Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

There was a slow leak on one side from the very first use. Not as easy to carry as the Spree One.

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

Hopefully I won't get too wordy but I think it helps to have background on the reviewer so you know where they are coming from. For the last few years I've been paddling an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 sit on top, which as the name implies is 15 feet long. Due to its length, even without a skeg, the kayak tracked quite straight and due to its width, it was a very stable ride and was an excellent platform to fish from. One downside to the large hardshell kayak was that it was big and awkward when out of the water, requiring a little cart to roll it around on and a small step ladder so I could load it on the roof of my Land Rover. While 50 or so lbs isn't that heavy, the large size of the kayak, combined with the weight made it extremely difficult for one person to handle loading and unloading of it. Though I had plenty of space to store it, honestly it really was just too much effort to get it out, loaded, and on the water, and because of that I started to paddle less and less. I made the decision to sell the kayak and look at smaller inflatable boats, as they would presumably be easier to deal with in most regards when compared to the larger hardshell kayaks. Looking at the various options under $600, the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame kayak was at the top of the list at $400 and appeared to be a very nice boat with great user reviews, though at this point I had started to lean in the direction of an inflatable canoe that could hold my wife as well with the ability to run as a solo boat carrying gear for a week or more, specifically the Sevylor Colorado. When all was said and done, I had ordered both the Pointer K1 and the Colorado for under $600, giving me both a solo sit in kayak and a 2 person canoe, and I've been quite happy with that decision. My first impressions of the Pointer K1 were pretty good. The bottom two thirds of the kayak is rubberized and appeared quite tough, while the ABS plastic inserts in both the front and back of the boat really helped define the shape of the hull. Once inflated along with the piece of deck ABS to assist with shedding of water, the flat pile of fabric I had laid out on my lawn finally started to take on the shape of an actual kayak. While the fabric material used for the Colorado is extremely stout, the fabric on the Pointer is just a mid-weight nylon fabric much like that found in backpacks, however for the most part, it is only really exposed on the inside and the deck areas, so it presumably doesn't need to be exceptionally tough, though it will let water through the deck with prolonged exposure unless you coat it with a water resistant spray. Attaching the strap on the back of the seat to the rear deck helps pull it up and hold its shape, and the portal cover cinches down surprisingly tight with its simple shock corded system. At the fore and aft of the kayak are very sturdy carrying handles should you want to carry it with two people, though honestly it is small and light enough that it is very easy to just sling the cockpit over your shoulder and walk off with it. The bungee cord attached to the deck is functional, and with the ABS plastic insert below deck, I found I was able to carry a few things up there without it sagging, though I wouldn't put anything truly heavy there. On the sides of the boat are simple shock cords with hooks that allow you to attach your paddle to the side when stopped or when you decide to drift and the "keep it simple stupid" method works very well here. Another little perk is the mesh bag that attaches just inside the deck in between your legs, providing secure storage for sunglasses, keys/wallet or a water bottle. The attaching cord is long enough that you can move it to the side, or swing it onto the top deck and under the bungee cords there to keep it out of the way. As an added bonus, the kayak's adjustable seat is actually surprisingly comfortable, offering very solid lower back support. The structure of the boat itself of course depends on inflation, and when properly inflated using either a pump with a gauge or the Coleman gauge sold separately, the kayak is actually surprisingly rigid in shape, but soft and comfortable to ride in. As an added bonus, if it didn't already come with enough clever features it comes with an included spray skit for white water, and considering that this boat can be had for just over $200 it is honestly astounding that you can get so much for so little. When properly inflated to 1.5psi as per the instruction manual, the kayak does in fact track quite well, and to be perfectly honest, I was quite surprised at this. In nearly all of the negative themed reviews people complained of tracking, speed compared to a fiberglass boat and finally a few with popped bladders. Comparing a [$] inflatable to even the cheapest hardshell with regards to speed is just nonsense, and as for tracking and bladder issues, I cannot say for certain but they are both directly related to improper inflation and on that note, with inflatables no electric air mattress pump will give you the proper pressure; it can take you 90% of the way, but you'll need to finish if off with a hand pump that ideally has a pressure gauge built in, or stop and check every so often to ensure you don't over-inflate the tubes. If I have one complaint, that would be the size inside the boat. I am 5'10" with size 11 1/2 feet and I do find that I have to go barefoot, which is acceptable, however I still must wedge my feet into the front just a tad, or angle them straight up. I would personally only recommend this kayak to people shorter than 5'10" and most likely this will become my wife's (who is 5'4") as it would be an absolutely perfect fit. While I've only had it out for a few hours at a time, it did start to get slightly uncomfortable in the foot area towards the end, so I'm not sure how well it would work on a longer "expedition" style trip along the coast, or across larger bodies of water. That said, this boat is actually remarkably versatile, briefly setting the size issue aside you can use this for calm rivers and lakes, you can take it into mild ocean waters and due to its size, maneuverability, and stability, with the included spray skirt, it would pull duty as a whitewater kayak with ease. So where do I put this kayak? I give it a very solid 4, and if I could do half or quarter stars, I'd likely put it at 4 and a quarter. With stronger waterproof deck material and a little more leg room, this could be a solid contender for a 5 in my book as a light to medium duty recreational kayak, which is exactly what it was intended for. Performance on the water is great, it packs light and small, and the whole boat costs as much as some expensive kayak paddles. Keeping in mind that the only other kayak in this price range is twice as much and does not include a spray skirt, this is simply a fantastic deal on a fun boat.

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

I bought this kayak after I had to sell my rigid kayak when I moved from my old rental home to my new condo (with no garage and very limited storage space). When the kayak is packed up, I can squeeze it under my bed and easily fit it in the trunk of my little 2 door Mitsubishi. I was a little worried about stability at first, but this kayak is actually very stable - easily as stable as my old rigid kayak was. It tracks quite well and is easy to maneuver around light to moderate obstructions. It's stylish and it gets a lot of positive attention out on the rivers. The only real downside to this kayak is that it can be difficult to paddle and is noticeably slower than a rigid kayak (it doesn't quite cut through the water as a rigid kayak would) but this doesn't bother me too much as I am a recreational kayaker. So, for me, it was either this or pay 4x more for a folding kayak. I made my decision and I'm happy with it.

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

This is a great kayak. It inflates and deflates in about 5 minutes, is light enough to carry single-handedly, and is very stable in the water. It also fits in the bag nicely. It doesn't come with a pump though, so plan on buying one separately. I've only used it in calm water so far (a couple of ponds and a cove off of a river), but it handles well so I'm going to try it in rapids and possibly on open water, like a bay or the ocean. This is my first kayak and I am very happy with it so far. Definitely recommend it.

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

We use ours off the back of our sailboat. It's great for viewing sea caves on lake superior

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

i am most impressed as are so many other people
with whom i have come in contact with. it's
amazing that a kayak albeit inflatable handles
so well, is so comfortable and offer so much
diversity. It's like floating down a river
on your sealy. I took it on two rivers and a bunch
of lakes and barely had it 6 weeks. Awesome. I will be purchasing a hard shell kayak just because i want to say i have both.

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

I've taken the K1 out twice on flat water, and it's performed flawlessly. So easy to inflate, and it tracks like a dream. My only complaint is, that it's a bit crowded in the cockpit for folks with long legs and/or large feet. Otherwise, this is a great value and so much fun!

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

We use this Kayak in the Gulf & Ocean. It is VERY Comfortable... better than we expected!! Very Pleased overall! Light Weight enough to transport, yet solid enough to be durable in the water.
Tracks real well and is easy to paddle. Easy to inflate & deflate! My 81 year old father can get in & out of it without too much trouble!
Folding it up to put away into the bag takes time & a little effort... but what inflatable kayak wouldn't! HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS KAYAK!!

Comments about Sevylor Pointer K1 Inflatable 1-Person Kayak:

having a nice kayak like this one makes your trip so much more enjoyable. And its not overpriced.