Rigid Kayak Floor by Advanced Elements

We used this DSF on the initial test run of our recently-purchased convertible kayak. It felt virtually imperceptible from a hard-body and I am now fully on team inflatable. I had intended to get a backbone for rigidity, but this floor seems more compatible with dogs than the stock floor included with the advanced elements convertible. Tracking was great, we were able to move and turn quickly, and the boat had absolutely no sag with this floor installed. It's a worthwhile purchase, especially if you have to deal with strong winds or strong flow and/or waves.We haven't had to chance to test it out with our dogs, yet, but I'll update my review as soon as we get the chance.

The Advanced Elements AE1007AE Drop Stitch Floor in the Aquaglide Chinook 120 is an AMAZING upgrade and I'm so glad I tried it. It fits well and the rigid floor does not stress the seems whatsoever. It tracks perfectly, is much more stable and easier to get in/out of. It's a completely different boat and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome of my experiment. Shame on Aquaglide for not including or at least offering the option of a drop stitch floor for the Chinook 120. They could have made a good boat a great one.

A little expensive but well worth it. Makes the kayak more rigid and stable. Once installed it just stays in place. Fold the kayak up as is if the weight is not an issue.The floor is very rigid at about 5 psi. You can stand up in the kayak easily like a stand up paddle board.To use it inflate the inner chamber of the tube (front valve) until the tube takes some shape at 0 psi before installing single deck. Position the velcro on inner shell to sides of tube as needed.Inflate the floor to about 4 to 5 psi, verify position is centered.Install deck if needed.Inflate outer chamber of the tube (side valve) to 2 psi adjusting the velcro on the inner shell as needed.Inflate deck risers and deck rims.The reason for inflating the floor before the deck is installed is because of the location of the valve. This really only applies to the single deck which limits access to the valve. The double deck can be installed at any time before inflating the main chamber.

I can't inflate properly because I didn't get the valve adaptor.

I've used this floor once, on a six hour paddle. It held its pressure for about 2 hours and then became a mushy mess. I returned home and pumped it back up to 6lbs pressure (pump has a gauge), and found the leak. There is a seam in the construction that was inexpertly glued and has a small leak around the edges.I am a customer companies love. What's easier at this point? Clean it, pack it up, ship it back and deal with bureaucracy, waiting weeks while the summer disappears? Or patch it with a kit I already own? Let's put it this way: I'll patch it, but I'm not buying from them again.It was fine as a floor at first - not revolutionary but certainly a stiffer feel. We could carry the kayak without it bending in the middle.EDIT: Patch did not hold as the leak is on a seam and 6psi is too much. Now holds its pressure twice as long. Returning the product.

This drop stitch is a game changer!!I was paddling solo at 3.5 mph with regular floor. This new floor gives the kayak amazingresults:1. Better tracking2. Faster speeds up to 5.5mph3 Rigidity to be able to stand up .This is worth the price! No backbone needed!.

The drop stitch floor allows you to sit up higher in the kayak making it easier to paddle. It also simplifies the inflation process because you don't need the backbone. I'm really glad I added this to my kayak. The only down point is that it requires yet another type of pump connector, make sure you're prepared.

This should be a standard component for the Advanced Elements kayak! It holds 4-6 PSI and when inflated feels rock solid! My husband and I took the AE kayak out as tandem. Combined we are close to 400 lbs. With the standard bottom we felt like the kayak had too much flex, but with this the kayak was incredible stable. We handled 3ft waves from power boats with ease! And could move around and get in and out of the kayak with ease. Just wish is wasn’t such and expensive accessory.