Comments about Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak:

Negatives first-you have to unpack and pump it up, takes 10 minutes more or less, pack it up then unpack and clean, hard to get dry.
Realize that is the trade-off because I can carry it in my small car. Make sure the Boston valve is sealed. I spent one morning with a slow paddle and a wet behind, thought I had a puncture, took tube out, didn't find a leak. I used a small strip of plumbers tape next time out and floor tube leaked no more. Make sure scupper plugs are securely closed before you pump it up also as they are hard to reach with it pumped up.
It is a dry ride if those two things are secured.
POSITIVES!!! everything else! I researched on the internet for a year before deciding on this one. No information tells you if a 6'5" 200 lb person can fit in a kayak. Only weight ratings are given. After looking at the few pictures I could find I took a chance. I can sit with legs comfortably bent and can lift my feet and rest them on the side tubes or front flotation bag and my legs are strait. Comfortable adjustable seat. Truly a sit on top inflatable. Handles well, responds to paddle, tracks well and can get decent speed. I got the Angler version due to protective coverings, d-rings with tie downs and thought I might want to fish with at some point. These exrtras add a few pounds and a few dollars but it is still not too heavy.
Overall, a great purchase. I'm glad I got it.
I will use it in coastal bayous and marshes of the Gulf coast and small creeks and rivers like the Black Creek in southeast Mississippi which is a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River.
It is a fun kayak on these small creeks and rivers. I wish we had some rapids in the area as it would probably work great. I might have to plan a trip to the mountains and find some. I can just throw it in my car and go. I don't need those 400 dollar car racks.

Comments about Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak:

First most important thing: if you are considering this boat it's because for one reason or another you cannot have a rigid hull boat. You understand an inflatable kayak has compromises by design and no matter how excellent the construction, if you can inflate it in 7 minutes at the boat ramp it is NOT GOING TO PERFORM LIKE AN EQUIVALENT LENGTH HARD SIDE BOAT. I have no storage space and cannot put a boat on top of my car, so an inflatable was my only option.

Now that is out of the way, I'll say this is THE BEST inflatable kayak money can buy! I have been astounded by how maneuverable it is, how well it performs, comfortable, stable, easy to set up, features, etc etc. It is a finely tuned craft that clearly has hundreds of hours of R&D behind it.

I've now spent a full season paddling this boat in a number of different waters. It performs the best in moderate sized rivers, such as the section of the James here in Richmond. It handles superbly in Class I-II rapids and I have no troubles navigating around rocks and other hazards. (I am not a highly experienced paddler yet, and have not attempted our larger III+ rapids.) Has perfect amount of rocker for this type of river. The self-bailing feature works great, waves that break over the bow drain right out. I usually strap my fishing crate to the D-rings behind the seat and bring a couple rods in the holders. I got another holder I attached to the fore accessory bar, it is a bit of a reach but works great when you need it.

The boat has almost uncanny stability and will not flip unless you intend to dump it. I often sit sideways with my feet in the water when fishing. Reentry from the water is ridiculously easy, like climbing onto a raft. Perhaps a reason for this is its wider than normal beam, at 35 inches it is quite wide- get a longer paddle. Also be careful not to scrape your hands across the pontoons while paddling, I lost half a fingernail doing that the first time I used it.

The seat and its adjustable lumbar is awesome! Makes for a very comfortable ride.

I've also used the boat in the surf on Hatteras where it performs great. We had it out at night for some shark fishing which involves a huge 16/0 hook, metal cable, whole fish, and 12 ounces of weight. The paddler takes the rig out on the kayak while the angler holds the reel in free spool on the beach. Once past the breakers and the sandbar the paddler drops the baited rig in the water and paddles back in. We caught and released a four foot sand shark with this method. Now that's angling!

The short length/inherent low hull speed of this boat is frustrating in big water. Even though it's stable in waves, it's just not fast enough for open water. That's not a criticism really, just know that a 9'8" kayak is quite slow relative to even a 12' boat.

So far the boat has been quite durable except for two things. Both the fore and aft float bags developed holes at their seams. The manufacturer replaced them right away, no questions asked (thanks AE!) Be careful not to muscle too much air into those bags. Also the velcro that attaches the fore and aft grab handles to the hull fails in the surf. I guess it is the salt and sand but they just won't stay on at the beach. When a wave dumps you out of the boat and you have to chase it down the beach it helps to have a handle to grab and it sucks when it rips off in your hand and the boat keeps floating away.

It is also fairly difficult to clean and dry this boat. I have found it is best to completely remove the air bladders from the hull and hang everything up to dry overnight. The bladder pocket on the floor of the boat will never dry on its own, you must use a towel. It can be tricky to re-install the float bags. Also once you go to the beach and get sand in this kayak, you will NEVER get it all out. There's just too many pockets and crevices.

I haven't used the boat for overnight camping, but I am confident I could strap my dry bag with camp gear to the aft D-rings and still have room for all my fishing gear and beverage cooler.

Overall I give the Straitedge Angler by Advanced Elements five stars or 11/10 or two thumbs up. It has exceeded all of my expectations in every way. Even my buddies who were giving me a hard time about my "pool toy" at the beginning of the season now respect the Straitedge Angler after they all used it at the beach and liked it's stability and maneuverability. Oh and did I mention it goes in my trunk and I can take it anywhere? Can't say enough good things about this kayak!

Comments about Advanced Elements Straitedge Angler Kayak:

First of all, this works for 6'5" 200lb guy. I was worried about leg room, but I can prop my feet with knees comfortably bent and can stretch my legs strait by just lifting my feet up on the flotation bag/foot rest. I felt like the price was as good as anybody else. I wanted the angler version for the extra bungy cord tie downs and the protective surface. I also may at some point want to kayak fish so I've already got the kayak It weighs a little more but probably worth it as it is little problem to move.
It is truly a sit on top, responds to the paddle and tracks wells in my one trip out. I went on Red Creek in southeast Mississippi. Will use it mostly on Black Creek Wild and Scenic River. This is also the MS gulf coast so will put it in many bayous and bays in the area as well.
It takes about 10 minutes to get it ready to go. Packs up fast also. Not as fast to get to water or out to car as hard shell but I can put it in my small car. Like a friend said, if you are in a hurry your probably not going kayaking.
Only negative is getting it dry to put it up. Fortunately, it was sunny when I got back so cleaned it and moved it around to let it dry. hopefully, it did. I think from looking at pictures the staitedge has less fabric than some other AE models.
Very pleased...so far.