Combining the stability, maneuverability, and seaworthiness of a kayak with the comfort, looks, and styling of a traditional North American canoe, the Sevylor Colorado hunting and fishing canoe is ideally suited for rough waters, lakes, ocean fishing, and diving. The Colorado is equipped with a raised bow and stern, with a design that's as close in shape, comfort, and styling to the North American Indian canoe as an inflatable boat can get. As a result, you and a friend will look and feel authentic as you cruise down the waterway. Construction-wise, the boat features a double-hull build made of durable 18-gauge PVC, along with a 420D nylon cover and a rugged, fabric-reinforced bottom.
The Colorado is comfortable enough for daylong trips thanks to the pair of flexible, elevated bucket seats, which also include storage compartments in the back. To help you get around, the boat features directional strakes for maximum steering control. And as with all Sevylor boats, the Colorado's exclusive Airtight system is guaranteed not to leak. Other details include Double-Lock valves that prevent accidental air loss, removable stern storage, built-in carrying handles, paddle/oar holders, D-rings and tie downs, and a nylon carrying bag. Certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the two-person Colorado measures 10 feet 9 inches by 3 feet 1 inch, holds up to 500 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty.
About Sevylor The road from Sevylor's founding in 1948 to its current role as the dominant supplier of a wide range of inflatables--such as kayaks, boats, and towables--is a long one, with plenty of original inventions and innovations along the way. Established in a city suburb of Vitry, France, by electronics engineer Berco Grimbert, Sevylor originally built electrical accessories, with a sideline business dedicated to using its high-frequency welding machines to manufacture PVC consumer goods. The first inflatable to receive rave notice was a small bathtub called the Dou Dou. Perfect for postwar France, the inflatable tub was portable, convenient, practical, easy to clean, durable, and, best of all, affordable.
After moving to the picturesque Alsatian village of Buhl, the company expanded into developing valves, pumps, boats, inflatable pools, and a variety of water toys. In the ensuing years, Sevylor first developed a PVC that had "memory"--meaning it could return to its original shape regardless of temperature--and then made history by releasing an inflatable pool mattress with a headrest and circular pockets. In 1986, the company invented the Ski Bob, a real turning point in the evolution of the towables business. Today, Sevylor's innovative designs include tenders, hunting and fishing boats, specialty boats and kayaks, towables, snow tubes, air beds, pool floats, river tubes, swim and sport rings, and more.
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I ordered the Colorado for recreational paddling and fishing. I read other reviews and there seemed to a be consistent positive feedback. The price seemed right, so I ordered it. Right away after receiving the item, there were 2 things that disappointed me about the Kayak/Canoe. First, it was advertised that it came with a repair kit. If you consider 2 pieces of rubber without, even a tube of glue, an adequate repair kit then this is a non-issue. The second issue, which might be a deal killer for some of you, was that this model no longer came with "Boston Valves". After Sevylor was purchased by Coleman, they replaced the Boston valves with Double Lock/Mini Double Lock valves, "a proprietary valve used in the Coleman's Airbed line, purported to be easier to inflate and deflate. The "mini" replaces the pinch valve. Coleman claims this give a 14% better retention than the Boston valve." If you buy what Coleman has to say, then again, this is a non-issue. As for the rest of the boat, it seemed to be a quality product. Keep in mind, I've owned Avons and Zodiacs so I do have a grasp as to what quality is when it comes to inflatable boats. For the price, this boat was not bad!!! The seats that came with it seem to be well made. One thing, if you don't want to support Chinese industry, bad news... This Model is made in the land of the sleeping dragon. Yes, the double lock valves bugged me, but I thought I give it a chance on the local lake.
Took my Colorado out for the first time and even did a little fishing on it. The new Coleman valves had me rubbing my face, Curly (3 Stooges) style, when my Sevylor Double pump's nozzle kept on popping out. I put a bit of electrical tape on the pump nozzle to thicken it and it solved the problem. After taking it out on the lake, I found that the cheesy Coleman airbed valves did okay. There didn't seem to be any noticeable air loss at all. Tracking was okay... didn't expect it to be great to begin with, being that it is an inflatable... It tracked better than I expected. When the wind hit, it blew me all over the place... again, something I expected from an inflatable. A bit of advice, if you want to stay in one place to soak up some sun or to fish, get yourself a 2 to 5 pound anchor and it will do fine... I'll be getting one. Another bit of advise, one trick I've learned and tested out was that if you are going to use this solo and are of hefty size like me, put the front seat in backwards and use the Colorado back end as the front. This puts you more in the center and it actually works better when paddling solo. One important thing to remember is that after you play, you have to clean up and this by far, is the worse part of this canoe. After my idiot buddy tipped my Colorado, messing around, the canoe seemed to have very if little water in it. To my surprise, there was quite a bit of water flowing out of the drainage hole after we stood it up on end. There is no way to completely dry it with towels. Be prepared to leave it out for a day to completely dry. I would advise you to bring a nylon tarp with you so that you can wrap it up, haul it home, clean and dry it there, then put it back in it's bag when it is completely dry. If you're thinking of drying it right out of the lake, get out your camping gear cause it's gonna take about a day to completely dry.
AND THE VERDICT... LOVED IT (for what it was)!!! If you can, buy a hard shell Kayak or Canoe, they perform better and are easier to clean up after using. On the other hand, if you want an inflatable for portability purposes, This is the one to get. Hardcore Yakers might boast of how much better the hard shell is but try sticking a traditional kayak in the trunk of your Honda Civic on a long road trip because you "MIGHT" run into a lake you "MAYBE" would like to explore. Not to mension finding a place to store a 10 foot plus Yak or Canoe in your apartment or in the hotel room because your paranoid that someone might steal it off the roof of your car... (GET THE PICTURE?) As for the product itself, Yes, I was a bit annoyed at the Boston Valve Issue, but given the price and quality, this inflatable hit the spot. Why pay more for the alternatives, like Advance Elements, Aire, Bic, Sea Eagle... They all will be just as much of a pain to clean and dry out after playing with. Bang for the buck, I would say, the Colorado is my choice. I paid a couple of bucks short of $300 for my boat so do your shopping!!! Also, consider the season you buy these types of products. Summer will influence supply and demand, thus causing prices to vary, so you might pay a bit more than me who purchased my canoe at the dawn of spring. Good Luck and Happy shopping!!! Hey, I just realized I have a cargo van... Now, I'm off to get me a hard-shell Kayak next :oD
