Bestway Hydro Force Rapid Elite X2 Kayak Set

gunesinan

Aug 1, 2023 8:36 PM

54 Comments

Joined Sep 2017

gunesinanAug 1, 2023 8:36 PM

54 Comments

Quote from bryanaf101

:

I'd hope it's a beast at 15x the price. I have the intex pro 2 seater kayak and I hate it so much. Leaks, impossible to patch adequately. Next time out, is it's last.

Agree inflatable paddle boards are great. Cheap Inflatable kayaks are evil.

I didn't have the chance to test if it's 15x better than the cheap Chinese kayaks, but I used mine in 10-mile river kayaking in Texas with my kids, used it in the ocean in St Lucia, again with the kids, and took it to Grand Teton, Wyoming twice for wildlife (bears) watch and photography, and get close to 4 bears in total, 3 of them were Grizzly. In most places I kayaked, there is usually very limited or no cellular signal. You are on your own, with your kayak and the people you are responsible for. My Innova kayak is by no means indestructible but it as a repair kit that I always carry with me, and as far as I remember, it is a 7-layer laminate. I wouldn't be surprised if these cheap kayaks are only a two-layer laminate and are not repairable.

Last edited by gunesinan August 1, 2023 at 01:38 PM.

2

5

bobbutts

Aug 1, 2023 9:55 PM

937 Comments

Joined Jan 2006

bobbuttsAug 1, 2023 9:55 PM

937 Comments

For $128 you can get out on flat water including paddles and pump. Other items like this are in the $200-300 range making this a good deal. Comparing this to a $2000 whitewater kayak is the peak of SD stupidity.

11

yeti79

Aug 2, 2023 1:22 AM

5.4K Comments

Joined Aug 2010

yeti79Aug 2, 2023 1:22 AM

5.4K Comments

Quote from 0ard

:

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but how does this compare to one of those cheap Intex inflatable kayaks?

I have one of those Intex K2 kayaks and can confirm that these are better quality (thicker and nicer material) than the Intex kayaks but the same basic design.

ash78

Aug 2, 2023 1:23 AM

11.2K Comments

Joined Sep 2014

ash78Aug 2, 2023 1:23 AM

11.2K Comments

My experience with HydroForce rowboats is they are NIGHT AND DAY better than anything from Intex in the same price range. I regret buying an Intex tandem kaya at $99 last year, we've used it maybe twice.

But even though the build quality is there, the ergonomics never will be. The amount of air required to keep you afloat usually means leaning hard to either side just to get a good dig on your paddle. Much more work than needed in a regular kayak or canoe.

IMHO, inflatable kayaks just aren't a great idea, but this is a solid deal if you're really in the market. If you don't need to pack it down, save your money for a hardshell. OTOH, these can pack down as checked bags for travel and pay for themselves in just a few hours of a rental.

Last edited by ash78 August 1, 2023 at 06:26 PM.

1

nellenbu

Aug 2, 2023 1:26 AM

616 Comments

Joined Feb 2017

nellenbuAug 2, 2023 1:26 AM

616 Comments

Quote from bstha

:

I would not trust my life with inflatable kayak. I bought one used it once just to test it and then straight to dumpster. I bought the hard plastic kayak from dicks on their year end sale for 150. If transportation is a challenge, get 11ft paddle board.

Learn to swim and don't stray far enough from land to swim back. Problem solved.

2

MNight68

Aug 2, 2023 1:53 AM

91 Comments

Joined Mar 2022

MNight68Aug 2, 2023 1:53 AM

91 Comments

Quote from GimeDaLoot

:

Costco has these for $99

So it sounds like you are versed on these since you are price checking. Would you have anything positive to add to the conversation like a link to the $99 Costco product?

fanaticshopper

Aug 2, 2023 2:04 AM

73 Comments

Joined Apr 2018

fanaticshopperAug 2, 2023 2:04 AM

73 Comments

Review score 4.0 is hard pass for me

SaverDaddy

Aug 2, 2023 3:02 AM

981 Comments

Joined Oct 2022

SaverDaddyAug 2, 2023 3:02 AM

981 Comments

Quote from gunesinan

:

I have this one and it's a beast: https://hike48.com/products/thaya [hike48.com]

It normally has 3 seats but 2 adults and 2 kids can easily fit. If you are serious about kayaking, I do not recommend anyone go cheap.

Can you give us one good reason why we should spend 20x more on a kayak?

VioletTent657

Aug 2, 2023 3:33 AM

2.5K Comments

Joined Aug 2018

VioletTent657Aug 2, 2023 3:33 AM

2.5K Comments

Quote from SaverDaddy

:

Can you give us one good reason why we should spend 20x more on a kayak?

Quality. Want one more reason?

SaverDaddy

Aug 2, 2023 3:42 AM

981 Comments

Joined Oct 2022

SaverDaddyAug 2, 2023 3:42 AM

981 Comments

Quote from VioletTent657

:

Quality. Want one more reason?

I wanted a tangible reason. Quality means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

I think we can all agree that a $2000 kayak is probably better quality than a $120 one, but what does that translate into real world value? How is it going to benefit me when I'm out on the lake?

Antx227

Aug 2, 2023 3:56 AM

81 Comments

Joined Jan 2019

Antx227Aug 2, 2023 3:56 AM

81 Comments

My wife and I do a lot of SUP, but we're looking to get into kayaking instead. We were thinking about getting the Intex Explorer K2 for a beginner kayak with the great reviews it gets. Price is pretty much the same. Unfortunately we have to get an inflatable. Any thoughts? Skeptical of this one due to the small amount of reviews online. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

VioletTent657

Aug 2, 2023 4:28 AM

2.5K Comments

Joined Aug 2018

VioletTent657Aug 2, 2023 4:28 AM

2.5K Comments

Quote from SaverDaddy

:

I wanted a tangible reason. Quality means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

I think we can all agree that a $2000 kayak is probably better quality than a $120 one, but what does that translate into real world value? How is it going to benefit me when I'm out on the lake?

That's what you should have asked then.

1

BilboMcBaggins69

Aug 2, 2023 4:32 AM

1.5K Comments

Joined Dec 2018

BilboMcBaggins69Aug 2, 2023 4:32 AM

1.5K Comments

Quote from ryanbeymer

:

Ordered 2 yesterday after coming the conclusion they are very similar.

> Looked like a good deal. Based on some basic research Bestway is a rebranded Tobin Sports that's available at Costco. Same specs as the Tobin Sports Wavebreak kayak that's available at some Costcos for $200.

My Tobins at Costco are $99

johnyeros

Aug 2, 2023 4:32 AM

1K Comments

Joined Jul 2005

johnyerosAug 2, 2023 4:32 AM

1K Comments

Quote from SaverDaddy

:

I wanted a tangible reason. Quality means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

I think we can all agree that a $2000 kayak is probably better quality than a $120 one, but what does that translate into real world value? How is it going to benefit me when I'm out on the lake?

Well I don't own either but I can tell you I would trust my life which is worth a lot more than 2000 bucks to a 2k one vs the 120 bucks one? There is one reason

gunesinan

Aug 2, 2023 4:39 AM

54 Comments

Joined Sep 2017

gunesinanAug 2, 2023 4:39 AM

54 Comments

Quote from SaverDaddy

:

I wanted a tangible reason. Quality means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

I think we can all agree that a $2000 kayak is probably better quality than a $120 one, but what does that translate into real world value? How is it going to benefit me when I'm out on the lake?

If you are considering a kayak only at the lake, just to be in the water, buy the one from Costco (for the return policy). What is most likely going to happen is, you will use a few times and and it will sit in the garage. You can consider SUP rather than a kayak.

A new Black Friday feature is coming...A new Black Friday feature is coming...

Bestway Hydro Force Rapid Elite X2 Kayak Set

$129

$300

Editor's Notes

Original Post

Editor's Notes

Original Post

Community Voting

Top Comments

Join The Conversation

54 Comments

Join The Conversation

Related Searches