The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible inflatable kayak has been popular for many many years.
It has always sold well and I find in general most people are quite happy with it.
It does have a few flaws but the concept and design are good and actually fairly unique in the inflatable kayak world.
Best Uses: Day trips, flat water, ocean, calm rivers, camping
Best Deal: For the best deal plus free shipping for the Advanced Elements Convertible inflatable kayak go to Outdoorplay.com.
Number of Paddlers: 2 – but can be converted for 1
Specs: Length 15’, Width 32”, Weight 56 lbs, Load Capacity 550 lbs
Folded Size:. 35″ x 21″ x 12″
Accessories Included: Carrying duffel bag, 2 folding foam mesh seats, repair kit, owner’s manual
Kayak Material: PVC Tarpaulin with 1000 denier polyester outer fabric, heavy-duty 30-gauge PVC main chamber, high density polyurethane-coated polyester inner cover
Pros:
- stable
- good maneuverability
- easy to paddle
- good amount of leg room even for someone over 6′ tall
- can be converted for solo use
- good tracking
- optional spray decks can be added for more protection from the elements
Cons:
- quite heavy at 56 lbs.
- easier to control on calm flat water as opposed to ocean swells
- setup time is longer than most other inflatable kayaks
- takes a little longer to dry out
Advanced Elements Important Features
I find with the AE Convertible that you have to take the good with the bad and luckily there is a lot of good to focus on.
It’s a Convertible!
At least it is as close to a convertible as you’re going to get in an inflatable kayak.
Although it is fitted with two seats and best paddled as a tandem, one of the seats can be removed and the other moved to the center for solo use. There is optional solo and tandem decking that can be purchased to go along with it.
When paddled solo we found that it took more effort to get moving because of the sheer length and weight but once you get that good glide going it feels quite nice.
When paddled as a tandem it is capable of really picking up some nice speed, especially of flat calm water.
Optional Decking
Already standard with this model is a more closed-in feel with the longer decking. You can also purchase separately solo or tandem decking that completely closes the top except for the cockpit.
There are very few inflatable kayaks that offer this feature and it is a nice one. The added decking adds on weight but makes it look fantastic and also offers more protection from the elements, which I have to admit is a real bonus.
Sits Low In The Water
If you have previously paddled hard-shell kayaks you might appreciate that the Convertible sits fairly low in the water making it easy to paddle and maneuver.
It provides a more ‘authentic’ kayak feel, which for some is important.
In my experience even if you are used to hard-shell kayaks you can get comfortable with an inflatable very quickly no matter the design.
Decent Back Support
The back support offered by the included foam seats is decent.
The back of the seat comes about half way up your back when you sit against it. I like a slightly higher back personally for more support.
There have been a few complaints that they get uncomfortable after paddling for awhile.
If it becomes an issue and you are doing longer trips you could always look for other seat options but for general paddling around they are just fine.
Storage Space
There is a small storage area under the decking right at the back and right up front. It is not huge but can definitely hold a small to medium size dry bag or two.
You can also secure more gear on top of the decking under the front bungee cords or just tied down with some proper clips. No problem loading it up as it can hold up to 550 lbs.
Tracking and Speed
It has a very tapered pointy bow and stern and a decent size skeg, both of which help with the tracking and speed.
It is not the fastest kayak out there but it is also nothing to complain about.
Bag
The carry bag that comes included in the package is made of strong nylon and has fairly heavy duty handles to carry it.
The bag is not fancy but easily fits the Convertible when deflated and completely and rolled up.
Convertible Complaints
I love the look of the Convertible but I have to admit it is not one of my personal favourites for a few clear reasons.
1. The weight bothers me.
56 lbs. is heavier than most other tandem IK’s.
If you plan on taking the Convertible out for solo use you better have a cart with wheels to get it to the water.
Two people of course will have no problem carrying it but the weight still bothers me.
For years I hoped that Advanced Elements might come up with some design feature or different material or parts that bring the weight down.
That being said this is rarely a complaint I hear from those who own it so it might just be something I’m hung up on haha. It is after all a 15′ long kayak with decking, so a little extra weight is bound to come along with that.
The upside to that extra weight is that because of it you will be less likely to get blown by the wind. This can sometimes be an issue with some really light weight models.
2. It takes much longer to set up than I’m used to.
Setting up the backbone (if you choose to get it) definitely adds more time to the process.
The kayak I paddle most often is the Sea Eagle Razorlite and I am so used to that thing being inflated and setup in only a few minutes that dealing with the extra details of the Convertible feel cumbersome to me.
However because of those extra details you get a pretty cool looking kayak that looks more like a hard-shell design than the typical open deck style of inflatables.
3. The floor is what I am now coining as the ‘old school inflatable kayak floor’.
What I mean is that there are more and more IK’s that are coming standard with a high-pressure super rigid floor.
This really increases the rigidity and consequently the overall performance.
The ‘old school’ softer inflatable floor still comes standard with the Convertible. It is comfortable to sit on, possibly cheaper to make but ultimately makes for a less efficient paddling machine.
This old school floor is still being used by LOTS of manufacturers so it is not that Advanced Elements is way behind the times.
Also worth noting that they do offer the high-pressure rigid floor as an extra if you want to invest in it. However adding in the extra cost of the rigid floor plus the backbone no longer makes the price of this kayak seem so fantastic.
So in this case you will have to weigh the pros and cons and decide if the added costs are worth it for you.
4. The rigidity is not as good as I would like.
This kind of goes along with the floor issue as I find the Convertible to be not as rigid as I would like it to be even when fully inflated properly.
The optional backbone and high-pressure floor that can be purchased definitely helps to create a more rigid structure and improves performance.
You could definitely use just one or the to other for added rigidity instead of buying both the floor and the backbone.
It is a tough call to say which one will help out the most. I would probably gear towards the floor over the backbone.
5. Takes more effort to dry out after use.
With the extra decking it is easy for water to become trapped in the Convertible and harder to get it all out when you are finished.
It is totally doable to dry it out and definitely not something to be overly concerned about. Just be conscious of the fact that you will need to bring along some old towels and get right inside the interior to dry it.
The good thing is that in waves and chop not much water, if any at all will get inside the kayak with the great decking for protection.
Final Thoughts
Although it is true I do have a few complaints with the AdvancedFrame Convertible there is no denying its popularity, great looks and awesome features.
It is a nice ride, reliable and easy to paddle with the advantage of being able to be used for solo trips or with a friend or family member.
If you would prefer a smaller solo model of the same design see our Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Review.
Where To Buy
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I saw this one on one of the top 10 best Kayaks for dogs, really wanna buy it. Anybody used it with a furry friend and can say that it is a good deal?
Thanks a lot!
We just purchased this kayak from the paddlestore in Calgary AB, smoking price of $550 can, ya Canadian eh. Did everything the reviews said it would do, sister also bought one. Yup it takes maybe more to dry out so have a beer. Would recommend the advanced unit.
Wow that is a fantastic price, especially in Canadian dollars. Nice score! So glad you are loving it and perfect timing for summer. If you get any great pics you’d like to share we’d love to see them! Happy paddling!
Is there a reason you don’t have the convertible listed as a good expedition kayak? Seems its size would lend well to that type of a trip?
I have a bunch of REI dividend money I get to spend this year and want to get an inflatable – only brands they carry are really the AE and Aquaglide – I’m not familiar with Aquaglide at all. They also have one NRS – the outlaw II.
Mostly be using it in mountain lakes, but would like to take it down some larger calm rivers and sounds like a decent fit.
The AE Convertible would definitely work for you. It is ideal for lakes and calm rivers. The Aquaglide kayaks are decent as well but a little more sluggish, the AE Convertible glides smoother and moves faster. The NRS Outlaw is a great kayak but better suited for whitewater. I find the Convertible a little on the heavy side but it’s a nice ride and the price is reasonable.
I bought an advanced frame convertible kayak but had issues with it being twisted when inflated and steering to the right.
I contacted advanced elements support with photos and they were extremely helpful – told me how to try and remedy the situation, and when it became apparent that it was a faulty kayak they organised a replacement quickly.
The replacement is straight and is great. Moves well through the water, tracks well. Easy to paddle solo (with my pup in it).
Thanks for the comment Sanjeev! Glad it got sorted out and you are enjoying it. Happy paddling!
You can get tank joint problem and you will stuck in the middle of of the water…Joint problem not repairable..
Just open nice red skin and you will see poor quality high pressure tank inside cover.
Kayak not safe. After one year I drop this dangerous toy in the forest.
Hi,
I have read all your reviews, and I still doubt between 2 kayaks.
– advanced elements convertible 2 person
– Innova Helios 2 person
We ( 2 persons ) would like to kayak on the lakes, calm water .. Comfort and space is more important than speed. Wich one does have the most space and id most comfortable ? Wich one is more stable ? What about the quality ?
Thank you very much ,
Kind regards,
Olivier
Hi Olivier, Both are good kayaks and both would suit your needs so you can’t go too wrong. I personally prefer the Innova Helios II. I find the quality to be a little better and I like the performance. I think they are equally as stable. The Helios is lighter and easier to travel with as well as much faster to setup. However the AE Convertible does have quite a bit of room inside and is very comfortable… possibly a little more comfortable than the Helios – with the Helios you sit right on the floor as opposed to on a seat. The Convertible of course also has the deck which adds more protection for anything stored inside the kayak. I’m an Innova fan but the AE Convertible is super popular and those who have it love it. The only real downside to the Convertible is the longer setup time and the heavier weight. Hope that helps.
Thank you very much,
I decided to buy the Helios 2. Do you know anything about the colours ? Is the blue helios an older model ? What length of paddle should I take with a inflatable kayak ?
Sorry for all the questions, your site is incredibly helpful !
Great choice, the Helios II is really an awesome kayak. I know the newest Helios kayaks have the choice of either dark green or red. The most typical length of paddle for an inflatable kayak is 230cm. The general guide for inflatables is if you are under 5’2″ then use a paddle length of 220cm, 5’2″-5’8″ use a 230cm paddle, or if you are over 5’8″ you can use a 240cm paddle. The Helios is leaner than many other IK’s so it’s not as critical that the paddle is longer. It’s personal preference but I find that a 230cm paddle is good for most people.
Does the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Convertible have any tendency to yaw?
Hi Bob, yes it does have a tendency to yaw a little bit. However it’s not too bad compared to many others, the tracking is decent. I wouldn’t be too concerned about it.