AdvancedElements.com

LocDog · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 2

I have taken my Expedition out 3 times and 2 of those times it has had a pull to the right. Nothing major, but it still makes me work harder than I have to to keep it straight. The first and third times are when I had the kink issue. It is on the front right side. When I take it out of the water, I can feel on the outside of the kayak where the hull does not come into full contact with the main tube. I have taken it apart several times, and as someone else stated, it seems to be a bigger issue when the aluminum frame pieces are in the pockets. The one time that I took it out and it didn't pull, I had lined the main tube with baby powder before zipping the cover up around it. That seemed to do the trick for the most part. I was also straightening things out after every 10th pump stroke or so.

Now my question is this.... Is the baby powder something that I have to do every time out? (seems excessive) Or should I check everything every 10th pump or so to make sure it is still lined up properly? (would seem contrary to what the manual states of first chamber to half way, then chamber 2 till firm)

When I dry the kayak out each time, I take the main chamber out and have that inflated in my garage to let it dry, and there is a slight kink this latest time back. I also drape the outer cover over 2 chairs to dry that. When I dry the main chamber, should I be unzipping it from the cover and taking the tube out of that each time?

While I use the backbone, which I don't have an issue of it staying centered, I know that I am inflating it enough, because when I try without the backbone, it does not sag at all.

Any help would be appreciated, as I have enjoyed the kayak other than that issue.

Pearly · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 264 Location: Singapore

My reply to a similar post..

I had a kink in mine when it arrived. I left the tubes inside the yak and unzipped the main tubes cover. I then partially inflated the tubes, so they filled with air and took shape. I then pushed the tube all the way into the bow and adjusted it so no more kinks were evident. Leaving it partially inflated, I carefully zipped the cover back up, making sure the tube was clear of the zip as I did so. Once zipped up, I fully inflated and, as if by magic, no more kink! Been OK ever since.

You don't need to disassemble the yak each time to dry it out! Just inflate it, open the zips to the deck and leave it to dry.

Cheers,

Ian

LocDog · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 2

I tried that method also.... still a bit of a kink. Maybe its from taking the main tubes out of the shell.

Once I get it straightened out again, should I not take the tubes out of the shell when I let it dry? If I keep it all together while drying, how long does it take to dry?

Pearly · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 264 Location: Singapore

Depends on temperature and humidity. Here, it is 30oC+ and 70%+ humidity, so drying time is short! If I dry it in the apartment, 24hrs is enough.

There is no need to take the tubes out of the shell.

dspid2404 · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 153 Location: Virginia, U.S.A.

I had the same problem in the beginning when I got the kayak. It helps when you set the kayak up flat to make sure the tubes are pulled out to be even with where the gray floor (or hull) meets the colored material. It never seems to kink when your starting position is correct. I also alway recheck this after inflating the first tube. This is also the point where it is easiest to adjust the outside shell to get it even.

jaguar · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

Hey! I just got my Kayak a few hours ago, and when I pumped her up there was a rather large kink in the right front tube. I pushed it out but something still didn't seem right. Then I noticed that the holders for the foot brace were not aligned, with the right being 2-3 inches ahead than the left.

So reading another post I decided to take the tube compartment out, then removed the tubes... I got everything aligned and looking good, but the #2 inflation port seems to be about 1/2d off center...

I aligned the hole regardless and reattached the nut.

I reassembled everything making sure the bow and the stern were snugly in place. and still the right front cover was slack as it wasn't engaged by the tube and kinking the same.

I then tried Pearly's advice and it was better as the straps were a lot closer (the right one is only about 1 inch ahead now) but the right front cover is still slack as the tube is still kinking ( though not quite as bad) and not making contact with the outer cover. When I zip up the deck cover it encourages the kinking more.

I'm sure I'm missing something fairly obvious here, any help would be much appreciated! I would love to take her for a spin tomorrow Smile

Thanks!!
Michael

dspid2404 · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 153 Location: Virginia, U.S.A.

This may sound like a pain but try deflating just shy of all the way then reinflating. Do this several times to let the tubes reseat. See what happens.

jaguar · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

Meh, worth a try... my arms are going to look like Arny's by the time this is all done with Wink

jaguar · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

Ok, so inflated and deflated a bunch of times. It always kinks in exactly the same spot right forward of the right foot rest strap. SO I unzipped the inner tube half way and tried moving some of the tube material towards the back of the boat. What I think is happening is there is excess material shoved forward along the right side and it all kinks right there after the strap.

So right now, I got it so that if the front is unzipped, I blow it up, it kinks but I can push it out where it has good contact and fills out the outter shell. but when I zip it up, the right side kinks again.

I'm starting to wonder if I need to take everything a part again and start fresh. maybe zipping it up half inflated has pushed the tube around on the inside. if it it was only a bit, x that by 32' of zipping and that could be why it's kinking where it is as that's pretty much where the zipper ends.

Not sure. Stumped as heck though.

micahgee · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 60 Location: Puget Sound

I don't think inflating it while unzipped will work very well.

I suggest taking the entire boat apart again, inspect the bladder and inflated it outside of the zippered cover. Perhaps the tube is defective If it is kink free, you know its the cover. Make sure to give the partially inflated tube a good firm shove to keep it from bunch while inflating.

Other than making sure the tube itself is untwisted and seemingly defect-free, you should e-mail Advanced Elements. They stand behind their products and will surely get this sorted.

Best of luck

dspid2404 · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 153 Location: Virginia, U.S.A.

What is confusing is that when not in the hull cover it seems OK, judging by the picture. Am I seeing that correctly? If that is so then it must be that when you press the sides inward it kinks. Did you try this when you had the tube outside the hull cover to see what it did? I did notice however that when it is in the hull cover the right side seems turned downward compared to the left side. Maybe because of the kink but I'm not sure. Confusing.

JCOOLEY · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:02 am Post subject:

When the kayak is assembled, while deflated, make sure that the ribs are pushed all the way into the ends. Partially inflate the tube and then sit inside facing forward. Push the tube forward with your feet. Turn around and to the same to the rear. Get out and then inflate the floor. Make sure it is in correctly. Inflation tube for floor should be on top right side. After floor is aligned and inflated go back to main tube and inflate again. If there is still a kink, let some air out and sit in again and push with feet. This trick usually works. If still having trouble, contact customer service at info@advancedelements.com

jeremy

jaguar · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

MUCH BETTER!! the kink is barely showing. I can zip it up and push the right side and it still holds pretty decent. definitely not as bad as before though.

The strap is still miss aligned by 1 adjustment point though, and dspid2404 is right, looking forward, it appears as though both tubes are rotated counterclockwise a bit.... Would this be a big issue? I can live with it if it won't hurt the Kayak.

Thank you everyone!
Michael

JCOOLEY · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:59 am Post subject:

If the foot brace straps are off just a little, it is okay. Over time, things will straighten out more once tha mterial has had time to stretch a bit. You should be good to go.

jaguar · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 8

Took her for a spin today, and it was a lot of fun!!!! Aside from the fact that I got booted off our reservoir as I was in an "Inflatable" boat and the regulations apparently prohibit that (the obvious target is the $10 Wal-Mart specials, but I guess they were being picky today). Oh well, there are other places to go outside town, that one was just rather handy as it was in town. Can't wait to get her up to the mountains! Smile

lol totally forgot about the reduction in pressure from the cold water and ended up floating around partially inflated!! didn't even notice till on my way back to the dock. I'll have to be sure to lat the boat float for 10 min before setting off, especially in the mountains as I'll be floating in glacier water.

Love this kayak!! Smile