About this author: Nancy D. Brown is a travel writer and active-adventure Baby Boomer who travels the globe, often on horseback. @nancydbrown is an expert in equestrian travel. Every review is written from first-hand experience and delivers insider travel tips.
Follow Nancy D. Brown on her travel blog: www.nancydbrown.com and equestrian blog for horseback riding vacations at www.Writinghorseback.com
It’s not as stable as a standard kayak. However, both my husband and I feel comfortable in the inflatable kayak, as well as our Oru origami kayaks. If you want easy transport, the inflatable and origami foldable kayaks are the way to go. Like everything, it depends what you’re looking for.
@@radioold6812 Hello, I’m a travel writer. I review products and write about destinations. You’ll need to reach out to manufacturer directly as risk assessment is out of my expertise. Personally, I have yet to capsize in any of my kayak outings. Every paddlers experience is unique to the individual. I prefer flat water paddling conditions when I kayak.
Hi Kwsfilms, As mentioned several times in the comments, we launched from the beach - too shallow in the water to attach fins. Once we launched from a dock, we included both fins and tracking was much improved.
I'm staying here in 10 days! Never been, can't wait. I've visited the area and noticed this hotel during peak times is around 500$ a night, but in the winter its only about 140$ a night!
Hi Dave, I’m glad you enjoyed my review. Isn’t it nice when a journalist actually stays at the hotel and offers first-hand insights. Also congratulations on your son attending Cal. That’s quite an accomplishment. Nancy
Just stayed in that exact style of King Suite - a great room for us and the kids for a long weekend visiting my son at Cal! The couch of course folds out to a bed. We spent a lot of time together which we all enjoyed! ✨
Jim, With all due respect, have you clicked on the link to my complete Oru Kayak review? I don’t work for Oru. I don’t set their prices. They change their prices and then viewers/readers come back and say the prices are different. If you do click on the link to my review, the links in my article go to their site (with their current prices.) I have referral links, which cost you nothing. I hope this answers your comment. By the way, I went kayaking in my Oru Inlet in a gorgeous high mountain Oregon lake yesterday. Awesome paddle!
Hi Carlos, As mentioned in the previous comments, we launched from the shore in shallow water. This was a dis-service to the video clip, as we DID NOT have fins (keels) attached. We have since learned to attach fins and launch further from shore for much better tracking. You may also launch from dock, with deeper water. You may follow me on Instagram @nancydbrown for more kayak videos. You’ll see my husband prefers the AquaMarina kayak. I created that video July 2022 on my first paddle with this kayak. We now always launch with fins (keels) attached for much better tracking. I hope this explanation clarifies the swivel. Nancy
Hello, great video. As you mention in one review ive read online, your husband is a big guy like me. Im 200lbs and wondered if he has any issues with the kayak bending at all? Im torn between the steam and memba, mainly uaing on canals in the uk but also maybe the sea at times. Can i have tour thoughts?
Hello Stuart, My husband weighs 250 pounds and the Aqua Marina steam does not bend with him in it. I have no affiliation with Aqua Marina. I can not recommend how it would perform at sea.
@@NancyDBrown that's good to hear. Online the Mac weight limit seems to differ from website to website. I read that the side tubes may bend when trying to move around if you were on the larger size (like me).
@@NancyDBrown thanks, I weigh about 50lbs more and I notice in your video that the kayak is already sitting pretty low in the water. I sure do wish these guys would take their products to outdoor expos so that I could actually touch one and get an idea that it will support my weight while in the water.
Hello Nancy. Thanks for the video. I am considering buying this kayak or the aqua marina Laxo. I know that this one is faster, and paddles better, but what do you think about the material? Since it is built for Class III rapids, and considering the price, I guess that the material is durable. But to the eye that heavy duty PVC (similar to a backpack material) on the Laxo looks more durable even though that one can't go on rapids, it's more recreational. What do you think? Thanks
Hi loonaya, I reached out to marketing as I do not work for Aqua Marina and do not have experience with their other products. “STEAM is built for fast water & White Water Rafting class III and has Self Bailing valves, that enables the water to come and go out of the Kayak. The material is pretty durable with welded tube construction and a high-density drop stitch floor. These open cockpit inflatable kayaks are extremely rigid and responsive. STEAM comes in 1 and 2 person options. LAXO or MEMBA, are designed more for lakes and gentle rivers. These are designed with more depth inside the Kayak. These have double tubing on the sides and inflatable bottom. Laxo comes in 1,2,3 person and Memba is little bigger than Laxo respective 1,2 person options. Basically, I will say all these are good, based on water conditions. You can choose what suits based on water conditions, dimensions etc. For lake and slow moving water LAXO or MEMBA both are great options.”
Hello Outsidehill, As I am a travel writer and have no affiliation with this Inn, I can only comment on the king room that I stayed in. All of their rooms are listed on the website. Enjoy your time in Napa Valley.
@@NancyDBrown I checked out their website days before I watched your video. I just noticed that the king you stayed in is very different from the king on their website. Thanks for sharing this video. It helped me to decide on where I'd like to stay.
Hi Kat, I'd suggest Oru Inlet as it can hold more weight than Lake model. Oru Inlet holds 275 lbs. Have you had a chance to read my review? It also contains affiliate links (no cost to you) as well as a discount code for any Oru items you order. FYI, I'm a travel writer. I don't work for Oru. www.nancydbrown.com/oru-kayak-review/
Hi MicheleChris, This luxury barge cruise was booked through Barge Lady Cruises. www.nancydbrown.com/luxury-barge-cruise-in-alsace-slow-travel-in-france/
A unique and wonderful place to stay. Stayed for three nights in one of the beautiful and comfortable rooms. Everybody was so kind and caring to my wife and myself during our stay. Definitely want to go back!
Hi Roy, Thanks for watching my video and dropping a comment. As you are a Colorado resident, you probably know that Mesa Verde National Park carries the certification of an International Dark Sky Park. The views, day and night, are fabulous! Nancy
Hi great vid can you help I can't seem to get the seat right with the footrest my knees are too high and can't take the seat back any further as the restraints are on the max
Hi J Mauds, I have referred your question to my Aqua Marina USA-based contact as I am not affiliated with the company. He asked me what model AM kayak you own and if it is one or two person kayak. It sounds to me like you own 1 person Steam Kayak, but wanted to confirm. Regards, Nancy
So happy to see the Edwin K up and running again. I have stayed here with the previous owner. It was a very difficult time as her husband was very ill, and later passed away within a week after my stay. She was a gracious and kind hostess.
Hi PrarieGirl, I'm pleased to hear that you had a positive stay at the Edwin K Bed & Breakfast. I hope you have a chance to return to experience Sarah & John Raleigh's gracious hospitality and fabulous breakfast!
Thank you Nancy for this wonderful review featuring our newest Unique Inns members - it thoroughly demonstrates what makes Edwin K and its innkeepers so special. Every detail is attended to with such care and apparent joy - they make every guest feel so well looked after. If there were innkeeper Olympics, these two proprietors would be Gold medalists! ~ Ashley
Hi Ashley, thanks for your thoughtful comment. I can always count on Unique Inn member properties for a one-of-a-kind stay. The innkeepers at Edwin K Bed & Breakfast set the bar high.
You are correct; no fins attached in the video. We launched from beach (too shallow for fins.) From then on we launched with fins in deeper water; better tracking.
Hi Laura, You'll see the docks behind me in the start of the video. On this test paddle I sat on the dock while the Oru representative held the kayak in place. Getting out of the kayak, I paddled to the dock. Again, she held the kayak steady while I locked my elbows on the dock and I swung my leg onto the dock. It wasn't pretty, as I have 2 hip replacements. Since purchasing the Oru Inlet I have always entered and exited the kayak from the water. With my 2 hip replacements, I will say that I prefer the lifesaver grip handshake getting in and out of the boat.
Hi J, My husband is very happy with #aquamarinakayak Please read my written review if you'd like to purchase and use my link for free shipping. Enjoy! Nancy
Hi Herbert, I was able to test the #ORULake at their Emeryville, California facility. As you'll see in my written review on my blog, I actually ended up purchasing the Inlet. No matter what #OruKayak you decide to purchase, I have a discount code and affiliate link on my #foldablekayakreview The link is included above. Nancy
@@joeskill4663 Good observation skills! We did not have fins in for this video because I launched from the beach. The next excursion we used both fins and launched in deeper water. Tracked fine.
@@joeskill4663 My understanding from USA distributor is that #AquaMarina is one of the best selling inflatable kayaks in Europe. Affiliate link is on my in-depth review. Link above.
Hi Brikrat, I’m glad you enjoyed my #orukayak video. As a journalist, I realize that not everyone takes the time to read reviews. I am primarily a writer, but am learning that more people turn to video for gear and boat reviews. I hope you have a chance to read my #kayakreview on my What a Trip blog as it is more in-depth. The link is above. Happy paddling.
Hello, I think I am going to purchase the lake model. I'm curious would it be wise for me to store it assembled to keep stress off the folding points. I have plenty of room so no worries there. Thank you
I would say if you only use it like 1-5 times a year or shoot even 10 times a year it’s not going to make a big difference. Maybe if you used it everyday then I could see how you might want to try to conserve it. But it should be able to fold up thousands of times. I think Oru says like 20,000 times even.
Hi Mr. Jsv650, The Oru Facebook Users Group is very helpful for questions such as this. We fold ours after each use. Your question would be best answered by Oru moderator as they work at Oru. By the way, if you click on the link above, to my Oru Kayak review, I have an affiliate link where I receive a small commission and there is no cost to you. Also, I have a discount code if you opt to purchase any additional items such as the gel set, paddles, personal flotation devices and such. Enjoy your Lake kayak. Nancy
