ITIWIT X500 3 MONTHS ON

[@siberx4]

Great point about storing all the _other_ equipment. I have a rigid rotomoulded sea kayak that I'm lucky to be able to store hoisted to the ceiling on my balcony despite living in a condo, and since it's rigid I actually store nearly all my other gear *inside the kayak* such that it doesn't take up any space beyond the kayak itself. All told it's still more difficult to store than an inflatable, but the difference isn't as big as you'd first expect.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Yes storage is always a supice, or should I say the amount of gear you end up having to store is a supice. 👍

[@HardBassManiac]

Thank you sir. After 2 years of having a cheap inflatable kajak, it got a leak and i can't fix it. So i'm looking for a new one and i'm willing so throw some money at it. I have been viewing couple video's on the Itiwit x500 and i was hesitant buying this one because of the stability thing. After your video i'm have made my mind to buy this one.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Glad I could help You won't be disappointed. Happy paddling

[@mrnobodieswildcampingadventure]

Want to do sea fishing as well as wild camping along rivers, so going for the Aquaglide Blackfoot 130. Would rather have a rigid but I have my old girl, the Corsa and live in an upstairs apartment. So inflatable is the way for me. Yes the price is without a paddle past a £1000 but I want something that is stable and from a company well versed in making good strong inflatable kayaks. The X500 is a great boat but unfortunately does not tick all the boxes for the use I want it for.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

I agree with you, not a great boat for sea fishing, so sounds like you have made the right decision. Good luck on the water, I will have a haddock if you managed to catch any.

[@katherinewheatcroft3617]

Really useful video. Especially re storage and maintenance. With all sports, if you don't look after your kit, it won't look after you! Advertising always tries to imply minimum effort, max enjoyment. If your passionate about your hobby or sport, you'll put in the effort too.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

WELL SAID COULDN'T AGREE MORE

[@6yjjk]

Bought my X500 in February, although I couldn't get it wet till well into May (Finnish winter is nice like that). I love everything about it except... the seat. Damned uncomfortable after a few hours, and last week the material between seat and back ripped almost right across as I was removing the seat. Decathlon are happy enough to replace it under warranty, but it's more complicated because they have no stores here.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

I do agree that you start to feel the seat on your backside after a while. It sounds like you've been very unlucky, with the seat splitting. Hope you get a new one soon. Don't know if this will help, but I have a quick tip for you. I put a piece of foam on the seat, Just to make it a little bit more comfortable when I'm out for longer paddles. Thanks for watching I Hope you enjoyed the video.👍👍

[@6yjjk]

@@THE-RIVER-RAT Definitely have to do something for the multi-day missions I've got planned (this year's was pain). @AirOnTheWater has a really nice gel pad for his X500 seat. The more ideas, the merrier. I keep hoping Decathlon (or someone else) will come up with a better seat that fits this "plug-in system".

[@markosborne1740]

Thanks for the great video - very helpful! Would it be possible to tie a loop of rope to each of the handles to make carrying easier? Agree though that it's a shame the grips are so far apart!

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Thanks glad you liked it. Yes you could tie a rope between the handles for carrying it however you would have to remember to remove the Rope before getting in the kayak, because if you tipped the boat and fell in the water the Rope could get stuck on your life jacket when you're trying to get back into the boat. But still a good idea. 👍

[@AgiHammerthief]

I‘ve test driven the Pakayak, was not happy with it. The transitions between the sections make the hull „not fair“ especially the the first bow segment. Was considering taping the seam over with 1“ wide electrical tape or stich up some sort of canvas sock to put over to fair out the hull.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. However I think you may have just been unlucky because I have never heard of anyone who had problems with it.

[@AgiHammerthief]

@@THE-RIVER-RAT youtuber ToBoFilm had the same experience with a quick test drive: The bow really bites into any wave that comes it’s way. I hope they are going to update the shape of the hull a bit next time their forms wear out. Conceptually I would prefer the Pakayak to any inflatable - 6 solid shapes that fit on a 7ft x 5ft balcony to clean & dry.

[@Cel12495]

I’m going to need a trolley. Where is yours from, please?

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

I picked it up from Amazon here is a link www.amazon.co.uk/Aluminium-Foldable-Portable-Industrial-Extendable/dp/B0BYSD2V72/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0?pd_rd_w=Js4AW&content-id=amzn1.sym.6aea875e-359f-49f3-864f-cff62d586b6a%3Aamzn1.symc.ca948091-a64d-450e-86d7-c161ca33337b&pf_rd_p=6aea875e-359f-49f3-864f-cff62d586b6a&pf_rd_r=F72K44NDVTVX9PZEW4CD&pd_rd_wg=FAjI1&pd_rd_r=d9dfe780-d054-4e46-93b0-f6bb92905228&pd_rd_i=B0BYSD2V72

[@marie-claudelariviere1092]

I think those straps are there to hang on to your boat if you go overboard, not really to carry the kayak. I think.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Hi, I spoke to Mark at Decathlon about this last year and he told me those handles were placed in this position for multiple reasons, one being getting back into the boat if you fell in by pushing the boat between your legs grabbing the handles and pulling yourself up from the back on the front, and as you said something to hold onto whilst in the water. But also to carry the boat if you're out with a group of friends as in three more. which actually surprised me.

[@drewmulholland1294]

You cant order in UK discontinued until further notice.!?

[@drewmulholland1294]

It's back on sale

[@NicksExploration]

3 months already! Wow time flysheet. Pleased you still love it mate

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Cheers Nick, yep 3 months. Saying time flys it was 2 months ago when you give me a tow, doesn't seem that long. 🍻👍

[@prizzyhoney]

I’ve been looking at a used kayak just to get my feet wet and also found a place near by that rents

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Go for it buddy you won't be disappointed, I would recommend the rent option first or just in case you don't like it but I'm sure you will it's a great way to relax and de-stress.

[@advanhal6329]

Thank you for this nice video!

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Thanks Glad you liked it!.

[@patriksadventures]

Now following you from this channel as well 😎

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Cheers mate much appreciated 👍👍

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

And do you wash it straight away or can you leave it a day if your knackered in the bag…and do it the next day…is it safe to do that? Or are you just better washing it right away chief?

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Hi, You don't have to wash your Kayak as soon as you get home, you can leave it as long as you want. However, if you have been out in the water with contaminants, such as diesel, I would wash it ASAP, and as it happens I wash my kayak as soon as I get out of the water and before I pack it away. For this job I picked up a small portable jet wash. Hear is a link to the first time I use it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4bHnH1qrsado9k

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

@@THE-RIVER-RAT yeah I’m just watching that very video right now with the mini power wash, that looks like a right time saver! Well worth the investment. Also I’ve just noticed the d rings on yours? Did you add those yourself? Because that’s hella clever

[@darinblanchard4593]

How many hours can you be out paddling before having to top up the inflation? Will it remain rigid for several hours?

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

I tested this indoors, and after 18 hours it lost no air pressure. The longest I have tested outdoors is 7 hours with no loss of pressure. Hope this helps

[@darinblanchard4593]

@@THE-RIVER-RAT Excellent results! Thanks for the info, and sorry to hear about River Rat I, but best of luck with River Rat II 🐀

[@DivizijaDuhova]

point 65 modular kayaks or pakayak?

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

PakAyaK all day long

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

I will just add the 65 is wider so more stable for newer paddles. But not as well made.

[@DivizijaDuhova]

@@THE-RIVER-RAT what about NATSEQ modular kayak, it has higher quality connection mechanism compared to point 65. what's your opinion about natseq compared to pakayak

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

We really need a v1 vs v2 comparison, isn’t one vid on KZbin comparing them. I have the v1 and it’s always interested me in the difference

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Would be interesting to see.

[@AirOnTheWater]

I have a 1-year video coming up on multiple models including the X500 and have wanted to do gear videos a while but I'm paddling too much and there's too much footage to share 😂 You made the point better about the gear than I could explain though. If I were to share all the gear and kayaks I've accumulated people would panic 😂 Smart using the trolley to store the yak upwards btw.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Thanks buddy much appreciated, and yes it's shocking how much Gear you can accumulate without realising.

[@aim4grace97]

It’s the sonic shirt for me. 🫶 Thanks for addressing the instability perception and covering details of things that I as a buyer was definitely worried about, that aren’t really covered in other videos. Your approach has earned a like and subscribe!!! 😊

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Sorry, it's taken so long to reply. But I have been offline for a while. But thanks much appreciated