Description
The Island Voyage 2 is a recreational inflatable kayak by Advanced Elements designed for versatility, portability, and comfort. It is made to handle casual paddling or light adventure use (lakes, calm rivers, slow moving water), either with one paddler or two. The idea is to offer a kayak that is easy to transport (no roof rack needed), easy to set up, durable, and capable of giving a stable, fun ride for beginners to fairly experienced paddlers.
Design & Construction
Here are the materials and design choices that shape its performance:
| Component | Details / Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hull & Material | Uses a multi-layer design: heavy-duty PVC tarpaulin for the hull base plus side tubes covered with a 600-denier polyester jacket. This gives puncture resistance, abrasion protection, and durability. |
| Air Chambers & Seams | Three air chambers (safety: if one chamber is compromised, the others still provide flotation). Welded perimetric seams (RF / welded perimeter seam) for stronger joint integrity. |
| Bow Shape & Rocker | The bow is pointed, with some rocker (i.e. upward curve), which helps with performance: better handling of small waves, improved bow lift, and helps tracking (i.e. keeping a straighter line) during paddling. |
| Tracking Fin | A removable deep tracking fin is included to help the kayak go straighter; this is useful especially in wind or when carrying load. |
| Seats & Comfort | High-back supportive seats, padded, adjustable. Seats include features like pockets, bottle holders. Designed to provide comfort during longer paddling sessions. |
| Rigging & Storage | Deck lacing (bungee) and D-rings to secure gear, multiple grab handles to make it easier to carry. There is also a rear drain plug to drain water after use. |
| Portability Features | Packs down fairly compactly when deflated / folded. Folded size is around 31″ × 18″ × 10″ (~78.8 × 45.7 × 25.4 cm). |
Performance & Behavior on the Water
Here’s how the Island Voyage 2 tends to perform in use, what it’s well-suited for, and what its limitations are:
Strengths
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Stability: The high-volume side tubes and relatively wide beam provide good primary stability. It won’t be as tippy as narrow designs. Good for beginners.
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Versatility (Solo or Tandem): Because of 3 seat positions, you can paddle with two or one, depending on preference and gear. Useful for flexibility.
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Portability & Storage: Packs up small enough to fit in a car trunk; easy to transport to remote launch points.
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Comfort: High-back seats, with pockets and bottle holders, make paddling more comfortable. Good for longer durations.
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Accessory friendly: The deck lacings, D-rings, handles, and tracking fin allow for tailoring to gear, securing items, improving tracking.
Summary
The Advanced Elements Island Voyage 2 is a well-balanced inflatable kayak that offers:
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Durability (multi-layer PVC + polyester covers + welded seams),
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Comfort,
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Flexibility (solo / tandem seating, gear fittings),
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Portability.
It won’t match a rigid kayak in speed or absolute performance under tough conditions, but for its category it offers a lot of value. If you want something dependable, transportable, stable, and good for casual paddling or light adventuring, this is one of the better choices.
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