Sevylor Tahiti Plus Review: Test, Experience & Evaluation
The “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” is an inflatable family kayak.
The boat measures 385cm in length and 88cm in width. It is designed for up to three people (2 adults and 1 child). We’ll see later whether there is enough space for this with a length of fewer than four meters.
The weight of this inflatable kayak is only around 12kg, so the boat can be transported easily. Something special has been made here to make it easier to carry it to the scene.
The inflatable kayak has an integrated rucksack system, which means that it can be carried on the back to the place of action when it is not inflated. The pack size is a compact 61 x 41 x 23 cm, which is about the size of a medium-sized backpack.
This kayak also has a few other good features. We’ll go into that in more items later. The boat also distinguishes itself from other kayaks with its eye-catching colors in red, blue, and gray.
Several buyers of the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” are convinced that the kayak can be set up quickly. With a little practice, the kayak is ready to use in about 10 minutes.
“Sevylor” introduces itself as “The original since 1948” and has set itself the goal of producing high quality, affordable, inflatable kayaks and canoes, including inflatables, sit-on-tops, and much more that everyone can have fun with. And that at affordable prices.
With this boat presentation, we will show you whether the sixty years of experience of “Sevylor” paired with these requirements have also led to success in the development of the “Tahiti Plus”. We’ll take a close look at the Sevylor Tahiti Plus inflatable kayak below.
We’ll tell you what to expect from this kayak and for whom it’s a good deal.
In addition to the Sevylor Tahiti Plus, there are also the Sevylor Yukon, Sevylor Hudson, Sevylor Ottawa, and the Sevylor Riviera.
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Table of Contents
Data & facts
| Art | Triple family inflatable kayak |
| material | Polyester cover, PVC side, and bottom chambers, bottom chambers with bar construction |
| Length Width | 385cm / 88cm |
| Pack size | 61cm x 41cm x 23cm |
| weight | 11.7kg |
| Total load capacity | 200kg |
Capacity
The “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” is an inflatable family kayak. It is designed for paddling with two adults and one child. Due to the total load capacity, it is not suitable for three adults.
This is 200kg. That should be just enough for a small family and some luggage and provisions. Small luggage can be stowed behind the rear paddler under a spray cover.
A buyer criticizes the space available. Two adults and a daypack would fit in, but the kayak is more suitable for an adult and a child. Another buyer notes that the kayak is good for two adults and a packsack.
Another buyer certifies that the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” has good stability, but it does not lie so well on the water with two adults with very different weights.
Features
As mentioned briefly at the beginning, this inflatable kayak is equipped with interesting details:
- Polyester cover and inflatable side chambers, an inflatable bottom chamber with web construction. A total of three separate chambers for increased security.
- The canoe has pressure control with an integrated pressure display to control the pressure in the chambers. The bar on the display indicates whether air needs to be replenished or deflated. The air pressure is correct when the bar is in the green area.
- Inflatable and adjustable seats with backrests.
- Luggage space behind the rear paddler.
- Practical handles on the front and back of the boat to make it easier to carry, switch on and off.
- Additional ropes on the sides of the bow and stern to increase safety on the water.
- “Boston valve” for easy inflation and deflation. The “Boston valves” have a somewhat simpler construction than the spring-based valves known from other boats, but are as easy to use as they are practical. The “Boston valve” is a screw valve. To inflate, the cap is unscrewed and the air pump inserted. The check valve prevents air from escaping as soon as the air pump hose is unplugged. The valve is opened to let out the air.
- “Backpack system” for easy carrying of the kayak. Once deflated and the boat rolled up, it can be carried like a backpack.
- Splash guards at the bow and stern to prevent the ingress of splash water.
- The boat has a practical bilge valve. Through this, water that has run into the kayak during the journey can be let out again on land.
Operation Area
The “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” is an excursion kayak for shorter tours in calm waters.
Several buyers criticize this inflatable kayak for not going well in a straight line. A buyer had returned the boat because he could not keep a track of it (even with an optional control fin) even on very calm waters.
Again and again, the canoe drifted to one side and could hardly be brought back on course. This is certainly also due to the short length of the kayak.
A paddler notes that it can be steered quite well for him with the additional fin. However, he also doesn’t do long tours by boat and doesn’t recommend it for paddlers who want a fast kayak.
We recommend a dry suit so that you are well prepared for long tours. You can find the best kayak drysuit here.
Acquisition Cost
The “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” has a comparatively low price. In return, the buyer gets good basic equipment and interesting details such as the “backpack system” described above and the integrated air pressure display.
This inflatable kayak is therefore particularly well suited for beginners. You can find out what a kayak costs here.
Processing
Several buyers are satisfied with the kayak. One customer even explicitly mentions the good quality of the boat.
However, there are also several buyers who report the damage. A customer mentions that a floor less than a year old popped open when it was inflated. Another buyer reported that some of the seams on the kayak had opened.
Several buyers who have used this inflatable kayak criticize the inflatable seats. The seats offer hardly any support and one buyer specifies that sitting, especially in the front and in the middle, is more than uncomfortable.
Equipment
The “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” has good basic equipment. In addition to the boat with the side and bottom chambers, the nylon cover, and the inflatable seats, a repair kit is also included in the scope of delivery.
The standard equipment also includes protective covers at the bow and stern.
In order to improve the straight-line stability of the boat, which is often criticized by buyers, a retrofittable control-blade can be installed (optional).
The “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” is also available in a kit. This consists of the inflatable kayak itself and a double paddle.
FAQs
For how many people is the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” suitable?
It is a family kayak for up to three people. It is designed for two adults and one child. Due to the total load capacity of 200kg, it is not suitable for three adults.
What is the operating pressure of the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus”?
The operating pressure is 0.06bar or 0.9psi. The integrated air pressure control makes it easier to optimally inflate the air chambers and to precisely adhere to the air pressure specified by the manufacturer.
The bar on the display indicates whether air needs to be replenished or deflated. The air pressure is correct when the bar is in the green area.
Can I also store the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” when it is inflated?
The kayak should never be fully inflated in the sun! Heat can lead to strong pressure increases in the chambers and thus to defects. During the paddling break, of course, the boat does not have to be completely lowered every time.
The boat can be in a shady place. It is advisable to let some air out of the chambers to prevent damage. You pumped up the chambers quickly the next time you were deployed.
This kayak does not have a safety valve in the bottom chamber but has an integrated pressure indicator. This helps to regulate the air pressure accordingly.
Is the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” suitable for transport by bike or on foot?
The Kayak is comparatively light at around 12kg. It also has a practical carrying system. After deflating and rolling up, the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” can be carried like a backpack. A useful detail!
Can I also transport the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” on public transport?
This is also possible due to the carrying system and low weight. When taking sports equipment with you on public transport, please observe the applicable transport regulations and do not hinder other travelers with your freight.
Is the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” also suitable for fishing?
The inflatable “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” is not suitable for fishing. Especially because of his sitting position deep in the boat. For this purpose, we recommend kayaks that are specifically designed for kayak fishing.
We have presented a few boats from this boat category. These ideas can also be found here kayaklike.com
Can the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” be repaired in the event of a hole?
A repair kit is included in the scope of delivery.
Can the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus” also be used in saltwater?
Buyers report that they also use the boat in saltwater, but point out that the boat is not suitable for wave-rich water and is also susceptible to wind.
After use in saltwater, it should be rinsed thoroughly with clear water and dried to avoid damage and the formation of a salt crust.
Conclusion
With the “Sevylor Tahiti Plus,” we see a better fun boat for a small, leisurely excursion on calm waters.
The inflatable kayak offers good basic equipment at a comparatively low price. But there are two more interesting details with the “backpack system” and the integrated pressure control. The practical carrying system in particular makes it interesting for recreational paddlers who simply want to carry the boat to the scene of action.
Sevylor Tahiti Plus
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This kayak is unfortunately suitable for long trips.
All in all, we can recommend this kayak for those who want to use the boat in still waters from time to time and for those who are new, wanting entertainment. However, we can recommend “Tahiti Plus” for more ambitious paddlers.
Video: Sevylor Tahiti Plus
