General Inflatable Kayak Questions

General questions about our inflatable kayaks

How do I choose a kayak?

Does the kayak come with a pump?

Yes.

All of our kayaks come with a hand pump with a pressure gauge.

For most models, it’s the Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge.

The AirVolution and the AirVolution2, however, come with a special dual action hand pump with a fixed adapter.

** You can NOT use a compressor or a bike pump to inflate the kayaks**

Does the kayak come with a paddle?

No, but we sell a great range oflightweight collapsible kayak paddlesfrom Advanced Elements.

Does the kayak come with a bag?

Yes.

All kayaks come with a durable bag with a waterproof PU lining and carry handles.

The follow models also have backpack straps:

  • AdvancedFrame Sport Elite Kayak
  • AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak
  • AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak
  • StraitEdge2 Pro kayak
  • StraitEdge Angler Pro Kayak
  • AirFusion EVO Kayak
  • AirVolution Kayak
  • AirVolution2 Kayak

Can I put the kayak on my roof racks when it is inflated?

No.

To get it rigid enough to extend beyond the roof racks, it needs to be fully inflated. The problem with this is that the roof of your car is the hottest place on earth… so the kayak inevitably ends up over-pressurised and you risk damaging your inner tubes.

Is the kayak easy to get in and out of?

Most of our inflatable kayaks are easy to get in and out of, but some more so than others.

Can I use an inflatable kayak in open ocean?

Yes, absolutely! We have a range of inflatable kayaks that are suitable for open ocean.

Can one person use a tandem inflatable kayak?

Yes, all our tandem kayaks have a central seat position so you are nicely balanced in the kayak when you are going solo.

Can you put a motor on an inflatable kayak?

Yes!

Check out the Vaquita Propeller.

Are inflatable kayaks good for fishing?

Yes!

As long as they are durable, stable and spacious.

Check out our range of inflatable fishing kayaks from Advanced Elements.

Troubleshooting

Having trouble with something?

Where is my repair kit located?

The repair kit is located in the mesh pocket on the back of your seat.

For the Lagoon kayak, it is located in the mesh pocket on top of the kayak.

For the StraitEdge Angler Pro kayak, it’s located in the kayak bag.

Where is the instruction manual located?

The owners’ manual is located in clear plastic pouch on the inside of the duffel bag.

For most kayak models, there is also a PVC circle attached to the kayak with a QR code that you can scan to get the instruction manual.

My drop-stitch valve loses air when I take the pump off

This means your valve is getting stuck on the deflate mode. Here is a video with some fixes for that:

I've lost my adapter / fin / seat / valve cap / something else...

We carry some spare parts, so please get in touch.

Kayak Care

How to clean, store and maintain our kayaks

How to clean and dry an inflatable kayak

Try to avoid using a hose.

Pull the floor out to check for trapped water. Wipe around, let it air dry.

Can I pack up the kayak wet?

Yes, but you would want to wipe it out and let it dry once you got home.

How do I fold the kayak?

Each kayak has folding instructions in the manual.

It’s also a great idea to pay attention to how your kayak is folded when you first get it.

Here is an example, showing how the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is folded:

Can I fold it on the fin?

Yes, it’s fine to fold it on the fin.

Does the kayak go back in the bag?

Ha ha, yes!

With most models, they have given you a bit of extra room so it’s easy to get it back in the bag.

If you pack really well, you can even fit the paddle in as well!

How to deflate an inflatable kayak

The pump that is included with the kayak has a deflate function that will suck air out of the kayak, but I never use it. I have found the kayak deflates fine under it’s own weight.

How do I repair an inflatable kayak

If you are having any problems with your Advanced Elements inflatable kayak, please get in touch first.

In some cases, you can use the patch kit included with your kayak (in the pocket behind hte seat), but sometimes a tube replacement is required instead.

Inflation and Deflation

How to set up and pack away our kayaks

What electric pump can I use to inflate the kayak?

There are a few electric pump options for inflating your kayak, here is a video summary:

Can I use a compressor to inflate the kayak?

No – compressors go to very high pressure and you can damage your kayak.

And the valve and adapters are completely different anyway.

In some cases, the compressor comes with an air-bed function, which you CAN use, but it will not fully pressurise the kayak. It is, however, very handy to get the kayak full of air and then finish the job with the hand pump. Note that for low pressure inflators, you may need the kayak valve to be in the deflate position to fill it with air, not the inflate position.

Can I pack up the kayak wet?

Yes, but you would want to wipe it out and let it dry once you got home.

How do I fold the kayak?

Each kayak has folding instructions in the manual.

It’s also a great idea to pay attention to how your kayak is folded when you first get it.

Here is an example, showing how the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is folded:

Can I fold it on the fin?

Yes, it’s fine to fold it on the fin.

Shipping

How we get one our kayaks to you

Do you ship to New Zealand?

We can ship items under 22 gross weight to New Zealand via Australia Post air freight. This includes most accessories and the following kayaks:

  • AE1012-R AdvancedFrame Kayak
  • AE1017-O AdvancedFrame Sport Kayak
  • AE1017-OE AdvancedFrame Sport Elite Kayak
  • AE1006-Y StraitEdge Kayak
  • AE1042-O AirFusion EVO kayak
  • AE1012-OG-E-P AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak
  • AE3022-G AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak

Sales to New Zealand are export sales and there is therefore no Australian GST remitted. I have not discounted the prices accordingly, because I am offering free shipping on orders over $99 instead.

Note that you may be required to pay New Zealand customs GST and/or customs duty when the order enters New Zealand.

Can I pick up my order from the warehouse?

No, it is a big shared warehouse, not a store. If you would like to purchase in person at a store, click here for a list of stores.

What does Authority to Leave (ATL) mean?

ATL means you are happy for Direct Freight to leave your order at your door. This is a great way of avoiding re-delivery fees if you are comfortable to take the risk.

What is the risk?

Well, if somebody walks past your house and steals your order, I’m afraid that’s that. I can’t replace your order for free and Direct Freight are not responsible.

Who will deliver my order?

In most cases it will be Direct Freight Express.

Sometimes, we use Australia Post.

Can I track my order?

Yes! Once your order ships, you will get an email with your consignment ID.

Using that con note, you can track your order online at http://directfreight.com.au/

Do I need to be at home to sign for delivery?

Yes, Direct Freight Express are a courier service and require a signature on delivery. It doesn’t have to be you personally, but somebody needs to be at the delivery address.

Please note – if nobody is home to sign for delivery, you will incur a re-delivery fee!

If you know this is going to be a problem, consider using another address for delivery, such as a work address, OR you can give Authority to Leave during the checkout process.

How long does delivery take?

We need about a day or so to process the order. Once your order ships, the transit times vary depending on how far away you are from the Brisbane warehouse. 

Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Sydney – overnight 

Melbourne – 2 nights 

Perth – freakin’ forever … seriously, it’s something like 7-10 days.

How much does shipping cost?

Australia and New Zealand

Australia-wide* and New Zealand shipping is absolutely free for orders over $99.

For Australia-wide* and New Zealand orders under $99, shipping is $19 per order.

Support

Questions about ordering, returns, warranty etc.

How do I pay?

When you go through the online checkout, you will be able to pay using:

Bank transfer (preferred)

Credit card

Paypal

Google pay

Apple Pay

We offer lay-by – visit this page for more details.

What is the warranty period?

All our Advanced Elements kayaks come with a 3-year warranty.

Advanced Elements accessories come with a 90-day warranty.

But if you have any issues after that period, still get in touch as we carry some spare parts and may be able to help out.

What if I don't like it?

Our 90-day “Try it on the Water” Returns means that if the kayak is not what you expected, you have 90 days after delivery to return the kayak for a FULL refund. 

When are you getting stock of the...?

Where can I see a kayak?

Where can I see a kayak

Do you offer a lay-by option for purchases?

Yes. We offer aFlexible Interest-free Laybyoption.