AquaGlide Chelan HB Tandem XL: ON WATER REVIEW

[@stevetautog880]

to see you and you dog having fun is just a beautiful thing

[@timwatson1023]

Thanks for taking the time to do these reviews. You have the best out there on you tube for kayaks from what I've seen. Appreciate your work.

[@nunzioification]

No review is more reassuring than watching your dog claw his way in and not sink that kayak

[@amandabernheisel9557]

I had a Sea Eagle tandem kayak that was a ton of fun & tracked surprisingly well. I wouldn't mind owning another one

[@slacktide_angler]

I think there's a growing subset of kayakers that seek inflatables. With dropstitch tech and better design for tracking, theyre a lot more useful now. It would be great if you guys could review the NRS Pike, Sea Eagle 385FTA, and the Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Pro.

[@rcaviator4310]

You should do a review of several different inflatable kayaks together like you did with the 5 kayaks under $300. I am interested what you think of the Sea Eagle 380x, RazorLite, or some of the other Aquaglide models like the Deschutes, or Navarro. Some of us are stuck in apartments. :)

[@jacobcastle2741]

This would be awesome. I’ve been looking at advanced elements advanced Frame kayak

[@charlescusack1609]

Just saw this comment. Hopefully you didn't buy the Sea Eagle RazorLite. I bought one a few months ago and it was a disaster. While I was able to return it under their 90 day return policy it cost me $270 to return it!

[@nodescriptionavailable3842]

I have the deschutes 145, taken out with my daughter on big lake, handles extremely well and has a 600 pound weight limit and room for backpacking gear or whatever, non inflatable Eva floor is flexible so if you get enough water in then you will be sitting in a puddle as the heaviest occupant, unless you do something about it, overall is rock solid and extremely stable, I love it and can’t wait to take it on multi day adventures, possibly with some simple mods to raise my butt up a bit, love it!

[@manubang1477]

@@charlescusack1609 why was it disaster? I am planning to buy sea eagle 380x or RazorLite. Still doing some research. Will be great if you can share issues you faced with Sea Eagle RazorLite.

[@RallyJunkies]

@@charlescusack1609 what was the roblem with RazorLite

[@CaptainNicBlake]

I just got an Aquaglide Chinook XP2 and I can't wait to try it!

[@aimelise]

Really great review! Thanks for taking time to post it.

[@truthof7382]

Awesome review dude! . Love the hand stand and your companions swimming fun during your putting the kayak through the paces. Having fun with it, while giving good info.

[@KayZee1957]

Dax is a happy dog. He made a good video great!

[@ricardohavinga]

Great Review, ended buying the 3 person unit. Thanks for the awesome post.

[@luiscue6]

Love your videos man and thanks to you I made a great decision on my first boat couldnt be any happier👍. Now I'm looking into an inflatable kayak for fishing capabilitues without breaking the bank. I saw video and searching around I found a couple that I norrow down the Blackfoot 130 and the NRS pike. Me watching this video I think I will lean into the Blackfoot made by aquaglide as well. Hopefully you can do a video of only inflatables. Anyway thank you for all the awesome tips you share with people.

[@AlwaysEnjoyLife]

I own both a 2021 Blackfoot Angler 130 & a 2021 NRS STAR PIKE. The Blackfoot air valves are much easier to use than the Star Pike! The Star Pike fixed footrest is superior to the BlkFt. velcro footrest. The Star Pike Skeg is much quicker to mount than the Blkft screw in. The lower tubes of the Star Pike have less wind resistance, but the Blkft is superior in rougher waves! Fishing I prefer the Blackfoots front & rear scotty mounts for a Scotty anchor mount. Both frame seats are great, but the Blkft can have 2 seats (with a lower shelf) when needed! I added a great Perception seat back cooler/ storage to both kayaks. Yak Attack makes great optional accessories & quick mighty mounts that work great on all the attached Scotty pads.

[@scopioscopio]

My wife and I was in English Bay, Vancouver, the wind was at 40K and the wave at 1.5 feet, the kayak was solid, just had to fight the drifting a little. All and all, i love this kayak, easy to clean, easy to put it on the roof rack with three ties down....

[@chunkyedwards5381]

Cheers for the brilliant reviews. I have been looking at IK's for a while now and have never been convinced. This one looks just what I am looking for. Love your dog he looks good fun. Cheers from Blighty.

[@AlwaysEnjoyLife]

2021 AG BLACKFOOT 130 added a great framed seat that is adjustable & includes a shelf. Includes 9 SCOTTY Surface Universal mounts for adding fishing accessories. Big time fun for Anglers who need an inflatable kayak.

[@kristaps2010]

new chelans got drop stich floor. and lot of accessory versatility. seats can be put face to face as well. good head stand!

[@Familyintow]

Thanks for the great and honest review. Just ordered one cant wait to get out in it this weekend

[@virginiapaddler4857]

Awesome review.. real world real fun. GREAT JOB

[@susanhallen2787]

Would love to see a review on a few different inflatable kayaks. Seems to work best for my little Honda Fit. Love your videos. Thanks so much!!

[@bbud200]

Great review so handy seeing dog climbing in and out as that was a big worry for me what length was that one a 155 ?

[@zachwoodall7858]

This is an excellent review!!!! Thank you!

[@bobrich1950]

Would be very curious to hear your take on fishing inflatable kayaks at Sea Eagle and NRS as well. Thanks

[@Vidandric]

My fiancé and I just purchased the Sea Eagle 380x and I'm pretty local to you (Suisun) and her family is in Lodi. If you'd like to try it out and/or do a review of it, I'd gladly let you use it. We just recently got into Kayaking and sadly I only found your channel afterward but I'm churning through your videos and really enjoying the content. We will definitely be visiting your Lodi shop, and as I have a vacation home up in Lakehead on Shasta, I'm sure I'll be up in your Redding shop as well.

[@paulbrown3312]

Hi friend. So glad I came across your review of this kayak. I bought one here in UK and your right... Amazing 👍. Not had balls to stand and jump on it yet tho🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Blackcat-fw4tl]

Would you recommend this one or do you wish you went for another brand ? I'm stuck between this and a gumotex palava ?

[@guybrushthreepwood3002]

I just got the 2021 Chelan 155, and had it on sale from Nevisport in the UK. Not actually taken it out yet, but it's been assembled in my living room, and it's very high quality

[@Blackcat-fw4tl]

@@guybrushthreepwood3002 I got it two weeks ago ! Been on Ullswater twice ! Spot on no problems ! Paddles and tracks great ! Very stable also ! Great quality ! Robust yak ! 👍

[@guybrushthreepwood3002]

@@Blackcat-fw4tl That's good to hear, been hard to find info on this boat, but I took a punt on it, as it was a good price. I'm gonna be taking mine out Sunday for an hour to the beach for some sea trials. Have a few things planned for it in the next few weeks, some coastal trips, lakes etc. Can't wait

[@sac_fijian6314]

Why don't you guys demo Sea Eagle inflatables? I just bought the 380X with the drop stitch floor and love it. Not to mention SE offer 3 yrs warranty. Also, is this shot in Rancho Seco? Friendly neighbour here in Elk Grove :).

[@applefel3351]

Great review!!! I love your dog

[@carlpichotta4224]

Your videos are great and very thorough, and I always learn something new from every one of them. ! have one quick question for you, can you please share what pump you used to inflate the kayak? Thanks!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I can’t recall what pump this was. Thanks for watching the review.

[@himabimdimwim]

Fantastic review!

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

I have a similar one to this one (Aquaglide Chinook) and we use it in the sea, just a few hundred yards off the beach, in The English Channel. We are complete amateurs) Great fun for an afternoon out. The bag ours goes in is a bit too small though. We don't have the iflatable seats or the stowage forward.

[@heatherrenton2086]

Great review, just what I was looking for. I've researching inflatables and looking for the best boat I can get for me and my dog. I am so attached to him and visa versa, I can't imagine going out all day or touring without him. This boat seems perfect! Thanks so much!

[@heatherrenton2086]

You can tell Aquaglide your video convinced me to buy the Chelan XL. I am certain my dog and I are going to love it.

[@mortschubert3909]

The video has convinced me. Is that life vest effective? Does it keep you floating?

[@gorila1958]

I have the Aquaglide and I have had folks tell me it will not tolerate the Saltwater abuse. The said watch out for oyster beds. I noticed on this video you went over those reeds like spider grass I think that stuff has some razor sharp stuff. Any thoughts on ocean use . Grass flats areas ??

[@michelleclarkphd]

This was a great review! Do you have any comments about how this compares to the Advanced Elements Tandem?

[@flanneryd]

I'd also like to know how this compares to the Advanced Elements Convertible DS Tandem. Anyone know?

[@neobliviscarisa650]

if you want a more serious explorer kayak, that has inflatable capability then seek the Neris Smart Pro which has a 5 yr warranty. It is a hybrid, i.e. semi folding, semi inflatable.. uk versions have wooden flooring.

[@labtested1]

Hi! Very detailled review - thank you! How do you think it compares to the SeaEagle Fasttrack? Price is about the same. Actually wanted to buy the Fasttrack to replace my old Sevylor... the Chelan looks like a valid option, though. I wonder which one of the two might be the better choice. Any advice that might help me with the decision? :)

[@labtested1]

@daniel florin hongu Why were you unhappy with the Aquaglide? The FT seems to offer more options... trolling motor mount, sail mount and so on. Might be handy to have those options at some point in the future. I messaged Aquaglide and asked a few questions and also asked them to explain how the Chelan compares to the FT... they forwarded my questions to the local distributor in my country and those guys just replied with one single sentence (basically "No, we don't offer a trolling mount."), while ignoring the larger part of my inquiry. I'm not very impressed about that kind of handling of a potential customer. SeaEagle was a bit more helpful, at least they tried. I think, I'll go with the FT385 or FT465...

[@craziivideos1310]

Please do more of these! There's an audience for it and the existing youtube reviews for inflatables suck, they talk out their ass (except JB).

[@garrytempleman2214]

i just got the blackfoot xl love it'

[@RonAllen789]

Hi Here in the UK we had a Chelan Tandem purchased 2.5 years ago and expected it last and were really pleased with it. However, it developed air leaks from the side bladders down where the base sheet is welded onto the underneath of the bladders. The seal appears to be peeling away. Unfortunately out of warrantee. You may like to look out for this problem. Is this something you have come across?

[@jackz5846]

Hi Ron Looking into Chelan ATM. Do you have an update on what happened since that sink? Keen to hear your feedback.

[@olivermarkandmurphy]

Hey Dan. Do you have any experience with Aquaglides Mackenzie 125 inflatable? I just ordered it’s on it’s way. I live in an apartment and my girlfriend were looking for something to take out both in the river and white water.

[@olivermarkandmurphy]

Well I have had the Aquaglide Mackenzie 125 and it’s awesome!!!!

[@BrassLock]

Asking for a friend who lives in the U.S.A, does this kayak have a bathroom?

[@nunzioification]

Japanese designed bidet systems come with each kayak. Thanks for your interest in our kayaks😀 #teamaquaglide

[@scottandrew2632]

What is the difference between this and the newer version 155?

[@subfightersandman]

Have you ever paddled anything from advanced elements? I'm curious what your opinion would be

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Roshan Khan I have not so I can’t say. Would love the opportunity if they sent one to me. Also Oru Kayaks would be fun to review.

[@subfightersandman]

@@HeadwatersKayak cool just thought I would ask, love your channel great information!

[@phillipjacobson4498]

Hi Dan. Great review How do you think the Blackfoot 125hb Compares to a hobie 11si. I'm thinking of adding a aquamarina blue drive to the Blackfoot or Hobie with mirage drive. I recon I won't need mirage drive if I go propulsion. So my question is build design quality, functionality , and accessories. I have a diy rudder ideas in my head for the Blackfoot. Any suggestions?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Phillip Jacobson is go Hobie if it’s in the budget. The quality of the craft and how everything functions is second to none.

[@phillipjacobson4498]

@@HeadwatersKayak I had that feeling to. Its hard for me to justify putting out that kind of money as I won't get to use it as often as I like. Life gets in the way, cold Rainey weather and simply time off. Decisions decisions thanks Dan.

[@slumdutchmillionare]

Pelican 130hd

[@MaggiePaton3]

Do you think this would work for an overnight (two person - backpacking gear)? Would it be an issue to have someone that is 6ft tall in the rear seat?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Maggie Paton absolutely you could came for two out of this thing. Capacity is big and as long as you have compact gear you are fine. 6’ no problem. Tons of leg room. If your interested hit me up I have a demo on sale for $700

[@MaggiePaton3]

Cool, thanks! We are renting one from SF next month. Thanks for the detailed review.

[@charlescusack1609]

Have been trying to decide whether to buy an inflatable or another hard shell kayak. The Aquaglide Chelan 14O was highly recommended by a local (Portland) kayak store and you have confirmed it would be a great choice. The video was so much fun to watch and the review was very thorough. Especially enjoyed the "star" of the video, not you or the kayak but the Golden Retriever. Does he (or she) come with the kayak?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Nice. What store in Portland? I’ve got friends at a few shops up there.

[@emilymaneri677]

Since this video have you gotten your hands on a Sea Eagle? I am in line to get the 385x pro package and I have to say even having purchased it I'm still sitting here going... man, did I pick the right boat? My main concerns are weight limits, maneuverability and over all fit. It's hard not being able to try the boats out. Sammamish usually puts on a boat show were you can try like 150 different kayak set ups but all of that has been cancelled with Covid. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have access to the Sea Eagle line.

[@emilymaneri677]

Funny I just saw you fall in the water after doing an impressive handstand. I have to say we were on the water on rentals today and paddle board yoga came up. I told my friend Paddle board yoga, that's called swimming. We got a kick out of it.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I’ve never messed with The sea eagle. But I would like to.

[@lostinacrowd]

Self bailing if you pull those plugs too.

[@reaganpenner7371]

Like to see how it does in the wind.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Meh not great. Inflatables have a lot higher profile and get blown around more than a hard shell. Still still manageable though.

[@neobliviscarisa650]

could you comment where you think the Chelan fits in the kayak hierarchy against all the competition such the Advanced Explorer Convertablel Gumotex Sea Wave; Sea Eagle Fast Tracks and Explorers or any other brands I have overlooked; whether there is any other inflatable kayak the size of the XL, which ticks as many of the boxes? in UK, it is frustrating, as people either sell one brand or another (e.g. Gumotex Thaya), but has not tried the other brands. so you never get an all round view. any advice would be much appreciated. Want a high performing, durable family kayak, that can be used for exploring too. Plus, how has the quality of the Chelan stood up, as they are made in Asia and only have a one yr warranty in the UK. Check out the Neris Smart Pro tandem folding kayak. Supposed to only take 7 -15 mins to assemble and has a 5 yr warranty!

[@RonAllen789]

As I mentioned above, our Chelan failed after 2 1/2 years, with internal seams unpeeling and allowing air to escape from the side bladders. Yes, 1 yr warrantee but you may get an extra year from the dealer. Check the Consumer legislation however which can last for up to six years.

[@neobliviscarisa650]

@@RonAllen789 that is interesting... and unfortunate too. Just started using mine... I think when the time comes, I will get the Neris Smart Pro hybrid....uk version has a wooden floor. they take between 7 and 15 mins to set up. a bit more fiddly than the Chelan, but in a different league. comes with a 5 yr warranty and made in the Ukraine. check out the Turkey video and that is just the basic version not the Pro version! Most of the dealers I have spoken to, said that they would go beyond the one yr, unofficially. If not, I will slam them with the consumer rights card, as you stated.

[@neobliviscarisa650]

@@RonAllen789 I have been using the Chelan for 2 weeks now. it seems to kayak very well.. I have found even the 240mm Werner's a little short for low angle paddling. Unless my technique is still requiring room for improvement! however, the bag fell apart at the critical seams after lifting once, and the seats showed signs of wearing after 3 sessions. the look goof and feel good, but durability is questionable for the bag and seats.

[@davidlee50]

nICE REVIEW, i WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU ABOUT THE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE BOTTOM INSIDE AND OUT.

[@HamidShibataBennett]

Most folk I see put a floatation device on their dog when heading out on the water, that way they don’t have to pull their dog out by the collar around it’s neck, as you demonstrated. I am curious.... why no life jacket for the pooch?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Hamid Shibata Bennett he has one. We didn’t use it this day.

[@yowsa52]

It's a Golden Retriever.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

@@yowsa52 i.e. dog

[@jeffmezzullo5864]

Is that the 140?

[@deetee-uk]

Is it ok for grade II white water?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

yes totally.

[@ryanscoffield3650]

How would this kayak fare on a river with class III rapids?

[@ryanscoffield3650]

For anyone that wants to know, I took this kayak on the Rio Chamo in NM which has class III- rapids. It did okay. The problem I had was that it kept filling up with water, and isn't really a self-bailing kayak, even with the plugs open. In the bigger rapids my kayak filled with water, and it was difficult to maneuver it with so much water in the boat. It felt like I was in a floating bath tub. I still made it through without problem, but I wouldn't recommend it for anything beyond class II rapids.

[@neobliviscarisa650]

I know people who have used it for that.. has the dump valves

[@ryanscoffield3650]

@@neobliviscarisa650 It didn't really work for me. Maybe you're thinking of a different Aquaglide kayak? Some are self bailing.

[@nunzioification]

@@ryanscoffield3650 I wonder if a diy spray skirt is possible or an aftermarket attachment by aquaglide, hard to find inflatables right now but thinking of buying chinook 120

[@MA-ou5qp]

This man could voice act for *Nicholas Cage* and no one would know.