Folding Kayaks Forum

This is a sticky post for discussion of the popular Advanced Elements inflatable kayaks

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Michael Edelman
FoldingKayaks.org Webmaster

This past week I assembled and inflated my Java and sailed it. A friend also paddled it with his children. Yesterday I inflated and paddled my Sunny. It was fun.

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Feathercraft Kahuna ( Angela )
Mariner Express ( Miruku Maru ) ( In Storage)
Innova Helios 380
Northwest Sportee (SuperBoat)
Innova Safari
Mariner I
Feathercraft Java
Nautiraid 14
Innova Sunny
Feathercraft K-Light

How good is the build quality of the Advanced Elements boats? They *look* nice, as far as I can tell from thousands of miles away. How do they stack up against the FC Java (which I have) and the Innova/Gumotex boats?

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Feathercraft Airline Java
Nortik Trekraft, awaiting the river's embrace
1960s Klepper Aerius II, now gone be the star in a Special Forces movie
Folbot Greenland II, now at a new home on the Southern Cape coast

I can only soeak for the original Airfusion (not the later fatter Elite version). I'm on my second after I sold my first to a friend.
While the keel will bend in a bad confused chop if the side tubes are underinflated, they are easily straightened
Despite its 13kg mass, given how simple the design is, it's actually quite heavy for its length as it uses a heavy duty pvc hull
The stitching seems good and has never come undone
The plastic end caps aren't terribly well welded to the hull and will allow water in, but Aquaseal on the joint stops this
A 220 lb Italian mate of mine (ex America's cup grinder) has had one for years and loves it. Frankly I'm astounded it copes with that weight - I'm around 150
Hope this helps

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Simon

Pakboats Quest 135, Nautiraid Narak 460, 416 & K1 (sold my 550), First light 420, Feathercraft Wisper, Fujita Alpina AL-1 400, Incept k40 (for sale)
Non-folders: Cape Falcon F1. Beth sailing canoe, 2014 Hobie Adventure Island

It is a little unfair to compare Advanced Elements and Feathercraft in terms of quality. Feathercraft kayaks were built in-house by a team of dedicated craftsmen, and they were priced accordingly. Advanced Elements kayaks are built in a factory in Asia to get the cost down. They use less expensive materials than Feathercraft, and the fabricating receives less care and attention. The end result is a product that is much more affordable. I think both are (were) reasonable choices at their respective price points.

Like siravingmon, I also have the original model Airfusion that I've had since 2012. I've never had any problems with mine. The PVC material is very sturdy, and, as siravingmon points out, if one keeps the side tubes well inflated, the Airfusion is effectively rigid and quite seaworthy. I've had no leaks. But it is not a Feathercraft in perceived quality.

I recommend doing a forum Search for more info on Advanced Elements boats, as past posts are scattered about several locations. I posted several times on my Airfusion in 2012, including modifications I made to the optional skeg assembly and to the sprayskirt which improved both.

Hi Yellowboat

BTW the sprayskirt bladder will take higher (pump) pressure than you can get with your mouth, after which it actually works well for rolls etc

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Simon

Pakboats Quest 135, Nautiraid Narak 460, 416 & K1 (sold my 550), First light 420, Feathercraft Wisper, Fujita Alpina AL-1 400, Incept k40 (for sale)
Non-folders: Cape Falcon F1. Beth sailing canoe, 2014 Hobie Adventure Island

Saw one yesterday with a rather heavyset woman paddling it. It was semi tacoed.

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Feathercraft Kahuna ( Angela )
Mariner Express ( Miruku Maru ) ( In Storage)
Innova Helios 380
Northwest Sportee (SuperBoat)
Innova Safari
Mariner I
Feathercraft Java
Nautiraid 14
Innova Sunny
Feathercraft K-Light

She didn't pump up the sponsons enough. They banana if you don't do that

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Simon

Pakboats Quest 135, Nautiraid Narak 460, 416 & K1 (sold my 550), First light 420, Feathercraft Wisper, Fujita Alpina AL-1 400, Incept k40 (for sale)
Non-folders: Cape Falcon F1. Beth sailing canoe, 2014 Hobie Adventure Island