The StraitEdge2 Pro kayak is ideal if you love sit-on-top kayaks, but don’t want to compromise on performance.
The drop-stitch floor gives you excellent rigidity for a super-fast paddle. The aluminium rib at the bow and the removable fin on the hull help you track straight in flat water.
The self-bailing ports give you flexibility – you can take it in open ocean or whitewater (up to class 3), and you don’t have to worry about getting water in the kayak if you are snorkeling, diving or swimming, it simply drains out.
The combination of a stable, rigid floor and the open sit-on-top style make the StraitEdge2 Pro ideal for use as a tender, for taking dogs / kids and for fishing (rod holders are included).
Sit-on-top kayaks are typically slower than sit-in kayaks, so I did not have high expectations of performance.
But I have to say I was impressed!
It’s definitely not as fast as the AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite kayak, but it’s not too far off it and it’s certainly a pleasurable paddling experience.
The tracking with the fin on was very impressive – much better than most sit-on-top kayaks.
You would only leave the fin off if you were doing whitewater and needed to pivot easily in the water (the SE2 Pro kayak is rated up to class 3 whitewater).
The kayak comes with foot pegs for both tandem and solo kayaking positions. A lot of paddles swear by foot pegs for encouraging good paddling technique and for supporting the lower back.
The StraitEdge2 Pro kayak has excellent back support – the seat backs are high and stiff and there is an inflatable lumbar cushion included for extra support.
The seats have a raised bum pad so your bum is higher than your heels – this takes the pressure off the lower back.
The Straitedge2 Pro Kayak has some awesome features that make it ideal for taking dogs.
The sit-on-top style gives you plenty of open space for your dogs, so they are not cramped into a cockpit.
The PVC tarpaulin material on the main chambers give you the confidence that your dog’s claws will not cause a puncture.
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, if you are going tandem. Maybe, if you are going solo.
In my experience, seniors are looking for a lightweight kayak, and the StraitEdge2 Pro kayak is the lightest tandem kayak we sell. With 2 people carrying it, it’s reasonably easy to get down to the water.
If you are thinking of using it as a solo kayak, think about whether you are comfortable carrying 18.6kg by yourself. For some seniors this will be a doddle and for others, it will be a deal breaker.
The other key features for seniors are stability and ease of getting in and out – the StraitEdge2 Pro kayak ticks both these boxes.
Almost certainly, yes, but let’s delve a little deeper.
If you are going solo, there will be no issue with leg length. You may need to loosen the seat straps all the way, so you are sitting further back in the kayak to comfortably reach the foot pegs, but overall, you will be fine.
If you are paddling tandem, it really depends on the size of the other paddler.
Each paddler can adjust both the seat straps and the foot pegs to give the other paddler more room, but if there were two exceptionally tall people paddling together, you may run out of leg room.
Given that we can fit 2 adults and 2 children on this kayak, it’s still pretty likely you’ll be okay.
There’s no maximum on an individual paddler when going tandem, but if you’re over 100kg, just make sure you put the maximum pressure into the drop-stitch floor (6 PSI) and make sure you try switching positions to see which gives you the best balance.
The performance of the kayak depends, in part, on the aluminium rib in the bow being IN the water. If the heavier person is in the back, this rib could end up sticking out of the water, which will affect your tracking.
The StraitEdge2 Pro kayak is a sit-on-top kayak, with self-bailing ports.
If the water is calm, you can leave the ports closed and stay dry.
If the conditions are rough or you are doing whitewater, you can open the ports, allowing water that comes over the sides to draining out.
The downsides of sit-on-top kayaks is that they are often slower and more wind affected than sit-in kayaks, and you get wet.
The upsides of sit-on-top kayak is that they have heaps of space, you don’t feel enclosed, they can do a huge variety of water types and in the case of the StraitEdge2 Pro kayak, it’s lightweight.
People often think that sit-on-top kayaks are more stable than sit-in kayaks. The truth is that is really depends on the kayaks. All our tandem kayaks are equally stable.
You can get the depth (33cm) down a bit by putting the seats somewhere else, but the other dimensions can’t really be altered.
The weight is only 18.6kg, making it by far our lightest tandem kayak. So if you’re trying the keep the weight down with your vehicle, it’s a great option.
At 18.6kg, the StraitEdge2 Pro Kayak is our lightest tandem kayak.
It’s an ideal kayak for 4WDs, caravans, motorhomes etc. where keeping the weight down is critical.
I can carry it myself down to the water. I am 55kg and 5’4″ if that helps.
I often recommend it to people who are looking for a convertible kayak (to paddle both solo and tandem) because it is light enough for most people to carry it down to the water by themselves.
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.
I would strongly suggest you purchase 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.
“Mum, this is the best thing you have ever bought!”……..That was the comment my adult son made when we were out on the water during a family weekend away. True. I love it and the dogs almost get that you are supposed to stay in the boat?? They just love swimming around with us! Emily was particularly helpful in advising me on the best option to suit my paddling ambitions? Thankyou. I can highly recommend oz inflatable kayaks. Great service and advice. Brilliant product!!
I wanted a kayak that could take myself, my wife and my daugher (7 yrs) with a combined weight of about 190kg. The StraitEdge2 Pro can handle over 200kg. Be careful when shopping around as one store tried to sell me the first version - rather than the v2. I looked at reviews/videos of the StraitEdge2 Pro for a few months before deciding to purchase through Oz Inflatable Kayaks. Delivery was super fast and easy. Did a test run in the garage before taking it out to a river. Easily handles the 3 of us. The underneath fin/guide is a must or you end up paddling in circles. Its quick to setup, and not hard to pack away, but you do need to allow time (20-30mins) to do it. Thats including wiping/drying it afterwards. The only negative I would have is the bag which the kayak packs into could be slightly larger. If you dont get the kayak folded just right - it can be a difficult and tight fit into the bag.
Hi Emily,
The Straitedge 2 Inflatable Kayak...
We find this kayak well suited to our needs. We are not serious "heavy duty" kayak adventurers, but rather like taking our 4 wheel drive / camping set up to a beautiful, remote location and then enjoy mucking about on a river, lake or beach in our kayak. Often we find ourselves in a location that requires some walking to the water's edge and then a difficult launch. The Straitedge is ideal for this, as we can carry it in through the bush uninflated, and being a little flexible when inflated can be easily launched over a slippery, muddy embankments.
Often we are away on these trips for weeks (or months) at a time travelling large distances, and having the kayak safely, securely stowed away in the back of the 4 wheel drive is a huge advantage over having an awkward, vulnerable and expensive, "hard" kayak strapped to one's roof.
The Straitedge2 is extremely comfortable for either one or two persons, extremely easy to assemble and inflate. The inflation process is much easier than we expected, although having no pressure gauge we found getting the correct pressures took some experience (we are still not sure we have it absolutely right).
The Straitedge2 is easy to handle and furthermore, our dog loves it! She sits up the front, nose to the wind asserting her majesty over everything and anything. She has even, on occasion, taken a nap curled up against the front bulkhead. The Straitedge is great for lying around in whether on water or land.
Our only criticism is that we find making the Kayak go straight difficult. We have found that increasing the air pressure has helped, as has our paddling technique. Each time we launch ourselves upon another kayaking adventure we find that our paddling has improved a little (mind you, our first attempts in this regard were embarrassingly feeble).
John & Brenda, Melbourne
AU
