner Hype. I have used only Safari not the Hype. I did river Amata in Latvia Whitewater grade 2/3, top part and bottom part. Fast and wild river full of obstructions (top part from village Skujene to Amata was most difficult) lot of trees after 2 storms. Lot of bends, stones everywhere, low trees, low bridges. carrying over obstructions, balancing on a tree and and pulling kayak under or over trees worked well. Paddling over trees and stones in the water was perfect, scraping bottom but no damage. Had to concentrate every second. Did carry it dozen times out on the bank across obstructions. That’s why you want a lighter kayak but also what you can carry because trolley will not work in wild forest bank. Maneuvering and edging works well. It will carry multiday trip gear too. Amatas top part was more difficult than full river Thames with it’s 45 locks and much heavier kayak. The bottom part trip what is 3 to 4 hour paddle from village Amata was more civilised with bit wider river, no obstructions and sections of more whitewater. I enjoyed this section as fun section. Whole trip was a good test for Safari 330 and it did excel. After that I did Medway river paddle to test it’s speed in flatwater. Gps watch recorded 5.9km/hour over 15km section. Comparing to other sections was same. 5.6km/hour was relaxed paddle.
@@kristaps2010 wow, that's quite a trip 👍😁
I believe the Palava will also handle certain white water grades too.
Great video. Actually, I'm more interested in the ability to re-enter inflatable kayaks after tipping in deep water. My fear is not tipping, but the fear of not being able to get back into the kayak after tipping. Any chance that you can do a test on that? Thanks,
We filmed some of that on the same day with a view to creating a separate video... and there will be more on this too as a consequence. I'll be uploading this next week, probably Monday 👍
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Thank you!
It's my pleasure... and I mean that. I enjoy doing this :)
I enjoyed that but was wondering if you can attach outriggers on inflatables
Is that some kind of stabiliser? Like on a catamaran?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner yes, always wanted some for mine but they were too expensive.looked just now and there much cheaper now. I think they only fit hard plastic kayaks
@@leebright753 there might be a way to mod it... You've got me thinking and wanting to check it out 😊
@@leebright753 just had a quick look. I reckon if you attached additional D rings either side of each chamber you could lash the rigger bar to them. Of course the challenge they would present is they'd push the back of the boot away from a dock/mooring point. Water launches would be easier rather than using docks/moorings/pontoons.
@@leebright753 I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a TH-cam vid of a Sea Eagle inflatable with outrigger fitted, I seem to remember the guy had converted it into a sail boat.
Not surprised that the Story was the tippiest. I was amazed by the stability of the GoPlus. I had discounted that style as a fad but I will look into them having seen how stable they’ve are. Where does the water drain to in the cockpit of the GoPlus (or do you just have to bail it out)?
Since buying the GoPlus which has never ceased surprising me - I've since bought the other 3 makes of the same style of boat available here in the UK.
As for water in the cockpit - never been an issue. Yes obviously it fills up in this test because what I'm doing is extreme. But in general use, not an issue. You sit on an inflatable floor, so any splashes end up under that so you're not sat it. Also I use a long paddle (250cm) and take wide strokes so it minimises splashes in the boat.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Thanks. So the water drains away under the floor, like with the other kayaks with a DS floor (itiwit, etc)? I think you said the GoPlus was the best of this type of kayak that you'd bought? Can't seem to finds them for sale online at the moment, but other brands are available such as Costaway which looks to be the same as the GoPlus
@@TheKayakCrew sorry I've not explained it well... There's no drain on the GoPlus. What I'm saying is, I don't get enough water in the cockpit for it to be an issue. It's so little an issue that the Spinera supkayak does have a drain plug and I've sealed it. It's unnecessary.
Costway make the GoPlus 👍😊 I think they're on eBay for around £300.
I've recently bought the Aqua Marina Cascade. It's the the priciest of this model I've bought, but I reckon it will become my fave 😊
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Thanks, I will check out the Aqua Marina model too. As long as you can bungee dry bags to the decks then it could be a good solo kayak for me (I did see you have a video about adding the Drings, I already have a kit and marine glue to add 4 Drings). Your kayaking videos are great, keep them coming!
@@TheKayakCrew thanks, I'm glad you like them 👍😊
I wasn't sure wether to laugh or jump in when you went over the first time, what with you gasping for breath. Instead, I just carried on rolling. Worked well having multiple shots I think.
Hahaha well you were grinning from cheek to cheek 😆
Yeah the multi angles did work really well.
Next time we'll do a speed test, plus some more re-entry work. I want to flip the GoPlus and see whet that's like both for turning back over and getting in. And I do want to be able to get back in the Story too!
I heard the Selby canal tastes just like Yorkshire tea 😉
😂 If someone pi$$ed in said cup of Yorkshire Tea and left it for a couple of weeks... then yes, maybe 😆😀
If you are looking for a unique inflatable to try, consider the Itiwit X500 from Decathalon. It's very tippy but a huge amount of fun. Decathalon have loads of videos of people testing it so maybe they will be happy to loan you one to test.
Thanks for the tip! I might try that :)
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner the real fun with x500 starts when you learning to get into it after capsizing drills. Watched few videos, it’s a laugh. I bet it’s amazing kayak to paddle, fast and effortless.
@@kristaps2010 it looks it 😁
Isn't the Goplus too wide to row properly ?
I had 2 normal inflatable kayak before but found them way to wide a d bulky sides to have a proper rowing stroke.
I'm not sure what your definition off 'rowing properly' is, so I can't really answer your question.
What I can say is that with a 250cm paddle I have no problem paddling it 👍😊
When the kayak is too wide and/or the sides too high you can not have a good propper paddle stroke because you need to put the paddle in the water too far out ot the craft what result in a big left/right wabble when rowing, no straight line. More wabble equals loss of power, loss of speed, due to more drag.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner , when you want to go in a straight line, as much as possible, you need to be able to keep your paddle short to the craft when rowing and without having to lift your arms too high to do so.
@@NeoVdV yes you need to make wider strokes. However the skeg under the boat stops it moving from side to side and makes it track straight. Watch my other kayaking videos and you'll see 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner it's not so clear to see on the video. I really dis.iked that with 2 previous kayak,(even with fins underneath), one was the 1pers from Decathlon, the other from Sevlor. You best notice and check it when placing a camera in the front and try to aim a fix point in the distance, then see how much it swings.
Did you ever used it as a SUP ? And conclusion about it.
I've never used it as an SUP. I'm not a great swimmer. Standing up you're definitely going in the water at some point. Sitting down reduces that possibility considerably.
Although this is a very important video, I still hated to see you go into the water, well done.
Cheers Jill. To be honest it's not the best feeling. However even in the future videos I'll still enter the same way rather than walking/climbing in. I feel it's important to experience the shock to benefit from fully stress testing this. Anything can be done in comfortable conditions, but it's only when you stress test something that you really benefit.
I have been following you since September and the advice and everything you do has given me the courage to paddle and I love it. So A Massive thank you from me.
@@MumaJill Aw Jill that's lovely to know, thank you for telling me and I'm glad what I've done is useful.
What boat have you got and whereabouts do you paddle? I'm organising a group multiday event soon with camping options. Maybe you could come 😁👍
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Hi Karl I have a hydro force Ventura inflatable, and I paddle on Oulton Broads in Lowestoft and I love it. The multi day sounds like fun, having an inflatable kayak means it’s easy to travel.
I'll be making an announcement soon - it will be up norf but maybe you can make it :D