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Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
Posted by: airkayaks | July 4, 2012Product Review: The 2012 Airis PlayHi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak fromWalker Bay
Last month we released our product review on the Airis Sport 6.5 PSI high pressureinflatable kayak – the first in a series of redesigns being offered by Airis (Walker Bay)for 2012. Recently we received the new 8.5 foot Airis Play model, the second kayak inthe series and a cross between the original Play 8 and Play 9.
At 18 lbs with a max load of 225 lbs, the new 6.5 PSI Airis Play is lighter, longer andmore compact, making it very easy to maneuver and highly portable for traveling. Hereis our write-up.
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Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
Getting Started
The box as received weighs 30 lbs, measuring 28 x 20 x14 inches.
Inside is a very nifty backpack which houses the kayak body. Also included in the box isa seat, repair kit, double action pump, gauge and instructions. The kayak rolled up caneasily be fit inside the backpack, along with the seat. The pump can be strapped to theoutside of the pack, while the repair kit can slip into the zippering pocket. Breakdownpaddles in a bag could also be strapped into the other side of the pack.
Setup/InflatationFirst step, unpack and unfold the kayak. There are basically just three pieces – the kayakbody, floor and seat. Pretty simple.
The Play Single kayak body has been redesigned with two main inflation chambersutilizing military valves with a third chamber on the floor. The military-style plungervalves are simple to use – with your finger, twist the plunger slightly to the “up” positionto inflate (air goes in but doesn’t come back out) and “down” to deflate (air comes out).
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Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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Put the pressure gauge on the included double action pump, locking it in between thepump itself and the hose. (Please note: there is an inflate and a deflate side to thepump/hose attachment.) The pump comes with a military valve adaptor which locks ontothe valve with a slight twist.
The new Airis Play Single also comes with an updated pump, which we term a “dualaction” pump – a single action/double action hand pump. This is defaulted to the “doubleaction” which means the air is pushed in on the up and the down stroke. When obtaininghigher pressures (towards the 3 and 4 PSI range) it becomes increasingly tougher topump. With a simple “twist of the knob” the pump becomes a single action pump –pushing air in on the down stroke only, making it easier to reach the higher ranges of 6to 7 PSI.
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Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
Per the instructions, pump up one main chamber about 50% and then the other about50% – this will help evenly distribute the air inside the chambers. Then completely pumpeach chamber up to full pressure of 6.5PSI. Screw on the wingnut caps to protect thevalves, and prevent air from accidentally escaping.
Next, pull up the back of the kayak floor bladder. Take the seat and position it againstthe back of the kayak, with the seat bottom on the floor. Replace the floor OVER the seatbase.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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Take each side strap and run it through the d-ring on the back of each side handle,looping it back through the cinch locks on the back of the seat.
Last step – following the same advice mentioned previously on military valves, pump upthe floor. Make sure it is evenly positioned, pushing it under the inflated side chambers ifnecessary. Pump it up to full 6.5PSI pressure; the floor chamber now holds the seat basein position, making it virtually impossible to slide around.
In much less than 10 minutes you’re ready for the water!
Deflation is just as easy. Simply open up the valves and roll up the kayak, pushing outthe air. You can also use the deflate side of the hand pump to completely pump out theair. Replace the wingnuts to protect the valves when not in use.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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Features and Specifications
The Airis Play Single is constructed with four carrying handles (bow, stern and bothsides).
The fore and aft handles have a slim profile – making it easier to roll up for storage –while the two side handles have rubberized grips.
Despite having so many handles, this lightweight kayak is very easy to carry – thesimplest being hooked over your shoulder.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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A bungee deck lacing system – measuring 14 inches wide by 10 inches deep, tapering to9 inches wide – allows one to carry gear, while 2 d-rings offer more attachment points.
The 48″ seating well is fairly open, and entirely surrounded with a “spray rail” or “splashguard” – this is a curving lip that helps prevent some of the water splashing in. The railis 58 inches long with a perimeter measurement of 139 inches.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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Other features include integrated foot rests which are positioned 40 inches from the backof the seat. The fabric seat back is 15 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
The hull has an integrated deep tracking fin, 9 inches x 5 inches.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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The kayak body construction features a proprietary Airweb construction – this consists ofa heavy duty, seven-layer polymer coated fabric that is joined inside by thousands ofdrop-stitch fibers, allowing the kayak to be pumped up to much higher pressures thanstandard inflatables.
We did measurement tests. The kayak inflated is 8.5 feet long (102 inches) andapproximately 31 inches at the widest point. The seating well is 4 inches deep, while thekayak body overall is about 6 inches thick. The kayak body weighed in at 18 lbs alone, or23.5 lbs in the backpack with seat and pump. Weight limitations suggest 225 lbs forperson and gear.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
Comparison to the Airis Sport model
As we still had our demo Airis Sport model pumped up in the warehouse, we hauled itout for comparison with the new Play Single. In general the kayaks are quite similarexcept for length and small features. To begin with, the seating wells are identical insize, they utilize the same foot braces, seats, tracking fin, pump and backpack.
The lengths are different. The Airis Sport is 126 inches long with 29 inches from thebow to the front rail guard, and 46″ from the seat back to the stern. The Airis Play is102 inches long with 21″ from the bow to the front rail guard, and 24″ from the seatback to the stern.
The only other differences – the Sport has a more tapering silhouette, the bungee decklacing takes up a larger area, and there are two d-rings in the bow of the Sport.
On the Water
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
I tested out the kayak over two days in slight swells. The Airis Play is very nimble,turning on a dime, and tracks pretty well despite it’s smaller length – it is important tonote that the smaller lighter kayaks will have a tendency to “wag” a bit in the nose if youare a power paddler. The idea is to take it easy. I had great fun riding back in on theswells and wishing I had a bit of surf.
It’s also very stable – I was able to stand up and sit down without flipping or falling, butI wouldn’t suggest it as a common practice.
As noted in our previous writeup on the Airis Sport, in choppy conditions, water breaksover the spray guard, and fills under the inflatable floor. I don’t know if over time thewater will build up and fill in, so my suggestion is to stash a microfiber towel on board towick out any extra water.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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For my height (5’4”) the kayak is very comfortable and easy to carry, though I can’treach the integrated foot pegs, and the seat can not be moved closer. While my 6’2″husband was not able to take a test ride at this time, he had previously tested the oldermodel Play and the 2012 model Sport and had no problems fitting in the seating area; asboth the Play and Sport seating wells are identical, I would have no reason to think hewould have a problem.
I also managed to cajole my kayaking buddy, Eddie, to come out for a spin. There wasample enough room for a 40-lb canine, so I imagine that smaller adults would be able tobring along a small child.
Despite first impressions on the cloth seat, with proper strap adjustment it’s quitecomfortable and offers good support.
A spray deck would be a great addition, offering more versatility. I did test out the Playwith a Seattle Sports XL half deck. While not perfect ( the seating compartment isshallow), with a little creativity the half deck could be an option offering more protectionfrom the elements as well as more storage pockets.
Bottom Line:
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
The Airis Play is aptly named – this is a fun kayak for all members of the family. It’sperfect for light whitewater and small surf, wave-riding and taking short explorations.
At 18 lbs it’s light-as-a-feather, highly portable, rugged, stable and maneuverable.
Set up is very simple and takes less than 10 minutes, but for those wanting to speed upthe process, investing in a 12-volt pump to kick-start the inflation process would beworthwhile. The included double/single-action pump is a great touch, making it mucheasier to reach the recommended 6.5 PSI.
The D-ring attachments and bungee deck lacing add just enough flexibility for addedstorage and accessories without making it too complicated, though the addition of acouple more d-rings would allow use of thigh straps and more flexibility in addingoptional accessories – such as a downwind sail.
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
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The included backpack is rugged and roomy, opening up the possibility of a trek intoremote areas. It can also be stashed in the trunk of a car or checked as baggage foryour next plane flight – it’s a great choice for travel.
As with the Airis Sport, my only suggestion for a future “wish list” would be adjustablefoot braces and a spray deck option. But, the bottom line – if you want slightly moregear attachments or prefer longer touring excursions, take a look at the Airis Sportinflatable kayak (MSRP $1099). If you want to run some mild waves and white water,want short jaunts along the shoreline, or size and weight is an issue, then the Airis Play(MSRP $799) is just your ticket – it’s certainly fun on the water.
To purchase, or for more details and specifications on the Airis line of kayaks, visit thewebsite at http://www.AirKayaks.com
See the Airis Play Inflatable Kayak Product Page or the Airis Sport InflatableKayak Product Page.
You can also watch our YouTube Video on the New Airis Play Inflatable Kayak fromWalker Bay
Product Review: The 2012 Airis Play Hi-Pressure Inflatable Kayak from Walker Bay | AirKayaks.com
https://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/product-review-the-2012-airis-play-hi-pressure-inflatable-kayak-from-walker-bay/[2017-02-24 10:18:09 AM]
Stay tuned. Coming soon – the Airis Play Tandem Inflatable Kayak and the newAiris Arrow Standup SUP Paddleboards!
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