Aquaglide Blackfoot 130 DS Angler
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $1,799.00
Our Overall Rating | 89 out of 100
Pros - High quality, stable, well equipped
Cons - Heavy, bulky, expensive
Overall - Perfect for fishing
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 396x96cm
Weight - 18.5kg
Load Capacity - 295kg
Packed Size - 99x45x33cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
If you're looking for a kayak to fish from, Aquaglide's Blackfoot 130 DS Angler is the best choice. A strong, beach chair-style seat, a stable drop-stitch floor with extra grip pads and a large number of mounting plates to add rod holders, cameras, and even engines are just a few of the features that Aquaglide took into consideration when creating this model. This kayak is top-of-the-line, and its pricing reflects that.
Performance - Speed is not the only performance indicator that should be measured in fishing kayaks. The importance of stability cannot be overstated, and the Blackfoot is a master of it. Standing and casting are both possible thanks to the strength of the drop-stitch floor, and swaying is minimised by the wide cockpit and wide side tubes. Though it has a firm nose-cone, keep in mind that a kayak this wide will naturally go through the water more slowly than one that is narrower. It also has slightly less cut-through and paddling efficiency. It is also quite long for a one-person kayak (although it is convertible with the addition of a seat), which when combined with its width, makes it more challenging to manoeuvre.
Construction - There's no denying that Aquaglide has successfully balanced the Blackfoot's outstanding quality and affordable pricing. The drop-stitch floor is a much-needed addition for a fishing kayak and the Duratex PVC side tubes are made of a sturdy material that can take minor abrasion from fishing hooks. The attachments of all the different parts, including the mounts, hook and loop systems, cargo bungees and tie-down loops, particularly struck us because they were flawless on the model we tested. The only issue we had was a tiny droop in the PVC on the front splash guard and the ends of the side tubes, which is typically a sign of a slight mismatch in the engineering of the tubes.
Setup/ Pack Down - The Blackfoot meets the majority of our criteria quite well; it simply requires three inflation points and quick-drying PVC. The rigid seat (which may also be used separately onshore), footrest, integrated cool box and fin, as well as any additional equipment you're carrying, are all components that must be attached depending on your specific arrangement. The Blackfoot utilises Aquaglide's 'universal' US Fin Box System, which requires screwing and unscrewing rather than just sliding the fin in. This is a little more involved step.
Portability - This one-person kayak is rather huge, with an 18.5kg hull that is both heavy and cumbersome. To some extent, Aquaglide has addressed this by creating a comfortable zip backpack with additional straps to hold on to the seat, paddle, etc. After you factor in the seat, paddle and fishing gear, however, you may find yourself hauling 20 to 25 kg to the lake.
Comfort - The Blackfoot is a particularly comfortable kayak since it has plenty of cockpit space and a supportive seat that can be raised and lowered. Although the adjustable seat back and height are highly alluring, keep in mind that they are obviously more difficult to alter when you are paddling in the perfect fishing posture. Finding the most effective procedure requires some practise.
Overall - A fishing kayak of the highest calibre and design, with a cost to match.
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