Thank you very much for the extensive review on this kayak. I just purchased my Expedition today, and judging from your videos, I think I made a wise decision. Kudos!
thumperpaul First off thank you for watching and congratulations on your purchase of your brand new AE Expedition I know you’re going to love it. If you have any questions once you receive it just let me know and I’ll help you where I can. Thank you for watching
Excellent video, I was particularly interested to hear your comments about the rudder kit as I have both the expedition and the convertible and had felt adding the rudder kit would make them easier to handle, which is clearly the case from your demonstration. The expedition had been my go-to kayak until last year when I got the Airfusion Elite which is a joy to paddle although compared to the other AE boats it's a little tippy but it is fast! Still I would favour the expedition for a long paddle for the improved stability and comfort. I shall have to watch your other videos now as they are certainly well editted, very professional compared to my basic action cam uploads!
Dean Bevan thank you Dean for the kudos they are much appreciated. I found the rudder kit on the expedition to really work well once you get it rigged correctly. It will be more difficult to fold as you will have to learn the best way to fold it. Other than that it works well.
Thanks for making these videos, they're very informative. I'd like to see you take that boat on Class I/II whitewater and report back on how it handles quick turns and bouncing off rocks. And, if possible where you are, try the boat in coastal waters and see how it handles large swells and heavy winds and currents. Safely though, please.
Richard Bryan thanks for your comments. At 68 yrs young I don't see rapids in my future. I did however take this boat up the Swannee which put me into a couple class 1's which it handled well. Did not bounce off any rocks, thank you very much lol. As far as coastal, haven't done that yet but if I do I will report my findings.
Dale, thank you so much for these videos. I am an experienced sailor but a novice to kayaking. I had the AE Firefly just to get my feet wet and to use as an additional tender to the bigger sailboat. I have sold the sailboat (broke my heart) but am determined to still be a water girl and just bought the Expedition Elite to take camping and return to my favourite sailing spots up North in British Columbia. I understand the Expedition will be a much better kayak experience than the Firefly ( which is a hoot for what it is meant to do)and I am excited to try it out. I think I want to get the rudder system. I have never used one, obviously, but do you think it would be better to get one immediately and not get used to paddling the Expedition without? I suspect I will be using this kayak more on inland ocean than lakes so there will be tides and currents to consider. I am 58 so need to consider fatigue and all that nonsense. There is no question I will be getting a sail, but am wondering if you have any thoughts on the AE sail and the Windpaddle sail? and that looks like a really nice paddle...make? I have a Werner carbon shaft 230 right now. Should I upgrade? I am not anticipating super long passages but there will be some days I will be paddling a lot.
mintolost welcome to the kayaking world. Let me address your questions in order. As far as the rudder, I would wait, paddle a bit to find out if you really need it. Of my 5 kayaks only 2 have rudders. I use them in my wildlife photography to keep the kayak in one place while taking a shot. I’m 68 years young and really enjoy my expedition, but my favorite is the AE Sport. Your current paddle will serve you well no need to upgrade. Mine is a Manta Rey hybrid by aqua bound. That paddle has a blade surface of 104 square inches which takes a lot of effort as it moves a lot of water. The only recommendation I would make if you decide to upgrade is an adjustable furel. Lastly the sail. I would only recommend the Rapidup by AE. I have had others but that by far is the best. Check out my review on the rapidup. I hope I addressed your questions. If you have more I will answer them to the best of my ability.
Thank you so much! Your thoughts on the rudder were my instincts, but having zero experience it helps to have some advice from a person who knows these kayaks. The rudder system seems kind of pricey so I only want it if it will enhance my abilities and enjoyment. I have been told the Sport is pretty sweet, but for those longer trips up North i wanted more storage. Will definitely be getting a dolly of some kind. Probably the AE one if you think that is a good one. I am viewing more of your videos as I write> Really enjoying them.
mintolost on a kayak dolly, my only recommendation is that it has a double strap system and has a foldable frame and removable wheels. As it will store in the rear hatch. The single strap one will drive you nuts. I use the dolly on my expedition as it’s a lot of boat. The Sport I just throw it on my shoulder and off I go. Lol
you may be selling me on getting the sport as well, for those closer to home, just a day on the water, paddles! i think i have definitely outgrown the Firefly! AE dolly meets all the requirements you mentioned I think. i think you mentioned you are in Florida. Ever thought about wildlife photography here in the Northwest? It is spectacular here in the summers.
I've been looking at an advanced elements kayak. just for basic use. I was leaning towards the ae1012 with a backbone. is there a significant advantage to this model without a rudder besides storage? is one much faster than the other?
Luke DiCosimo the Sport is my go to kayak. fast nimble and great tracking. I guess I could compare the Sport with a Corvette and the expedition XE as a stretched limo. Both perform well. ae1017 with backbone gives you improved tracking. I have both with back bone and dropstich floor. I did a comparison of the AE1017 with BB and dropstich. You can view that vid on my channel. so to answer your question I will ask a question what is your major plan for use. For pure recreation AE1017 for long touring AE1009XE. hope that helps.
what is the purpose of the rear thwart bag? Is it to keep the back deck nice and proper? does it offer some extra rigidity? Seaparator so whatever you're stowing in the back doesn't hit your lumbar area?
@@DaleMrDSimmons it would be so nice if you would have the time to make a video with the proper position of the dropstich floor for this model, like you have for the sport. I am mainly concerned about the front to back positioning. Mine came out of the box with the DS floor way over the landing pad. I moved it back but it is much harder to figure out how much, especially since there is limited access in the back.
It's very kind of you for all those informations, thanks. My girlfriend is interested by this boat, she is 5'2", this boat is wider than the EVO AE1042 (that she also consider). Is it a problem to paddle this boat for a short person because of the reach for the water by the paddle?
tsiganed this all depends on what’s she’s looking to do. I’m only 5’5” and do mostly recreational paddling. The EVO is sleek and fast but not as stable as the expedition. The width of the kayak would not be a problem for her. The paddle she would want to have is a 230 or 240cm. Thank you for watching.
I have the Sport and love it. I saw an inflatable seat on another video reviewing the AF-DS. Is that available thru AE here in the States or just for Europe? The seat's padding is bit light and the floor of the DS is hard on the rump (same with the backbone for that matter). If I want to go on an actual expedition, I'll definitely will want that. Also, what is the "Air Bone" and is it available as well?
Thanks for the video dave, i’m thinking about purchasing this kayak for myself. Do you think that at 6 feet and 275lb i’ll be comfortable in this model?
Octavio R should be no problem as it has a max load limit of 450lbs at 13 feet long. The Elite comes with the Dropstich floor which maintains really excellent rigidity. Thanks for watching.
In your review of the AE1017 Advanced Frame Sport you said that was your favorite all around kayak. Do you like it better than the Advanced Elements Expedition Elite Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak - AE1009XE?
Kevin F yes I do. Understand I also have the DS floor in the Sport. The Elite is a great kayak and for long hauls it’s my go to. But for everyday use I use my Sport 90% of the time. Thanks for watching.
Reinis Miks I live in Florida which should be the testing ground for all inflatable kayaks. The waters here are tough on kayaks. Yes, I have hit all kinds of rocks, shale, underwater logs, branches and all kinds of stuff. No problems of any kind so far.
Baby Poseidon I don’t think so as there’s a metal frame fwd that would interfere. For a medium sized dog I would recommend the Convertible or the Straitedge
Hi Dale. How does the ekspedition compare with the convertible in regards to handling and speed for single use? Thank you for any information you can provide.
trimasi hello and Merry Christmas, for single use I would recommend the expedition over the convertible for single use. I own both and have paddled the convertible solo and it tracks well but it’s just a beast. Convertible is 52 lbs and 15ft. Where as the Expedition is 42lbs at 13ft. This is dry weight. I have found it takes a lot more effort to paddle and maneuver the Convertible. I have to use a 104” blade surface size paddle to make it easier. The Expedition on the other had I can use any of my other paddles and cut through the water with ease. The Convertible is a great tandem but not so good as a solo. Hopes that helps.
@@DaleMrDSimmons Thank you for your quick reply and insights. I was considering the convertible over the expedition for the trips where my wife and dog would join, but it will be used mostly as a solo. I might just buy her the sport instead. Merry Christmas :-)
Dale W. Betts hey Dale, lol Not difficult at all. If you have minor mobility problems unclip the front of the combing and unzip the front. Gives you more room to get out. You can do the same getting in just add a long tether to the zipper pull. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching.
I just bought the Expedition and tested it out inflating it on the grass. I Donn't want the rudder kit because I and just using it on lakes. Your setup video was very helpful and I subscribed to your channel I had a Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 several years back so I am familiar with long boats. I an 60 years old so I am thinking about safety first
Dale W. Betts Well congratulations on your expedition purchase you are really going to like that boat. Are use the expedition for my really long up kayaking paddle’s when I’m doing local stuff I use my sport. Have a wonderful time with that kayak you’re gonna love it
Yes they are exactly the same in length. The Advanced Frame has inflatable combing and fwd an aft zippers. A slight weight difference but performance it’s almost the same.
