How to Convert Your Sport to a Sport Elite Kayak

When you order an AdvancedFrame Sport Elite kayak, you receive a package designed to transform your paddling experience. Instead of a single pre-assembled boat, you get the popular AdvancedFrame Sport kayak along with two key upgrade components: a high-performance drop-stitch floor and an enhanced seat with lumbar support.

This modular approach allows you to experience the best of both worlds, but it does require a simple, one-time conversion before you hit the water. This guide will walk you through the easy steps to swap out the standard components and install your elite upgrades, ensuring you get the most out of your new kayak. We’ll also answer some common questions about the process.

The Two Key Upgrades

The "Elite" designation comes from two specific enhancements that significantly boost the kayak's comfort and performance:

1. The Seat: The standard Sport kayak comes with a comfortable, flat-bottomed seat. The Elite upgrade replaces this with a seat featuring an inflatable lumbar cushion for adjustable back support and a raised foam bump pad for better cushioning on long paddles.
2. The Floor: This is the most significant upgrade. The standard Sport has a soft, low-pressure I-beam floor that acts as a simple cushion. The Elite package includes a high-pressure drop-stitch floor, which becomes incredibly rigid when inflated, dramatically improving the kayak's performance and stability.

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide

Swapping out the floor and seat is a straightforward process that takes just a few minutes. For the best results, it is easiest to perform the floor swap when the main tube of the kayak is partially or fully inflated.

Step 1: Prepare the Kayak

Begin by unrolling your AdvancedFrame Sport kayak. If you have an electric inflator or hand pump, inflate the main side chamber. You don't need to bring it up to full pressure, but having some air in the tube helps the kayak hold its shape and makes it easier to position the new floor correctly.

Step 2: Upgrade the Seat

This is the simplest part of the conversion. The standard Sport kayak comes with its seat already inside.

1. Locate the standard seat (the one with the flat bum pad).
2. Remove it from the kayak and set it aside.
3. Take your new Elite seat (the one with the inflatable lumbar cushion and raised bump pad) and place it inside the cockpit.

That's it! You will clip the seat into place later during your regular setup process, but for now, the seat upgrade is complete.

Step 3: Swap Out the Floor

With the main tube inflated, you can now easily access and replace the floor.

1. Remove the Soft Floor: Reach into the kayak and pull out the soft, I-beam floor. It sits loosely inside and should come out without any resistance.
2. Position the Drop-Stitch Floor: Take your new drop-stitch floor and place it inside the kayak. Make sure the valve on the floor is positioned at the back of the kayak, aligning with the main valve on the hull.
3. Tuck It In: Carefully tuck the edges of the drop-stitch floor underneath the inner tube of the main chamber. You want it to sit snugly and evenly all the way around. This ensures it stays in place and provides uniform rigidity once inflated.

Your kayak is now officially converted to the Sport Elite model. You can proceed with the rest of the normal setup, which involves inflating the floor and main chamber to their recommended pressures and clipping in your new seat.

Common Questions About the Conversion

We often get questions from customers about the upgrade process. Here are answers to the most common ones.

Do I need to send back the original seat and floor?

No, you do not. You can keep the original I-beam floor and the standard seat as spares. Many people find creative uses for them. The soft I-beam floor, for example, makes a fun and comfortable pool float (lilo) for kids.

Can I use both floors at the same time?

We strongly advise against this. Placing the drop-stitch floor on top of the soft floor will raise your center of gravity too high in the kayak. This can make the boat feel less stable and will put you in an awkward, less efficient paddling position. Always use only one floor at a time.

Can I use the different seats with either floor?

Yes, you can mix and match the seats and floors to suit your preferences.

• Using the standard seat on the drop-stitch floor: This is perfectly fine. The drop-stitch floor is quite firm, so some paddlers might miss the cushioning of the Elite seat’s foam pad, but it is a viable option.
• Using the Elite seat with the soft floor: You can do this, but it is less effective. The raised foam pad on the Elite seat tends to sink into the soft I-beam floor, negating much of its cushioning benefit.

Why Upgrade to the Sport Elite?

The conversion process is simple, but the performance benefits are profound. The drop-stitch floor is the star of the show, providing rigidity that rivals a hard-shell kayak. This means:

• Better Tracking: The kayak holds a straight line with less effort.
• Increased Speed: A rigid hull cuts through the water with less drag.
• Enhanced Stability: The firm platform is easier to stand on and provides a more stable base for fishing, photography, or paddling with a dog.

Combined with the all-day comfort of the adjustable lumbar seat, the Sport Elite conversion transforms a great recreational kayak into a true high-performance vessel, ready for any adventure you can dream up.