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FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

Having used the BB and finding it very nice, I wondered if we bought a DS series Convertible (Blue) to have as our second kayak, would we like the DS floor or the backbone and save a little money and buy the regular boat. Which floor is best for tracking, speed (not that we go so fast). It's just efficiency. Either one will have the conversion deck in appropriate color. It says limited quantity on Airkayak.com. Anybody know how long they may last?

FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

I know somebody knows the answer. The DS series vs regular plus Back Bone. Which performs best? As I see it the $100 difference is made up in better seats and a pump from airkayak.com. I have the regular Convertible with BB and deck conversions, it's a question of do I buy the DS series as a 2nd kayak or the other? How about a littlw help folks?

lee johnson · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 85 Location: vancouver canada

There is a long and detailed review of the BackBone and the new Dropstitch floor here on the Community Forum, under "Accessories" and then under the "Backbone" category. The DS floor is lighter and, being just one piece, is easier to set up; so, if you are lazy or in a hurry, this is a good way to go! However, the BB imparts a V-shape to the hull, disperses "drag" better, and results in overall improved tracking, gliding, and hull speed compared to the flat hull created by the DS. I am so used to installing BBs in my Expedition and AF 1 that I no longer have to think about it and am thus happy with that set-up. I tried a DS floor when it came out but found it to lack the performance and longitudinal stability that the BB gives a big guy like me. That being said, the DS floor does work well, improves performance over the standard "air mattress" floor, and is very convenient. Its performance is unbeatable in a tandem kayak, such as the Lagoon 2 and Convertible for two. I don't see how you can go wrong with either the BB or the DS floor: it is ultimately a personal preference that suits your needs.

FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

I use the BB on my Convertible now and find it no problem to install after the 4 trips we have taken. I just wondered if I bought the airkayak.com DS series convertible would I regret the performance. The price is a bit higher but the upgrades seem to make it about the same in the end. I suppose you can't use a BB and a DS floor at the same time.

lee johnson · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 85 Location: vancouver canada

If you often use your Convertible as a tandem kayak, I think you will be very happy with the DS floor. There is a new Convertible, in blue, with DS floor, high-back inflatable lumbar seats, and double-action pump coming out from airkayaks - at least, their site lists such an item - and the "package" price is attractive. When paddling solo in the Convertible, you may find the BackBone to be your preference; but tandem, the DS floor would be just the ticket.

Using the BB + DS floor together would be worth trying, but I think it would be counterproductive. The DS floor makes the bottom of the hull flat; the BB gives the hull a V-shape. They would be working against each other, to some extent, and the degree of V would be shallow with a DS floor on top of the BB because the weight of the paddler would not be able to press down sufficiently on the BB to create a deeper V. Still and all, why not experiment and report back? "I expect reports, McIntyre," as Burt Lancaster said in that great Scottish movie "Local Hero." We all expect reports. That's what the Forum does best!

FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

Our DS floor came the other day and tonight we paddled for an hour. (we got a late start at 7:30 PM. The lake was calm and only a little wind at out beam. I pumped the DS floor up to the max 7 PSI and it was not hard at all. ( The floor was hard but the effort was not hard).

I noticed a slight pull to the right because we got the floor was slightly off. About 1.5 inches over to the right. I had no problem with keeping the kayak straight even with the wind.

I also have a BB and noticed perhaps a tiny bit more bow side to side motion with paddling using the DS floor instead of the BB. I turned the kayak over when we took out and there is no V but you can see the DS floor as it pushes down on the PVC floor.

We have a Convertible with the conversion deck and enjoyed the comfort of the DS floor over the regular floor with the BB in place. I did feel it was firmer (had a little tingling in the feet) so I will get a camp seat with a back rest to fit under the regular seat. REI sells one for $25. It has adjustment straps to give you different angles to sit on. It will make me sit about 1 inch higher but I doubt that will pose a real difference in center of gravity. I once used a 3 inch boat cushion under the regular seat and I felt tippy being that high.

So far the verdict is good. We are planning a trip to paddle on Tellico Lake near the Smokey's soon so I will report more findings on the comparison of the DS floor and the BB.

FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

Just got back from a 2 week vacation in E TN. We went paddling on Tellico Lake 2 times. What a great place to kayak. This was the second time we used our new DS floor. With both of us in the AE Convertible we had no problem going straight and we were able to go swiftly without that much effort. We saw a Bald Eagle, 2 Osprey, Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers and what I am sure now were 5 Double Crested Cormorants in a tree by the lake

The second time I let my wife off at the ramp after a few hours and went solo. It was my first solo effort in the tandem. I was somewhat unhappy with the side to side motion of the bow from paddling and even though there was no pull to the right when two of us were in the boat, I noticed it a lot solo. I did have the DS floor in a little crooked but not very much. This week I am going to try the BB and the DS floor at the same time. We have noticed the DS floor is more comfortable than the regular floor over the BB.

JCOOLEY · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:48 pm Post subject:

There really isn't a lot of room to do both at the same time. You should do one or the other. One reason why you may of been getting some wag in the kayak.
1. If you were not sitting in the middle of the kayak and were sitting towards the back, the bow sticks up further causing the wag.
2. With the DS floor, the bottom is stiffer and sits higher in the water line. You sit down below the water line as much as you do normally or with a backbone in. This can also cause the wag in the kayak.

FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

I finally set up the Convertible with the BB and the DS floor in place. It can be done and I noticed a straight track . There is a "V" shaped hull with both and because of the straight tracking due inn part to the BB, it was slightly more difficult to make tight turns. I tried leaning the kayak into the turns and that helped and it felt so stable. It took a little longer to setup but was worth it. I also thought we were going faster.

The lake was choppy when we started. 15 mph wind and we blasted right through it with ease. I credit both the BB and the DS floor. We also have the conversion deck and would ot go without it.

I figure there are about 75 more paddling days this year so I want to do a lot.

FrankP · Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 68 Location: Wisconsin

Used the Convertible Again with the BB and DS floor together. Wow what a nice ride. We aire on a choppy lake for 3.5 hours with ease. We paddled into. fifteen mph winds with no difficulty. Waves were a foot and a half high. None of that pushed the kayak around as it os with just the DS floor. I had the floor at 6 psi and my butt got tired after 3 hrs so next time I'm going too try 4 psi. Hopefully we won't feel the BB.I doubt it since the reg floor was only 2 psi. Any thoughts?