Testing a CHEAP Inflatable Kayak to See If It's Any Good: Retrospec Coaster Review

Check It Out Here: https://retrospec.com/collections/inf... The Retrospec Coaster is a $450 inflatable kayak that outperforms comparable kayaks that I've tested, but I'm not keeping it for a few key reasons. As you continue watching, you'll discover my honest opinions on this lightweight 9' 10" kayak and whether you should buy it. Let's start with what I appreciate about this kayak. When I first unboxed this kayak, I was impressed with how lightweight it is. I've paddled a lot of inflatable kayaks and paddleboards in the past, and none of them have been this lightweight. The backpack is great for hiking upriver and floating down, or for hiking to a spot that other boats and kayaks can't reach. I really appreciate the 4 carry handles that make it easy to carry when it's inflated. Another thing I noticed the first time I unboxed this kayak was a weird bar with Velcro on it. At first I thought it was really goofy, but as I paddled the kayak more, the adjustable footrest began to earn its keep. It helps me stay in a comfortable paddling position without much effort. On that note, the inflatable seat is comfortable as long as you don't fully inflate it. Even though it's not even 10 feet long, I felt like there's plenty of room. I can keep some of my fishing gear behind the seat and still have plenty of room for my legs. Granted, I'm short, but even a taller person will have room to stretch their legs. I've had this kayak for about 6 months now, dragging it over rocks, paddling it across sharp sticks, and letting the waves crash it against the rocky shore. I've even done what I tell others not to do and stored it in my hot truck for weeks at a time. So far it's held up well, and the puncture-resistant fabric shell works great, even against sharp fishing hooks. Those are the things that have stood out as positives on my paddling and fishing trips, but here are a few things that I haven't been impressed with at all. The first time I inflated this kayak, I instantly noticed the strange valves. My Retrospec paddleboard had the typical valves, so I expected this kayak to have them too, but it doesn't. Luckily, the kayak comes with a hand pump that connects to the valves, and my electric pump has multiple attachments that work with it. A problem with most inflatable kayaks is how much wind they catch, and this one is no exception. The high sides make paddling a pain on windy days because you have to paddle constantly; otherwise, you'll get turned sideways and quickly go off track. Speaking of paddling, I've found that it doesn't track very straight, even with the keels (fins) installed. I find myself zig-zagging with each stroke of my paddle and spend a lot of my time correcting my direction instead of paddling or fishing. I knew the last drawback going in, so it wasn't a shock, but as an angler, it's worth mentioning. This kayak is not designed for fishing. So it doesn't come with any fishing-related attachments or design features. I'm not saying you can't fish out of it; I'm fishing out of it today at my pond, but it's not as simple to fish out of as a fishing kayak. So who is the Retrospec Coaster for? I think it's great for people who just want to paddle around solo or with a small pet without breaking the bank. There's also a tandem version that costs a little more if you want to increase your weight capacity and bring a paddling buddy along. I also think it's a solid option for kayak campers, but anglers will find it lacking, and I believe there are much better inflatable fishing kayak options available.