How to Winterize your Advanced Elements Kayak

In this video I answer viewers questions on "How to Winterize your Advanced Elements Kayak".

[@markmeacham7110]

Thanks for the walkthrough! After a recent float down a local river, I made a bad decision to leave my kayak in the back yard overnight. And then a torrential rain storm came up. Since everything was soaked I had to totally disassemble, dry, and reassembly. Your video was super-helpful for getting everything back in place!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching. 🙏

[@boblem5994]

I bought the Sport on your recommendations three years back but was unable to use it until this summer because of health reasons. I've had a blast using this kayak and everything they said about the benefits are true. I see people struggling with their hard shells mounting and dismounting from their vehicles and mine folds nicely and into the car. The downside of how these kayaks taking so long to dry was a real concern for me however and the idea of disassembly was intimidating until I saw this video. Thank you for doing this video and I am back to being 100% happy with my purchase. Can't wait till next year!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Firstly, I’m happy you are back healthy and on the water. I had gotten many questions about that subject so I decided to produce a video on that subject. Glad it helped. Thanks for watching

[@RMJ1984]

This is actually a lot less complicated than i would have thought, seems really straight forward. Thanks for the video Sir!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching

[@thepaulmacfarlane]

Outdid yourself with this one ...so complete and useful....I kayak deep into winter but there will be a 2-3 month period of little no use so will do EXACTLY as you showed. Thanks again!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

The 1101 Experiment Sorry for the late response as I’m into my kayaking season and I have been really busy. I’m glad you found this useful. I know I use this process the beginning of summer. Way to hot to paddle in Florida summers.

[@allisonnixon1920]

Thank you, Mr. D. I took my AE Sport apart, and was having trouble reassembling. Your video was a great help!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

I’m glad it helped. Thanks for watching

[@barmachale]

This was a very helpful and well-made video. Thank you. We just purchased an AE1007-E (with identical construction) and found it helpful to actually see what our boat would look like inside and how to care for it. We are in the Puget Sound and will need to be on guard against mold, mildew, etc. I appreciate all of your AE-related videos and hope that you keep them coming.

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching

[@samarasbasilios5207]

i have the frame one ....this video was very helpful.thank you so much.cheers from greece

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

You are very welcome, thanks for watching

[@mtslyh]

This is a great walk-through of how to take the kayak completely apart. I like your custom strap for the drop stitch floor. I'm going to borrow that idea. I already purchased that same strapping and snaps from Amazon. I used it to make a strap that holds the seat in place so that it doesn't slide forward when sitting in the kayak. It has proven to be very handy and works very well. So I have plenty of extra strapping and buckles left over for other projects like this one. I disassemble my whole boat after each time I take it out to make sure it is dry so I'm already doing most of these things after each use. I never know when I'm going to get a chance to go back out so I never officially "winterize" my boat. My boat is always ready for winter in case I don't get the chance to use it again. Thanks for putting this together!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Treasure Pirate Sorry for the tardy response in my kayak season, no excuse but thugs get a little hectic the beginning of a new season. Glad you enjoyed the vid. That process works well for me.

[@jayspot4]

Excellent instructions and exceptional camera work! Thank you so much Mr. Simmons! From your reviews and recommendations I already own the AE Sports and AE Advance Frame kayaks (sold the Sport to my sister). Looking to buy the Island Voyager 2 for longer camp trips :-)

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

James, I’m so sorry for the late response, as I just seen your comment. I happy you’re happy with the AE’s. For my longer trips I use the Expedition Elite. Again I apologize for my tardy response. Thanks for watching

[@jayspot4]

@@DaleMrDSimmons no worries sir! keep up the great reviews! safe travels :-)

[@brucewayne2091]

well done. I remember taking the inner bladder out to repair the hole it had. I had much more colourful language reassembling that you did :)

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Bruce Wayne You made me laugh Bruce, Thanks

[@KKBG]

I love your vids.

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

KK 81 Thank you and thanks for watching

[@4745jay]

Trying to come up with the funds for the sport model. You have me sold on it being my first kayak. im with team river runners now and use their equipment and want my own for videos and just enjoying the day in. I was a medic in the army but in a wheelchair now and the AE kayak would suite me well. I have a few vids up and wanting to make more. keep up with the great videos.

[@mtslyh]

I would recommend getting the AE Sport DS package with the drop stitch floor and pump from Airkayaks. If you weigh over 150 pounds you will end up wanting either the drop stitch floor or the backbone to keep the kayak from "tacoing" while you are in it. The standard floor is just not stiff enough for anyone over 150 pounds. If you know ahead of time that you will want the drop stitch floor then buy it up front as part of the AE1017DS package from Airkayaks because it will save you a lot of money that way. The floor by itself is usually $180. The package price is only $100 more than getting the boat by itself. You also get the pump included with the package which is typically another $40. So when you add it all up, you get about $220 worth of extras but only pay an extra $100 over the price of the original boat. By the way, I'm not affiliated with Airkayaks. Just a happy customer. :)

[@philiplongee1149]

I bought the Sport 2 years ago but opted for the backbone for better tracking in tricky currents. Also the Sport DS is only sold in blue. Not as bright as yellow with blue graphics. Important with jet skiers and power boaters going 30kts on the water. I'll consider the drop stitch later. I just had it on the water yesterday on the Potomac River and had a great time. So stable and quick despite being so light.

[@krakenzzistrash5351]

Such a cool intro

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Smashgaming99 Thank you, it was fun to make.

[@smskitch9014]

Really helpful information. How do you maintain during the season? It almost seems like you have to repeat the process to dry it out between uses. Thanks again!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Between uses I just wipe it down and let it dry on the patio. No disassembly required unless an undue amount of water entered the cockpit area and the main bladder enclosures got wet beyond just the cockpit area. Then I remove the the main chambers from the outer skin and dry them out separately. That’s not a normal occurrence.

[@briangknarr]

Mr D, when do you apply a UV protectant like 303?

[@jacobcastle2741]

Mr. D, during the kayaking season when you store the kayak, do you remove the DS-floor? Or do you keep it in and fold the yak? Thanks!

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

During the season I keep it installed.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

I heard you had to disassemble the AE any time you got water inside of it so to dry it out and prevent mold. If you go with just the backbone floor, is that comfortable for stepping into the boat?

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

I only dissemble my yaks at the end of the season for seasonal storage. For standard drying time I just place it on my patio 50% inflated for a day or so. That dries it out well. The backbone with the stock floor is not comfortable for me. I converted all my AE’s to dropstich floors. Hope that helps.

[@donnarochna2959]

Mr D, now that you have the Airvolution, do you have to take that one all apart to clean it like this too?

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

There is nothing to take apart with the Airvolution. All I do is clean it well with Simple Green or something like that and put it away. Thanks for watching.

[@donnarochna2959]

@@DaleMrDSimmons thank you so much! That was the answer I was hoping for. Can't thank you enough how much knowledge I am gaining by watching your videos. I love photography too and am just considering purchasing kayaks to enjoy with my family. I think you have me sold on the Airvolution.

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

@@donnarochna2959 thank you Donna. Yes, the AirVolution is a very low maintenance kayak and is superior on water. It is so good I sold my Hobie a couple weeks ago. Now all we have are AE yaks, a lot of them 7 to be exact. 😂 It’s out of control 😅😂🤣

[@jacobcastle2741]

Just curious... And sorry if I missed this in the video... Why do you roll the floor instead of leaving in and folding?

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Rolling of the floor reduces creasing in long term storage situations.

[@jacobcastle2741]

What do you do if the bottom hull does have a scrape or hole?

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

I just put a small patch on it

[@jacobcastle2741]

@@DaleMrDSimmons the kind from the repair kit? Or would you use tear aid?

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

From your repair kit

[@jimbossimrigs7961]

Hi Dale. Had my first run out today on a local canal with backbone installed. On post paddle inspection iv noticed what look like some pitted areas on the bottom, I first thought 'has something in the canal been sticking up' but there are no scratches, I then thought this may be from being folded where it was creased to a point. photos.app.goo.gl/GvU8dkpo8pasS2ZP6 photos.app.goo.gl/A7GAuFXJNJUUthb99 photos.app.goo.gl/BneamqFVJnkM6kxp9 Have you had anything like this? Is this normal? I also had a 'rough' area on the PU underside directly where the backbone spade goes at the front. Any ideas? Maybe once it's dried and warmed up (it's cold here in the UK, 8 degrees) it will pull straight. Any thoughts appreciated. James.

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

Jimboz SimRigs I have never seen anything like that. Is that a new craft? If it is retake the pics (better lighting) and send them to [e-mail]

[@kriscaffrey4615]

Makes me regret getting one of these lol...that is too much work

[@DaleMrDSimmons]

You just do that once a season, or not. Totally up to you. 😃