Inflatable Kayak Blog

PakBoats has been designing and manufacturing excellent folding kayaks for several years. Their Puffins have been an excellent value, more boat for the money, than most other folding kayaks on the market. The only issue was that the Puffin line was a fairly “short” collection of kayaks ranging from 10 feet to 14 feet long, while many kayakers prefer their crafts to range from 15 to 18 feet long. 

The XT series has changed that. In 2009 PakBoats introduced the XT-15 and XT-16 folding kayaks. The XT-15 is a solo model and the XT-16 can be paddled as a solo or tandem, depending on which deck you decide to use. Not only are the XT’s longer, but their unique design that features steep stems results in the XT kayaks having waterline lengths similar to other kayaks that are at least a foot longer. 

For 2010, PakBoats has introduced the XT-17 folding kayak, an even larger (17 foot) member of the XT family of touring kayaks. There has been plenty of advance excitement generated in the XT-17. It was mentioned in Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s Buyers guide well before it was available for purchase. The XT-17 is a “stretched” version of the 15 foot XT-15, and the two share almost all components. If you are a large person or need to carry a heavy load, the XT-17 will be good news. This really is a “full-size” touring kayak. But it does not make the XT-15 obsolete. For paddlers under 200 pounds, the XT-15 has a nice, sporty “feel” to it.

The designer and owner of PakBoats, Alv Elvested, commented in his blog about how he felt about the XT’s. “I generally like smaller boats so it is not surprising that I like the XT-15 for day trips. The XT-17 may well work better for you. They are both really nice, “friendly” kayaks with great paddling performance, excellent stability – and the most comfortable seat we have found in a kayak!” 

You’ll find excellent prices on all the PakBoat XT folding kayaks at PortableKayaks.com.