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Advanced Elements Lagoon 2 inflatable recreational tandem kayak

Red BarchettaRed BarchettaModaholic Lifetime Member

We've hemmed and hawed for 7 years or so on getting a kayak.  Hard shell?  Sit-on-top?  Inflatable?  Transporting?  Solo or tandem?  ??
We've rented at least 20 kayaks over the years and still couldn't make up our minds.
In fact GRUMPA, BMJ, myself, and a few others have gone around and around about the subject here on LOA for 4 or 5 years.  GRUMPA & BMJ both bought inflatables - Sea Eagle's (sweet kayaks!) - while we kept languishing over the choices and our needs.

Well, we finally decided to get on with it and bought an inflatable.
We have no desire to go out on long excursions, multi-day trips, or even bother if it's super windy out.  We just want to have fun when we are hanging out at a high-Sierra lake, etc...  Solo &/or tandem.  Simply for the enjoyment of the day.  We walk, hike, & mountain bike ride daily for exercise.

We decided on the Advanced Elements Lagoon 2.  It's a tandem that can easily be handled solo if desired.  Inflates very easily & quickly.  Is quick in the water (for an inflatable).  Has an available accessory to make it even faster in the water (see "Backbone" below").  Everything stores easily locked up & out of sight in the 5th wheel tool chest in the bed of the TV.  No racks on the TV or trying to secure it on the floor of the TT under the slide-out.  Is light-weight.  And still has 85 lbs. of carrying capacity left over once we are both in it.

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Inflatable Kayak

Specifications

  • MODEL AE1033-O
  • COLOR ORANGE/GRAY
  • LENGTH 12’
  • WIDTH 34″
  • WEIGHT 37 LBS. (17 KG)
  • PERSON/S 1 or 2
  • MAX. WEIGHT 350 LBS. (113 KG)
  • CHAMBERS 8
  • FOLDED SIZE 35″ X 19″ X 7″

Performance Details

  • Tube Cover: Inner tube cover adds stiffness and abrasion protection.
  • Rigid Bow & Stern: Built-in rigid panels define the bow and stern and improve tracking.
  • Durable & Light: Unique outer cover provides durability in a lightweight design.
  • Easy To Set Up: Twistlok™ valves and high flow Spring™ valves allow for quick setup time.
  • Comfortable: High support seats provide comfort for hours of paddling.
  • Hull Design: Landing plate and tracking fin improve performance.

Features

  • Rubber molded handles
  • Bungee deck lacing
  • Inflatable Coaming for Spray Skirt Attachement
  • Paddle holder
  • Mesh pocket
  • Advanced Elements Spring Valve
  • Folding seats
  • Tracking fin
  • Durable fabric cover
  • Electronically welded seams
  • Rigid bow and stern
  • Inner tube cover
  • Rip-stop fabric

Accessories Incl.

  • Carrying Duffel Bag
  • Folding Seats
  • Repair Kit
  • Owner’s Manual

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This ain't no pool toy.  It is extremely durable and rigid.

We won't get to try it out in the water for another 6 weeks, but then it will get a 3-week test in various lakes.  I will of course update this thread and do a thorough review after that.  

Here is everything that we bought (grand total of $736.00 spent):
- Tarp to rest it on at the campsite
- 2 basic oars from Amazon.
- 2 life jackets from Costco (only one pictured below as the other one is with our youngest son who is camping at Lake Tahoe this week).
- Lagoon 2 kayak (which comes with 2 seats & a repair kit) -
https://www.advancedelements.c...atable-kayak-ae1033/
- Backbone accessory for a sleeker ride when wanted/needed -
https://www.advancedelements.c...ccessories/backbone/
- Double-action hand pump with pressure gauge -
https://www.advancedelements.com/accessories/pumps/
- Inflatable foot brace (for the front seat) -
https://www.advancedelements.c...s/other-accessories/

Items that we already had:
- Cable lock to secure it to the TT at the campsite to keep the honest folks honest.
- 15' strap to secure it to a tree, etc... when exploring the other side of the lake, etc...
- Bungee cords to secure it to the back of the truck when transporting it short slow-speed distances inflated such as from the campsite to the cg beach.
- Super large solid pool noodle cut to about 15" long for a homemade footrest for the back seat (foot pegs from Advanced Elements cost $85.00+ and are limiting in their effectiveness according to reviews).

For now here are 2 pictures:
- Everything minus 1 life jacket (Backbone is in the netted bag and the pool noodle, lock, tarp, bungees, seats, foot brace, repair kit, etc... are all in the bag with the kayak).
- Everything minus 1 life jacket stored on a shelf in the garage.

IMG_20180613_153658IMG_20180613_154206

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Last edited by Red Barchetta
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TerriBTerriBHave Canon Will Travel Lifetime Member

Congrats on your purchase.  I went through the same back and forth trying to decide.  I don't have this same kayak but I do have an Advanced Elements Advanced Frame single kayak and I am sold.  I can change vehicles without having to have carriers installed and that's the biggest thing for me.  Takes a few more minutes to set up but  then it's great.  I'm not trying to win races either but they are stable and track well.  You are going to have lots of hours of fun in that!

Red BarchettaRed BarchettaModaholic Lifetime Member

Thanks Brubie!  

So glad to hear from another inflatable kayak owner.  
The Airis Sport is a terrific choice!  I really like their backpack-style carrying bag.
https://walkerbay.com/airis-in...latable-kayaks/sport

Great shot as well.    I should have a few shots of ours resting on a granite boulder at about 8,000' within 2 months.

Completely off topic, but right up your alley I believe - one of my podcasts that I regularly listen to is called "Ridiculous History".  You might enjoy it.  I'm headed out the door on a hike in a minute and will be listening to "Napoleon Bonaparte Was Attacked By Bunnies -- And Lost".
High-five if you also just thought of Monty Python & King Arthur.  

TerriBTerriBHave Canon Will Travel Lifetime Member
Red Barchetta posted:

Thanks Terri!  Great choice by you as well.  

I familiarized myself with all of their kayaks believe me.  

I watched all of this guys AE videos.  He sold me on the Backbone purchase.
https://www.youtube.com/user/dalesphotography/videos

Yeah, I've watched all his stuff too.  Contacted him about kayaking in Florida.  I didn't buy the backbone, but got the high pressure floor.  I'm still relatively new at the whole thing but love taking my camera out in it.  

BrubieBrubieMaster Camper Lifetime Member

We use the same double-action pump, but we start with a 12v pump (link). Inexpensive, hand-held pumps like these can be found in virtually any big box store with a sports or kids department, and quickly fill the kayak with low pressure, then we finish it off with the double-action pump. Saves your back!

Another thing you'll want is a good repair kit to take along in the kayak, which you probably should put together yourself so it has all the items you need to make spot repairs should that gator ever take a chunk out of your boat (you know, they're headed toward CA as the world warms up ). If you paddle the coast, we discovered the hard way that oyster beds are a much bigger issue--a quickly deflating problem, in fact.

As for "Napoleon Bonaparte Was Attacked By Bunnies -- And Lost"... Sounds like a "hare" raising podcast! I'll check it out...

Red BarchettaRed BarchettaModaholic Lifetime Member

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll pick one up. 

The kayak we chose - even being a tandem - takes suprisingly little air/energy/work.  The 2 main tube chambers take maybe 90 seconds total.  The spray skirts, etc... (4 chambers total) take just 1 full pump each with the "double action" pump.

Great tip on the repair kit.  Ours came with one, but of course is missing a few "real experience" items.  I will add to it for sure.

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Enjoy the "Ridiculous History" episode.  It was a fun listen. 

Speaking of the world warming up, once I finished that episode on my hike I switched to this Joe Rogan episode which was terrific!  His guest - Adam Frank - was passionate & engaging.  Language alert for Joe's podcast however! 

Screenshot_20180614-072607

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G GlasdriverMaster Camper Lifetime Member

We have a couple of the Advanced Elements single-hole kayaks... Love 'em!

The only issue I have with them however is getting the interior totally dry following use (to prevent mildew). Lots of wiping with a towel is required, along with time to air-dry.  But, still love 'em and we'll be using them in two weeks at Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay).

Red BarchettaRed BarchettaModaholic Lifetime Member

Gd -

Good to hear.

Although I imagine drying is key to all inflatable kayaks.  Not just AE.

Enjoy Tahoe!  Our youngest son (19) is there now (with one of our life jackets) camping in Meeks Bay with his gf's family in their mega triple axle TH.

While paddling around Emerald Bay be sure to tie-up at the Emerald Bay SP boat/hike-in cg dock and explore. 

Les1Les1LES IS MORE (Mods) King of LOALifetime Member

Any inflatable will have the drying issue, regardless of brand.

Like Brubie, I use the exact ele pump to provide most of the air then finish with a foot pump.  I always take the pump and repair kit with me, as I think of it as a "spare tire"

Those double-action hand pumps look sweet.  Tempting.... 

G GlasdriverMaster Camper Lifetime Member
Red Barchetta posted:

 

While paddling around Emerald Bay be sure to tie-up at the Emerald Bay SP boat/hike-in cg dock and explore. 

We're spending eight wonderful nights at the boat camp over the 4th... our annual trip.  We boat in with our Chaparral runabout and bring the inflatable kayaks and paddleboards to meander around the bay. Also, we need the kayak to get to/from the boat when it's on the buoy.

We set up a mondo glam-camp, complete with hot shower.  In 2014, we spent a total of four weeks (two two-week stays) at the camp; the best trip ever.  Wife said "enough" though, so we're down to the eight night stay these days.

Red BarchettaRed BarchettaModaholic Lifetime Member
Les1 posted:

Any inflatable will have the drying issue, regardless of brand.

Like Brubie, I use the exact ele pump to provide most of the air then finish with a foot pump.  I always take the pump and repair kit with me, as I think of it as a "spare tire"

Those double-action hand pumps look sweet.  Tempting.... 

Red Barchetta posted:

Les -

Here is the pump (with gauge) at Bezos' store -

https://www.amazon.com/Advance...ull_1_sspa&psc=1

Speaking of the pump, I removed 2 of the 4 adapters which don't serve a purpose with our particular kayak, seats, & front foot brace.  They were just in the way taking up space & causing an annoyance.

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BrubieBrubieMaster Camper Lifetime Member
Red Barchetta posted:

Les -Here is the pump (with gauge) at Bezos' store -

https://www.amazon.com/Advance...ull_1_sspa&psc=1

These are surprisingly durable and capable pumps (same manufacturer), and really the only way to easily achieve the higher pressure required for some inflatable kayaks (eg: my Airis requires 7 lb, which is on the high side but makes for an extremely rigid boat). BTW, like Les1, we carry this pump on our outings along with our repair kit which we store in a waterproof dry box (link). We also partially inflate our kayaks and hang them in our garage when not on the road, which helps increase their lifespan.

Last edited by Brubie
Red BarchettaRed BarchettaModaholic Lifetime Member

Took a few pictures of the inflatable foot rest for the front seat & the extra large pool noodle that I cut for a foot rest for the back seat (fits very snugly right behind the front seat).  The deflated front foot rest fits inside of the deflated kayak (along with the deflated seats) and the modified pool noodle foot rest fits inside of the kayak's bag so that neither are floating around to get lost in storage/when not in use.

IMG_20180627_155617IMG_20180627_155601IMG_20180627_155648IMG_20180627_155553

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