Today I decided to test and review my Sevylor QuickPak K1 inflatable kayaks. It was a beautiful day in Hocking Hills, mid-70’s, the sun was shining, and I had nothing else on my schedule.
It sounded like the perfect opportunity to get outside for an adventure!
Table of Contents
- Design and Comfort of the Sevylor QuikPak K1
- Performance on the Water
- Durability, Safety, and Care
- Sevylor QuikPak K1 on the Hocking River
- Conclusion and Recommendation
Believe it or not, I don’t even remember how long I’ve had my two Sevylor inflatable kayaks. It’s been at least a year, possibly more. I got them shortly after we purchased a new RV because I thought we’d take them with us and kayak at every opportunity. Turns out, that didn’t happen. The best laid plans and all that… ?
Until today, I’d never even opened them up, except to inflate one on my family room floor to see how it worked. Then I deflated it, folded it back up, and they’ve both been sitting on a garage shelf ever since.
Of course, I’ve taken them with us on a few RV trips over the past year or so. And no, they never got unpacked on any of those trips either, not even once.
What makes today special? Well, I’m retired now and sick of seeing those Sevylor inflatable kayaks sitting up on the shelf. They look lonely and lacking purpose. So I figured why not take one out on the Hocking River today and put it through it’s paces to see if they were even worth the money. My wife didn’t want to go with me to try out the second one, so it was a solo trip for me.
The model I have is the Sevylor QuikPak K1, which is one of the most inexpensive, budget-friendly kayaks on the market. Thankfully I went the budget route, I must have sensed just how much use they were going to get. To be honest, that’s the main reason I looked at Sevylor inflatable kayaks to begin with. I have a history of purchasing new things, getting all gung-ho about them at first, and then quickly losing interest and never using them again. Or I get interested in something else, and the old thing gets neglected. I wasn’t sure if that would happen with the kayaks, but I figured better safe than sorry.
The Sevylor QuikPak K1 inflatable kayak is a one-person kayak that folds and packs into a backpack system for easy transport. Its 21-gauge PVC construction and tarpaulin bottom seem to provide a good level of durability. The kayak is rated to hold a single person weighing up to 400 lbs or 181.43 kg.
The price of this Sevylor QuickPak K1 inflatable kayak is around $154 on Amazon. I’ve seen it range $10-20 higher or lower at various other online stores. Most of the stores, where I saw lower-priced ones, were charging extra for shipping.
Design and Comfort of the Sevylor QuikPak K1
The Sevylor QuikPak K1 is designed for adventurers who prioritize convenience without compromising on comfort. The kayak is crafted from 21-gauge PVC, a robust material known for its durability in calmer waters. The tarpaulin bottom and polyester cover add layers of protection against punctures, which is essential for confidence during solo excursions.
This particular Sevylor inflatable kayak model is a sit-on-top style, designed to keep you dry and comfortable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t totally deliver on that promise. You will most likely wind up with wet rear-end on this kayak unless you are incredibly careful and a little bit lucky.
Transportability is a high point for the Sevylor QuikPak K1. When deflated, it converts into a backpack with padded straps, making it a breeze to carry to even the most remote launch spots. Total weight is around 18 pounds. Efficiency in setup is also notable; within minutes of arriving, you’re ready to hit the water.
I don’t have a lot of experience with this kayak, and yet I was able to go from backpack mode, to ready-to-launch, in only 7.5 minutes. I was not rushing, and even had the inflator nozzle pop out a couple of times, releasing a bunch of air I’d just worked so hard to put in. The included hand pump inflates/deflates during the upstroke and downstroke, so it works fast and efficiently to inflate the air chambers of the kayak.
Reversing the process is pretty easy and user-friendly as well. Once the kayak is dry, it’s very easy to deflate, fold, store, and go.
Sevylor’s attention to detail shows in the inclusion of variable length footrests and a cup holder. The footrests cater to your size and personal comfort, and the cup holder is in a convenient spot right between your legs, but not in the way of paddling.
Performance on the Water
Whether you’re going out on a calm lake or in a mild river current, the QuikPak K1 is engineered for comfort and stability. I found the seat to be very comfortable, and I never once felt like I was at risk of tipping over. Even after getting sideways in some small rapids, I never felt uneasy. Don’t expect it to handle intense rapids—this isn’t its domain—but for leisurely paddles, it’s more than adequate.
Now, maneuverability is key for any kayak, and here is where the QuikPak K1 gets low scores in my book. Despite having two skegs, one in the front and one in the back, I found it almost impossible to get the Sevylor QuikPak K1 to track straight. Unless I kept paddling actively, I would find myself drifting aimlessly in random directions within a few seconds.
Durability, Safety, and Care
I examined the Sevylor QuikPak K1’s build quality meticulously to assess its durability. The 21-guage PVC material and tarpaulin bottom provide resistance to punctures, vital for peace of mind during your water adventures. But I’m not oblivious to the fact that this is a budget-friendly kayak, and the material is not impervious to damage from sticks, rocks, and other debris found in various waterways.
The 3-piece oar had a little bit of flex to it, but I felt it was more than adequate and solid in the water, even during heavy rowing. I didn’t have any problems with it twisting or the oar heads getting out of alignment. It is a perfectly functional oar for leisurely to moderate kayaking.
Safety is central to kayak design, and Sevylor doesn’t skimp here. Design features such as multiple air chambers ensure you stay afloat even in the unlikely event of a puncture of one chamber. And the high-visibility color helps you remain visible to others.
Caring for your inflatable kayak is straightforward. Post-use rinsing, drying, and proper storage are crucial. I would not recommend folding and storing the kayak in the backpack system until it has had time to dry thoroughly. Avoid dragging the kayak across rough surfaces to extend its lifespan and maintain performance.
Unfortunately, I have zero experience with Sevylor’s customer service or warranty coverage. With an inflatable kayak in this price range, unless it was blatantly missing parts, or had leaks right out of the box, I can’t imagine having to call Sevylor customer service for anything, The included directions were more than adequate for assembling and disassembling the kayak.
Sevylor QuikPak K1 on the Hocking River
My launch point today was the Falls Mill Hocking River access at the Falls Mills Bridge on River St just off OH-664. There’s a small parking lot there with spaces for 7 vehicles, maybe 10 in a pinch.
From the parking area, you have a short walk down to the Hocking River. Take the sidewalk under the bridge, and walk up a short trail to a rocky area and a small sandy beach next to the river. I had no trouble carrying my Sevylor QuikPak K1 as a backpack. It’s actually quite light at approximately 18 pounds.
As I mentioned above, it took me only 7.5 minutes to go from backpack mode to ready-to-launch. Yes, I timed myself. I wasn’t rushing either. The inflator nozzle popped out a couple times, causing a brief loss of precious air, and I fumbled around a bit while assembling the oar. So 7.5 minutes seems pretty respectable!
Once fully inflated, I checked all the inflation points, 4 total, to make sure they were closed and sealed securely. I converted the backpack/carrying system into the kayak seat pad, clipped it in, and then clipped the cargo net into the 3 attachment points on front of the boat (for storage). Finally, I put the three sections of the oar together and tightened the plastic nuts down securely so it would not twist. Just in case, I put the inflation pump and hose under the cargo net on front. Hey, ya’ never know!
With all my belongings in a wet-bag and my phone in a waterproof sleeve, both clipped to the kayak — I was ready to go!
Hocking River Trip Picture Gallery
I grabbed the handle on the bow of the kayak and pulled it out into the river. The rocks were VERY slippery! Hopped on top, got myself situated, and shoved off. So far, so good. The Sevylor QuickPak K1 actually feels very stable in the water. My rear-end was already a little wet just from throwing my leg over and maneuvering myself into position.
My planned trip is 3.7 miles down river to the Chieftan Sunoco at the OH-328 overpass. I’m aware of a very small beach area there and an overgrown trail up to the Sunoco parking lot, so I figure that will make a nice landing point where my wife can retrieve me.
The entire meandering paddle down the Hocking River was incredibly enjoyable. I felt blessed just to live in Hocking Hills and be surrounded by so much natural beauty every day. Most of the time, I didn’t even think about the kayak. Once I knew it was stable and I wasn’t going to fall in the river, I relaxed into the journey.
There were several spots along the way where I got into some moderate rapids, and/or some very shallow spots where the kayak was rubbing up against rocks, or the skegs were dragging on the bottom. Thankfully, those spots were few and far between, and I didn’t have any trouble navigating my way through them.
One spot in particular, where the rapids were the roughest, I got sideways with the kayak and, for a split second, thought I was going to tip. Thankfully, the QuickPak K1 did it’s job and kept me upright.
Along the way, I made two brief stops. One at a sandbar to take a drink and stretch my legs, and the other at Kachelmacker Park Canoe Launch, at the OH-93 overpass for a short break and to grab a few pictures. I had no trouble getting on or off the kayak, but it was impossible to do so without throwing a little bit of water in/on the boat with my feet.
I mentioned tracking issues earlier in the article, and it’s worth mentioning again here. The only real complaint I have about the Sevylor QuickPak K1 is the tracking, or complete lack thereof. Despite having two rubber skegs, one in front and one in back, I found it pretty much impossible to keep the kayak tracking in a straight line. Unless I was actively paddling, non-stop, the Sevylor QuickPak K1 would start going sideways in random directions almost immediately.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Sevylor QuikPak K1 has been an “Amazon Choice” since I originally got mine. It currently has 4.2 stars with over 2,300 customer reviews. Most of the negative reviews I read were related to tracking & maneuverability issues. Not unexpected for an inflatable kayak in this price range.
But it’s still a solid performer for the casual kayaker looking to get out and enjoy nature. I would recommend it to anyone getting started with kayaking, or to nature lovers and outdoor adventurers who are looking for an inexpensive, stable, well-constructed inflatable kayak to use for casual kayaking on calm lakes and moderate-flow rivers.
If you are interested in the Sevylor Inflatable Kayak from this review, Click Here to purchase on Amazon.
Regardless of the tracking issues with the QuickPak K1, I would still consider purchasing Sevylor inflatable kayaks again in the future if I ever find myself in the market again. However, I would likely purchase a slightly higher-end model such as this Sevylor QuickPak K5 with 24 Gauge PVC (another Amazon Choice with good reviews).
But if I really wanted to level-up my inflatable kayak game, and raise my price range considerably, I would consider something like the Driftsun Rover Inflatable Kayak, or the Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Fishing Kayak. This is based on conversations I’ve had with other, more experienced kayakers, and reading lots of online reviews.
Well, that’s it for my Sevylor QuickPak K1 inflatable kayak review. I’d love to know what you think in the comments below!
Happy Kayaking!
Take Nothing But Pictures, Leave Nothing But Footprints, Kill Nothing But Time
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