I get the chance to paddle a range of sea, touring, cross over and inflatable kayaks fairly frequently. I aim to use this channel to review as many as I can, showing what I think most regular paddlers will look for in these particular kayaks. I then post a full written review under the video in the comments section.
If you want to see a certain kayak paddled and reviewed you can request it in any comments section and I'll do my best to try and get hold of one of those kayaks and review it.
This is best review of the Aventura 12.5, much more thorough than most others. It’s hard to find the lime green or orange colors, they seem to sell out first.
Thanks very much appreciate you watching and glad it was helpful. The Lime and Orange are popular but if you get in touch with your local Feelfree dealer they should be able to order it for you 👍
Hey, thanks for watching. I think as long as you don’t have really short arms it should be. I’m 5’6 and if I did that it would be a stretch to get it but I could with a little shuffle. So anyone any taller should be fine 👍
@@WaterWizardUK Thanks ! That’s really helpful to know , I’ve ordered the MV version of this kayak , just waiting patiently for delivery . In the meantime I’m ordering a few bits 👍 I’m 6ft 2 and it’ll be for camping trips etc so hopefully will be fine . Thanks again mate , really appreciate it .
This is my dream kayak. They were impossible to find so I got aBoreal Baltic 120. Also great, but I think the Aventura still has the upper hand in terms of capabilities. Thanks for this review.
Hi, no worries glad you enjoyed the video - thanks for watching. I think it would make a great 1st kayak. Plenty of cockpit room so you should feel relaxed while learning, but it won’t limit you in the long run and for fresh water paddling will do really well to develop you as a paddle. 👍
I'm loving mine. It's got a deep enough draw that it holds up my 50lb dog on the stern rather comfortably now that I added neoprene to the surface for traction. It also tracks very well with the skeg. The knee braces are amazing and the foot braces work perfectly. The biggest reason I like it is it's soooo stable. Like even with a 50lb dog on the stern shifting side to side with 10lbs of water in her fur, it's really really stable. I'm going to need a cup holder and a phone mount. And probably a deck bag for extra storage, the storage net in front under the coaming is a nice touch as well. Great place to keep a throw bag and sunflower seeds.
really good review, the core whiteout system really locks you in, I have a whitewater wavesport but been unable to roll it yet, I m thinking a longer slightly narrower kayak like the hydra might be easier to roll
I bought the same boat late last year (in blue). Unfortunately, I have only been out once. Need to buy a drysuit and a spray skirt. Thanks for the review!
Great kayak, have had mine for 4 months and very happy with it. Used on rivers and canals - very stable and can happily get 4+ mph paddling with the skeg down. Definitely Recommend it. 👍😁
I don’t carry much in it for my trips to be honest. What I do like is I can keep my disassembled kayak trolley in the back hatch. It was from Amazon and is a KingSaid 80Kg Foldable Kayak Trolley Cart Carrier Pneumatic Tyres Canoe Boat Transport Board. Hope this helps. Happy Kayaking
Read your review on this kayak, you mention that the foot pegs don't go back far enough for short people. I'm 1.65m and looking for a good first touring kayak. What would you recommend?
Hi, thanks for watching I’m 169cm so we are similar there. I would recommend looking at the Hydra LV that is due for release in the next couple of month that should be a great kayak for a slightly smaller paddler. Failing that the Expression 14 is good for a smaller person fit, this does have a slightly less stable hill however with the v shape running front to back. 👍
Hi, Thanks for the watch! Yeah the Edge 11 has a good amount glide on flat waters and paddles smoothly thanks to its v-shaped hull. Enjoy your paddling!
Hi, thanks for the watch. The skeg mechanism is super simple to use and it’s easy to see how it works in the video. But just for you I’ll make it simple 😂. Slide the mech next to the cockpit backwards skeg goes down. Click skeg mech next to cockpit up and the skeg goes back up. Really nothing too it. I’ll look forward to your more in depth skeg review when you make your content. Again cheers for the watch 👍👍.
I have one of these boats and love it. You can raise and lower by a small slider on the right side of the boat, above the water line. It’s attached to a cable and you slide it back and forth to raise and lower it. Very easy to do and a cool feature
How does this kayak handle choppy sea? Have you tried it by any chance? Im considering buying the edge 15. Im a novice / intermediate level paddler. On the sea i often encounter choppy water and boat waves so i need something that is stable but can handle waves. Thanks and great vids.
hey, got a question about the RIOT line up...do you know the differences between the edge and enduro lines? got an option on a used enduro, that i like the looks of...looks indentical to your edge. not been able to find a comparison...makes me wonder if they're the same model, for different markets.
Hi, Thanks for watching the video. So from my experience of the Enduros and Edges they have very different hill shapes. The Enduros generally have flatter bottom hulls, the Enduro 13 & 14 have tracking channels and the 12 has a very flat bottom. The 12 is designed for heavier paddlers and offers great stability. If you want a fast, efficient touring kayak then the Edge range is better suited to this. Which size Edge vs Which size Enduro are you looking at?
I recently purchased a 1999 Horizon Hydra sea kayak Sit inside 14 ft. Would this be the same kayak or the same kayak company as yours? My kayak looks like it was rotomolded but the seam doesn't go along the outside like most kayaks, Mine looks like the seam runs along the bottom and top. On the bottom it looked a little offset so I though it had a long crack but it just looks like the mold was offset by about a 16th of an inch. I haven't tried it yet because I like to restore my kayaks to as good as new or better before putting them on the water or releasing them to their new owners. This one just needed a new 4" front hatch and to hit the bottom with high heat from a heat gun and rolled (I can explain if need be) to remove the little rash that it had on the flat bottom. I really enjoyed all the maneuvers you did in this short video. It gave me a little more confidence in trying out the kayak, I also have a Hurricane Phoenix 160 sit on top that is way to tippy for my taste, Then again I was using it with no gear or equipment loaded into the hull.
Hi naturally it depends on what you want to take but the rear storage area has a great amount of room, then there is a bit of space behind the seat, as well as room on the decks under the deck bungees. Should be fine for a weekend trip but if your talking longer trips than that look at the Edge 15 or Riot Enduro 13. These have front and rear storage hatches. Cheers for watching!
@@WaterWizardUK i have but my problem is getting a train yo inverness , the shops for yakking gear there are limited (iv got 4 days with my daughter) then a few months soloing .. theres more hire places now up scotland than buying .. not ideal
Love your videos on all the kayaks! I’m currently struggling to decide between the Riot Edge 15 and the Venture Easky 15 (both second hand and around the same price). I’m relatively new to kayaking but know for sure I want something that tracks straight easily and is fast for paddling against tides efficiently… any thoughts or comparisons gratefully received :), thanks for a great video!
Hi, thanks for watching and for your comment first off. Between the 2 the Edge 15 takes it for me, it just offers more as far as performance and progression goes. The Easky has a good stable hull shape, but the Edge 15 was quicker and a nicer paddle for me. Hope you get one soon and enjoy getting out on the water. 👍
I have one of these kayaks, it’s a great rec/tourer. But I have had a headache trying to get a spray deck that actually fits it, especially neoprene. It’s a 37” (96cm) long cockpit by 20.5” (52cm) width. It’s a most unusual cockpit size. If anyone has a spray deck that actually fits this kayak, that doesn’t leak because it’s too loose, that isn’t a nightmare to get on then please let me know. I am debating selling this kayak this year because of the bizarre sized cockpit. I don’t want to waste more money trying to get the right size of spray deck. I have a custom size one, but it just does not fit correctly at all. Thanks for any advice anyone.
Thank, you for your reply, I’m 5’7 and about 70kgs would I be in the upper weight for this boat, I really like the look of it, I had a romany surf for many years, and really enjoyed the comfort that it afforded me, I was able to bring my knees up as in a white water and had the option to paddle with them straight, would the idun afford me this luxury??????
@@halfofeightskye Hi, you would be perfect in the paddler weight range that Norse recommend for the Idun. They recommend 40-80kg and you want to be upper middle of this really - 70kg is all good. 5ft 7 also wouldn’t be an issue. One of my friends paddled my Idun, he’s over the recommended weight and a little taller but still really enjoyed paddling it (even if he sunk it a little low 😜). You should be able to get yourself nice a locked in with bent knees - like in a whitewater kayak scenario but also have the leg freedom of movement to keep things nice and comfortable.
@@WaterWizardUK thank you , yeah that sounds great, I look forward to trying one out, Bonny looking boats, and by the looks of your video, fast as well!
Thanks very much & thanks for watching. Sad times they can’t deliver to Ireland I guess that being composite couriers can be rough with these things. Pop on a ferry there is a shop in Manchester that has them 👍. Hope you manage to source one they are quality.
Hi, thanks for the watch. It all depends on leg length really but I think you should be ok. The volume around the thigh braces/front of the cockpit is good so you should have just enough room. I know a guy a little taller that can get in an Edge 15 - but like I say everyone’s legs are different sizes. Happy paddling!
Ayrton Genova Hi the Expression 15 is a lower volume kayak over all so when sitting in the cockpit you feel like you have way more room in the Riot Edge 15. The Expression has a more V shaped hull making in a little faster in a straight line but this is all relative and definitely depends on the paddlers ability too. The Edge is just as good at tracking and turning but will feel more stable on the water due to the extra volume compared to the expression. Any other specific questions on certain aspects of performance one to the other or which is better for certain type of paddlers just comment and I ll answer. Happy, safe paddling and thanks for watching!!!
Ayrton Genova this is where it gets tricky as the V would make it slightly better and give you good secondary however ideally you might want some rocker for a costal kayak. You could use the Expression no problems, but not in heavier conditions. when it comes to surf and chop something like the hydra hull might be better as it blends more into the hull shape. The Expression is however very Quick and the most efficient hull of the 14-15ft touring kayaks. If you’re just looking for a fast 14-15ft touring kayak that you can use in light seas the Expression is quick and efficient.
@@WaterWizardUK hmmm back to the issue I keep coming across...... comprises. I want something beginner friendly we can grow into, maybe useable in a small chop and equally at home on the river. But mostly coastal. The hydra is above budget as I need to two and I font see them for sale used. It wont be till Christmas/new year so if I don't find a good used deal I'll hopefully score a good deal buying new.
Ayrton Genova hi, yeah it’s always a big problem trying to get the right compromise the hydra is Perfect for what you said you want to do but if it’s above budget that’s a problem. Kayaks are in short supply everywhere right now manufacturers are working flat out but struggling to keep up. Hydras generally don’t come up used as they are great kayaks and people love them so never get rid. Most other cheaper kayaks would be fine for touring and expedition work but when you want something with the playful edge the Hydra ticks that box. When things return to normal stocking levels later in the year you might find the Hydra returning budget 😉
not sure if you guys gives a damn but if you are stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all the latest movies on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my girlfriend for the last months xD
Hi, they are both very good kayaks first off. The Riot is best suited to fresh water paddling and for the money is hands down one of the best long touring kayaks on the market. The Hydra has one of the most comfortable seating systems in it - that leg raiser is superb. The hydra has a little more rocker front to back so can be a little more playful if you’re thinking of doing Some occasional sea work. Both are really well made and for longer distance touring honestly I think most paddlers would be really happy with either kayak. All comes down to where you see yourself paddling that kayak really. Thanks for watching and your comment.
@@WaterWizardUK Thank you for replying, appreciate it! I will be solely using the kayak in the sea, so will probably opt to get the hydra, plus the added attachment rails will be useful for adding fishing rod holders! Is there any difference in quality of construction between the two?
Lewis from a construction point nothing between them they are both made from the same plastic. The attachment rails are really useful for accessories. Hope you manage to get hold of one - all kayaks are in short supply right now. Happy paddling.
@@WaterWizardUK well that answers my question as I was short listing this as an inland coastal kayak along the Jurassic coast. Mainly for the price point against the expression or stratos. As I'm after 2 kayaks I'm trying to keep close to £1k but may stretch to £1500. I'm also looking at the used market.
Hi again. I have recently bought your edge 11, nice Rec/tourer. I was wondering if you guys do any hip pad replacements ? I’m finding my butt is moving around a bit, I had a nice snug fit in my old dagger. I don’t feel I can brace myself properly, the deck is quite high so I can’t compensate the movement with my knees. Do you do any more sizes at all? If not can you help out with a recommendation for replacements? Thanks very much.
Thorny_Boy718 Hi, Riot don’t do any hip pads or Any shims you pad out the small amount of padding that is in the Edge 11 already. You can however use the Dagger or Wave Sport hip pad kits. They aren’t too expensive normally £30-£40 they work off wrap around pull buckles so you can wrap they around the seat pillar to attach them in. They come with Velcro too but you don’t need to use that if you don’t want, they are held well with the pull buckle. Happy and safe paddling!
Hiya, you said a big deck or size 5 spray deck? But the dimensions on the cockpit from the various stockists for the ‘edge 11’ are bigger than big deck sizes. Big decks are 80-90cm / 31” - 35” right?. The dimensions I saw for your cockpit on the stockists websites were 97cm x 52cm / 38” x 21”. Please could you possibly clear this up, I am thinking of purchasing one of these, but I do not want to buy the wrong cockpit cover size & spray deck size. Thank you?
Hi, I can put a size 5 spraydeck on this kayak without any problems but if you want an easy fit you could go for a size 6 deck - this might cause some pooling of water on the looser size 6 deck thought. The cockpit is 97cm x 52cm you are correct. Big deck sizing is normally 89-98cm x 48-58cm (I double check this on Palms size guide for you). The size you have put is closer to keyhole or size 4 - this wouldn’t fit this kayak. If you’re looking at a riot nylon spraydeck they do their sizing totally differently and you would want an XXL spraydeck size for a good fit. Hope this helps. Any other questions just let me know I’m always happy to help and cheers for watching. Happy paddling.
Haha no I work for guys who’s channel the other video is on. No stealing just the same video for different channel purposes. Thanks for commenting though.
Haha no I work for guys who’s channel the other video is on. No stealing just the same video for different channel purposes. Thanks for commenting though.
*This was a gift and it is LOVEDσσ>**share4.photo/RiotKayak?ӕㅊ** We are avid Kayakers this sit upon with the slightly molded seat is much easier to get in then our other Kayaks. Might have to get another one.*
*These are awesome Kayaks.σσ>**share4.photo/RiotKayak?ӂЯ ** I purchased the 12' and being 6'02" and 220 pounds it had a 250 pound load limit. So adding water, pack, clothes and paddle, etc...I was sitting way too low in the water. This one has a load limit of 395 pounds and has two fishing rod holders and more storage.*
*Happy with this kayak it’s light, stable and moves along pretty well.σσ>**share4.photo/RiotKayak?ҹС ** I added a sail & rudder out of pvc and the steering is attached to the foot peddles with bicycle brake cables for hands free steering. I also made a pair of outriggers for it but haven’t needed them.*
