Drop-stitch technology is what makes the Steam's floor absurdly stiff. If you could see inside the floor tube, you'd find an uncountable number of nylon threads spanning the top and Botton surfaces, which ensures the kayak maintains it's optimal shape while you compress pounds of highly-pressured air into the floor. The result is an inflatable kayak that feels as stiff as solid oak! At around 396 lbs, if you have two fully grown adults close to 6 feet tall paddling, you would get very close to max capacity. But given how low the air pressure of the Steam is compared to the R2, perhaps there is legitimacy to this lower weight bearing.

The carry bag is flimsy, which is not really great, I don't think. For the price of the boat, I would expect a hardier carry bag. We would recommend that if you’re planning to haul a lot of heavy gear and two fully grown adults over longer distances, you may want to consider the R2 over the Steam. But if you’re mostly planning on paddling the Steam in whitewater without much gear, or using it for lighter overnight paddles, the ~396 lbs weight capacity should be sufficient. Kayak Profile: Boat Length If you look at the front part, it has extended water splash guard bow design with hard nose protection and rubber carry handle so you can comfortably handle your kayak when you get out of the water. On a river tour, we were convinced by the kayak’s tipping stability. Although it is not as stable as the Itiwit x100+, it still offers a sufficiently high tipping stability, so that even beginners feel comfortable in the Aqua Marina Steam.Seamless Tube - Bezešvé spoje jednotlivých komor jsou k sobě svařovány pro maximální pevnost spoje.

Superfast 1+8/1+16 self-bailing drain system ideal for long-distance adventures and mild river running Built with high-quality and durable materials, the Aqua Marina 13’6″ STEAM-412 can handle any adventure you throw at it. Its inflatable design makes it easy to transport and store, while its spacious and comfortable seating provides a relaxing and enjoyable experience for up to two people. Drain Valve - Kombinaci odtokových ventilů, které v případě otevření zajistí rychlý odvod vody ven z kajaku. This versatile and durable kayak is perfect for those who want to add some excitement to their water adventures. The Steam can be used for solo or tandem paddling. Theres plenty of legroom, even for the taller paddler, and there's good space for camping/fishing gear.All kayaks fall into one of two categories: “Sit On Top” or “Sit In” referring to where the paddler is positioned in or on the kayak. Most inflatable kayaks fall into the “Sit In” category. The tubes create a higher gunwale and the paddler sits on the floor or on a seat between the tubes. Because the Steam’s side tubes are quite small at just 8.5” in diameter, the Steam takes on more of the feeling of a sit on top kayak. The 35” overall width provides lots of primary stability for the Steam while it is resting flat on its bottom. However, the smaller tubes and sit-on-top positioning mean that there isn’t as much leeway for leaning the Steam over onto its side. It is a pity that the narrow insertable drop-stitch floor is not attached to the actual boat hull (e.g. via two straps as on the Itiwit x100+). So we noticed that in the event of a capsize or too much water in the boat, the drop-stitch floor can be pushed up and come loose. Aqua Marina offers quite a few different inflatable kayaks in different ranges for different kinds of paddlers. The Steam 412 is an example of a mid-range tandem kayak with versatility and a quality that presents an appealing boat for intermediate paddlers as well as beginners with the ambition to grow their skillset.