Inflatable Kayak Blog

There were so many paddling opportunities at the “Open Air Demo’ at the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Show that we’re going to back track and review them individually.

PakBoats is introducing a new folding, touring kayak, the XT series. There was a slight delay in the arrival date. The boats were expected to be available sometime in September of 2008, however they were delayed till Spring of 2009. Touring kayaks are generally longer and have a flatter hull shape to allow the kayak to move faster and cover longer distances than a kayak designed for whitewater use or for situations where turning ability is more important. There will be two XT’s, the XT-15 (15 foot) folding kayak and the XT-16 (16 foot) kayak. The XT-15 will be sold strictly as a one-person model. The XT-16 will be sold as a two-person model with the option of purchasing a solo deck to also use the kayak as a one-person model.

We paddled the XT-16 at the ‘Open Air Demo’. The ride was smooth and both paddlers could totally stretch their legs out for a comfortable ride. I’d guess it would accommodate heights up to 6 feet 4 inches, maybe more. It was evident that the touring design enabled us to create more speed and when some higher waves crossed our path from the speed boats farther out in Pineview Reservoir, the boat cut nicely through the water and felt very stable. Better paddlers could very well use it effectively in some rougher water. The XT-16, like all the PakBoats, though, is designed for best use in calmer water and will make a very good kayak for couples to take relaxing trips on lakes and rivers.

Over the next few days we’ll continue to post several blogs that will have specific information about more of the individual products we’ve tested and seen here at the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Show.