Kayak Backbone Enhancer by Advanced Elements

I tried the AE Sport Kayak without the backbone and found it to be a little slower than I had hoped. I measured my speed to be about 2 MPH at a casual paddle speed and 3.2 MPH at a "fast pace" (but not top speed). I purchased the backbone and my speeds increased to about 2.7 MPH casual and 4 MPH at a "fast pace". This is a significant improvement in speed and the kayak now seems to "glide" across the water. I think that I could easily keep up with some of the cheaper and flatter hard shells out there. However, I went kayaking with my daughter in her AE Sport Kayak. She does not use a backbone. We decided that she really doesn't need it since her speeds match mine without the backbone. So here is the deal.... it really all depends on your weight. I see people say that the backbone made no difference for them. I have to imagine that these people are probably pretty light to begin with. My daughter is 5'3" and 120 pounds while I am 5'10' and 185 pounds. Due to my extra weight, I have significantly more drag and flex in the bottom of the boat without the backbone. This causes extra drag which slows me down. Adding the backbone increases rigidity allowing me to keep up with my daughter. For her, the backbone would probably add very little benefit given that her weight is not enough to cause the kayak to flex/sag, thus her drag is already fairly low. If you are heavier and notice a lot of drag due to sag in your boat, then the backbone will definitely help. If you have very little sag to begin with, the backbone will likely not provide a noticeable improvement for the money spent. For me, the backbone means the difference between struggling to keep up with my daughter and gliding comfortably along side her. If I am going to go kayaking by myself and don't need the extra speed, I will leave the backbone at home because the AE Sport works fairly well in the calm water that I kayak in. But if I am going to go with someone else and have concerns about keeping up, I will definitely take the backbone.

I thought I had reviewed this thing, but I guess I discussed it in my kayak review. I have the AdvancedFrame Sport and decided to try this thing after a few YouTube videos recommended it. I didn't notice a big difference at first, but I had little paddling experience then, and I used it consistently anyway. When I decided to save a little time by omitting it a few months later, I noticed a big difference in tracking. It adds a little time to inflating and packing the kayak, but it's worth the effort. You must partially inflate the kayak before inserting it and partially deflate before removing it, and you should carefully align it with the ribs at the bow and stern before fully inflating. The mesh carrying bag is convenient and also fits my bilge pump.

I got this for discount price and it came later than expected.. surely delivery speed is not good but product itself is very good. I enjoy this backbone with my AE sport, and having backbone with this kayak way better than not having it. My Advanced Element sport became faster and stronger but my butts hurts little bit. Surely, you may need to have extra seat or towel under it than you are ready to fly zoommmm.. I love AE sport, it's big enough and easy to get off and get in.. but little work to unfold it.. I was thinking lagoon 1 should be easier to make it ready but sport is better in performance..

I bought the backbone to enhance the performance of my advanced frame sport model. Upon trying to assemble the item, the instructions state, in bold letters, do not use in rivers or whitewater. Shallow water can cause EXTREME DAMAGE to your kayak due to the a rigid beam of the backbone. No where, before purchase does it mention that. I paddel in mostly shallow water so this is useless to me.

This backbone is easy to install when you want to make the Advanced Elements Sport Kayak stiffer for open water paddling. It is important to get it well centered otherwise it will make the boat want to turn to once side or the other, but once you get it in straight it helps make the boat faster. It's well worth using for open water paddling but not needed for rivers where constant turning needed.

This kayak is perfect. Having previously had a rigid hull kayak so I wasn't sure if this could match the enjoyment I experienced previously on the water, but once I added the backbone it was equally as good at tracking. So easy to pump up. No need to purchase the 12volt pump as the hand pump takes 5 minutes to do it all, I am a 62 year old woman and use this kayak on the inland lakes in the upper Midwest. Everyone who used this kayak was impressed other than my 6'7" son! We live in a condo and the storage of this kayak is perfect, plus it fits so well in the storage area on our 24' camping trailer.

If you don't have a tracking problem with your AE AdvancedFrame, don't waste your money on this item. I ordered it hoping it would improve the speed which it did not. I thought tracking was fine without the backbone. It is extremely difficult/frustrating to get the backboned positioned/installed correctly. I do not find it uncomfortable as I can't feel it through the floor mat and have not found an additional cushion to be necessary. If you feel it, your floor chamber may not be adequately inflated. I would only recommend this item if you are having trouble with tracking; otherwise, don't waste your money.

I wold say this does make your boat much more ridged. If that is necessary I am not sure. I guess if you want it to be more like a hard shell kayak then this is a must, but I find the performance to be marginally better with it. I weigh 190 lbs so I thought I wold get this to get some extra peed out of my boat as advertised. I think it is marginally better but not that much. It does give a more rigid feel as you are sitting in the kayak but over time you can start to feel it under your bottom instead of the waterbed like feel of the inflatable bottom. It is not bad just that you start to notice it. I would say if you are not that heavy under 150 lbs there is no need for this. If you want a slight edge or a more ridged feel to you boat then get it. It does add one more step to setting up your boat. You have to get it all aligned perfectly, both side to side and front and back to get the benefit. And you have to do it before you inflate. My first time I had to deflate a couple of times before I figured how to position it. One disadvantage is that it might make you boat more prone to punctures in that the bottom now has less give. I never use it when on the river because of the many obstacles I encounter and submerged tree limbs. But I think it is good on open water especially if the waves kick up.

I was fortunate enough to snag this Backbone Frame from Amazon Warehouse deals at a discount - and it was quite a steal! The product was practically new, incredibly lightweight yet sturdy, and showed the professional workmanship synonymous with Advanced Elements. It fit perfectly in my kayak and was super simple to install in the garage. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting warmer weather to take it for a spin in the lake, and perhaps even the sea.

Bought the advanced elements 1012 kayak and was thoroughly impressed, decided to get my wife one so ordered the Backbone for mine while I was at it. It is super easy to install, takes less that 2 minutes and adds a lot of rigidity. I am 200 pounds so I noticed the difference immediately. my average paddle speed went from 3.4 knots to 4.1 knots. It does make quite a difference. It is not as comfortable though as the kayak is without it, perfectly fine for a couple of hours of paddling but after that you start to notice it. I use it about 70% of the time, the rest I just go with the standard floor. Where it really shines is on choppy water as the rigidity really helps the tracking. NOTE.....I installed it in my wifes without telling her for her to try out before I bought her one and she noticed no difference at all. She only weighs 130 pounds so the kayak is plenty stiff without it. Readers digest version. If you want extra speed and tighter tracking and are over 175 pounds, this is a great add on. If you are under 150 pounds you probably wont see enough of a difference to make it worth your while.

I purchased 2 Advanced Elements Kayaks and one Backbone. I got it when it was on sale for substantially less than the asking price now. After quite a bit of usage with and without the Back bone I feel that it is not necessary. I find the kayak handles just as good without it. It can be a bit of a hassle getting installed perfectly centered. It is well made and may be more suitable for someone that’s interested in speed but for casual kayaking it’s not required. As I mentioned in another review these are Great Kayaks.

Adds extra stability and tracking to the already excellent Advanced frame kayak. If you buy the kayak, buy the backbone as well. Easy to install.

came quickly and provides good stability to the kayak