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In praise of AE Convertible I have now owned my AE Convertible for over 10 years. During that time I have used it frequently in Scottish seas and lochs and French seas and rivers. It has performed and worn well in that time. Apart from a slight fading the fabric has remained fairly much as new. I ha...

I have recently bought the Bic Kayak Sail. It is cheap (at least in the UK) and works well - as well I suspect as most of these sails do.

Hi Just a word in support of the backbone. I have had an AE convertible since 2009 without the backbone. The kayak has performed well and we have enjoyed it. However, in waves, even pumped fairly firm there was a flex that both slowed the boat and made it less manageable. The backbone (bought recent...

In our converible I use foam under the seats for two reasons. Firstly, it gives my smaller wife a bit of a lift and places her in a better paddling position (she has deeper foam than I have). Secondly, the foam lifts the seat sufficiently above the floor to keep it above any water that may be on the...

I concur about the leaking zips. These are the AE's main weakness in what is otherwise a fine product. I have the convertible which is worse with a zip all around. A question. Once the aquaseal is applied how can you then open the zip if necessary? Does it not gunge up the zip permanently? Re the RV...

The AE convertible is an excellent kayak. The one design fault I have found is leaking zips - especially a problem on the convertible. I have read the other thread on this topic and note advice given. I wondered if any other home solutions have been devised. One help (though not a solution) may be (...

If you live in the UK, Lomo sell a cheap spraydeck that happens to fit the AE convertible (and presumably other models). The spraydeck that fits is the CUSTOM spraydeck. It is a little tight to get on but does fit - though a little neat. Worth checking out.

What was ruefully amusing was seeing all the other campers immediately letting some air out of their inflatable tenders and dinghies.

I left my convertible out in the sun in France. I did so day by day. One day there was an almighty explosion heard by everyone in the campsite. Yes, you've guessed it, the main tubes had exploded. I take full responsibility. I inflated a bit too hard in the first place. Each day I wondered if it was...

Thanks Guys. Hadn't noticed the open thread. Looks fairly impressive.

Has anyone bought the new sail or is there a Youtube test on it?

Hope you enjoy your kayak. We bought ours a year ago and have had great fun on sea and rivers. French rivers last summer and Scottish Lochs and sea later summer and autumn. We are in our fifties.

PS On some areas it was possible to arrange a lift back by a hire company for a nominal fee (about £10 max). On the Allier the train runs alongside the river and is excellent for a lift back - in fact our ride was free - despite trying a few times to pay the conductor. I carried Kayak and gear in a...

I used the AE convertible on all rivers. It was absolutely fine, excellent in fact. We were also on the Allier which although not nearly as busy and commenrcial was a much more interesting river. A very helpful book is The Massif Central. Can't at momenet remember exact title or author but a book wo...

Thanks Lee. Well thought out.