AdvancedElements.com

Hey rjf: Having owned the AirFusion Original, the Elite, and now the new EVO, I can say plainly that all three are a joy to use. Furthermore, with the help of a GPS receiver to measure speed, I doubt if you would find any significant differences among the three AirFusions. We are talking about refin...

The AirFusion has now gone through three phases: the Original (2010), the Elite (2013), and now the EVO (2018). The new EVO displays several improvements: 1) drop-stitch side chambers that give the kayak much greater rigidity, deck height, and excellent longitudinal symmetry (straight and true from ...

My AE sprayskirt, which I bought for the 10'6" and 13' (AFX) models, also fits my AirFusion. That is because the perimeter length is the same, despite the different shape.

A BackBone is efficient
And by itself sufficient,
And then the Dropstitich floor
Is fine with nothing more.
Each is its own abundance.
Combined, why, that's redundance.
Your kayak even works
Just great without these perks!

A trick I learned from airkayaks.com is to leave the AirFusion kayak inflated before sliding the little connecting sleeve (# 3) along the main poles (# 1 and #2). Another trick is to put, say, the seat under the stern to ensure the poles do not "lift" where they connect under the sleeve.

Based on my ownership of an Original AirFusion and then an AirFusion Elite, compared to my new AirFusion from the new AE factory, I would say quality control is better than ever. Friends who have become enthusiasts for AE's kayaks have bought my "old" Original AirFusion and first AirFusion Elite for...

Regardless of the company, most inflatable kayaks are made in Asia: China, Korea, Indonesia, and the like. AE's products have always been very well made, and the warranty and customer service back up that confidence in their work. AE's designs are all done in the San Francisco Bay area, and it is an...

That little girl has the right idea: let the Big People do all the work.

Great choice in a kayak. My 2007 AFX is still like new despite thousands of miles (even more kms) of paddling over the years. Your new Expedition (AFX) looks terrific, and your waterways are simply alluring. Not bad, eh?

Postscript to remarks on the AE Elite's suitability in rough water: use the AE Skeg. It acts like a keel and greatly improves lateral (side-to-side) stability. In rough water, the Skeg is the way to go.

My ranking, from the top, for single-person paddling (the two-person AE can be used as a single and would be every bit as good as the top choice below): 1) AE Expedition (AFX) with BackBone. The primary or initial stability of the AFX with BB exceeds any hard-shell sea kayak I have used. With an AE ...

I have been using the AE 2035 all-carbon four-piece paddle since it first came out several years ago. It is one tough paddle, and it shows very little wear after years of hard use, thanks to its carbon blade. It is one of the lightest weight four-piece paddles out there. Yet, it outpowers paddles fr...

I have owned the AirFusion Original (narrower than the Elite) and now alternate between the Elite and my Expedition (and my 17'6" hard-shell sea kayak). I sold the original AirFusion in part because of my height and weight (6'1", 220 lbs [100 kg]). The Elite is roomier without giving up much, if any...

Paula, that is quite the story of a rescue of a person who does not make it easy to be rescued! I note that you tried, at first, to have this clown hold onto the stern of your kayak but eventually had him out on a rope. Another method advised by Canadian rescue classes is to have the person hang ont...

I had my Elite out on the water again for several happy hours today. It handled extremely large waves very well and tracked like a top-flight hard-shell. Let me know more details of your alignment of the velcro patches. That seems to be the key to straightening things out. Also, the thwarts.