Unfortunately the right side bladder burst at the lake this weekend. Not a minor hole but a massive one. There were no sharp objects around that could have pierced it, and in fact the outer shell is unmarked. So it’s an issue with the construction.A replacement is not available in the USA but can be sourced in the UK for a total cost of $150.This is the 2nd Chinook we’ve had, the first one needed to be replaced after 3 weeks of gentle use due to a leak.Not recommended at all.

My husband and I are 59 & 60. I’m 5’3” and he is 6’. This was recommended to us as a good tandem kayak by the salesperson. We took it out for two days. He used his kayak and I used this one as a single with the dog. It’s maybe six inches deep on the floor but once in the water the floor sinks a bit and my first day I was trying to paddle with the sides of the kayak coming up to my armpits. We truly had it over inflated too because we were on very cold water. That was awful. Didn’t go very far but still had some fun. Day two. Did the same thing I have to do with our F250. I used a booster seat. The problem with that was that made the back of the seat hit me very low allowing for almost no lower back support. I managed to work with that but we were on cold water so ... MoreMy husband and I are 59 & 60. I’m 5’3” and he is 6’. This was recommended to us as a good tandem kayak by the salesperson. We took it out for two days. He used his kayak and I used this one as a single with the dog. It’s maybe six inches deep on the floor but once in the water the floor sinks a bit and my first day I was trying to paddle with the sides of the kayak coming up to my armpits. We truly had it over inflated too because we were on very cold water. That was awful. Didn’t go very far but still had some fun. Day two. Did the same thing I have to do with our F250. I used a booster seat. The problem with that was that made the back of the seat hit me very low allowing for almost no lower back support. I managed to work with that but we were on cold water so within 30 minutes I’m halfway across the lake and have lost about 1/4 of my air. Not the kayaks fault but this thing is not speedy in the best of conditions. To finish our trip I was not able at any point allowed to stop and take a breath. My husband passed me with only the wind to his back while I was paddling like my life depended on it. I had once again sunk down so low in the seat I was scraping my knuckles on the sides. I’m not taking it back yet. I’m not giving up. I’m going to get a proper booster seat and a hand pump to top it off while on cold water trips when we stop to take breaks. We are going to try tandem and see how it works with a 6’ man and 5’3” woman. If this works I’ll get myself a nice kayak like his and this will be for friends, family and the two of us. Moral of the story it’s just not good for a small single person.

This kayak did not work for us, at all. Firstly, it is extremely narrow (I'm 5'6" and weigh 125 pounds - my hips barely fit into this kayak!). Secondly, our kayak had a very large "wrinkle" in the boat itself right where the air input valve is that spanned the entire top of the kayak from side to side. Lastly, our knuckles rubbed the side of the kayak every time we paddled which I've never experienced before in any kayak. I have the single Advanced Elements kayak (also purchase from REI) and it is FAR superior in every way. I will be returning this and purchasing the two person Advanced Elements kayak (it's pretty much always true...you get what you pay for!). Yes, the Advanced Elements kayak is three times more money but worth it in my humble opinion.