Great news for people interested in the NRS Pike or Pike Pro! NRS just dropped the price of the Pike inflatable kayak to $995, and the Pike Pro to $1395. This takes a great value kayak to an exceptional value product!
As of 5/1/23 the Pike is on sale for just under $1k on the NRS website. I chose the Kuda because it’s only 32 lbs and more halfway between an I-yak and an I-sup so it drains water better. Tested it on some class 2 yesterday and it handled that with ease. As a river fisher in the PNW it’s a great solo boat for someone without a trailer or garage!
I have an Aquaglide Blackfoot Angler 130 inflatable, which looks remarkably similar to the NRS Pike you review here. Given my positive experience fishing out of the Blackfoot, I think folks would have a similarly good experience with the Pike. The only minor complaint I have with the Blackfoot is that it tends to catch the wind and get blown around, which I suspect is a common problem with inflatables. It looks like the Pike has shorter side tubes and is flatter front to back than the Blackfoot, plus the bow design is different so maybe it is a bit better in the wind. Thanks for all the informative and entertaining videos.
The advantage of the Pike over the Blackfoot is the front keel on the Pike. The Blackfoot looks to just have a rocker which will make it harder to move in a straight line.
Yet another one we know everything about thanks to your systematic approach to reviewing. The kayak has a few good features and would certainly make anyone look good on it. It would be cool if they added an all-around rubbing strake and oar locks; not much would be more versatile than this.
Hi Ken, another great review! Six months ago you named a similar sized inflatable, the Sea Eagle Fast Track 385, one of the best kayaks of 2022. Still looking for the full review of that boat, which when I questioned when it would appear you answered: “Coming soon!” Did I miss it? Just curious . . .😂
I have owned one inflatable, the sea eagle 393rl. I wasn’t impressed and went to Eddyline. Now this nrs is a diff approach and really interests me to bring along on our road trips for fishing.
Great kayak and review! I hope someday You can make a review on a Driftsun Rover 220 tandem Inflatable Kayak! You are the best doing this reviews! Thank You we learn a lot with Your videos! 👍
About 6 years ago, I purchased the sea eagle fast tracker angler. This seems like a cheaper quality boat for the same price. Although the sea eagle makes you sit like a chair, feet flat on the boat. That is better, just need a longer paddle since you are so high up.
I actually just tested the Sea Eagle Fast Track Angler yesterday! I definitely would not say that either is a cheaper quality boat. Both the Sea Eagle and the NRS boats are high quality inflatable kayaks. They both have pros and cons... but mostly pros. The chair for the NRS Pike is sweet, high and simple. But, the Sea Eagle has the option for a 360 degree swivel seat, which is really cool. The Pike has foot braces, while the Sea Eagle doesn't... I like foot braces! Bottom line as I see it, is that you wouldn't go wrong with either. With NRS dropping the price by $400, the value proposition for the Pike Pro just went up too!
Awesome review. Thank you. 👍 If you're talking so high about foot pegs on this kayak then I'm really curious what is your opinion on those in the Itiwit x500 Strenfit. I've seen your update from Okefenokee so a review is definitely coming soon. I wonder if our points of view on it match as I've been paddling it for a year.🤩
Great reviews. I am interested in an inflatable or sectional kayak/canoe for photography. Animals and birds along rivers and smaller lakes. Would love to see a reveiw on one best suited for this purpose. Assuming camera gear in dry bag, main camera around neck or some easy to reach fairly protected area and small lunch snack box. All being reasonably accessable while in the kayak/canoe. Bonus, if compatibel with some kind of camo blind.
I use the Point 65 N Martini for photography and chillaxin paddle sessions. It's a 2 piece modular hard shell kayak with a skeg and foot pedals. It has 2 bulkheads for gear and lunch and has a wide cockpit with combing to add a spray skirt and its built like a tank - super stable for photography. It also has a ruler for measuring fish.
You need to do a video, or have someone at OUTDOORPLAY, do a FULL setup and take down of this boat. You are very glib in regard to doing this. I know your showing the boats performance and that is very good information.
even though you would not get a wet butt wouldn't you still feel the cold of the water through the suit? I dont know much about them and im newer to kayaking and dont think i would ever need a wet/dry suit cus im not to fond of the cold so when warm weather is gone im done kayaking for the season!
First, is this strictly a one man boat, or could a second person fit ? Second, do you see the lack of scupper holes as a negative ? Lastly, how do you think it would do on small to medium sized streams with Class II or less with a rare Class III(typically short)
I don't know about this boat specifically, but my experience in "non self bailing" duckies in whitewater (class 3, so bigger waves) is that you will need to go to shore quite a bit to dump the boat. Or, they make little purge pumps (like a hand air pump) that work great if you have a little time before the next rapid, and will get most of the water out. Really, you can fish out of any of the duckies (I have a couple 1 and 2 person aire tribitutaries, which are great for white water). And, I'll add, even if this thing fills up with water, you will still make it through the rapid with no problem. It just will be heavier when trying to turn - but it will punch holes better - heh heh. And, it looks like if you don't have any gear, you could add a 2nd seat (maybe one of the inflatable ones, or just a thwart) and move the other far towards the rear. It has good foot rests, and you could add some knee straps to help you not get bounced out.
Looks like it tracks pretty good, is stable, and has a nice seat and foot rests. Cool little boat for fishing and just slow cruising. Maybe add a down wind sail, and you could cover some ground ... heh heh.
@@bennyblanko3 Yeah. I've done whitewater, II's & III's in North Carolina, on an NRS inflatable. The secondary stability isn't really there, so you're going to tip. I'd consider an inflatable boat you're taking to the river a warm weather kind of deal. You're probably going in. If you take on water, wait until you're hot or the water is too high and go for a quick dip.
Hi Bob. Some answers for you... I see it as a one person boat, although you could make it work with a second (smaller) person. Not ideal though. The lack of scuppers isn't a negative per se... it's just a limiting factor. It means it wouldn't be a great kayak for class 2/3 whitewater. It will swamp easily, especially since it doesn't have a lot of rocker. It is really designed for flatwater paddling/fishing.
It's $1116 with the PRO upgrade through July 4 with free shipping. Really can't beat that without sacrificing something. The price of everything is at the "bye, bye" level these days.
