Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak

Working in Entebbe, Uganda and right on the shore of Lake Victoria, I needed a good kayak in a bad way but couldn't find one for sale in the area and tried through several sources to find something that would work, but to no avail. Then I scanned Amazon for some different models, brands, and types of kayaks that would be suitable and possibly delivered.. but insane expensive to deliver or ship sent me to the inflatable options. This FireFly sounded good based on all the reviews and I was not disappointed at all. Now the down and dirty on this awesome package! I timed everything so I could pick it up on my 2 week vacation and bring it back with me on the plane to Uganda. First, it was delivered in record time and neatly packaged tight. The kayak fabric/rubberized material was very strong and durable. Instructions on proper care and maintenance were super simple to understand. The FireFly, airpump, and 2 sectional oar, all fit nicely in 1 checked bag that was will within the baggage fee. Once Back in Entebbe, I couldn't wait to get in the water. It has seperate air bladders for floor and inner/outer shells and inflated easily. As per the instructions, each bladder also has it's own air preassure but my pump as a guage so it was simple, however, depending on your body size and displacement, I found it to be very flexable. I am 6' and 170lbs..Fully inflated, this fit me like a driving glove.. very snug and secure. Out on Lake Victoria, the Kayak handled crisp and fast on flat water.. som reviews mention that it needs a keel but it actually has a small keel and some people just need to pracice their technique. Lake Victoria, being the largest fresh water lake on the continent, can also get pretty nasty duriing the rainy/storm season resulting in 3'-7' waves making for a fun and exciting trip. I could stay out and play for hours as this kayak was stable through it all and not once rolling over. I took it later up the Congo river to see how it would act in some rougher conditions and even with some side slipping, it swam perfectly. At times when it was flat water and my legs would get stiff inside, it was even more comfortable to use the kayak as a recliner and just throw my feet on top, lean back and take a nap. Now that I am back in the states for a while, I sold my kayak to a mate in Entebbe and baught a second one for my time here in the states. I will be getting my wife one soon for her birthday as well, since she has been wanting us to kayak together. In closing, if you are looking for a snug inflatable, then you can stop looking. It is snug on me, so I should say that if you are over 6'2" and 200lbs, this will be too small for you but I'm sure I'll see you in a larger kayak in the Intercoastal Water way some day, ay? Happy Paddlin- Cheers Mates!

We LOVE these kayaks, and buy one for each of our kids as they reach about age 12 and are ready to kayak on their own rather than in the shared double-+ Advanced Elements kayak with Dad.The negatives: This IS like a duck in the water, in the sense that it does track far to the right and left as you paddle. It "waddles". It is not elegant. And it's wide, so you need a longer paddle to clear the sides. Furthermore, this is not the boat for you if you have very long legs. My tall 14-yo son has to use my much-higher-model-and-more-$$$ Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame kayak. :( :( :( Bye bye, beautiful AdvancedFrame that was supposed to be mine. :( :( You have to be under 5'8 or be taller but with proportionally shorter legs to be comfy in this, I think. My hubbie is 6 ft but with a loooong torso and short legs and is fine in this.Yet do you see I still gave this a full 5 stars? As long as you know the limitations of this boat, it is AWESOME.Stores fabulously: tons of space in the bag, unlike earlier Advanced Elements models (including my AdvancedFrame) where you have to cram and cram and curse under your breath to get it back in the bag. SUPER-quick and easy to inflate (again, unlike my beloved AdvancedFrame). Light enough to be easily chucked up into and out of a rooftop box by one woman, and hand-carried in its bag to the lake, rather than on a trolley. (Again, unlike the AdvancedFrame.)This kayak is still a chunk of a paycheck, but is a great deal for the price, and MUCH more affordable than other models. It is GREAT quality, like all the other Advanced Elements kayaks. I learned kayaking on a hardbody, yet prefer these great inflatables for their FAR greater stability in the water (super-important with kiddos), and I also simply find them more comfy than hardbodies. And the storability/portability is just beyond compare.Comparing this to earlier-edition Fireflys, there's a snazzy huge "the boat belongs to" contact square printed on, for your boater's name and contact info. GREAT if stolen, or lost. I'm too frazzled a mom to have noticed the other updates. (Sorry, Advanced Elements design team.)I hope Advanced Elements never stops making these. I do wish they could make an extra-long version of this (PLEASE????) with about 8-10 more inches of leg room, and I'd pay more for that model if it became available. But this one is still 5 stars, as long as you know its limitations.

This is a perfect kayak for a short person or youth. This is my 2nd AE kayak and I like this one the best. I will outline the pro and cons below:Pros:1. Easy to carry.2. Very comfortable for me, I am 5'3" tall female.3. Easy to care for, wipe down and done.4. Handles waves with ease. I use it on ponds and large lakes.5. Can't beat the price.6. I feel very safe in it. Perfect for fall and spring outings.Cons:1. Poor quality inner tube. Pay attention to the instructions and do not over inflate.2. Since it is so short, the front sways with every stroke. It drove me nuts for the 1st few times I used it.3. Hard to get in and out.Overall this is a nice, little kayak and I am considering purchasing a 2nd one.