AdvancedElements.com

[river_rat]

I've had my AdvancedFrame 10.5 for a few months now and have taken it out at least fifteen times. Especially with the backbone, it's a great boat, perfect size, very stable, and can hold its own with hard-shell kayaks. I wanted to get another one to share the experience with friends and ended up getting a Dragonfly. I put my friend, who had never kayaked before into the 10.5 with backbone installed and I climbed into the Dragonfly. Within moments, she was way ahead of me and I had to keep shouting for her to hold up. The Dragonfly has the same great construction as the AF 10.5 but it simply is not fast enough to keep up. It's really as simple as that. To climb back into the AF afterwards was like getting into a sports car. I'm sure the Dragonfly has its uses (maybe white-water?), but tracking and speed simply do not match the AF 10.5. I'm returning the Dragonfly and have already bought another AF along with a backbone. I'm now driving around with not one but two great kayaks in the back of my car ready to go. I can't wait to share the places I've found locally with friends who have no idea what's waiting for them.

ps I'd be happy to discuss pros and cons of both boats with anybody.

Richard

[poiuyebay]

Thanks very much for the report!

[jj]

I would like something that I could use in area small lakes and to hike up a river and then paddle down. At any time the river could be high and fast, low and rocky, etc. What would you suggest? My son in law would also like to use it for fishing.

[river_rat]

As good and as light as the AF 10.5 is, its still comes in at a bit under 40 pounds. I wouldn't suggest hiking more than a very short distance with it. The Dragonfly is under 25 feet but actually the carrying case is longer in height and width though not in depth. It has a shoulder strap and could be carried further, but I wouldn't want to walk more than, say 10 or 15 minutes, with it. The only storage the Dragonfly has is between your legs and on the front deck with some bungies. I don't think it would be suitable for fishing. The AF 10.5 has more space and with a little organization, could be used for fishing, I would think. Your description of the river sounds a bit beyond recreational kayaking (Class I, II rivers) though both boats are extremely tough.

[PJohanson]

I think the Dragonfly is a good choice to carry on a hike, because of its weight being only 20 pounds. I strap mine onto a folding luggage roller and roll it along jogging trails and firm grass.

[river_rat]

Definitely. Though its fold size is larger, it is much, much lighter. Again, it's a well-built small kayak. It cannot be expected, however, to keep up with its big brother in a straight-ahead lake situation, at least not with an AF with a backbone. At least not in my experience. While I'm at it, the backbone in the AF really makes a positive difference. It would be interesting if there were a backbone for the Dragonfly.

[ceejay]

I recently purchased a Dragonfly and took it out on my first adventure this weekend. I went to a paddle quest sponsored by one of the local sporting goods store. I had a lot of trouble keeping up with the rest of the paddlers and the kayak was a little squirly at first in tracking. I loved it though, and figured it would be great to keep in my car for the smaller ponds and slower rivers. It also seemed to turn on a dime and seemed very difficult to turn over. I figure I'd have to work pretty hard at turning it over which is not one of my goals. I am new to kayaking and am very interested in purchasing a hard shell kayak soon but am concered about having to hull, unload and load it by myself. I've been thinking a little more seriously about going with a better inflatable kayak instead and am considering the Advanced Frame. Can anyone tell me a little more about this kayak. Will I be able to keep up with my group a little better and will it track better? Will it also handle as well as the Dragonfly (turning quickly and such) and be as stable?

Thanks for any info.

[river_rat]

Definitely check my first post in this string. I have been in a Dragonfly while my newbie friend took out my Advanced Frame. She left me in the dust. I have been in a group of 30 kayakers in hardshell kayaks and i had no trouble keeping up. It will definitely keep up with regular hard-shell kayaks. It's very stable and comfortable. It turns easily but bear in mind, the shorter the kayak the quicker the turn, that's why whitewater kayaks are so short. All I can say is that I have two Advanced Frames. Everyone loves it. Though the backbone is not required, I feel it is essential. It tracks must better and goes faster with the backbone. Definitely worth 69 bucks. Read the thread about marking the center of the inside hull in advance for easier installing of the backbone.