Transforming an inflatable Drop-Stitch 2-person recreational kayak into the expeditional one

[@drinksafewater]

Excellent - I have been put off by a lot of similar type of craft exhibiting a lot of exposure and a simple splash cover makes a world of difference - I like your patch ideas with 'D' ring and will look at this, and also long permanently attached velcro strips for similar sealing of the cover.

[@cyclinggospel5307]

Great job DIY improvement! Bunch of excellent ideas and good craftmanship! Thanks for sharing video! Now go out and enjoy your kayak! Keep paddling!

[@alexjordan1608]

Thank you Alex, very helpful to kayak’s lovers. Great ideas. I wish you made a video using the kayak in a river with choppy waters, not too wild, just enough to see how your system works with some little waves or rain.

[@Marco.Battilotti]

I think you are a genius: you made perfect customizations

[@tanglewife]

I've just bought this kayak, and it hasn't even arrived yet, but you've inspired me to kit it out similar to this. More money that I "have" to spend now... Thanks very much!

[@hntrains2]

Good ideas! Your spray skirts might be effective in very light rain; in heavier rain, water will pour from the skirt into the boat. A full, all-around spray skirt might be a better option.

[@nataliechilds4259]

Very clever. I have the same tandem kayak and love the modifications this guy has made.

[@leCORBU64]

i'm Alberto, from Spoleto, Italy, Many thanks Alexander for your great and informative video !!!!! I am planning to modify my kayak as well with your valuable advices !

[@ChristopheJaja]

Nice modifications specialy for windy conditions, will think about it 😊

[@herberar]

That's a clever and cool transformation! I hope you 'll both enjoy your adventures very much! Cheers!!!

[@Nick-ye8pf]

Amazing ingenuity. The thumbs up at the end was endearing. Love it.

[@kwatyk]

This cover is brilliant. They should sell these.

[@TonyTurboRST]

INGENIOUS! I love the innovation. I only wish you talked us through it and how did everything. I can only assume you glued everything on? I’d love to see it being used out on the water 👏🏻

[@Elfraty]

Thanks for the brilliant idea!

[@Alexandre.Savine]

I plan to do similar spray/rain protection for my SE380X. It is self-bailing, but the less water gets in, the faster it gets out. 👍

[@Tonnyfasting]

Thanks for showing :) Just bought one and was wondering how I could prepare it just for that You just show it :)

[@marcoghidella7222]

Well done ! great job

[@DeletedPonyVideos]

Interesting. I hadn't thought of adding patches to the outside of the kayak with glue. Guess it's flat enough to hold tight and not let water get under the seal.

[@beatles0ru]

блин, какие же эти пятака под приклейку огромные... надо в цвет подбирать)

[@Alexandre.Savine]

Ну вы, батенька, эстет! Мы в стародавние времена автомобильные шины на полоски резали, чтобы "Таймени" по кильсонам да стрингерам проклеивать. Чёрное на зелёном. Зато "броня крепка"!

[@tesm9712]

Wow. I wish this was regular equipment.

[@gordonthomson7533]

I'd like to know how it all worked out in reality. Normally velcro and water aren't a great mix!

[@dt3269]

This is like a Pimp My Boat show.

[@Serpheos]

2560 dollars? Holy shit that is expensive as hell. I just ordered that same exact one for about 915 dollars in Sweden. Aqua Marina Tomahawk 440 :)

[@niktznany8871]

same in Poland. About 1k EUR. 2560 USD is a horrible price.

[@bikeloverksiegus]

@@niktznany8871 1 k EUR to prawie 5000, a do kupienia jest za 3500, czyli za około 750 EUR/USD (nie bawiąc się w aptekę, hihi), to wielka różnica. Ciekawe skąd? Czy posiadasz ten kajak?

[@Kennardy]

How about a video of it on the water? I’d like to see it in action.

[@JasonSmith-wj2ht]

what adhesive did you use? Or is it just the backing that comes on the Velco?

[@On-Target-mh8rx]

Hi Alexander. What a good idea to make a protection this way. I'm also going to make this, but have a question for you. What glue did you use for the Velcro and D-rings?

[@AlexanderNeshmonin]

I believe this was the one: www.amazon.ca/dp/B07CBH4BG7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[@bahuspl2306]

ITIWIT X500 Strenfit tandem it's perfect for expedition kayak..

[@GubEmit]

where did you get the deck aprons?

[@northernadventurer160]

Please add some affiliate links to purchase in your description. Some things I might look to take on. The tarps are an idea to keep light splashes out but I wouldn't be expecting much more than that. The thigh straps look overkill for the scenario.

[@AlexanderNeshmonin]

Here we are: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B083DDHZXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B06XPWN6JZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B081RCSSLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08L7R8JYN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0000DCVYK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ... and this one - to make the cover: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08FDND8FH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@rangerdoc1029]

Where did you get the thigh straps?

[@marekzaba]

Hi. What is the name of this rubber circle brackets you glued to the side of yours kayak?

[@jimmortlock7186]

I have spent a lot of time looking for these. I originally purchased something similar at MEC, and they don't carry them anymore. He calls I a "leer" in his written description but has no luck finding anything under that name. I did find Vinyl tie-downs with aprons through Whitewater Designs, Inc in Eugene, Oregon.

[@mazdaram226]

Superb

[@shady_manox]

Is that Australia-Amazon? My was under $900 USD (Europe)!

[@nancyaldred7254]

What material did you use, and how did you attach velcro to kayak ?

[@EmmeryCheung]

How are the seats in that kayak? Seems like they don't have much support but maybe its still comfortable enough.

[@Onewonton]

Did you make the skirts yourself?

[@TheBachi89]

hey :) nice ide... PLEASE can you write down the name of the single Parts you use? Whats the name of the round parts on the both sides? And what do you use for the cover plane?

[@AlexanderNeshmonin]

Here we are: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B083DDHZXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B06XPWN6JZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B081RCSSLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08L7R8JYN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0000DCVYK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ... and this one - to make the cover: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08FDND8FH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@henrilacourciere4225]

A very nice expedition kayak...3 grants....is expensive for a "middle" $ ...with a family...

[@mortschubert3909]

Have you thought of making a full spray deck?

[@norbertmusic2438]

I just LOVE the acoustic music!!! Who is playing??

[@Omniverse_]

normally this boat costs only 1000... and i think you better buyed a real kajak with Spray Deck instead of a kanu without it...

[@rockykoast7065]

I like this! Pity they're not available as options?! Where do you get the 'leers'?

[@STho205]

Sure this works, but why bother? If you can transport all that assumed expedition gear to the shore, then you can transport an actual ridgid boat that can't spring an air leak and is a better boat. This inflatable is not really a kayak of any type. It is flat bottomed, hard chined and top open. It is an inflatable Louisiana/Florida pirouge boat. Not hating...just asking WHY?..the video popped up randomly. Best of times to you. Stay safe and dry.

[@Zaphodox]

it is very hard to transport a 14' long rigid. There are many great places to explore that are realistically only accessible with something as highly portable as an inflatable. If i had a way to move a 14' rigid i would not have purchased a high pressure inflatable. It's a compramise.

[@STho205]

@@Zaphodox odd I take a 14' kayak on rooftop of a Ford Fiesta into the high mountains and down to the Gulf bays and bayous. That's a small car. It really isn't nearly as hard as blowing up, worrying about punctures with gear, deflating, sorta drying, rolling back out at home, drying fully to avoid mildew stink and rot, folding up, stowing. Hard-shell 14ft, 20lbs, lots of cargo room in and atop, 4 minutes to load and tie, 4 minutes to unload and stack on the rack. I had an inflatable when I had a convertible. Still keep it for bouncing down a class 3 short run like a steerable tube... Which is what it is. Been patched six times. Probably this is her last year.

[@kevinklasman]

@@STho205 Lots of people have no place to store a hard shell kayak. Or only have tall vehicles that make it very difficult, especially if you're short, to load a hard shell kayak on the roof. And no room to store a trailer. Ask me how I know. A Ford Fiesta isn't going to get me where I want to go, with all the stuff I want to carry on extended camping trips. This is very clever and addresses the needs of people in similar situations.

[@mikihaus1621]

@@STho205 Great. You just forgot to mention the assistant who is there to follow you by car and to pick you up 300 km down the river. Also, next time take your rigid kayak to a train, bus, or airplane. Send us your impressions and photos. Btw: try a drop-stitch kayak. (Note: do not try to say you did.)

[@STho205]

@@mikihaus1621 well this quirky little couple is in a single family dwelling house with yard, so they are likely to have their own car (maybe two) to transport their boat or use a standard outfitter shuttle. If you need an assistant to travel behind two tandem kayakers to load or unload a rigid kayak that weighs probable several pounds less than this rig and accessories mind you or run them back up river. .. They are not fit enough to kayak themselves. So stop being silly. These blow up boats have their purpose, I have a couple too, but if you're going to do the serious stuff they act like they are getting ready for...posing on their lawn... , they need the right boat... Not a open blow up canoe with $10 tarps velcro rigged to look like spray and sea skirts to handle rolling or serious wash. The drop stitch design would need to be a closed deck boat, not a Pirougue design.

[@bojanivanovic1631]

nice mod

[@joeordinary209]

Sorry to see You overpaid a lot for this kayak....

[@jameschang9415]

[@riekusnieboer9839]

Where did you buy these spray skirts?