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CompareOru Kayak Bay ST
$2,199.00 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
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Comparing our Folding Kayaks
| Product Info |
 Oru Kayak Coast XT |
 Oru Kayak Bay STSelect options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 14.5 kg | 11.8 kg |
| Solo or Tandem | Solo | Solo |
| length | 16’2″ (4.9m) | 12’3″ (3.7m) |
| width | 64cm | 64cm |
| Stability | Unstable | Unstable |
| Sit-on-top or Sit-in | Sit-in | Sit-in |
| Packed Dimensions | 84cm x 36cm x 74cm | 84cm x 36cm x 74cm |
| Maximum Capacity | 181 kg | 136 kg |
| Recommended Max. Paddler Weight (individual) | 181 kg | 136 kg |
| Recommended Max. Paddler Height | 6’4″ (1.93m) | 6’3″ (1.9m) |
| Recommended for Coastal / Open Water | Yes | Yes |
| Max Whitewater Class | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| Self-bailing | No | No |
| Compatible with Spray Skirt | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with ePropulsion Vaquita Propeller | Yes – via ratchet straps | Yes – via ratchet straps |
| Maximum Trip Length | Multi-Day | Multi-Day |
| Suitable for Taking Small Children | No | No |
| Suitable for Dogs | No | No |
| Suitable for Fishing | No | No |
| Rod Holders | None | None |
| Backpack straps | No | Yes |
| Can ship to new zealand | No | No |
| Set-up Time | 13 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Warranty Period | 3 years from purchase date | 3 years from purchase date |
| Sku | OKY203-ORA-XT | OKY102-ST |
| Price | $2,899.00 | $2,199.00 |
| Kayak brand | Oru Kayak | Oru Kayak |
| Add to cart | Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page |
Why Get a Folding Kayak?
The main reason to get a folding kayak instead of an inflatable kayak is the performance on the water.
Folding kayaks are able to achieve a longer, narrower hull than inflatable kayaks – you get the most AMAZING performance from fro Coast XT for example, because it is 4.9m long and only 64 cm wide.
This kind of length and width has not yet been achieved with inflatable kayaks.
IMPORTANT – I am only talking about the narrow folding kayaks in this case, not the wide, open-cockpit style ones, they don’t have an advantage over inflatable kayaks, in my opinion.
How to Choose a Folding Kayak
Quality Matters
With inflatable kayaks, you have multiple air chambers – if something happens to one, you have others keeping you afloat.
But with folding kayaks, you just have your hull, so it better be tough as nails – your life depends on it!
I stock the Oru Kayak brand because they are dedicated to testing – their oru-plast is rated to 20,000 folds.
Performance vs Weight vs Stability vs Set-up
There is a trade off between performance, weight, stability and set-up.
The narrower and longer the kayak – the faster and straighter it paddles.
So why aren’t all kayaks super long and narrow?
Weight
The longer the folding kayak, the heavier it is – still MUCH lighter than hard-shell kayaks, but many people are looking for something ultra-lightweight, so they will sacrifice a bit of length and performance to get that balance.
Stability
The narrower the kayak, the less stable it is.
It’s fine if you are careful getting in and out and you have some paddling ability, but as soon as you want to take a dog, or a kid or do some fishing, no.
Ease of Set-Up
The longer folding kayaks take a bit more to set up. It’s totally worth it if performance is important to you, but that’s not the case for everybody. Some customers just want a really lightweight kayak that sets up in minutes and they don’t really care how well it paddles, in which case they’re better off with an inflatable kayak.
Versatility – Spray Skirt
The longer models have a cockpit, like a sea kayak. This is great, because you can put on a spray skirt if it’s cold or choppy and stay warm and dry. You can even do open water paddling.
BUT… it means you have to fold your legs into a cockpit – if you are very tall with very long legs, you might find this challenging.
It also makes taking dogs and kids a bit more challenging.
Funnily enough, there is heaps of room inside and quite a bit of capacity for gear for expeditions, inside the kayak and on the deck, just not kids and dogs.
Skepticism Crushed
“I had no experience with a folding kayak before getting this Bay ST so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Upon arrival was excited to see that everything was built very well and the boat felt super sturdy. It feels like a normal kayak but the convenience of being able to fold it up is unmatchable.”
– Elias D.
Folding Kayak FAQs
Performance
Comfort
The Coast XT has fully adjustable backrest supportive straps.
The seat base is EVA foam.
The Oru Kayak Coast XT has very good back support – the seat back is high and stiff with adjustable straps to for support.
The seat base is EVA foam
There is an adjustable foot brace bar included – great for lower back support and stability.
What is the Oru Kayak Coast XT good for?
No, it is not stable enough for a dog.
I wouldn’t recommend fishing – the Coast XT Kayak is not stable enough
No, I wouldn’t recommend it for taking small kids because it’s not stable enough.
Although it would be possible to launch the Coast XT from a boat, it’s not our most stable kayak and the cockpit is small, so it would be tricky.
Anything from 1 hour to a multi-day expedition, the Coast XT can take up to 180kg (person plus gear).
Yes.
You can put a spray skirt over the coaming to keep out the water and keep in the warmth.
If you will be doing a lot of open ocean kayaking, the Coast XT is suitable since it’s long and fast.
The Oru Kayak Coast XT is designed to go straight, so it won’t be good for whitewater.
Who is the Oru Kayak Coast XT good for?
It’s not stable enough for a lot of beginners, but it’s possible.
I would recommend having a lesson to get started with this kayak, particularly learning safety skills so you can do a deep water re-entry if you capsize.
It’s going to depend on the individual.
Although it is very lightweight at only 14.5 kg, the Coast XT folding kayak does require a moderate level of strength to assemble.
It also has a cockpit that you need to fold yourself into, so it’s not the easiest of our kayaks for getting in and out of.
And it is not super stable on the water, being designed for speed and performance, not stability.
So if you are an experienced senior kayaker and you are in good shape, go for it!
I would not suggest the Oru Coast XT for a child, because it is not very stable.
Maybe go for something light and easy, like the AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak instead.
There is a cockpit you have to tuck your legs into and the kayak is a little bit wobbly on the water when you are trying to do this, so it’s not for everybody.
If you are used to sit-in sea kayaks, it’s no problem.
Although the inside is quite long and the footbrace and the seat are both adjustable, you have to be able to get your legs into the cockpit.
Oru Kayak recommend a max paddler height of 6’3″ for this, but it’s going to depend on how long and how flexible your legs are.
The maximum capacity is 181kgs according to Oru Kayak.
About the Oru Kayak Coast XT
The Oru Kayaks are lightweight but extraordinarily strong.
They’re created from 5 mm double-layered, custom-extruded polypropylene with a 10-year UV treatment.
Translation? Oru Kayaks are incredibly puncture + abrasion resistant and built to last.
They can withstand sliding over rocks, bumping into obstacles, and folding up tens of thousands of time.
It’s a sit-in kayak with a fixed cockpit that you can use a spray skirt with.
The Oru Kayak Coast XT is a solo kayak – this means it has seating for only 1 person.
Deflated and packed dimensions are:
84 cm x 36 cm x 74 cm
At 14.5 kg the Oru Kayak Coast XT is lightweight compared to a hard-shell kayak, but not our lightest kayak.
Most people can carry it down to the water by themselves.
But if you are not feeling strong, it might be better to look for one of our lightweight kayaks.
The Oru KayakCoast XT is similar to a hard shell sea kayak.
It’s not super tippy, but it’s not stable enough for dogs, kids or fishing.
You want to be careful getting in and out, and you should train how to do a deep water re-entry.
There is no rudder on the Oru Kayak Coast XT.
Note that the Oru Kayak Coast XT is easy to paddle, tracks very well and is not very wind affected, so you are not likely to need a rudder.
Yes, the ePropulsion Vaquita can be used via rachet straps
• Fairing Handles
• Zipper Channels
• Coaming
• Adjustable Backrest
• EVA Foam Seat Pad
• Removable bulkheads
• Adjustable Foot Brace
The Oru Kayaks are lightweight but extraordinarily strong.
They’re created from 5 mm double-layered, custom-extruded polypropylene with a 10-year UV treatment.
Translation? Oru Kayaks are incredibly puncture + abrasion resistant and built to last.
They can withstand sliding over rocks, bumping into obstacles, and folding up tens of thousands of time.
The Oru Kayak Coast XT is manufacted by Oru Kayak in Mexico
Learn more about Oru Kayak.
How to use the Oru Kayak Coast XT
It’s about 13 minutes, once you have got the hang of it.
The pack away takes about 9 minutes.
Pull out the seat.
Use a towel to wipe down the kayak.
Fold the kayak up.
What to buy
• Oru Kayak
• Instruction Manual
You need to purchase a paddle and a life jacket at a minimum.
You can also purchase a paddle leash so you don’t lose your paddle!
We also recommend a dry bag for keeping your gear dry.
The Orbit paddle is my top recommendation to go with the Oru Kayak Coast XT Kayak.
The Orbit paddle can be shortened for more powerful, vertical strokes, which suits the narrow beam of the Coast XT.
But any of our collapsible paddles will be suitable.
Check out our range of featherable, collapsible kayak paddles.
You do not need a pump for any of the Oru Kayaks because they do not have inflation chambers.
