Do you want excellent performance on the water with minimal set-up time? The Drop-stitch Kayak Package is like combining a rigid inflatable stand-up paddle board with the already amazing AdvancedFrame Convertible inflatable kayak – a match made in heaven! You get a kayak that glides super straight and fast and is quick and easy to set up. The basis of this package is the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak – the best when it comes to paddling performance.
Want a kayak that is easy to set-up and easy to paddle
Need a lot of leg-room
Need a lot of back support
Are apartment dwellers
Here’s why this kayak is the best when it comes to paddling performance
Speed
The Drop-Stitch Floor has very little drag in the water, so you can go faster than the regular floor allows. With two people paddling in sync, this kayak really flies!
Straight Tracking
The high-pressure Drop-Stitch Floor creates corners on the hull of the kayak, which helps the kayak to glide straight in the water.
Spacious
There is plenty of room for dogs, children, camping gear, fishing gear and unlike most tandem kayaks where you are squished in like sardines, there is plenty of room for two people to paddle independently.
Versatile
You can paddle with a wide open cockpit or fully enclosed with spray skirts if you are in cold weather or open ocean.
Stable
The wide flat hull allows you to relax when you are paddling and the rigid floor is easy to step in and out of.
Durable
All of the Advanced Elements kayaks that we sell are ruggedly durable from the outside – you don’t have to worry about punctures from submerged objects.
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak is made of very high quality materials. Not only are the inner tubes thoroughly protected by several layers of extremely durable materials, the Drop-Stitch Floor is also very durable and can easily handle dogs and fishing gear.
With multiple air chambers, multiple layers covering the main chambers and the extra-tough PVC tarpaulin on the hull, you don’t really have to worry about punctures.
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 Convertible Elite is a sit-in kayak, so it sits quite low in the water, especially compare to other inflatables, so it performs quite well in wind.
The seat (included) has a stiff, high back, which gives you excellent support, IF you get the angle right.
High Back Kayak Seat in the Advanced Elements Kayaks
The seat includes an inflatable cushion for extra lumbar support – you can blow it up as you are paddling via a tube with a mouth piece.
You can purchase the optional inflatable foot brace for the front paddler, which adds to your comfort by supporting your lower back as you paddle.
There is a foot brace for the rear paddler included. Note that this works by having the brace push up against the seat back of the front paddler. You will need to adjust the seat straps to get yourselves in the right position for this to work.
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak comes with a foot brace for the rear paddler, and you can buy the inflatable foot brace for the front paddler. A lot of paddlers swear by foot braces for encouraging good paddling technique and for supporting the lower back.
If you want to paddle it solo and you want foot support, you will need to purchase the Adjustable Foot Pegs.
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak has very good back support – the seat back is high and stiff with adjustable straps to get the angle right. It also includes inflatable lumbar support.
What is the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak good for?
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is ideal for taking dogs.
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is very spacious and has an open cockpit, which means customers often fit two people and two dogs in.
The drop-stitch floor inside the kayak is super tough, you do not need any reinforcement.
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 …).
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak 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 Convertible Elite Kayak good for?
Yes, it is definitely suitable for beginners. I should note, however, that generally speaking, solo kayaks are easier to paddle than tandem kayaks, which require some level of cooperation…
The key feature for beginners is stability and the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is wonderfully stable, so no dramas there.
The design is so good that it’s super-easy to paddle straight.
The wide-open cockpit makes it easy for people to get in and out.
In my experience, seniors are looking for a lightweight kayak, and at 24kg, the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is one of our heaviest.
If you specifically want to stick with a tandem, but you need something lighter, check out our StraitEdge2 Pro Kayak.
But if you think that with good teamwork you can lift 24kg, then it is a wonderful kayak for seniors.
The other key features for seniors are stability and ease of getting in and out – the AdvancedFrame Sport Convertible Elite is extremely stable and the wide open cockpit makes it easy to get in and out of.
Yes, generally speaking it’s easy to get in and out of.
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is VERY stable, which is one of the key features for getting in and out easily.
Although it is a sit-in kayak, the rear paddler’s legs are not covered at all and the front paddlers’s legs are inside a deck that has a nice long zipper on it, so you can open it up to get out.
The only issue might be if you are using the Single Deck Conversion or the Double Deck Conversion, in which case you have to get in and out of cockpits. These cockpits are standard sized for kayaks, so most people can manage it fine. If you have VERY long legs or your mobility is compromised, you might want to leave the decks off.
I have found that the drop-stitch floor greatly enhances the rigidity of the kayak, so you really can go up to the maximum capacity.
If, however, one of the paddlers is over 115kg, you might want to consider the AirVolution2 Kayak because it has slightly better rigidity in the higher weight ranges.
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak is a sit-in kayak, but it comes with a wide-open cockpit so it’s easy to get in and out of.
There are optional decks that you can zip on to give you cockpits with inflatable coaming. These cockpits help keep the spray out of the kayak and allow you to attach a spray skirt.
At 24kg, the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak is one of our heavier kayaks.
You would have to be quite strong to carry it down to the water by yourself when inflated.
But most people can manage if there are two people to carry it – one at each end.
If you want to make it easier to transport, I would suggest getting the Kayak Cart – this allows you to wheel the kayak to the water and then you can easily stow the cart on the deck.
There is no rudder on the AdvancedFrame Convertble Elite kayak.
The Rudder Kit we sell is compatible with this kayak, but I would suggest trying the kayak without the rudder first. Most customers find they don’t need one.
But my strong recommendation is that you take a look at the setup video (note: this is a Convertible Kayak not the Convertible Elite, so it will take some more time since you’d have to inflate the Drop-Stitch Floor):
