Goes fast and tracks straight, thanks to the aluminium rib-frame design
Drop-stitch floor gives you excellent rigidity all the way up to its 204kg capacity
Huge capacity (204kg) and heaps of deck space – designed for multi-day kayak expeditions
4m long – plenty of cockpit space for long legs
Very stable with a zip down the front deck – great for taking dogs and kids
Suitable for open ocean and cold climates with optional spray skirt
Great back support – high-back inflatable lumbar seat and adjustable foot rest included
8 minute set up – a 4m sea kayak you can fit in a bag!
Ruggedly durable design and materials
If you are small or not sure of your strength, you might prefer the smaller and lighter AdvancedFrame Kayak, which also allows you to use a spray skirt in open ocean
If you are going to be doing a LOT of fishing and want rod holders, check out our fishing kayaks
If you are doing whitewater above class2, the StraitEdge kayak can do up to class 3 rapids
8 minutes from in-the-bag to on-the-water!
Note – the following set-up video is for the original AdvancedFrame Expedition, not the ELITE version with the drop-stitch floor.
FAQs – AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak
Dimensions
Length: 13′ (3.96m)
Weight: 42 lbs (19.1 kg)
Width: 32″ (81cm)
Deflated and Packed Dimensions: 83cm x 52cm x 26cm
Suitabilty
Lakes, Bays and Inland WaterwaysCoastal / Open WaterReservoirs (Complies with ISO 6185-1)Rivers up to Class II
Whitewater up to Class IIIDogsFishing (no rod holders)BeginnersTaking small kids Self-bailing
Paddler Suitability
Maximum Capacity: 450lbs (204kg)
Recommended Max. Paddler Height: 6’8″
Recommended Max. Paddler Weight: 200kg
Accessory Compatibility
Foot Brace (adjustable foot brace included)Drop-stitch floor (included)Rapidup SailLumbar Seat (included)Foot pegs (adjustable foot braces included)Rudder KitSpray skirtAccessory Frame (watch the installation video first)ePropulsion Vaquita Propeller – via ratchet straps
Materials
Hull: PVC Tarpaulin
Deck: 600D ripstop polyester with PVC laminate
Tube-cover: 600D polyester with PU coating
Tube: PVC
Rib-frames: Aluminium
Floor: Drop-Stitch Construction
More About This Kayak
Set-up Time: 8 minutes
Warranty: 3 Years
Brand: Advanced Elements
SKU: AE1009-XE
AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak Instruction Manual
Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge
High pressure drop-Stitch floor
Duffel bag with detachable shoulder straps
High back lumbar seat
Adjustable foot rest
Repair kit
Owners manual
Paddle sold separately
$1,997.00
Free Shipping
Qualifies for 90-day “Try it on the Water” Returns
3-year warranty
Stored in our Brisbane warehouse, ships in 1-2 business days.
Availability: In stock
Package Deal
Explore more
“The Advancedframe Expedition Elite Kayak is extremely well thought out and put together. Every aspect seems to have been catered for. My first experience on the water in the Expedition Elite was very memorable and 6 hours of paddling seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. I have found that the Expedition Elite simple to set up and can be done in under 10 minutes quite comfortably. On the water the kayak is very stable and tracks well, but in a strong current and or wind can be a little cumbersome.
I feel the addition of the rudder kit would aid in rectifying this problem. When the conditions are calm it is a breeze to paddle and I have no difficulty in keeping up with friends on hard shelled kayaks. Being an inflatable kayak it folds down to a suitcase size (83cm x 52cm x 26cm) so is very easy to store when not in use and can be carried in the back of a car without the worry of roof racks. If storage and transport is a problem for you I would highly recommend the Advanceframe Expedition Elite Kayak and would highly recommend purchasing from oz inflatable kayaks as Emily was wonderful to deal with and was very knowledgeable and answered every question I threw at her and the service was second to none.”
– Max
Goes Fast and Tracks Straight
Thanks to the aluminium rib-frame design and the drop-stitch floor.
It’s one of our heavier kayaks, so it takes a few strokes to get the momentum going, but once it’s going, it really zooms along.
The 4m length, the excellent rigidity and the awesome AdvancedFrame hull design give you a wonderful paddling experience.
Drop-Stitch Floor
The Drop-Stitch floor comes as standard with the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite.
It gives you amazing rigidity, which means the kayak goes fast and straight.
Drop-stitch is also extremely durable – great for dogs or fishing.
Amazing for Kayak Expeditions
A whopping 204kg capacity means you can load this kayak up with gear for even the most extreme kayak expedition.
There are D-rings and bungee lacing on the large front deck for securing gear.
There is a roll-top hatch behind the seat for quick access to gear stored under the deck.
There are d-rings on the rear deck for even more gear!
A Long Cockpit for Long Legs
4m long – plenty of cockpit space for long legs
Great for Taking Dogs and Kids
Very stable with a zip down the front deck
Suitable for Open Ocean
Not only is the Expedition Elite suitable for open ocean, it is the king of open water paddling!
The AdvancedFrame design helps it cut through chop, and you can put on a spray skirt to stay warm and dry.
Comfortable
With the inflatable lumbar cushion in the seat supporting your back, you can paddle for hours.
Adjustable Foot Rest
The adjustable foot rest gives you a wonderful feeling of support when kayaking. For many people, it also adds to their stability and comfort.
8 Minute Set Up
A 4m sea kayak you can fit in a bag!
Padded, removable backpack straps included.
AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak FAQs
Performance
Super fast!
It’s one of our heavier kayaks, so it takes a few strokes to get the momentum going, but once it’s going, it really zooms along.
The 4m length, the excellent rigidity and the awesome AdvancedFrame hull design give you a wonderful paddling experience.
Yes!
In fact, is our BEST tracking solo kayak.
Not much.
All kayaks are wind affected to some degree.
You can generally predict how wind affected it’s going to be based on the ratio of kayak above the waterline to kayak below the waterline.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak sits quite low in the water, especially compare to other inflatables, so it performs quite well in wind.
Comfort
The seat (included) has a stiff, high back, which gives you excellent support, IF you get the angle right.
The seat has inflatable lumbar support that you can inflate or deflate as you are paddling, via a mouthpiece.
The adjustable foot brace adds to your comfort by supporting your lower back as you paddle.
The kayak comes with an adjustable foot brace. A lot of paddles swear by foot braces for encouraging good paddling technique and for supporting the lower back.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak has excellent back support – the seat backs are high and stiff and there is an inflatable lumbar cushion included for extra support.
What is the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak good for?
Yes, if they are not massive.
The Expedition Elite kayak is quite large inside and you can unzip the front deck so they are not cramped into a cockpit.
The drop-stitch floor is very tough and won’t be a problem with dog claws.
The wide flat hull means the kayak is very stable so you won’t all go over board if your dog gets excited and makes a sudden move (not that they ever do that …).
Yes.
The wide flat hull means the kayak is very stable so you can focus on fishing and relaxing.
This video is from Chasing Scale who use the Expedition kayak to make their fishing videos:
The rip-stop polyester material is extremely durable, give you the confidence that neither fish nor fishing gear will cause a puncture.
Optional kayak anchor if the fish are biting and you want to stay where you are.
Optional accessory frame if you want to attach additional rod holders, an EPERB, a fish finder, go-pro etc.
***NOTE – to install the accessory frame on the Expedition Elite kayak, you have to cut holes in the deck and inner tube covers.
You can even put on a propeller – the ePropulsion Vaquita.
Yes.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak is excellent for taking kids, we have done it many times.
It’s super-stable, so the kids can have a nap and muck around without tipping it over.
It’s fairly long inside and you can unzip the front deck. It’s best if the child is facing you, so they don’t get whacked in the head with the paddle.
It’s possible, yes.
It’s got the high-pressure drop-stitch floor, which gives you something firm and stable to step on and off of.
It’s suitable for almost all water types, including open ocean.
There’s heaps of space for gear if you are using it to transport your stuff to and from shore.
You would want to open the zipper on the cockpit before putting the kayak in the water.
**Caution – do not leave the kayak inflated on the deck of the boat. The heat will cause the pressure to rise and you could damage the kayak.
Anything from 1 hour to a multi-day expedition.
In fact, as the name suggests, this kayak was designed for multi-day trips.
The 204kg capacity means you can even take food and fresh water.
There is a large internal storage compartment and a huge amount of deck space.
The kayak is very stable with a low centre of gravity, so loading up the deck is viable.
And most importantly – it’s really comfortable!
Yes!
Not only is the Expedition Elite suitable for open ocean, it is the king of open water paddling!
The AdvancedFrame design helps it cut through chop, and you can put on a spray skirt to keep out the spray.
No.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite is fine for class 1 and 2 whitewater, however it is really designed to paddle in a straight line, and therefore not recommended for rivers above class 2.
Who is the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak good for?
Yes, but there are a few points to consider.
The key feature for beginners is stability and the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite is wonderfully stable, so no dramas there.
The design is so good that it’s super-easy to paddle straight.
But…
It’s a fairly heavy kayak, which means it takes a bit more strength to get going than our lightweight kayaks. Once it’s going, however, it leaves them for dead!
And it’s quite long. This is what makes it go nice and straight, but it also means it takes a bit more technique to turn. Not difficult to learn, just something to consider.
In my experience, seniors are looking for a lightweight kayak, and the AdvancedFrame Expedition kayak is NOT the lightest solo kayak we sell.
That’s not to say we haven’t had plenty of seniors loving it, but you would need to be confident about picking up a 19kg, 4m long kayak.
The other key features for seniors are stability and ease of getting in and out – the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak ticks both these boxes.
No, the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite is not the first choice for a child paddling alone.
It’s quite heavy and long and takes some strength to get the momentum going and coordination to manouvre.
You would be better off checking out our lightweight kayaks if you were looking for something for your kid.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak has an awesome zipper in front of the cockpit that allows you to swing your legs in and out.
Yes!
The tallest person I have fitted into the Expedition is 6’8″.
You can adjust both the foot brace and the seat to get the right fit.
The maximum capacity is 204kg / 450lbs.
This allows you to be a big person and still get good rigidity and performance.
It also allows you to load up with gear for multi-day expeditions.
About the AdvancedFrame Expedition Kayak
Advanced Elements have been making inflatable kayaks for well over 20 years – you don’t have to worry about quality.
All kayaks are inflated at the factory and left for 24 hours to ensure there are no slow leaks.
The main hull material used is called PVC tarpaulin and it is super thick and tough.
It can handle dog claws, fish hooks, rocks and even oysters.
In the extremely rare case that you damage the hull, the kayak comes with a repair kit, so you can put on a patch.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak is a sit-in kayak.
You can put on a spray skirt and stay warm and dry if the condition are rough or cold.
Of course this means that any water you get in the kayak is staying in the kayak (unless you get a bilge pump).
But on the upside, you get a kayak that glides beautifully through the water, tracks straight and is minimally wind affected.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak is a solo kayak – this means it has seating for only 1 person.
Although it is spacious, you could NOT fit two adults in it.
Taking a kid with you is totally viable though.
Deflated and packed dimensions are:
32″ x 20″ x 10″ (83cm x 52cm x 26cm)
You can get the depth (26cm) down a bit by putting the seats somewhere else, but the other dimensions can’t really be altered.
The weight is 19.1kg and the kayak bag (included) comes with detachable backpack straps.
At 19.1kg, the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite is one of our heavier solo kayaks.
Most people in good shape 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.
It’s very stable… check out this video:
There is a fin – it is part of the hull.
There is no rudder on the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak, but the Rudder Kit we sell IS compatible with this kayak.
Note that the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak 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 with the ratchet straps (included with the propeller).
Yes.
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak is a sit-in style kayak, so you can hook our Touring Spray Skirt around the inflatable coaming.
This allows you to stay warm and dry inside the cockpit.
- Advanced Elements spring valves
- Drop-stitch floor construction
- Adjustable seat with inflatable lumbar support
- Rudder Mount for adding the AdvancedTrak Kayak Rudder Kit
- Inflatable coaming for attaching a spray skirt
- Adjustable foot brace
- Moulded rubber handles
- Hard edge bow and stern
- Welded seams
- Neoprene knuckle guard
- Massive storage compartment
- Bungee deck lacing
- Reinforced bow and stern
- Skeg/tracking fin
- D-ring tie downs
The hull is PVC tarpaulin – an extremely tough multi-layer material.
The floor chamber is Drop-stitch.
The deck and inner tube covers are rip-stop polyester.
The inner tube is PVC, with a baffle down the middle of the tube.
There is an aluminium rib inside the bow and stern.
There are rubber moulded handles at each end and some elastic bungee lacing.
I think that covers everything!
The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak is manufacted by Advanced Elements (an American company), in their factory in Indonesia.
All kayaks are inflated and left overnight on the factory floor to ensure they are fully functional before shipping out.
How to use the AdvancedFrame Expedition Kayak
You can review the instruction manual here:
AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak Instruction Manual
But my strong recommendation is that you take a look at the setup video:
Note that this is for the original AdvancedFrame Expedition kayak, the Elite version has a drop-stitch floor and an aluminium deck riser, so the set-up is slightly different.
It’s about 7 minutes, 9 if you want to install the aluminium deck riser and the adjustable foot brace.
You just take off the valve covers and set the valves to deflate. Walk away for a few minutes and it’s done.
You can use the deflate function of the pump if you want to, but I have never found this to be necessary.
The best thing you can do is put an old towel inside the kayak when you go paddling. This keeps the inside dry and clean.
You will almost certainly get some water on the deck and sides, but if you can keep the inside clean and dry, that makes things easier.
If it’s salt water on the outside, you may wish to use a wash cloth with clean water to pat the deck of the kayak.
Do NOT use a hose, the kayak gets way too wet that way.
The deck doesn’t take too long to dry, then you can fold the kayak up as per the instructions.
Yes, it DOES go back in the bag!
What to buy
- High pressure drop-Stitch floor
- Duffel bag with detachable shoulder straps
- High back lumbar seat
- Adjustable foot brace
- Repair kit
- Owners manual
- Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge
You need to purchase a paddle and a life jacket as the 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.
Check out our Fishing Gear section if you want to do some kayak fishing.
Any double bladed kayak paddle will work, but I would strongly suggest getting a LONG one, so you can easily get over the side tubes. Ours start at 230cm.
*Note Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge is included.
I would strongly suggest you use our Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge – it has exactly the right adapters and is capable of inflating the drop-stitch floor to the maximum pressure.
General information
Advanced Elements come with a 3-year warranty on all kayaks and 90-days on all accessories. You can find details of this warranty here.
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.
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.
Shipping is free for orders over $99 and $19 flat rate for orders under $99.
If the product is in stock, it will ship from our Brisbane warehouse within 1-2 business days of ordering.
We use Direct Freight Express as a courier and they are usually pretty quick.
Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Sydney – overnight.
Melbourne – 2 nights.
Elsewhere… it varies. If you have a deadline, please get in touch and we’ll check if it’s going to make it in time.
For more shipping questions, check out https://ozinflatablekayaks.com.au/shipping/
Experience our kayaks through real customers, talk to an owner.
AUAs amazing as I’d hoped!
Inflating my kayak for the first time was an experience, as I overthought it all without realising two key things: 1. There’s a paper manual included in the main bag which I somehow didn’t notice until later, so I went looking for the manual online (which I found), and spent more time than necessary reading that before just getting on with inflating my kayak. 2. The little fabric cheat cards (that’s what I’m calling them), which are attached to the back of the kayak have everything you need to know (most importantly the max pressures for each chamber), as long as you flip them over and check both sides of each card! Despite my overthinking, the process was straightforward and I had a wonderful paddle off Rosebud/Rye beach. My second time out I knew what was what, and my preparation time from pulling the bag out of the car to pushing off was about 20 minutes. I’ve no doubt I’ll get faster the more I do it. The kayak glides very well, and comfortably accommodates my 115KG mass. I can’t to try it out throughout the warmer months.
AUGreat Kayak
The service I recieved before perchase was great, Emily answered all my questions and the delivery was fast. The way the kayak performs is realy very good, stable, quick and it didn’t take me long to get on the water or pack up after. Realy an excelent pice of kit!
AUGreat Kayak
The service I recieved before perchase was great, Emily answered all my questions and the delivery was fast. The way the kayak performs is realy very good, stable, quick and it didn’t take me long to get on the water or pack up after. Realy an excelent pice of kit!
AULearning to love the Advanced elements Elite Expedition Kayak
I have to admit that I got my first purchase of an advanced elements kayak wrong. I got the friendly people at Oz inflatable kayaks to recommend a kayak, they recommended two. Because I am a tall bloke of 188cm and 100Kg they recommended the Advanced frame kayak and the Advanced Elite Expedition Kayak, saying that because of my long legs the Elite Expedition might be the best fit. Well I decided on the Advanced Frame Kayak because it is 1m shorter and cheaper. When I got the Kayak I realised that my feet were a bit jammed in and maybe I was sitting lower in the water than I would have liked. However I took it for a paddle on the River Derwent in Tasmania and I was impressed with the ease of setup and then the way the Kayak handled. It tracked well without wanting to spin out if I stopped paddling and the speed was good. I had been concerned about how a inflatable kayak would go against sharp rocks and shells, I neednt have been because it just shrugged them off with no marks or damage. I decided that although the kayak was good, I would send it back and get the Elite Expedition Kayak. I guess this is my only gripe that I couldn't try before buying and sending the Kayak back was not cheap. Oz inflatable were very quick in sending me the Elite expedition. I have tried it in a number of conditions now and I am very happy with its performance. First of all it has plenty of volume and an adjustable foot bar to brace yourself in. The inflatable floor is like the material that stand up paddle boards is made of and can be made quite firm which you like. Once inflated the kayak is quite firm, but still a little soft if you want to lean on the side to get in at a dock (I skill I will have to master). Launching from a boat ramp or beach is simple and the boat slides in without complaint. Once in, I noticed that it slices through the water faster than my old sit on kayak and the comfort level is so much better. It feels a little odd that the boat bends when you go over waves but I have found that this is good since the front of the boat can go over a wave instead of spearing into it. I love the fact that the kayak doesn't spin around when you stop paddling, this is great if you want to cruise up to some wildlife without scaring it for a photo and not end up facing the wrong way! I small problem I would say is with the rear storage hatch, it is a flap with velcro edges and these edges dont match to the hatch very well. I have reached behind to get my water bottle out and then not been able to seal the hatch tightly. There is a secondary cover inside the hatch so you cant get too much water coming in, but it could have been a bit better made. I mentioned comfort, it is very comfortable, the seat back is high and has an inflatable lumber support. The leg room is very good and the cockpit opening quite large so you can move your legs around or exit with your feet first. Setting up and deflating again is pretty easy, I used the pressure gauge with the pump the first few times but realised that you can soon judge the pressure by the firmness of the surface or the resistance of the pump. When packing up, I deflate the kayak and then leave the boat until everything else is packed up. I then wipe down the inside and outside with a towel. The kayak folds easily and I leave it out of its bag and put in the back of the car. If I have been in fresh water, I just unfold it and lay it out in my shed to dry until using it next time. If I have been in salt water i give it a bit of rinse and then put in the shed to dry. I would certainly recommend this kayak, especially for taller people with long legs
AUGreat kayak
Great kayak easy set up and tracks well
AUCovers everything I need
I have recently purchased this kayak. It covers all I need. It is great for a day paddle and will handle a diversity of paddling locations. What I love best is the amount of gear you can pack into this kayak. It looks very likely I will be able to store all I need for a four day kayaking below the deck. Highly recommended!
AUAdvanced elements expedition kayak
This kayak is the best I have ever used. It tracks beautifully and is very fast. It is the most comfortable kayak I have ever sat in. Service and support was outstanding. Thank you so much.
I LOVE it would be an understatement
To say I LOVE it would be an understatement. It is simply awesome, I can not believe how stable it is and how well it tracks through the water and is really reactive. I was very nervous to order an inflatable, having had them in the past with disastrous outcomes, and having a mirage at home it was always ( well I thought) it would be a big change. Being able to have the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak here in Nauru has made a world of difference, the Mirage was simply too long to get sent over – but I am not sorry it didnt come. I just love it – thanks so much for recommending.
AustraliaThe Expedition Elite is awesome
This Kayak is AMAZING. Having had a few inflatables before and managing maybe 5km in a session with them I could not believe the increase in performance that the expedition elite offers, on my first outing I passed the 10k mark in challenging conditions in a fraction of the time I spent with my last kayak. a month or two on I have done multiple 22km+ trips. It keeps up with rigid kayaks easily and with the carrying capacity and ability to add a skirt or get into choppy coastal waters it offers all kinds of possibilities. The weight carrying ability sets it apart from the other single seater Advanced elements kayaks and the ability to unzip the cover right to the end allows for a child or dog to come along easily. The leg room is great at 6'3" I am finding I dont need to have the footrest on the last peg and there is plenty of space inside for all the stuff you need for a day paddle before even considering the need for the ample deck space. Its not the cheapest way to get on the water, but the ability to deflate and put it in the boot means you are not limited to roof racks or trailers so shooting up the freeway is a breeze and at home it packs back into a shelf removing the need for roof mounts or shed space, so overall I think it is a better investment. I'm already planning for my first camping trip. Oz inflatable were super helpful in making the selection of this kayak and I think if you are a larger person or want to take a child with you it is an amazing option for the price.
AUExactly what I was looking for
This is a great kayak, delivering everything it promises. You quickly notice it’s build quality and materials are a high standard. Very easy to set up and performs really well on the water, easily comparable to a hard shell kayak. Would definitely recommend the Expedition Elite and Oz Inflatable Kayaks to anyone considering this type of kayak. Emily was a great help when I was trying to decide on the right model and delivery etc was all faultless.
The kayak was fantastic and worked really well
I finally got the chance to take my AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak out yesterday on Port Phillip Bay. As mentioned by many other reviewers, great customer service and attention to my concerns and to making sure I made the right choice for my needs. The kayak was fantastic and worked really well, I'm really pleased with it.
AUAdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak
An excellent buying experience, great advice given, prompt delivery, no surprises. A great product, performs well. I have been paddling now 5 times for 2-3 hours each time and the Kayak is great. An excellent result from a kayak that I can put in a backpack. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Michael.
AUAdvancedframe Expedition Elite Kayak
The Advancedframe Expedition Elite Kayak is extremely well thought out and put together. Every aspect seems to have been catered for. My first experience on the water in the Expedition Elite was very memoriable and 6 hours of paddling seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. I have found that the Expedition Elite simple to set up and can be done in under 10 minutes quite comfortably. On the water the kayak is very stable and tracks well, but in a strong current and or wind can be a little cumbersone. I feel the addition of the rudder kit would aid in rectifying this problem. When the conditions are calm it is a breeze to paddle and I have no difficulty in keeping up with friends on hard shelled kayaks. Being an inflatable kayak it folds down to a suitcase size (83cm x 52cm x 26cm) so is very easy to store when not in use and can be carried in the back of a car without the worry of roof racks. If storage and transport is a problem for you I would highly recommend the Advanceframe Expedition Elite Kayak and would highly recommend purchasing from oz inflatable kayaks as Emily was wonderful to deal with and was very knowledgeable and answered every question I threw at her and the service was second to none.
AULove my Expedition!
I purchased my Advanced Elements Expedition a few months ago and have been absolutely loving it! As someone who lives in a townhouse and drives a 3 door i20, an inflatable kayak has been a game changer. It's so easy to store and transport. It's a little heavy when it's deflated (maybe it's just awkward) , but once it's pumped up it's somehow much easier to carry - so I just pump it up next to my car and carry it inflated down to the water, 100-200m no worries. The Expedition is super stable on the water and I can go a pretty good speed (averaging 6km/h). I had a recent outing where unfortunately I didn't think the check the weather and on my way back it got very choppy. It was hard work paddling against the wind and waves (although I imagine that would be true of most kayaks), and I was more than a little nervous as I'm only new to kayaking, but the Expedition handled well and got me home safely. I can highly recommend this kayak to anyone who wants a high performing kayak but doesn't have the option to store and transport a traditional kayak. Also, I can't thank Emily enough for all the help and advice she provided to ensure I bought the right kayak and accessories for my needs - Thanks Emily!
AUBought 2 - Expedition & Standard Advanced Frame
We purchased 2 Kayaks from Emily, an Expedition Elite, and Advanced Frame. I am 6ft5 so I needed the extra legroom offered by the Expedition Elite, however my partner fits perfectly into the standard Advanced Frame model. I am very glad I went for the Expedition Elite, I can fit into the Advanced Frame version but it is pretty cramped, especially around the feet I found that it would roll my feet inwards and this would put pressure on my ankles. I do not have any trouble with this in the Expedition Elite. If you are a tall person I would definitely recommend the Expedition Elite. We have been out in the Kayaks 4 times now, once on an inland river and the rest of the time out in the estuaries around Brisbane. Both kayaks have been fantastic, they cut through the water really well and they track very straight even when paddling hard. It is important to ensure all the inner air chambers are lined up before you inflate the kayak. I had removed the inner chambers to clean them after doing a few trips, and when I refitted them I didnt line it up correctly so the next time I inflated the kayak the front was a bit off centre. It is very easy to fix this as the inner air chambers simply velcro to the inside, so I just had to deflate and then realign the velcro patches. Inflation and deflation is a breeze, I was expecting to have to pump the air out manually (especially the last bits or air) when deflating but you really dont need too. Just open up all the valves and the thing deflates itself like some sort of magic. And yes! They do easily fit back into the bags, you just need to practise the fold a couple of times, the key is to have as few folds as possible to allow for the correct length. The convenience of just throwing two kayaks in the boot of the car and heading to the water is amazing. Dont waste any more time thinking about it and just get one and get out there, you will not be disappointed.
Expedition Elite
Easy to set up.Love the backpack. Glides much better than simple heavy plastic kayaks. No need to strap to roof
Service and kayak first class.
Experience with Emily was great from start to finish. Had a little bump with delivery company but all was resolved promptly and well communicated. The kayak has been fantastic and I've used it about 10 times already since getting it. So far I've done ennogerra reservoir, twin waters, lake currimundi, belongil creek and its been faultless. Easy to pump up and deflate, always catches peoples attention and an absolute treat on the water. Only managed to roll it once whilst riding a pretty large wave and going a bit sidewards so your average yakker will be steady as anything. Just one thing to remember, these are light as when dry but if you get it really wet (like out on open seas) it really packs on a few kgs and would be too heavy for a smaller person to lift in the bag. Thanks Emily!
At 6'1" tall I need some leg room, and the expedition has it
I have had my expedition for almost a year now and use it on average about once a week. It mostly gets used for flat-water river paddling, but I have taken it down some very minor rapids and taken it on the ocean in 2m swell a few times. I do not have much experience with other kayaks, and that experience comes from over ten years ago, so is pretty irrelevant. Speed, handling, stability: These kayaks are super stable. My girlfriend and I both have them and neither of us has fallen out yet.Generally speaking you can get in one of these and pay zero attention to staying upright. Even paddling side on to the larger swell has proven completely fine so far. My analysis of speed is based on matching strokes with other paddlers randomly encountered while out and about. This doesn't account for the technique or strength of the paddler. Based on this very floored analysis it would appear that the expedition is significantly faster than any of the modest sit on tops, but noticeably slower than a racing kayak (no surprise there!) Storage space and comfort: At 6'1" tall I need some leg room, and the expedition has it. I have also tried the regular advanced frame and that was a squash for me. If you are 6' or above I would strongly recommend the expedition unless you are comfortable having your legs bent for the entire trip. This said if I am wearing shoes then there isn't a huge amount of space down at the nose of the kayak. It has the length but the width starts to pinch out. If I'm not wearing my shoes then I can stuff them down to the end of the nose one on top of the other and still fully stretch my legs out. There is a decent amount of space behind the seat. I often use the kayak to paddle out to snorkelling spots so will have fins, dive boots, mask and snorkel, towel, rash shirt, lunch, water, anchor, dry bag behind the seat. Inflation: Inflation is very easy on all the critical chambers. Once you have the pressures and order memorised then setup from boot to water is about five to ten minutes. Pack up is very fast, less than five minutes. I generally just fold mine up loosely and put it in the boot of the car. If you wanted to break down all the paddles and pack everything into the bag each time then it would take a little longer. Storage and transport: I store mine under a games table, it could just as easily go under a bed. Living in Western Australia I wouldn't want to store it in the garden for fear of sun damage. Transport is a major advantage of these. I have a two door four seat car and can fit three of these kayaks and three people in the car!! it's a bit of squash with backpacks as well...but it's possible and that's fantastic! Early in 2016 we flew to Tasmania primarily for a hiking holiday, but I also decided to take the kayak along since a couple of the areas visited had some rather fantastic river. This was great. I checked it in as a second bit of hold luggage and once we arrived it just lived in the boot of the rental car and was available whenever I wanted it. Not only that but I didn't have to consider if kayaks would be available for rent, and if so if they would be any good. I wish I had known about these kayaks when I lived in the UK and didn't have a car. It would have been possible to take the kayak out on public transport, jump in a river, and paddle down to the next town and get public transport home again! If you want to try something like this then I would advise buying a hiking backpack big enough since the bag the kayaks come in really isn't comfortable as a backpack. Pressure: The instructions are pretty insistent that the kayak shouldn't be over inflated and so I bought the pressure gauge that attaches to the hand pump and observe this closely, except on the combing chambers which I just guestimate since you lose air while closing them anyway. As already mentioned I live in Western Australia and it gets hot here in the summer, consistently over 40C. As such I don't like to take the kayaks completely out of the water for any length of time. Generally we just leave them half in and half out. All the air chambers are in contact with each other (except the ones around the cockpit) and so we have trusted to the water keeping them all cool. We haven't had any problems so I guess it's working. Leaving them in the water can be a bit of a pain if you're at the beach and can't find a landing spot that's sheltered from the waves. Overall: For me the combination of performance, storage, and transport makes this kayak an excellent fit. It's possible that its performance will be below that of a $3,000 hard shell equivalent, but I can't keep such a thing in my boot, I can't take it on a plane, and I would be worried about damaging it on bumpy four wheel drive tracks.
Speedy and Straight in the Water
Love this kayak ...speedy and straight in the water ...and very comfortable to sit in ...top marks from me
Have you had a chance to take the Expeditions out on the water yet?
Hi Emily! Been meaning to drop you a line, been busy here. Yes indeed. Been out a number of times now and loving it! Don't have many photos on this computer but I've attached a couple. Hoping to plan a trip to NZ or Tassie in the New Year when we have a bit more experience. It's even more fun than I thought it would be. It took me about 30 to 40 minutes to inflate both kayaks the first time, but it takes about 5 minutes each now - very easy. Took a couple goes to get the hang of the seats but now super comfy. Cheers,Phil
