The AirFusion EVO kayak is amazing. Advanced Elements have really out-done themselves with this one! It’s sleek and fast, it’s lightweight and durable, and the set up has been simplified. If you have been waiting for a compact and lightweight inflatable kayak that paddles like the wind, your time has come!
Here is why the AirFusion EVO Kayak is our top-of-the-line solo kayak:
It’s super fast!!!
Paddles like a sleek hard-shell kayak, but at a fraction of the weight.
What makes it top-of-the-line?
The v-shaped, narrow hull is super fast and tracks straight
The simplified design is quick to set up
The polyurethane hull is durable and lightweight
It packs away into a compact bag
Who is the AirFusion Evo kayak for?
The AirFusion Evo kayak has been designed to go fast for serious paddlers.
Or recreational paddlers who want to cover long distances or keep up with the group.
Goes Straight and Super Fast
The streamlined design of the AirFusion Evo kayak makes it super fast.
In fact, it doesn’t even look like an inflatable kayak!
Advanced Elements have used drop-stitch technology in the walls to give it buoyancy and rigidity without being bulky. It’s so narrow, it cuts through the water easily.
The internal pole structure gives it a v-shaped hull, helping it to track straight through the water
Lightweight and Durable
There’s no point in having a compact, high performance kayak that is so heavy you can’t lift it!
Advanced Elements have used the latest technology in the AirFusion Evo to create an inflatable kayak that is both lightweight AND durable.
Here is what makes the AirFusion EVO kayak so reliable:
Super tough drop-stitch chambers
Durable triple layer PU tarpaulin hull so you don’t have to worry about damage on rocks
The new AirFusion Evo Kayak has a simpler set up than the AirFusion Elite.
The high pressure side chambers have been replaced by drop-stitch chambers. This means there are only 2 side chambers to set up instead of 4.
This also means that less adjustment of the chambers and the thwarts is required.
But what this really means is that you can get out on the water quicker!
Convenient
Packs up into a bag with detachable straps about the size of a suitcase for easy storage and transport – planes, trains and automobiles, the world is your oyster!
“So easy to carry the boat to the water and it has an excellent primary stability that’s why I felt very secure sitting in it.
The main chambers really provide the boat with a solid feel so paddling the boat tracked straight.
No skeg or rudder.
The kayak just about turns on its own length with minimum edging.
There is little need to explore secondary stability of the kayak at this stage.
I drive my paddle stroke from my feet, so it is important to have a solid footrest.
Despite my initial concerns I found the forward thwart tube was comfortable and solid enough to support my legs to drive each paddle stroke.
A bit difficult to brace the knees.
The addition of thigh straps would be a bonus to assist in edging turns and pointing the kayak.
I met a fellow paddler on the water who was curious about the AirFusion EVO Kayak.
Turned out he was an ex 10-year veteran Sydney life guard who had paddled the complete length of the Murray River and circumnavigated Norfolk Island in a kayak.
Probably knew a thing or two about kayaks?
Apparently he had been watching the Evo for a few days.
First time he had seen inflatable kayak but he seemed to think that the performance of the Evo was OK.
Very assuring!”
Excellent support after sale!
I had a couple of minor manufacturing issues with Advanced Elements (AE) Air Fusion EVO Kayak.
Emily from Oz Inflatable Kayaks responded to my emails noting my problem and relayed details to AE in San Francisco immediately.
AE despacthed required parts the next day and forwarded by air express from USA.
AE even included a gift with one shipment!
That exceeded this customer's expectations.
AE provides a quality product and Emily and AE provide excellent after sales support.
AE and Oz Inflatable Kayaks really do honour their warranty.
So refreshing!
About me: I usually paddle a Nigel Dennis Explorer sea kayak length: 533.5 cm, width: 54 cm, depth: 34.5 cm weight about 19kgs. Compare the Evo length: 400cm width: 61cm weight about 15kgs. -on paper slower and more primary stability.
Speed and stability on the water were as expected by the figures.
As far as paddling expertise goes, I might scrape into the intermediate category of sea kayak paddlers. I'm old boy 175cm tall and weigh around 85kg.
Purchase and delivery: Emily was very helpful answering my questions prior to purchase. Delivery was speedy and Emily provided ongoing support with a concern I had with assembly of kayak. 10/10
Assembly: Very straightforward. I have assembled the boat 5 times now and it is easier each time. Connecting tube 1 and 2 is fiddly. The machined portion on tube 1 seems under designed. Time will tell, but I am tempted to order spare tubes. A split tube may be a better option for joining the tubes rather than the supplied sleeve (says and old fitter and turner).
Distance of seat to forward thwart critical for paddling and boat control. Set the distance and mark for future reference.
Paddling: I spent a few days paddling Mooball Creek (Pottsville). The creek runs north south.
Day 1 Light N wind and smooth water incoming tide.
Initial reaction. So easy to carry the boat to the water. The boat has excellent primary stability. Very secure feeling sitting in it. The main chambers really provide the boat with a solid feel.
Paddling the boat tracked straight. No skeg or rudder. Speed acceptable.
The kayak just about turns on its own length with minimum edging. There is little need to explore secondary stability of the kayak at this stage.
I drive my paddle stroke from my feet, so it is important to have a solid footrest. Despite my initial concerns I found the forward thwart tube was comfortable and solid enough to support my legs to drive each paddle stroke. A bit difficult to brace the knees. The addition of thigh straps would be a bonus to assist in edging turns and pointing the kayak.
The seat does not impress! Most sea kayaks have minimal or no back rest. Look at these videos. No lay back paddling! Trying to use the backrest I got a backache and leg cramp!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGATHwnvIFs
https://canoe.org.au/2005/01/24/forward-stroke/
Day 2 Wind 28km/h from S/SE. Creek choppy with wind waves. Wind against tide.
The boat pointed well into the wind and was relatively easy to keep on track. Sliced through the chop nicely and cockpit remained dry.
Turning 180 ? to go home meant being beam onto the wind. This was the only time I felt I was in an inflatable! However it was easy to quickly turn downwind. Relatively easy to control weather cocking downwind. A skeg would assist over longer paddle distances beam on and down wind.
Day 3. Wind S at about 15 km/h. Only a short 6 km paddle. Minimal air in seat cushion (1 Pump). The lower my backside in the water the more stable I feel. This low pressure is quite comfortable even for my bony rear end! The only use of the back rest was to store my water bottle in the pocket. No backpain! I found difficult to reach the bottle from paddling position! More yoga needed?
An aside. I met a fellow paddler on the water who was curious about the Evo. Turned out he was an ex 10-year veteran Sydney life guard who had paddled the complete length of the Murray River and circumnavigated Norfolk Island in a kayak. Probably knew a thing or two about kayaks? Apparently he had been watching the Evo for a few days. First time he had seen inflatable kayak but he seemed to think that the performance of the Evo was OK. Very assuring!
Summary
Dislikes: The seat is not for me. This is a personal issue. It is not uncommon for seasoned paddlers to ditch the seat of their new $5000.00 composite sea kayak for one that fits them better. Some will love the seat I would surmise (the lay back paddlers!)
Not happy with the connection method of tube 1 to tube 2 however as this is apparently a proven design the odds are it will last the distance. Time will tell.
I like the boat so far and with a few personal touches it should be great for exploring creeks and sheltered inlets. A dry boat with reasonable speed with great stability (photography, fishing) and excellent manoeuvrability. Easy to assemble/dissemble and light weight ensures a place in the back of my 4wd whenever I travel.
