Updated on 11/21/2024

Retrospec Coaster Kayak 1 & 2 Person Inflatable Kayak

Description

Retrospec Coaster Kayak 1 & 2 Person Inflatable Kayak and Heavy Duty Kayaks

Kayaker Comments

I'm a big kayaking guy. I want to go kayaking on any summer day trip and any summer vacation I take. I believe that this is the ideal activity. Who wouldn't like to spend a sunny day on a river or lake with their best friends, their dog, and a refreshing beverage in their hands while paddling gently down the water? (I don't condone drinking beer or cider while kayaking, but on the other hand, I don't not condone it either.)

It's not uncommon for me to shell out several hundred dollars for a single day's worth of kayak rental. The primary reason for this is that I never imagined I'd be able to store a kayak inside of my little apartment. However, inflatable kayaks, such as the new Retrospec Coaster (which will open in a new tab), are an entirely different ball game.

The single Retrospec Coaster (opens in a new tab) is an excellent choice for paddlers with limited storage space because it only weighs 31 pounds and can be stored in a canvas bag about the same size as a suitcase. Because of its diminutive proportions, it is simple to stow away in the closet, and it can be transported in the boot or the backseat of a car without needing a roof rack. For the sake of this review, we only tried the one-person version of this kayak; however, it is also available in a tandem form that is significantly larger and weighs 38 pounds.

Retrospec Coaster performance

The Coaster is far from being considered a fast kayak. It's easy to use and can be turned around quickly if needed, but it's not the lightest option, especially when carrying a 45-pound dog and a bag with lunch and snacks. However, unlike many of the rental kayaks I've used, this one makes paddling through the water much less complicated.

However, the Coaster makes up for its lack of aerodynamic function and exceptional comfort. The seat is well-padded and well-supported and can be adjusted in different ways. The extra space for storing gear is conducive, and the footrest lets you use your legs to paddle at least a little bit. Even though it's not the most pleasant paddle I've ever used, the one that comes with the kayak is adequate for paddling.

Regarding paddling with my dog, Miso, I've discovered that the Retrospec Coaster is the best kayak I've ever used. It is much more comfortable for dogs to lie in it for a full day on the water than in a hard-side kayak, and who doesn't want their pet with them as they paddle? Because the bottom is inflated, it is much more comfortable for dogs to lie in it for a full day on the water. It also has sufficient space to transport a large dog in the front while keeping all of your gear in the back, so you will never have to choose between the two options. You could even have room for two canines in this space if you stay within the 330-pound weight restriction. Miso preferred leaning her snout on the side of the structure, which served as a bolster bed for her, or burrowing into the front of the system to take a nap. The design was comprised of three chambers.

How Our Tests Went

Because Retrospec has a proven track record of producing high-quality bicycles and paddle boards, we decided to test this product. Because this is Retrospec's first venture into the world of inflatable kayaks, we knew that we needed to test it in order to determine whether or not it is on par with the company's other offerings.

This kayak was used for three distinct daylong paddling excursions: one journey of ten miles on a river, one day trip to a nearby lake that was rather quiet, and one day trip to a lake that had a moderate amount of wake from motorboats. Additionally, it was utilized three separate times on a placid lake for around two hours at a time during each of those instances. One individual verified that the Coaster's assembly and disassembly were simple enough for a single person to handle before each use by inflating and deflating the ride on their own. The previous disassembly was complicated by the fact that one of the deflate valves became jammed in the closed position and required the assistance of a second person to be unscrewed; as a result, the score for simplicity of use was reduced to 3.

During the testing phase, we also took into account the following factors:

Durability: Inflatable kayaks of the best quality are typically constructed with some form of PVC. The Retrospec Coaster is not built of PVC, but the bottom and hull are both composed of this material. The deck covers and side tubes are made out of polyester with a 600-denier ripstop weave that has been PU coated twice. During the testing, we did not encounter any concerns related to the boat's longevity with the valves, attachments, or the boat itself.

When shopping for an inflatable kayak, size is an important consideration. Not only does the kayak need to be spacious enough to accommodate the paddler, their gear, and possibly even an additional child or dog, but it also needs to be able to fold up into a manageable size for easy storage. The Retrospec kayak could fulfill both of these requirements thanks to its vast interior when it was inflated and its small size packed away in its case.

Stability may be sacrificed in single-person inflatable kayaks to achieve a more compact packing size. The Retrospec inflatable kayak stood out as one of the most stable models we've tried.

Additional features include a velcro seat and footrest, paddles, a pump, and a carrying case all come standard with this kayak. This was taken into consideration in the scoring process because some other models of portable kayaks offer the equipment separately, which results in an additional financial outlay.

There are inflatable kayak options ranging in price from well under one hundred dollars to well over one thousand dollars, and the Retrospec Coaster is priced in the middle of that range.

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