Sevylor Inflatable Tahiti Classic Kayak

by Sevylor

Product Features

• Rugged two-person inflatable canoe for hunting and fishing expeditions
• Bright yellow coloring
• Two specially designed inflatable seats with back support
• Tubular I-beam floor, bow and stern spray decks
• Maximum weight capacity: 400 pounds

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Rugged enough to traverse the entire length of the Amazon river twice, Sevylor's classic Tahiti K79 two-person inflatable canoe comes in bright yellow. Produced since 1963, it features an I-beam floor for extra buoyancy, drain hole with plug, Boston valves, bow and stern spray decks, and specially designed inflatable seats with back support.

Specifications:

• Length overall (LOA): 10 feet, 7 inches
• Beam: 2 feet, 7 inches
• Weight: 25 pounds
• Capacity: 2 persons
• Weight capacity: 400 pounds

About Sevylor
In 1948 in Vitry, a small suburb of Paris, France, Berco Grimbert created an electronics company called Societe Electronique de Vitry, or SEVY for short. Soon, a friend of Grimbert's from New York commissioned SEVY to produce high frequency welding machines capable of fusing a new material called PVC (poly vinyl chloride). SEVY's machines worked very well and the American friend developed a very successful business manufacturing swimming pool related products. He then taught SEVY how to work with PVC.

One of the first PVC products SEVY produced was inflatable bathtub called Dou Dou. It was an instant hit in postwar France--mothers could bathe their children even where no facilities were available. The media hailed Dou Dou as a significant invention. Soon, SEVY added small pools and flotation devices such as rings, beach balls, and inflatable swim jackets to its product line. Safe, hygienic products, made of PVC and designed for portability, durability and convenience, became the SEVY trademark.

The company quickly outgrew its small facilities in Vitry. Mr. Grimbert accepted an attractive offer from the French government to take over a defunct textile factor in the tiny Alsatian village of Buhl. After establishing its new headquarters, the company added the letters "lor" to its name, and became Sevylor. In French, l'or means gold. By coincidence, or possibly fate, Sevylor has proven to be "as good as gold" to its owners, retailers, consumers, and employees.

Product Description

It is made of special PVC and is the oldest of all Sevylor boats. Twice traversed the entire length of the Amazon. Produced since 1963, it features an I-beam floor, drain hole with plug, Boston valves, and specially designed inflatable seats with back support, in the traditional classic Sevylor color.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 22.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24.6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000K8R1AE
• Item model number: K79
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,027 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #7 in Sports & Outdoors > Boating & Water Sports > Canoeing > Canoes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

142 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inflatable Kayak is a Hoot!, August 1, 2005

By 

Thunder Mom (Reno, NV, USA) - See all my reviews

This inflatable kayak is a hoot! I bought one yesterday and did about 12 miles on the Truckee River through Reno in it with my teenage son. (Yes, I am incredibly stiff and sore, and he's raring to go again.)

First of all realize that this does not handle like a hardbody kayak. Close, but not quite. It is just a pointy rubber raft, after all. It likes to go down the river sideways or backwards, depending upon where the heaviest bottom sits. But, it can be easily paddled by one or two persons to float just like the real thing.

About thirty years ago I used to have a fiberglass kayak and went down many rivers here in the western USA. I've worn wool long underwear under a wetsuit to stay warm and have almost lost camera gear and food in rollovers. I kinda know how to handle a kayak.

This Sevylor should not be taken through anything greater than a 4, depending upon the skill of the paddler. It rides like a typical rubber raft through crests and holes. It might be fun to play with solo in standing waves, but it would be hard to brace into because there are no foot/heel rests. There is no way to stay in it in a rollover. You'll just get dumped out.

On the practical side, it only weighs about 23 pounds, can be had for around $140, inflates easily and quickly with a plunger air pump (sold separately), is easily portaged around the rough water, has a very shallow draft, is made from some very tough PVC, is comfortable to sit in for several hours, is easy to dump water out of, cleans off quickly with just a hose, and deflates in a heartbeat to be folded back into the size of a medium suitcase. For us, it is perfect - affordable, handy in the waters we frequent, easy to inflate/deflate/store.

I'm thinking of getting another one so that he can have his own, and so that I won't get quite as splashed-on from his flailing paddling. He can also tow old mom on the wide slow parts.

Sue :)

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Fun, July 1, 2006

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

We purchased this kayak a few weeks ago and have enjoyed using it in our nearby lake.

Initial use is very easy. We had it set up and inflated within fifteen minutes, using a hand pump for inflation. Note, the kayak does not include paddles, so remember to purchase them as well.

The kayak comfortably seats two people, with room for storage in the front and rear of the kayak. We're using this to stow lifejackets for our boys. The kayak includes two inflatable, removable seats which can be moved around or removed. We've found that they are very comfortable and actually make rowing and maneuvering easier. The kayak also has an easy to open and close drain for letting water out of the boat.

The size of this kayak makes it so easy for using and transporting. Our 11 year old can carry it on his own and it actually fit inside our van fully inflated.

I don't plan on taking the kayak on any rapids, but for use on local lakes and calm rivers, it seems to be the perfect solution.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A boat for about 100 bucks, June 15, 2007

By 

Liam V. Elliott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

The highlights of my inflatable boat.

Little cash or space required!
Clearly the value will draw many customers to the Tahiti, but don't be fooled by the low price, the Tahiti is still a very capable boat. The Tahitis strength is its adaptability and its versitility, it can be paddled down the Amazon and will also do nicely for the local pond! Worried about carrying your boat, don't be, the Tahiti can be thrown into the truck of a compact car and can even be packed and carried by rucksack!

Rough and Tough
I own this kayak and the colorado, both of which are outstanding value. Despite what you may think, the Tahiti is an amazingly robust boat, I have hit rocks in my Tahiti as well as dragged it across rocks in shallow water. Talking of shallow water, if needed, one man can pick up the Tahiti and carry it with no problem.

High Capacity and Low Draught
What more can you ask from a boat! The Tahiti rides high out of the water and it can carry 400 pounds!

It Can Fly!
Well, at least it can when you take in on a plane.
It weighs in at 30 pounds just pack it small and check it in with your luggage.

If money is short and you need a boat that can go anywhere, the Tahiti is for you!

Thanks for reading

Liam