The Aquaglide Mckenzie 125 Inflatable Kayak is a hybrid model, which means that it can be used for recreational rowing on calm water, or it can approach class III white water rapids. Thus, it is undoubtedly an overall versatile and fantastic inflatable.
It is a cross tandem kayak, which is very fun to use. More so, it comes with two seats and it is comfortable for two adults. The seats can also be adjusted for solo use, and it is surprisingly easy to paddle solo. The great news is that we actually found that it took less effort to paddle solo than other tandem models. McKenzie is quite stable and almost impossible to tip and also comes with some great features that create a very functional and high-performance kayak.
EVOBEAM FLOOR
The EvoBeam floor has a raised central v-shaped beam on the bottom, which helps with tracking. It also allows the side rails to be released when tilted for easier rotation. This type of floor is great for white water kayaking. However, in our experience, a stiffer floor of the high-pressure drop seam works better for the flat water ride.
So while the EvoBeam flooring keeps McKenzie very versatile, and the v-hull shape helps with tracking, it won’t reach the same speed as other similar models that have a high-pressure seam floor.
13 INCH SIDE TUBES
The 13 ”oversized side tubes provide excellent stability. You will feel safe in this kayak, no matter what type of water you are paddling in. With large side tubes and a width of 34.5 ”, you can see that the paddle rubs against the parts sometimes when it is paddling. This is very common in inflatable kayaks, especially those with larger side tubes. It’s not a big deal, and as you adjust your stroke, you’ll probably find that you’re doing less and less effort.
DURATEX CONSTRUCTION
The reinforced PVC construction is very strong and has the bonus of being quite light. For McKenzie’s size, it is extremely light, at only 30 lbs. The seams are thermally welded together, and there are no inner bladders. We haven’t heard of any problems with the Aquaglide construction, but it’s worth noting its single-layer construction, which is why you only receive a one-year warranty.
DETACHABLE POSI-TRACK FIN
The fin is, excellent and we like that it comes with a big touring fin which helps a lot with tracking. An interesting feature of the fins is that it is made of flexible vinyl, which you do not see often. Flexible vinyl helps keep the fins from breaking or bending. We would strongly recommend always using the fins for flatwater tours. You can leave the fin off if you are paddling in shallow rivers or in areas with rocks and debris.
HEAVY-DUTY NOSE CONE
The nose cone on the bow of the kayak is fantastic for extra protection and durability.
MESH SELF-DRAIN VALVES
There are 4 large mesh drain valves, permanently open, self-regulating. Drain valves are strategically placed for quick drainage when paddling in white water. We were a little nervous that the drains were permanently open. However, it works great, and the only water that came in was a little along the seams, which wasn’t a big deal at all.
MULTIPLE HANDLES
There is a sturdy plastic handle molded to both the bow and stern to make it easy to carry. Weighing only 30 kilograms, McKenzie is very easy to carry with two people. There are also two side handles for solo transport. It’s a little more awkward to carry it like that but very doable. If you plan to paddle solo, it would be worth installing the kayak near the water.
HALKEY-ROBERTS TYPE VALVE
Halkey-Roberts style valves are the valves you want for your inflatable kayak. It works great and does not let any air escape when it inflates. There is a valve on each side tube as well as one on the floor. Printed next to each valve is the recommended air pressure, so you always know how much it needs to swell.
This kayak can be inflated in less than ten minutes with a high-pressure manual pump with double action. It is worth noting that this kayak does NOT come with a pump. If you prefer to get over the hard work of manual inflation, you can get a 12V electric pump to do your job.
AQUAGLIDE SEATS
The seats have a 6-point fastening system, so they are very well secured. You can adjust the back straps to make your back as stiff as you need for extra support. The cushioning of the seats is decent, and overall, they are quite comfortable.
You can reposition the chairs for solo or tandem use, and you can also have the chairs facing each other, which can be fun for a picnic in the water or if you are paddling with children. The seats also include a D-ring in the back that can be used to secure your gear.
STAINLESS STEEL D RINGS
There are 4 stainless steel rings – 2 on each side tube. The d-rings are intended for fixing the seats.
FLOOR LOOPS
There are 22 strap loops along the sides of the floor (one every 6 “-12” along with the cabin) to secure the seat and any other equipment you want to bring, such as dry bags or a cooler. They are also used to secure thigh straps while you are kayaking in white water.
PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE
This is something we haven’t often seen before, and it’s a great feature. The pressure release valve does exactly what it needs to and protects the kayak from overflowing. Great feature!
PERFORMANCE
The Aquaglide Mckenzie 125 Inflatable Kayak is wonderful. It is light, comfortable, and versatile. It is great for sailing around and it is very pleasant to have the versatility of being able to use it on any type of water. However, it is slower to paddle, and there is a bit of pulling. The tracking is decent, though; even if you move a little slower, it stays pretty straightforward.
Even with a longer length, it is very easy to handle and rotate. It takes a little more effort when paddling solo, of course, but we think even total beginners will feel very comfortable quickly in this awesome inflatable kayak.
It is of course not our choice if you intend to use it mostly for flatwater tours. However, if you really want a hybrid model that can cruise and cope with white water rapids, then it becomes a good choice.
It is ideal for white water kayaking and handles rivers very well. When rowing in flat water, the performance is much improved with the touring wing installed. Without a fin, the pursuit is certainly not as good.
The Aquaglide Mckenzie 125 Inflatable Kayak PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Hull
- 2 seats
- 1 Touring fin
- 1 Storage bag
- Halkey-Roberts valve adapter
- Repair kit
COMPLAINTS
Our biggest issue with Aquaglide Mckenzie 125 is that it doesn’t come with a pump or paddles. Inflatable kayaks should include a pump and paddles, thus, not including them doesn’t make sense for us. For the price, we really feel they should include these accessories.
GUARANTEE
The Aquaglide Mckenzie 125 Inflatable Kayak has a 1-year warranty against defects.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST OFFER
For the best deals on the market, for Aquaglide Mckenzie 125 Inflatable Kayak we recommend you go to amazon.com
