Probably the first and only non-promotional, sponsored, or paid review of the Pakayak bluefin 142 and Oru Bay ST by a real owner in the same video. Head to head of the two most popular portable kayaks.
I have the Oru Bay St and love it for places with a hike in such as alpine lakes. I have taken it out in chop and mine tracks pretty well aside from the light weight. My seams haven't caused any problems but I'm also very careful to make sure it's correct each time I set it up. One time I did get a concave plane from a crease not popping out fully (this makes sense if you see one in person) but caught it before I got in and had any tracking issues. All of that said. I won't get rid of my oru for anything. It goes places nothing else can, but when I load in straight from the car or am in rocky/choppy conditions, I really find myself wanting the Bluefin 142 for impact durability. Lastly, I would 100% prefer to camp out of the bluefin and the isolated chambers behind the bulkhead really give a piece of mind in rough conditions. They're just two different boats, and unfortunately, I think I need both. I am glad to see oru doing the orange now though from a safety standpoint. Yellow or bright blue/green would be good too. for the pakayak, I'd be interested in seeing a longer/slightly less packable version since it's not reasonable to carry far anyway.
ya, i just went down a 10 mile stretch of the loxahatchee river.. going over multiple dams with 3 foot drops, over trees, random branches in the water everywhere, 12 foot alligators, i was VERY thankful i was in the bluefin and not the oru haha. But yes, the oru can assuredly go places no other kayak can go really as long as the conditions are safe for that level of durability.
I’m glad to see that you like your Bay St….. I just purchased one and I’m waiting for it to arrive. I haven’t gone kayaking in years and I will probably mostly do calm water but I wanted to buy one that would offer the flexibility in the event. I want it slightly more choppy water after seeing this video I regretted my purchase, but glad that I read your comment. Coworker and her husband have the tandem Oru and they love it, which is why I chose this brand.
Throughout the year, Pakayak holds holiday deals which they knock $300 off of the overall purchase price. (Labor Day for Example.) So, instead of $1,995 price tag, it would be $1,695. With the $300 savings, you can then use that to get the Offroad Wheels which retail for $189.95 and the Knee and Thigh Brace Kit for $95.95 at the Pakayak's Shop and still have $14.05 savings. Or, you can use that savings for other add-ons like the Rudder Kit which retails for $169.95 or even a Paddle $295.95 or $219.95 depending on the model. In closing, you can take advantage of this deal and spec out your Pakayak depending on your individual needs. Hopefully this helps with a decision on which product is right for you. By the way, I am not a representative of Pakayak, just a fan of a great product. Happy and Safe Paddling to you all!
Thanks for this video, I watched the whole thing without skipping! It seems rare these days that reviewers are afraid to say negatives about a product. Cheers!
Well done video! I had the Bay ST and it's negatives were just too many. My seat parts broke twice, but were replayed by the company, it leaked water at the front fold, and finally it never seemed to go together like the previous outing. While I like that it was easy to carry (folder or not) for van or rv use, it was just not right for me. While I have not paddled the Pakayak, the reviews on it are rock solid. I hope to see/hear your thoughts on it after spending time on the water with it. Thank you.
Thank you for making this video! I am pretty much down to choosing between these 2 (although I am considering the Point 65 Mercury GTX and the Natseq Solo - the issue is the lack of information about either of them). The potential folding issues with the Oru (which never get mentioned), and the fact they sold you two malformed kayaks, is a deal breaker for me. I'll take the extra weight knowing I won't ever have to worry about fighting / realigning the boat.
I have the Pakayak, Oru bay st and mercury gtx. If storage is not an issue, go for the point 65N mercury 100 percent of the time because it takes 2 mins to assemble. The Pakayak takes about 4mins on a flat surface. Good luck when the ground is very uneven. A tiny tad lighter than the mercury. The Oru bay st I least favour. The thing is luggage sized with so many loose pieces and the thing is just not as durable. Also I have to be very wary of large waves or swells because if I capsized on it, it won’t be forgiving.
Grat video! I own the Pakayak 142 and love that it is a true hardshell kayak so there's no concerns with punctures. The bag comes with wheels so once I roll it to the launch, I never actually need to pick the fully assembled kayak up - once assembled, I just guide it in the water.There's also optional off-road wheels that can be added to the bag for launches that arent as smooth. I've used the Pakayak for 2 years and is still my go-to kayak for camping when the car is packed with gear. The seat is super comfortable and the dry hatches are huge allowing for a lot of gear. Though it doesnt have a skeg, it tracks really well and can take a lot of hits in rock gardens and rivers with downed tree and debris. The Oru seems like a cool idea especially since it is so light weight - however, I've come across Oru paddlers that have had to use the patch kit. I'm a little heavy handed with my gear and I feel a lot more confident with a hardshell. For me, it seems like its preference between light weight vs durability + 2 dry hatches.
ive had to carry it to the ocean a couple times so far. its interesting because 65lbs doesnt sound like a lot but the weight is accentuated due to the lever arm extending 7 feet on either side of your hand and the fact theres no good place to grab it. (unless you have 2 people) overall, the pros outweigh the weight. and yes, ive been in rivers im sure would have punched a hole in the oru with no ability to see the under water branches in the mangroves etc
@@maximusjoseppi5904 Yes, I totally agree the pros definitely outweigh the weight. At times when there is not a lot of level ground to assemble the entire boat directly at the put-in, I would assemble the 2-towers (bow and stern) and then carry each part separately to the put in to assemble the 2 pieces as close to the put-in as possible. For me, it's impossible to lift at 14' 65 lb boat 😂but dividing the weight with the 2 parts is doable.
The Oru doesn't look crooked to me, except that you have the rear deck lines not centred & when you move forwarded, you have the camera off centre to the left which shows more of the left side of the boat. However, the boat itself lines up perfectly straight & symmetrical & I am noted for having a very good eye for such things. On your point about stability, the Oru is a chined V hull which is a traditional Greenland kayak shape. This shape typically has a lower initial stability but a higher secondary stability. Such boats feel a bit wobbly when level but firm up when the hull tips a bit. For the same dimensions, this is just as safe or safer than round hulls, you just need to relax a bit & let the boat do it's own thing while you remain upright & centred. These are just general comments about the different cross section shape. While I have paddled a number of kayaks that are typical of both cross section shapes. I do not own, nor have I ever paddled an Oru. I just think you should take the time to get to understand the boats & confirm facts before you make defamatory comments. Seems to me, you are likely leaning the Oru to one side because it feels more stable to you that way. Tilting the hull is the primary mechanism for steering a touring kayak, more so than paddling or rudders. If you tilt the hull to the right, this bends the waterline shape, causing the boat to turn left, opposite to a bike. In this regard, it is important to know the difference between a touring kayak & a play kayak, because a play kayak will likely flip if you keep it tilted to the outside of a turn, while a touring kayak will continue to gently turn while ever the hull is tillered. I bet you didn't know this, because most who have not paddled both types & have not been well trained or well read in these matters do not.
I have both as well and I’d go for the Pakayak any day of the week. It all boils down to personal preference. It’s just more robust and durable and much more forgiving on mistakes.
Thank you for this video!🙏🏾 I was sold on getting the Bay ST for next summer because I thought it was the only portable kayak available, that decision has now changed to the Pakayak! I only hope they are available in Europe. 👍🏾😎
Great review. Ive seen others have mentioned quality and service issues with ORU - your video has sealed it for me. 1. Can you buy the Pakyak in UK ? 2. Where can you get the larger wheels or maybe some kind of small trolley to wheel it assembled to the water.?
After dealing with drying out blatter issues on my Advanced Element inflatable kayak, I bought an Oru Inlet. Pros and cons. The stern side fold is difficult to put in place and it doesn't track nearly as well as my Advanced Element and feels less stable, but I love how it so light and compact. However, I am seriously thinking about buying a Pakayak after this video. Thanks
Good review! Did you think about any of the inflatable kayaks as an alternative to either of these two kayaks? The Sea Eagles appear to be some of the better of the moderately priced inflatables from what I can tell.
yes, none of the inflatables offer the performance i was looking for and you have to inflate them... carrying a pump around is far more effort than just unfolding or snapping it together. the pakayak is astonishingly easy and fast to assemble for such a great performing kayak.
By far the best review/comparison of the Oru Bay and PakAyak I have seen. I have been looking at the Oru Bay and the Sea Eagle Razorlite Pro 393rl and was probably going with the Sea Eagle till I saw the PakAyak very recently. My choice for the Sea Eagle was mostly based on capacity, I will mostly be using it for camping as I go camping often with a buddy, he uses a canoe but I am not totally comfortable in a canoe. The Sea Eagle holds about 400lbs (way more than I need) so for me, that was probably the best option. However, the thought of pumping it up was daunting and while I am sure it is very sturdy, it's an inflatable... Then I saw the Oru bay and thought, hey, that looks cool, it's light as hell, maybe! But yeah, you swamp that thing, you would have to swim it back to shore to get it emptied. But recently I saw the PakAyak and WOW, a hard shell touring kayak that I can store enough stuff to go camping with, for about the same price as the Sea Eagle (ok, a tad more)? After seeing you put together the Oru, I'm like, OH HELL NO! Then seeing you put together the PakAyak I was like, OH HELL YES! Yep, I think the PakAyak is probably my best option, plenty of capacity for all my camping gear, I store them in dry bags anyway so even if it is not 100% water tight, I have no issue with that. Also like that if I swamp the boat, it's not totally swamped, I can easily bail it out in no time at all, plus I can even Eskimo roll it, can't do that in the others! Lastly, it helps that my wife can sew, she use to do piece work for backpacks and jackets for a well known brand so she is very familiar with packs. She said she can probably take their pack and improve it with better shoulder straps, a hip belt, maybe some strategic padding etc so that will help. I'll order it with the off road wheels, I agree, it should probably come with them period, forget those dinky airport wheels... Yep, PakAyak should give you a sales commission for this video cause you made a sale with me bro! Thank you for the unpaid, unbiased review!
Curious - how far off shore (ocean) would it be safe to ride one of these on a clear day ? - I’m getting this for a river , but I’m just curious . Also - I like the heavier look of the bluefin - seems closer to a real hard shell and the oru looks like a kite or something haha. Thanks for the great video . Even if not going offshore - you can take the bluefin past ocean waves and stuff correct ?
Well that sucks about the Oru. I've had a Coast XT for 3 yrs and know several Oru owners near me who haven't had a hull warping issue. I considered the Pkayak, but after 15 yrs of kayaking and owning a dozen different rotomolded rec and touring kayaks, I really didn't want the weight.
How durable is the coast? I'm trying to decide between the pakayak and the coast. I like that the coast is lighter but the full seal bulk heads on the pakayak would be nice. So the main thing that would decide it for me would be durability, the place I live has some pretty rocky shores so I wanna make sure that when I buy one it won't be damaged. Also are the seams of the coast more vulnerable to punctures than the flats?
@@calebpimlott2072 Well you're not gonna beat heavy polyethylene for toughness and abrasion resistance, especially if you'll be doing rock gardening, but the Oru is still fine for occasionally bashing into rocks here in the PNW. I really wanted the lighter weight, since you that's constantly more noticeable. Yes, the seams are more vulnerable and I added fiber gaffer tape to reinforce the keel and chines.
I’m also 6 foot 3 so your vid is extra helpful . Last question since I don’t want to annoy to much haha- would fishing a bit (river) be realistic on the pakayak you think? Thanks
no, you definitely do not want to fish in a touring kayak like this. you will just tip over if you caught a big fish or maybe even casting if you threw a little bit too much into it ha. theres no place to put fish, set up your pole, put the tool box, bait, etc. fishing kayaks are very stable sit on top kayaks that dont tip easily and usually you can stand up on for maximum comfort. this kayak is meant for touring and speed and ocean adventures.. different focus.
If you had to carry the pakayak from car to launch site a good distance would you just assemble it half way at the car and carry one half on each hand/arm? If you find the center of weight on each individual half and manage to strap a handle around that center of weight, it could be pretty ergonomic to carry, maybe. 30 lbs on each hand.
i havent tried it because its usually unnecessary. the bag it comes in folds up and goes behind the seat so ive always been able to wheel it places except for two times i took it in the ocean where i carried it fully assembled across the sand. which was a struggle because in the center of the cockpit is one of the seams that will come apart under the full weight of the kayak. carrying it in 2 pieces would be a good idea though if you had some sort of handle. its interesting because 65lbs doesnt sound like a lot but the weight is accentuated due to the lever arm being that its extending 7 feet on either side of your hand and the fact theres no good place to grab it. (unless you have 2 people) overall, the pros outweigh the weight
I own an existing kayak cart for the two rotomolded sea kayaks I own that works well. I could see assembling this boat in the parking lot and then wheeling it to the water with no issues. But I agree, this boat should come with the larger wheels as standard.
ya, a cart would be helpful for the larger boats for sure. My one biggest issue is avoiding sand with this design when i go to the ocean. however, a unique benefit is when returning from an ocean trip, you can split the kayak in half and dunk it in the ocean to get the sand off and carry it off the beach in 2 pieces. Much lighter and easier to carry like that. You cant really do that coming but leaving its nice. i personally dont want to get a bunch of sand in the seams.
Also - did you consider the trak 2.0 at all? I think it’s the best looking of the 3 ( bluefin is very close tho) but 1 - it takes way longer to assemble , 2 - it doesn’t have that “sweep” in front of the cockpit and idk if it would be as good in an ocean wave situation. Also it’s way more expensive for some reason I don’t understand. Bluefin looks to be the best. Thanks for your thoughts and time
Мой друг, вы вероятно не знакомы с Вектор ,в Германии он называется Nortik Argo или Nortik Navigator , очень хорошие каяки сделанные в России в Санкт Петербурге
Watched this video start to finish and decided to pick up the Pakayak on their labor day sale. I like my AE Expedition Elite but it's fussy to get inflated and put together, seeing the Bluefin snap together in all of two minutes really cinched it for me.
This was a great video and very refreshing to have an unbiased comparison from a real owner who is not somehow being motivated to give a positive review. Thank you for making it and I hope you enjoy your Pakayak.
I'd be curious to hear your honest opinion of it. I feel like this guy doesn't understand how folds work and when you have a fresh brand new boat, you need to work it in a little. He complained about it being a warranty issue....uh, no, Guy....you need to work it in a little. I don't even own one and I can see that's how it works. He's honestly comparing apples to oranges here. A better comparison would be an oru to a tucktec (for example). He's comparing a hard shell to a foldable. Yes, they're both portable, but that will be the extent of the proper comparison.
@@ABCuteCreations Yeah, that would be a more accurate comparison as you mentioned. I’m back from a business trip as of today and my Oru is here. I’m excited to try it and agree this may have been a “user’s error” rather than the fault of the design. I’ve seen quite a few more reviews and all folks seem very pleased with the Bay St.
I think the purpose of this review is that they are both touring kayaks within the same price range. The tucktec is a rec kayak at a much lower price point amd does not compare to these in terms of performance.
First off thanks for the continuous shots instead of the moronic cut and zoom shots bs! Thank You!! No one will get me off my Intex dual canary kayak with the bottom keel though 😂
Don't they have some cart with wheels for the Pakayak allowing you to "wheel" the Pakayak to the sand and/or over the sand or across a parking lot for example?
i mention those wheels at the end. unfortunately, they charge for them when they should come with it standard. i would prefer a proper pack but at least give us the good wheels.
@@maximusjoseppi5904 That is precisely why I wont buy this kayak. Still have to lug 70lbs of gear...ridiculous. I was about to drop $2k on this thing but no thanks.
@@alexmook6786 I mean, it's definitely worth it even without the larger wheels. The kayak itself is amazing and the convenience for it's packed size is tremendous. There's no other kayak I would rather.
@@maximusjoseppi5904 Thanks Max....My situation is this. I kayak in remote places on the California coast where I need to traverse big beaches, over rocks, paths etc. It almost seems easier to lift my 53lb kayak over my head and walk to the beach. I think I would have a hard time pulling the cart over sand and rock....but maybe I am wrong on that. If I am wrong then the Pakayak may be worth the purchase as I am looking for a new kayak. If I can solve the drag over the sand and rock issue I think I would pull the trigger on this one. Also, is it awkward to lift the kayak into the back of a hatchback?
@@alexmook6786 no, the pack has lots of points to grab it so it's easy to pick up. It's just hard to pull it over grass and wouldn't roll over sand with the small wheels. I did get a pair of the off road wheels and they are pretty cool. They're large and plastic so they float. But they're bulky obviously so there's always a trade off.. Same with normal kayaks.. they can be lighter than this to carry but now you need to transport a 14-17' boat around haha. Also, the weight of this kayak makes it slice through waves so nicely so all give and take
The good review made up for having to listen to that shit music (no, it wasn't really music, just noise) during the intro. It would be great to see such a comparison with the Point 65 North Mercury kayak.
Seen a few of these kayak reviews, and besides noticing that all the reviewers are over 6 feet tall, I've never seen one this honest. The Oru seems to be a really flawed product and the Bluefin lacks the portability that I'm looking for. Looking into the Trak 2.0, but at about $4000.00 I might be too short for this sport, at least my bank account is. I'll just stick to renting for the time being.
I loved the light weight, but you talked me out of the Oru, and I'm losing interest in the Itiwit x500 too. The Itiwit also looks great, but good reviews are fresh out of the box, and some long-term reviews are dismal. I'll buy something in this category before summer, and I'm running out of options. I've had an AdvancedFrame Sport for a year and still like it, but I'm ready to graduate to better performance and class 2 water. I'm four hours from the ocean, but I enjoy road trips to Charleston, and I'm not far from river rapids in the Georgia mountains. The Pakayak's weight deters me less than the price. The included carrier's large wheel attachment is absurdly expensive, but a decent kayak carrier with large wheels costs less than fifty bucks and would likely carry the Pakayak packed or unpacked; otherwise, I'd assemble it near the car and roll it to the water on the cheap carrier. Same goes for paddles. I wouldn't buy a paddle from a kayak manufacturer. Two grand is more than I want to pay for a kayak, but used Pakayaks are hard to find, so resale value presumably is good. I'll look for the $300 discounts though I don't expect one before summer.
Update: I finally bought the x500, and I love it. It's heavier than the Oru but portable enough, and it's very durable. I've had it on the water dozens of times including 30 miles in the Okefenokee Swamp miles from civilization surrounded by alligators, and I've seen no sign of a leak. I only fold it now to transport it. At home, I inflate it to 5 psi and hang it on the wall of my garage. Decathlon is out of stock now and preparing an updated model. I think I got the last one.
ya.. its too bad. great concept and im sure its fine for the pond boats but for the performance boats, you cant deal with inconsistency and tracking issues like that. or if they were like 200 bucks then it would be fine as well.
I enjoyed your review. The Oru has its place especially if weight is a consideration. The larger cockpit in the Lake, Lake+, Inlet, Beach LT, and the Beach LT Sport make them easier to get in and out of. I’m almost 75 with some aches and pains, so those Oru’s will work better for me, and people like me, but if I was 30 again, I wouldn’t want either of these kayaks. I’d want something truly seaworthy.
I have finally ordered a Pakayak Bluefin 142 Chili, from MEC as it was finally in stock again. From Pakayak website, I have ordered rudder kit, rudder will only be used when very windy.
Hauling a hard kayak is easy for me..throw it in back of my truck. bam. and when i get to the water i am already paddling while you're putting your oragami together.. and a hard kayak will last 50x longer than plastic cardboard. aka coraplast.
ya except putting a 14' kayak in the back of a truck doesnt actually work haha. and the aqua kayak is a hard shell if you watch the video. i can fit 3 of them inside my truck... cant do that with a full size. theres all give and take man.
@@maximusjoseppi5904 yes it does if you just add two 10ft 2x4 runners to the truck bed for a $14 "accessory". The OP is right for most paddlers. A hard kayak and roof or bed carry will handle 90% users. The stacking kayak is great for a townhouse or apt. Also for a small car with no good rooftop situation. I had an inflatable when I had a convertible. Finally a backpacker. The stack boat appears to be a much better boat than the yard sign folder. Longer waterline, better hull speed, curved chines, better cockpit, watertight chambers, durable material. As to a truck bed...breaking the stack boat in half and putting them separately in a van or truck will let you close the bed...then only one set of clicks to assemble/disassemble.
@@STho205 now you're talking adding complexity to your travel.. now you need to store a 14' boat someplace, multiple 10ft pieces of wood, ratchet straps, long load flag, and you can only fit one. The time it takes to set all that up just took away the time advantage. I own a house and I just don't want a giant 14' boat eye sore taking up 45sq feet of my yard
you're just being silly hipster anal retentive with this response . These boats are often marketed to folks that like complexity and just so kits. You, for instance have a yard, a pool, a very, very nice perfectly trimmed lawn BTW Hank, so you likely have a place for a full boat. If you have a pickup truck, a hardshell 14ft rack of two cheap 2x4s is both your storage rack and your truck bed carrier. Again, these folders serve a purpose for those with rental property or downtown places with no garage or yard. They serve the purpose for a sports car driver. Beyond that they are often of interest to people that are extremely fastidious. I watched a guy two weeks ago assemble a flip yak on the boat launch. Took him 40 minutes and it ended up being a short, heavy, plastic two pontoon paddle boat that could have easily fit in his giant pickup...he just liked the fiddly fastidiousness of it all fitting in a heavy roadie box.
@@STho205 it's not silly, it's the vast majority of the population man. Fact is, you can fit 10 pakayaks in the place of 1 touring kayak... And it's easier, neater, and just as quick. I don't need to convince you of anything, those are just facts and many people like me don't want the clutter, wasted space, and annoyance of complexity when it's not required. I have multiple kayaks in my closet... I can put them in my suv in 2 minutes and drive away .. I rest my case. Enjoy what you enjoy and let other people enjoy what they enjoy.
It's really NOT a pain in the butt to transport a real kayak. These 2 belong on the curb to be disposed. If you don't want to transport a real kayak than look elsewhere. Maybe try petanque or something.
it really is hard to transport a 14+ foot kayak. its REALLY hard to transport 2. its EXTREMELY hard to transport 3. you could fit 3 of these in an suv... this is better than a solid kayak for lots of people and opens up the market to tons of customers that would otherwise never consider a touring kayak cause theyre too big. the world is bigger than you
What an incredibly stupid comment. There's nothing about the pakyak that makes it anything less than a real kayak. Also, not everybody has the space to store a kayak that somehow does not fold.
