Check out my new RUclips channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
I was talking to a woman on another forum and she was so excited about this kayak because she has a disability, and this means that she can go kayaking (she couldn’t get a kayak onto a roof rack or down to the water, but she could paddle and self rescue). It’s a great idea.
I have the Beach, and love it! I've never had a problem with water getting in my kayak. Like one of your other commenters, I think that has to do with the paddle that you're using. I ordered all the bells and whistles with mine: the Oru paddle, (which looks longer than yours,) backpack, the solar lights, floaties, and more comfortable seat. Their RUclips video is really helpful to learn how to set it up and take it down. I always attract an audience when I use mine. It's fun to answer their questions. My favorite place to kayak with it is Marina del Rey, CA. It's so convenient to pop it in the car, carry it to the water, and paddle out among the boats. I have two replaced hips, and this works perfectly for me. It's light, well made, easy to set up, and fits in my car. I use it on lakes and have done fine in the wind. I would like to try it at night for a sunset cruise. Best purchase I've made in years...definitely worth the money, in my opinion.
Got mine a few weeks ago and love it so far! I live in an apartment so the portability is fantastic. I've only kayaked in an enclosed lake so far, but I'm hoping to take it out on a smoother river soon!
I recently received my ORU Haven, a tandem. I went paddling solo recently and love it. To me another feature of portability in the improved gas mileage I will receive from not having a kayak on the roof of my vehicle.
@@PaddleTV I am about to leave on a 3000 mile roadtrip. Not having a kayak on my roof will save so much gas that the price difference between an ORU and a traditional kayak will basically disappear.
Thanks for the shoutout Ken! The bent shaft is actually the "heavier" version versus the straight shaft Ovation. Our straight shaft comes in at 18.5oz/521g! That bent shaft is 20.5oz/577g. Great insight on Oru's Inlet as well, we've always wondered ourselves.
I am a (5'4"/110 lb) single woman who lives in downtown Denver. So far, I love everything about this kayak; I especially appreciate that I can manage it myself (transport, weight, assembling).
Hey Sally-fellow Colorado person here. Looking at this model or the “Beach” brand to replace my hard-side. I can no longer lift it off and on my roof, but love the idea of this. What are your thoughts on tracking and stability in calm water? I’d probably be looking at Barr Lake, Carter type of calm water. Thanks!
I have one like yours...I paddle here in Florida near Bonita Bay and Osprey....I paddle with the dolphins and manatees fish and sea birds...I love the folding aspect of this kayak because I carry it inside my RV and car trunk..It handles very well in the relatively flat water of the back bays or inter coastal waterways..I run it up on the sandy beaches to go exploring on foot... You gave an excellent report of this kayak and your videography was superb...Thank you...
Just ordered mine! Can't wait for it to arrive! Thank you so much for your unbiased, thorough, and captivating reviews of the various kayaks and gear that's out there. Your insights and comments were a HUGE factor in helping me to choose the right starting boat.
I have a 15 lb canoe and just bought the ORU Lake as a second boat. I use a 96" paddle in my canoe and tried it in my Oru Lake. I didn't get any water in the kayak from the paddles. So maybe a longer paddle would solve the water in the Inlet issue. Great review here!
About three years ago I got the Oru Beach, which is the 12' recreational model (the Inlet didn't exist back then). My commute takes me through a lot of nice country with many ponds and small lakes, so I keep it in my car all summer and stop to kayak as the urge takes me. It's light (25 lbs), easy to set up and stabile enough for photography. It's held up very well despite hitting stumps and rocks. There are some scratches and creases, but nothing serious. I have a higher performance, hard shell kayak that has to go on the roof racks, and I love to get out on the water in that boat. But I'm afraid It'll get stolen while I'm working, so it stays at home during the week. The Oru is ALWAYS with me and ready to take me out in some backwater with my camera. It was more expensive than most comparably sized 12' recreational kayaks, but it fits my needs perfectly. If you're planning to try other Oru designs, I hope you try their Coast model -- the 16' sea kayak. It's always intrigued me, and I haven't seen many reviews -- at least not from experienced paddlers. Thanks, Ken. I look forward to your videos and value your advice.
@@genevievepilon5384 It's OK heading into the wind, but it will weathercock when the wind is quartering or from behind. It's really lightweight and there's no skeg to keep the stern from swinging around. I haven't bothered to try putting a little weight behind the rear bulkhead, but that might help. I use this as a pond hopper, so it's not an issue for me. If the wind kicks up, I just get some extra exercise making adjustments.
Photography is my main interest in a small boat; I'm tired of limiting myself to the shore! What are your solutions for keeping your gear secure and dry?
@@pamwalton3411 First, get comfortable with your boat before you start taking your camera gear with you. In a kayak, I figure the most likely time I'd flip over would be getting in or getting out. So I got a drybag large enough to hold my camera setup -- camera/lens in a Think Tank holster. The holster goes in the drybag, which is sealed up when I get in and out of the kayak. Once I'm settled in the kayak, I open up the drybag and remove my camera. I put a towel over it to keep the splashes off, but I'm using an Olympus these days which are pretty splash resistant. A low angle paddling style and a longer paddle help keep drips off the gear. When I get back to shore, everything goes back in the drybag before I get out. Hope this helps -- have fun!
This is a fantastic video, the information was great and the quality is astounding. How do you not have more views and subscribers? Wife and I bought a couple of these after watching your video, they should pay you!
Hey Ken, love the channel, thanks for all of the reviews. One more note on the Inlet's portability. We tend to take short jaunts (2-3 days) from our home to kayak in central Florida. The Inlet can be stored in the hotel room, which would be difficult (if not impossible) with a hard shell kayak. And leaving a hard shell strapped to the vehicle overnight is probably not a safe option. In terms of comparing the Inlet to the Pakayak, agreed that it may be more of a "real" kayak...if 3 times the weight and twice the cost are not an issue. Different kayaks for different use cases, but all of them are good when it gets you on the water!
Couldn't agree more! There aren't many 'Bad Kayaks' on the market (although there are a few). The big question is what kayak is the right one for your needs. I'm looking forward to testing other models of Oru Kayaks. Cheers!
Got mine this summer and it's some of the best money I ever spent and saw loads of urban wildlife. I would recommend buying the carrying bag or something else to protect the it during transit because I find it hard not to occasionally bump elevator walls or door frames and have scraped through the outer layer on a couple corners. Setting it down on asphalt is hard on the corners too. They're the point of a three way crease, so quite vulnerable while folded.
@@genevievepilon5384 I’m new to kayaking, so have nothing to compare it to. It's not a struggle to keep straight while paddling but starts to veer one way or the other as soon as you stop.
I love my Inlet! Now, it also catches wind a lot so it's definitely more indicated for calm waters. Portability, size, weight, ease of use is just remarkable! I've also DIYed a bivy tent so that I can sleep in the Inlet on a beach and it works very well. So, for me, the Inlet makes it possible to go for adventures very easily from the city center, which was exactly the intention. Great job, Oru!
Great review! I love my Inlet. I've kayaked in protected Bay Area waters and in calm waters in El Dorado National Forest. Love the portability. So happy with my Inlet!
Regarding the water getting in from paddling, Oru makes a splash deck that you can Velcro on. That greatly reduces the open area. I got one for the front and back and its great!
It looks "toyish", but main purpose of this kayak was achieved. It flows, maybe is even joyful for someone. Hope never seen that yak discarded somewhere on river bank. Ken again, thumb up for the video 👍🏻 you really deserve more viewers, subscribers. We're lucky to watch you in Internet.
I agree. It does look boyish. That's why I was surprised that it performed as well as it did - for a 10 foot kayak. I'm really looking forward to trying their 16 foot 'Coast' model. Thanks for the good words! I'm having fun doing these videos!
We just ordered the Oru Haven Tandem. We’ve been checking them out for 2 years and finally it was time. At 67, Hubby and I wanted something with which we wouldn’t wear ourselves out just getting it to the water. And we wanted to do it together, so a tandem was best for us. (By the way, the Haven can convert from two to one seat and does have rails for attaching things)
I’ve been paddling the Oru Bay ST for a few summers and love the portability, tracking, relative comfort. Any design problems dealing with assembly seem to have been addressed with the updated version which would make me like it even more. However, my aging knees are making it difficult to exit the kayak gracefully; so I’m considering going with an Oru that has a more open cockpit. Looking forward to trying out the Inlet soon.
I own this Oru Inlet and I also own the Oru Beach LT model. Both have the large open cockpit. You showed in your video a large amount of water coming into this large open space from your paddle. I NEVER get this water in my Oru kayaks! I think the paddle you are using may have too small paddle oar drip rings. Or maybe the rings are dipping into the water. For extra comfort in the seat, Oru makes an extra pad that you can purchase separately. I now have this extra pad, but I did not use it for my first 3 years in my Beach LT and I was still comfortable - but, I only weigh 115 pounds. I love my Oru kayaks for flat lake kayaking, portability, storage, and just plain coolness. Oh, and my Golden Retriever fits in both models.
Just wondering approx how long the Inlet takes to dry? Another reviewer mentioned you needed days to completely dry the Oru Bay St model and hoping this isn't the case for the Inlet model?
It would be awesome to have a review of the Oru Haven, especially for solo use! I love the concept of a boat that can be two person and a one person. The main info I want to know is, how heavy it is for one person to carry/paddle with. Thanks for the inlet review.
I recently ordered the Haven and will be returning it. It’s extremely larger than I thought and is heavy for a solo person to carry. Definitely hard to manage unless your car is parked next to a dock. Hard to carry distances.
I'm about get in to kayak hobby.. a reason I look to this Ken ..🌝.. I'm just 5"2 short guy, so I need it light ... And it's my first kayak... I'm scare... and so many kayak out there to choose.... light and easy carry and store is my number 1 reason...👍👍👍... thanks for your time Sir
I love my inlet. I bought a second one so my husband or friends can join me. I'm too short to deal with a roof rack. With the inlet, I can park and be in the water in 5 minutes (unless people stop to chat, which does happen a lot). There's room for my dog, and i don't collect any water paddling. It's genius.
But is it also safe? I have a bit worry, if there gets water in it, by higher waves or making a roll unfortunately. I hope my english is ok. I write from Germany, Berlin.
Just ordered my ORU inlet today. Excited to get it on the water hopefully by the end of the week or early next week. I"ll let you know how it goes. If I love it - I'll be buying another one immediately.
Ken, loooove your channel and your videos! Thank you for your work and for promoting paddling as a fun and healthy form of activity! I just picked up a Cobra Viper plastic racer and for the last three weeks I am enjoying my 6 am paddles on lake Simcoe. Cannot recomend a better outdoor activity!!!
Yeah, every ORU owner complains about the seat and yes, you are paying a premium for the lightness/portability, but those are huge factors for some people. I have the 16' ORU Coast XT and it's great, but I wish they made a cheaper, lighter, easier to assemble boat like the Inlet, but long and narrow like the Coast.
@@wendiewhite2819 Everyone's different, but on the ORU FB pages the seat is one of the most common complaints. I'm using an inflatable Thermarest as a replacement.
@@PaddleTV Yeah, it's way more complex and you have to know what parts to be gentle with and what parts to force into place. I'm not terribly impressed with the glide efficiency and how the bow/stern fairings plow water, but it's still one of the fastest portable yaks, besides the Trax or Razorlite.
I bought the Bay St Oru model and assembly the first go around was 30 minutes plus, but that should get trimmed down when I assemble it again. Tracks very well and when I purchase a skirt for it ocean is next here in Maine!
I bought this a month ago, and its been out for two longish trips (3-4 hours of flat-water paddling). I practiced unfolding and folding before heading to the river. First time I opened it, it worked fine, and it refolded fine. Since then, I've not been able to close it. I watched several videos and read the instructions; it appears I'm doing this correctly, but I cannot get the final fold, so it is pretty awkward when travelling and storing. Also, the seat situation, especially given the price for this kayak, is terrible. I bought the extra seat wedge, but it is still a joke. The back rest does not stay latched and the adjustable back falls no matter how tight you secure the bolt. The kayak itself is fine. The folds are not nearly as neat and easy to manipulate as in the videos I watched. Once on the water, it did pretty well. I liked the speed and maneuverability, but tracking was not great. Finally, there is NO customer support. I’ve tried calling three times. Every time I’m set directly to voicemail; I leave a detailed message; I NEVER hear back. Again, given what Oru charges for these things, and knowing what I know now, I would never buy another, and I regret purchasing this one.
The video was well done and it seemed that the kayak handled as it should. One thing that was left out was the width of the kayak and how "tippy" it was. The weight limit of 275 would not allow for much gear to be included and not much could be stored up front.
Great review. I, also ,would like to see a review of the Tucktec kayak as well as a comparison to the Oru Inlet since they are of similar size (disregarding the huge price difference). Cannot find a comparison of these two anywhere.
My wife has a Slipstream Wee Lassie. It’s 13 pounds. It’s amazing what an advantage that is. I can totally see this Oru being worth the money for someone who values the portability.
Cool review. It was a bit surprised you didn't choose the 'beach' model given your size. Anyway that showed the capability of the smallest model. I paid special close attention to the waterline during the whole video, always below the printed dashed lines outside the cockpit.
I wish you would talk about the construction, bottom and stability more. And show how to rescue in a tip over. Safety aspects of floatation. Looks like a sponge and a small bailer (milk carton with cutout bottom) would be nice or necessary for a capsize.
Great review. I’ve been researching the foldable kayaks. I’m a beginner that will not be in white water. I’m looking for sturdiness that isn’t going to drop me into the alligator lakes of Florida!
@@PaddleTV Awesome, I’ll be looking forward to it if/when it happens! I keep getting ready to pull the trigger since they have a really good startup deal going right now (with a long wait time), but the reviews I’ve seen thus far don’t really go into much detail like you’ve done on yours. And, I keep getting this feeling that there’s something lacking about them. Anyway, keep up the great reviews!
I was looking at Tucktec it looked like a cheesey rickety gimmick. This looks as much like a traditional kayak and from your review feels like one too. Oru Inlet sturdy looks feels like kayak 20k folds $900, Tucktec rickety looks like a gimmick 10k folds. You made me a new Oru customer when I save the $900!
Great to see an unbiased review on the merits of the Oru Inlet. I own a Tucktec folding kayak, a cheaper alternative for those of us with small pockets. I'd love to see a serious, unbiased review like this one. They're also an origami-style recreational kayak made from HDPE (plastic) in South Carolina but available for shipment worldwide (I'm in Montreal). P.S. your written intro refers to the "Oru Kayak Inlet inflatable kayak" - you might want to remove the word "inflatable"?
Shirley is right it is tough to get an Oru in Canada. Their Canadian Web-site is like the Monty Python's cheese shop skit. Of the 6 models 4 are not carried and the other 2 are out of stock. Their kick starter on the Lake ships to Canada but not until the end of August which is near the end of our kayaking season.
Now that you have reviewed both the ORU Inlet, and the Sea Eagle Razorlite 393rl, what are you thoughts? Do you have a preference? What are the reasons someone should pick one over the other? Should a Razorlite owner like me even think about switching to the Inlet? Does one setup or tear down faster than the other, or pretty comparable? I'd also like know the difference in speed, stability, durability, etc Thanks.
Good questions! They are very different boats. The 393 is much faster, but the Inlet is more stable. They are both quick to assemble, but I would say the Inlet is a bit quicker, especially if you don't have an electric pump. If you enjoy the speed of the 393, I think you would be a little disappointed going to the Oru Kayak Inlet. That being said, Oru Kayak has some other models which are more closely aligned with the 393. I think the Bay St would be much more comparable, although I haven't tried it yet.
@@PaddleTV How about pack up time? Some people have mentioned some fold up kayaks take longer to pack up than some inflatables. I bought the Razorlite almost strictly for paddling speed, since I have my Sea Eagle 435ps Paddleski (my favorite boat in the world for it's versatile ability to paddle as a kayak, take a decent motor and sail rig). After buying the Razorlite (3rd party, at an incredible price), I noticed the $350 TuckTech foldable kayak. What interested me in that more than anything was their claim it can be setup in as little as a minute and a half. Getting on the water faster could also be appealing, making the difference it I paddle even more often, though in user videos, it seemed to take closer to 5 minutes.
Cool review I’m surprised though that you didn’t review some of their longer more performance oriented kayaks. I tried one and liked it as a portable kayak. I found it a but unstable with the hard chines making for strange handling and the cockpit a bit tight to get into. That surprised me as I’m used to whitewater and performance sea kayaks always with a skirt. This was tighter and scraped my knees. Still I think its better than any inflatable and easier to assemble than a skin on frame
Take a free online US Coast Guard Safety Course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP): cms.americancanoe.org/Online-Courses/Present/Paddlesports-Safety-Online-Course
Yes... and yes! I will be filming 2 videos in a few weeks. One is a review of the Tucktec... and the second video is a comparison between the Tucktec and the Oru Kayak! Seems you read my mind! :)
@@PaddleTV Awesome, will look forward to them! Pretty sure I’m going to pull the trigger on the Tucktec this week, but I’ll still be interested in getting your thoughts 👍
Loving your beautifully produced and presented videos. Terrific production values and filming. I have small question about the Inlet. I notice it doesn't have a skeg. My guess is that due to the limited length, it doesn't need one as much as a longer kayak but I'm guessing really and would be interested to know your views. I'm fairly new to kayaking (I have a Story 1-person inflatable which I love) and am looking to buy a second fun boat and one that my daughter can use to come out on the water with me. Thanks again and do keep up the good work!
Hi Ken. I'm looking to buy a kayak that I can store in my apartment. I've recently learned about Point 65 N modular kayaks. I'd love it if you reviewed the Martini model!
The Oru concept is very cool, we saw a couple of them on a recent paddle. They did fine. But I wish there would be a longer more performance oriented Greenlandish type of Oru.
They've got a 16 foot version (Coast) which looks pretty cool! I'm not sure if it's actually out yet, but I know it's coming. I'm hoping to test one in the near future.
@@PaddleTV - come to Nashville, I’ve got an Oru Bay (12ft) and an Oru Coast (16ft) if you want to review. Went out kayak camping on Percy Priest Lake and also did 10 miles on Old Hickory Lake last weekend. All within 20 minutes of downtown.
Not yet. I would love to though. I reached out to Tucktec to get a 'test boat', but haven't heard back from them. Feel free to ping them and let them know you'd be interested in seeing their kayak reviewed by me! That might help get a response from them. Thanks!
@@PaddleTV I saw my first one recently. Set up was about the same length of time as the Oru. It was the owner’s first time using it but she seemed satisfied. Neither one of them are “fast” kayaks.
Could you/would you recommend this for up to class 2? I would only be on a river/lake, but it has heavy, fast boat traffic so 1-4' waves are fairly common
That would be pushing this boat - or any sit-inside kayak with a large, open cockpit. If you need a portable kayak in the same price range, you might want to consider an inflatable kayak, because it can't fully swamp - Something like the Aqua Glide Chelan 120 or the Sea Eagle 385ft. If you don't need a portable, a sit-on-top kayak could be a good option, or a hardshell kayak that can take a skirt - something like the Perception Carolina, Dagger Stratos 12.5, or Feelfree Aventura 125. Hope this helps!
It's as easy as any sit-inside kayak to get into or out of. As for dealing with chop... it will handle small chop, but it's definitely not a good kayak for anything more than that.
Great video! I just subscribed. As a canoe paddler, I’d be curious to see a review on their origami canoes. Since I live in Montreal, it’s hard to store more than one canoe.
They don’t make a canoe per se, but their Haven TT is a tandem kayak that may fit the bill. Otherwise there is the MyCanoe which is sort of a Korean rip off of Oru and their canoes are more affordable too
Thanks! I've been wanting to review some canoes this season, but I haven't been able to get my hands on any. Kayaks and canoes have never sold so fast!
The fact that it's so light will make it a little more susceptible to the wind, but the biggest factor is hull design, and I was surprised how well this kayak tracked for a short boat. I think it would preform as well as comparable hard shell kayaks in windy conditions.
I just purchased this (haven’t received it yet) and afterwards saw many people reporting that tears/holes develop in the folds rather quickly. I’ll update my comment with any issues.
@@PaddleTV A woman (named Stephanie I believe?) here on RUclips did a video about a hole/tear in the fold crease and then others reported the same issue in the comments below her video. There were some others on Facebook that stated the same. Additionally, in one of the Oru Facebook groups, a man claiming to be highly experienced (who teaches kayaking classes) had the Oru in a swimming pool and demonstrated why he claims self rescue in the Oru Inlet isn’t possible. BUT then someone else claimed to have done it but didn’t have it on video, just diagrams of how he claimed to have accomplished it It would be such a great idea for you or someone else to write a book with diagrams of proper form for paddle strokes that can be printed or copied to take for practice while kayaking. It is difficult to remember it all when out on the water and to have a quick reference with pictures would be absolutely fabulous. I have purchased so many kayaking books and Googled to no avail. I absolutely LOVE Paddle TV so I’ll do my best to remember to come back and update my comment here after I’ve had some time with my Oru Inlet. Thank you for such helpful information. 😊⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great review. I know it’s a flat water boat but I’d love to see how it handles easy rivers, Class 1 or easy Class 2. Maybe a faster alternative to a pakraft in easy water?
Hi Phil, my buddy has a couple of inlets and while we love taking them out on calm lakes, and I'll even take my son out with me in it, my friend has tipped over in very slight chop and wind. And I'm not saying this to disparage the kayak in any way, Oru is very clear that this model is meant for very calm water. It is perfect though for taking it out on lakes and resevoirs on calm days and performs amazing well considering how light weight it is. With that in mind I'm currently waiting for my bay to show up, so I'd say I'm fairly sold on the company and their products as a whole.
@@hellouthere8800 Thanks for the insight. I'm mainly interested how it handles crossing eddy lines and small riffles. I'm thinking it'd be a good alternative to a pack raft when crossing lakes or going down easy rivers. Or even a back of the plane boat for remote trips, not epic trips obviously, but crossing a river to get to a good fishing spot sort of thing.
@@philipschaefer8556 You bet! Now before I say anything else, I'll reiterate that Oru markets this one for Calm water. With that in mind, I think if you want to test it out on moving water your biggest concern is going to be weight you intend to carry. The weight limit on the inlet is 275lbs. I weigh around 225 (Thanks covid life!) and have taken my son out with me, he's around 35lbs, and have felt stable. But we end up riding real low in the water, and this model has a wide open cockpit. So if your weighed down and dealing with any kind of cross currents or eddie and you need to counterbalance, you're not going to have a lot of room for error before your taking on water and possible going for a swim. So overall, I'd say lakes are your best bet and that if you do intend to tackle any kind of moving water, you'll want to really stress test it somewhere close to home before you commit to a longer trip (probably goes without saying, but who knows who might read these comments)
I've taken my Inlet in all kinds of water, including whitewater with rocks (NOT recommended), and it handles really well in everything. Was in very choppy Potomac River on Fri night and was able to maneuver easily. Then less choppy next day but lots of wake from heavy boat traffic; still handles great. Been in fast rivers and slow; enclosed lakes; etc. I LOVE my Inlet!!!
Hey Craig. It's the NRS Odyssey PFD. I was testing it out on this shoot. Nice PFD for sure. Best for kayaks with low back support (sea kayaks). I would go with a mesh back PFD for a recreational kayak with a high back seat.
Yeah, it wouldn't be bad at all. It's got the stability for fishing comfortably. The only downside is that you can easily customize it if you want to use a fish finder, rod holders, etc. But if you just want to grab a rod and your tackle box, it would be great!
Love all the gear reviews. I hope you get a chance to review Decathlon's itiwit x500, and a modular or nesting kayak like the pakayak. Also, have you ever tried out any Canadian kayak apparel, such as Level Six?
They sent it to me. But that had no bearing on my review. I own over 20 kayaks already, and so getting another kayak doesn't do anything for me. Furthermore, I tell any company that sends me gear to review that I'm going to speak honestly about it, and so they might not like everything I say... but that's the deal.
I'm 6'2, and I typically use a paddle between 220 and 240cm, depending on the boat I'm using. For narrow, sit-inside kayaks, I'll use a 220cm. For wide sit-on-tops, I'll use a 240cm. For the Inlet, I likely used a 225 - 230cm paddle.
The weight and capacity are impressive. The beam to length ratio is somewhat bargeish! Fun to have in the trunk for impromptu yak fishing perhaps... Thanks for the detailed review!
I agree. It's a bit of a bath tub shape... but it really does paddle surprisingly well. I'm truly looking forward to trying their 16' Coast model, which should perform very well.
Pakayak review is coming! Hoping to get an Oru Coast to review. Feel free to send their customer service an email telling them they should send a review kayak to me! :)
Good to know. I paddle with a very high angle/aggressive stroke, which comes from my many years of whitewater kayaking. I think that's why I was getting water in the boat. I'm guessing you have a lower angle / touring style of stroke that keeps the water out. Thanks for sharing.
Check out my new RUclips channel! www.youtube.com/@KenWhitingAdventures is now the place to find all my paddling adventure videos, while PaddleTV will focus on Instruction and Gear Reviews.
I was talking to a woman on another forum and she was so excited about this kayak because she has a disability, and this means that she can go kayaking (she couldn’t get a kayak onto a roof rack or down to the water, but she could paddle and self rescue). It’s a great idea.
I have the Beach, and love it! I've never had a problem with water getting in my kayak. Like one of your other commenters, I think that has to do with the paddle that you're using. I ordered all the bells and whistles with mine: the Oru paddle, (which looks longer than yours,) backpack, the solar lights, floaties, and more comfortable seat. Their RUclips video is really helpful to learn how to set it up and take it down. I always attract an audience when I use mine. It's fun to answer their questions. My favorite place to kayak with it is Marina del Rey, CA. It's so convenient to pop it in the car, carry it to the water, and paddle out among the boats. I have two replaced hips, and this works perfectly for me. It's light, well made, easy to set up, and fits in my car. I use it on lakes and have done fine in the wind. I would like to try it at night for a sunset cruise. Best purchase I've made in years...definitely worth the money, in my opinion.
Thanks for sharing! It's always great to hear from someone who has tested a boat for more than a few hours!
How is the tracking?
I think the beach is the best kayak in general but the inlet is best for anglers with the open space
Hi! It's been 2 years, how has your Oru hold up with time?
Got mine a few weeks ago and love it so far! I live in an apartment so the portability is fantastic. I've only kayaked in an enclosed lake so far, but I'm hoping to take it out on a smoother river soon!
Thanks for sharing
How is the tracking?
I recently received my ORU Haven, a tandem. I went paddling solo recently and love it.
To me another feature of portability in the improved gas mileage I will receive from not having a kayak on the roof of my vehicle.
Good point! On the flip side... you lose the 'cool' factor of having a kayak on your roof. :)
@@PaddleTV I am about to leave on a 3000 mile roadtrip. Not having a kayak on my roof will save so much gas that the price difference between an ORU and a traditional kayak will basically disappear.
I put an Oru Inlet and a Tucktec on the back seat of a Prius C along with paddles and PFDs.
Also save the money on the roof rack and buy an Oru.
@@lesliedavid1244 which one do you prefer?
Thanks for the shoutout Ken! The bent shaft is actually the "heavier" version versus the straight shaft Ovation. Our straight shaft comes in at 18.5oz/521g! That bent shaft is 20.5oz/577g. Great insight on Oru's Inlet as well, we've always wondered ourselves.
Ha! The 'heaviest' version. That's crazy to know there's a version of the paddle that's 10% lighter.
I am a (5'4"/110 lb) single woman who lives in downtown Denver. So far, I love everything about this kayak; I especially appreciate that I can manage it myself (transport, weight, assembling).
Thanks for sharing! 20lbs for a kayak... hard to beat that, isn't it?
Hey Sally-fellow Colorado person here. Looking at this model or the “Beach” brand to replace my hard-side. I can no longer lift it off and on my roof, but love the idea of this. What are your thoughts on tracking and stability in calm water? I’d probably be looking at Barr Lake, Carter type of calm water. Thanks!
I have one like yours...I paddle here in Florida near Bonita Bay and Osprey....I paddle with the dolphins and manatees fish and sea birds...I love the folding aspect of this kayak because I carry it inside my RV and car trunk..It handles very well in the relatively flat water of the back bays or inter coastal waterways..I run it up on the sandy beaches to go exploring on foot...
You gave an excellent report of this kayak and your videography was superb...Thank you...
Just ordered mine! Can't wait for it to arrive! Thank you so much for your unbiased, thorough, and captivating reviews of the various kayaks and gear that's out there. Your insights and comments were a HUGE factor in helping me to choose the right starting boat.
You are so welcome! Happy paddling!
I have a 15 lb canoe and just bought the ORU Lake as a second boat. I use a 96" paddle in my canoe and tried it in my Oru Lake. I didn't get any water in the kayak from the paddles. So maybe a longer paddle would solve the water in the Inlet issue. Great review here!
About three years ago I got the Oru Beach, which is the 12' recreational model (the Inlet didn't exist back then). My commute takes me through a lot of nice country with many ponds and small lakes, so I keep it in my car all summer and stop to kayak as the urge takes me. It's light (25 lbs), easy to set up and stabile enough for photography. It's held up very well despite hitting stumps and rocks. There are some scratches and creases, but nothing serious.
I have a higher performance, hard shell kayak that has to go on the roof racks, and I love to get out on the water in that boat. But I'm afraid It'll get stolen while I'm working, so it stays at home during the week. The Oru is ALWAYS with me and ready to take me out in some backwater with my camera. It was more expensive than most comparably sized 12' recreational kayaks, but it fits my needs perfectly.
If you're planning to try other Oru designs, I hope you try their Coast model -- the 16' sea kayak. It's always intrigued me, and I haven't seen many reviews -- at least not from experienced paddlers.
Thanks, Ken. I look forward to your videos and value your advice.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing!
How is the tracking in windy condition?
@@genevievepilon5384 It's OK heading into the wind, but it will weathercock when the wind is quartering or from behind. It's really lightweight and there's no skeg to keep the stern from swinging around. I haven't bothered to try putting a little weight behind the rear bulkhead, but that might help.
I use this as a pond hopper, so it's not an issue for me. If the wind kicks up, I just get some extra exercise making adjustments.
Photography is my main interest in a small boat; I'm tired of limiting myself to the shore! What are your solutions for keeping your gear secure and dry?
@@pamwalton3411 First, get comfortable with your boat before you start taking your camera gear with you.
In a kayak, I figure the most likely time I'd flip over would be getting in or getting out. So I got a drybag large enough to hold my camera setup -- camera/lens in a Think Tank holster. The holster goes in the drybag, which is sealed up when I get in and out of the kayak.
Once I'm settled in the kayak, I open up the drybag and remove my camera. I put a towel over it to keep the splashes off, but I'm using an Olympus these days which are pretty splash resistant. A low angle paddling style and a longer paddle help keep drips off the gear.
When I get back to shore, everything goes back in the drybag before I get out. Hope this helps -- have fun!
This is a fantastic video, the information was great and the quality is astounding. How do you not have more views and subscribers?
Wife and I bought a couple of these after watching your video, they should pay you!
Hey Ken, love the channel, thanks for all of the reviews. One more note on the Inlet's portability. We tend to take short jaunts (2-3 days) from our home to kayak in central Florida. The Inlet can be stored in the hotel room, which would be difficult (if not impossible) with a hard shell kayak. And leaving a hard shell strapped to the vehicle overnight is probably not a safe option. In terms of comparing the Inlet to the Pakayak, agreed that it may be more of a "real" kayak...if 3 times the weight and twice the cost are not an issue. Different kayaks for different use cases, but all of them are good when it gets you on the water!
Couldn't agree more! There aren't many 'Bad Kayaks' on the market (although there are a few). The big question is what kayak is the right one for your needs. I'm looking forward to testing other models of Oru Kayaks. Cheers!
I am thinking about getting one of these, thank you for this review!
Got mine this summer and it's some of the best money I ever spent and saw loads of urban wildlife. I would recommend buying the carrying bag or something else to protect the it during transit because I find it hard not to occasionally bump elevator walls or door frames and have scraped through the outer layer on a couple corners. Setting it down on asphalt is hard on the corners too. They're the point of a three way crease, so quite vulnerable while folded.
How is the tracking?
@@genevievepilon5384 I’m new to kayaking, so have nothing to compare it to. It's not a struggle to keep straight while paddling but starts to veer one way or the other as soon as you stop.
I love my Inlet!
Now, it also catches wind a lot so it's definitely more indicated for calm waters.
Portability, size, weight, ease of use is just remarkable!
I've also DIYed a bivy tent so that I can sleep in the Inlet on a beach and it works very well. So, for me, the Inlet makes it possible to go for adventures very easily from the city center, which was exactly the intention.
Great job, Oru!
Thanks for sharing. I agree... great job Oru!
How "waterproof" and comfortable is it? Does water get in because of the folding? Is the seat comfortable on long tours?
Love the Oru Lake+. I’ve had it about a year. Carry it with me everywhere. Never know when you’ll get a chance to paddle.
Great review! I love my Inlet. I've kayaked in protected Bay Area waters and in calm waters in El Dorado National Forest. Love the portability. So happy with my Inlet!
Thanks for sharing!
Regarding the water getting in from paddling, Oru makes a splash deck that you can Velcro on. That greatly reduces the open area. I got one for the front and back and its great!
Great to know! I appreciate it.
It looks "toyish", but main purpose of this kayak was achieved. It flows, maybe is even joyful for someone. Hope never seen that yak discarded somewhere on river bank. Ken again, thumb up for the video 👍🏻 you really deserve more viewers, subscribers. We're lucky to watch you in Internet.
I agree. It does look boyish. That's why I was surprised that it performed as well as it did - for a 10 foot kayak. I'm really looking forward to trying their 16 foot 'Coast' model. Thanks for the good words! I'm having fun doing these videos!
I ordered my Inlet a couple of days ago and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Thanks for this video!
Great to hear! Fun times are ahead :)
Ordered an Inlet. Can’t wait to get on the water!
Enjoy!
We just ordered the Oru Haven Tandem. We’ve been checking them out for 2 years and finally it was time. At 67, Hubby and I wanted something with which we wouldn’t wear ourselves out just getting it to the water. And we wanted to do it together, so a tandem was best for us.
(By the way, the Haven can convert from two to one seat and does have rails for attaching things)
Look forward to hearing how you like it!
I have the tandem ORU Haven TT, and I just ordered two of these. I am anxious to see how they work as a pair of singles.
I’ve been paddling the Oru Bay ST for a few summers and love the portability, tracking, relative comfort. Any design problems dealing with assembly seem to have been addressed with the updated version which would make me like it even more. However, my aging knees are making it difficult to exit the kayak gracefully; so I’m considering going with an Oru that has a more open cockpit. Looking forward to trying out the Inlet soon.
Makes sense! I loved how open and free my legs were in the Inlet.
I own this Oru Inlet and I also own the Oru Beach LT model. Both have the large open cockpit. You showed in your video a large amount of water coming into this large open space from your paddle. I NEVER get this water in my Oru kayaks! I think the paddle you are using may have too small paddle oar drip rings. Or maybe the rings are dipping into the water. For extra comfort in the seat, Oru makes an extra pad that you can purchase separately. I now have this extra pad, but I did not use it for my first 3 years in my Beach LT and I was still comfortable - but, I only weigh 115 pounds. I love my Oru kayaks for flat lake kayaking, portability, storage, and just plain coolness. Oh, and my Golden Retriever fits in both models.
Thanks for sharing your experience Barb! FYI: I'm pretty sure the drips in the boat come from my 'high-angle' paddling style.
Just wondering approx how long the Inlet takes to dry? Another reviewer mentioned you needed days to completely dry the Oru Bay St model and hoping this isn't the case for the Inlet model?
Also what type of paddle do you use?
Hi Barb, how durable have they been? Im about 185-190 and think the inlet fits what my use would be, really interested in its portability
Which model do you like best ? Preferable for beach kayaking?
I bought mine to carry in my motorhome. Perfect!
I'll bet!
It would be awesome to have a review of the Oru Haven, especially for solo use! I love the concept of a boat that can be two person and a one person. The main info I want to know is, how heavy it is for one person to carry/paddle with. Thanks for the inlet review.
Good idea. I'm looking forward to testing more of the Oru Kayaks!
I recently ordered the Haven and will be returning it. It’s extremely larger than I thought and is heavy for a solo person to carry. Definitely hard to manage unless your car is parked next to a dock. Hard to carry distances.
But I’m exchanging for an inlet or lake plus!!!
I'm about get in to kayak hobby.. a reason I look to this Ken ..🌝.. I'm just 5"2 short guy, so I need it light ... And it's my first kayak... I'm scare... and so many kayak out there to choose.... light and easy carry and store is my number 1 reason...👍👍👍... thanks for your time Sir
It's hard to beat this kayak if you want something stable, light and easy to carry and store!
I love my inlet. I bought a second one so my husband or friends can join me. I'm too short to deal with a roof rack. With the inlet, I can park and be in the water in 5 minutes (unless people stop to chat, which does happen a lot). There's room for my dog, and i don't collect any water paddling. It's genius.
How tall are you?
But is it also safe? I have a bit worry, if there gets water in it, by higher waves or making a roll unfortunately. I hope my english is ok. I write from Germany, Berlin.
I will take my dog with me too..
Just ordered my ORU inlet today. Excited to get it on the water hopefully by the end of the week or early next week. I"ll let you know how it goes. If I love it - I'll be buying another one immediately.
That's great to hear! Happy paddling!
I hope there is going to be review for Coast :) Thank you for all the videos.
I hope so too! It's hard to get a hold of boats to test these days!
I have the coast xt foldable kayak from oru built for the ocean. Fits in my trunk and on my back tough on waters
Can't wait to try that kayak!
Please review the Bay or Coast models!!
Twist my arm. :)
Ken, loooove your channel and your videos! Thank you for your work and for promoting paddling as a fun and healthy form of activity! I just picked up a Cobra Viper plastic racer and for the last three weeks I am enjoying my 6 am paddles on lake Simcoe. Cannot recomend a better outdoor activity!!!
Thanks Alex! I really appreciate it! A Cobra Viper! That's a fun kayak to blast through the water in. It's fun going fast...
Yeah, every ORU owner complains about the seat and yes, you are paying a premium for the lightness/portability, but those are huge factors for some people. I have the 16' ORU Coast XT and it's great, but I wish they made a cheaper, lighter, easier to assemble boat like the Inlet, but long and narrow like the Coast.
I don't have any trouble with the seat, but I'm 5'8" and weigh 140lbs, so it's fine for me.
I'm looking forward to testing the Coast XT! I didn't realize it was more complicated to assemble than the Inlet.
@@wendiewhite2819 Everyone's different, but on the ORU FB pages the seat is one of the most common complaints. I'm using an inflatable Thermarest as a replacement.
@@PaddleTV Yeah, it's way more complex and you have to know what parts to be gentle with and what parts to force into place. I'm not terribly impressed with the glide efficiency and how the bow/stern fairings plow water, but it's still one of the fastest portable yaks, besides the Trax or Razorlite.
I bought the Bay St Oru model and assembly the first go around was 30 minutes plus, but that should get trimmed down when I assemble it again. Tracks very well and when I purchase a skirt for it ocean is next here in Maine!
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like the Inlet is an easier assembly than some of the other Oru Kayaks. I heard the same thing about the Coast XT.
I bought this a month ago, and its been out for two longish trips (3-4 hours of flat-water paddling).
I practiced unfolding and folding before heading to the river. First time I opened it, it worked fine, and it refolded fine. Since then, I've not been able to close it. I watched several videos and read the instructions; it appears I'm doing this correctly, but I cannot get the final fold, so it is pretty awkward when travelling and storing. Also, the seat situation, especially given the price for this kayak, is terrible. I bought the extra seat wedge, but it is still a joke. The back rest does not stay latched and the adjustable back falls no matter how tight you secure the bolt.
The kayak itself is fine. The folds are not nearly as neat and easy to manipulate as in the videos I watched. Once on the water, it did pretty well. I liked the speed and maneuverability, but tracking was not great.
Finally, there is NO customer support. I’ve tried calling three times. Every time I’m set directly to voicemail; I leave a detailed message; I NEVER hear back.
Again, given what Oru charges for these things, and knowing what I know now, I would never buy another, and I regret purchasing this one.
I emailed them and got immediate response. Maybe that will work better for you?
What a great video. Super explanation. I’m hooked!
The video was well done and it seemed that the kayak handled as it should. One thing that was left out was the width of the kayak and how "tippy" it was. The weight limit of 275 would not allow for much gear to be included and not much could be stored up front.
Great review. I, also ,would like to see a review of the Tucktec kayak as well as a comparison to the Oru Inlet since they are of similar size (disregarding the huge price difference). Cannot find a comparison of these two anywhere.
Good idea. I've got to get my hands on a Tucktec. Many people have requested a review of that kayak.
@@PaddleTV Make that another.
Just ordered my Inlet. Thanks
Nice! Hope you enjoy it as much as I think you will!
My wife has a Slipstream Wee Lassie. It’s 13 pounds. It’s amazing what an advantage that is. I can totally see this Oru being worth the money for someone who values the portability.
13 pounds! Wow.
Cool review. It was a bit surprised you didn't choose the 'beach' model given your size. Anyway that showed the capability of the smallest model. I paid special close attention to the waterline during the whole video, always below the printed dashed lines outside the cockpit.
Yup, there are a few other models of the Oru Kayak that I'm excited to test out! Stay tuned.
I wish you would talk about the construction, bottom and stability more. And show how to rescue in a tip over. Safety aspects of floatation. Looks like a sponge and a small bailer (milk carton with cutout bottom) would be nice or necessary for a capsize.
At 20lb and with that huge opening, I think it should be possible to just hold it above the water for a brief moment to drain, even without footing.
I love the quality of your video.,
Very good 👍🏼
Thanks!
Looks good for some kind of situations. Aprooved!
So does a tire tube for less money
Great review. I’ve been researching the foldable kayaks. I’m a beginner that will not be in white water. I’m looking for sturdiness that isn’t going to drop me into the alligator lakes of Florida!
Would love to see you review the Origami Paddler!
I'm with you! I've contacted them about getting a boat to review, but haven't heard back yet. Hopefully soon!
@@PaddleTV Awesome, I’ll be looking forward to it if/when it happens! I keep getting ready to pull the trigger since they have a really good startup deal going right now (with a long wait time), but the reviews I’ve seen thus far don’t really go into much detail like you’ve done on yours. And, I keep getting this feeling that there’s something lacking about them. Anyway, keep up the great reviews!
I was looking at Tucktec it looked like a cheesey rickety gimmick. This looks as much like a traditional kayak and from your review feels like one too. Oru Inlet sturdy looks feels like kayak 20k folds $900, Tucktec rickety looks like a gimmick 10k folds. You made me a new Oru customer when I save the $900!
Hope you like it! I can't wait to try one of the other Oru Kayak models!
I wish it came in different colors. Love the idea, the TUCKTEC does come in different colors.
Great to see an unbiased review on the merits of the Oru Inlet. I own a Tucktec folding kayak, a cheaper alternative for those of us with small pockets. I'd love to see a serious, unbiased review like this one. They're also an origami-style recreational kayak made from HDPE (plastic) in South Carolina but available for shipment worldwide (I'm in Montreal). P.S. your written intro refers to the "Oru Kayak Inlet inflatable kayak" - you might want to remove the word "inflatable"?
Thanks for the note Shirley... and for letting me know of the typo. :)
Shirley is right it is tough to get an Oru in Canada. Their Canadian Web-site is like the Monty Python's cheese shop skit. Of the 6 models 4 are not carried and the other 2 are out of stock. Their kick starter on the Lake ships to Canada but not until the end of August which is near the end of our kayaking season.
How long it took to get your Tucktek? I’m in Quebec City?
Hi would be fun that you test the Tucktec kayak .. foldable kayak too but less cheaper $$
To see if it’s stand the road !! Thanks a lot !!
I recently did a comparison of the Tucktec vs the Oru Inlet. Here's the link: ruclips.net/video/KlxYrbCqIB8/видео.html
Now that you have reviewed both the ORU Inlet, and the Sea Eagle Razorlite 393rl, what are you thoughts? Do you have a preference? What are the reasons someone should pick one over the other? Should a Razorlite owner like me even think about switching to the Inlet?
Does one setup or tear down faster than the other, or pretty comparable? I'd also like know the difference in speed, stability, durability, etc Thanks.
Good questions! They are very different boats. The 393 is much faster, but the Inlet is more stable. They are both quick to assemble, but I would say the Inlet is a bit quicker, especially if you don't have an electric pump. If you enjoy the speed of the 393, I think you would be a little disappointed going to the Oru Kayak Inlet. That being said, Oru Kayak has some other models which are more closely aligned with the 393. I think the Bay St would be much more comparable, although I haven't tried it yet.
@@PaddleTV How about pack up time? Some people have mentioned some fold up kayaks take longer to pack up than some inflatables.
I bought the Razorlite almost strictly for paddling speed, since I have my Sea Eagle 435ps Paddleski (my favorite boat in the world for it's versatile ability to paddle as a kayak, take a decent motor and sail rig).
After buying the Razorlite (3rd party, at an incredible price), I noticed the $350 TuckTech foldable kayak. What interested me in that more than anything was their claim it can be setup in as little as a minute and a half. Getting on the water faster could also be appealing, making the difference it I paddle even more often, though in user videos, it seemed to take closer to 5 minutes.
Just subscribed! It would be cool to see a review on the Oru Coast
Aha! That's on my to do list! I'm hoping to get one to review very soon!
@@PaddleTV but as it is as winter in Ontario as it is in Québec, I'm sure you'll have to wait to test it!
Cool review I’m surprised though that you didn’t review some of their longer more performance oriented kayaks. I tried one and liked it as a portable kayak. I found it a but unstable with the hard chines making for strange handling and the cockpit a bit tight to get into. That surprised me as I’m used to whitewater and performance sea kayaks always with a skirt. This was tighter and scraped my knees. Still I think its better than any inflatable and easier to assemble than a skin on frame
I'm hoping to test the Coast XT later this summer, and really looking forward to it!
@@PaddleTV Please do!
Take a free online US Coast Guard Safety Course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP): cms.americancanoe.org/Online-Courses/Present/Paddlesports-Safety-Online-Course
please try out the tuc tek kayak....
Hope to test that one this spring! Stay tuned.
Would be great to use to backpack into a lake for fishing lunkers. Or secret trout location?
Any chance you have plans to review the Tucktec foldable kayak? I’m considering that one and the Oru.
Yes... and yes! I will be filming 2 videos in a few weeks. One is a review of the Tucktec... and the second video is a comparison between the Tucktec and the Oru Kayak! Seems you read my mind! :)
@@PaddleTV Awesome, will look forward to them! Pretty sure I’m going to pull the trigger on the Tucktec this week, but I’ll still be interested in getting your thoughts 👍
Loving your beautifully produced and presented videos. Terrific production values and filming. I have small question about the Inlet. I notice it doesn't have a skeg. My guess is that due to the limited length, it doesn't need one as much as a longer kayak but I'm guessing really and would be interested to know your views. I'm fairly new to kayaking (I have a Story 1-person inflatable which I love) and am looking to buy a second fun boat and one that my daughter can use to come out on the water with me. Thanks again and do keep up the good work!
Hi Ken. I'm looking to buy a kayak that I can store in my apartment. I've recently learned about Point 65 N modular kayaks. I'd love it if you reviewed the Martini model!
The Oru concept is very cool, we saw a couple of them on a recent paddle. They did fine. But I wish there would be a longer more performance oriented Greenlandish type of Oru.
They've got a 16 foot version (Coast) which looks pretty cool! I'm not sure if it's actually out yet, but I know it's coming. I'm hoping to test one in the near future.
@@PaddleTV - come to Nashville, I’ve got an Oru Bay (12ft) and an Oru Coast (16ft) if you want to review. Went out kayak camping on Percy Priest Lake and also did 10 miles on Old Hickory Lake last weekend. All within 20 minutes of downtown.
Have you compared it to a Tucktec?
Not yet. I would love to though. I reached out to Tucktec to get a 'test boat', but haven't heard back from them. Feel free to ping them and let them know you'd be interested in seeing their kayak reviewed by me! That might help get a response from them. Thanks!
@@PaddleTV I saw my first one recently. Set up was about the same length of time as the Oru. It was the owner’s first time using it but she seemed satisfied. Neither one of them are “fast” kayaks.
How does it compare to « skin on frame » and inflatable kayaks?
Great video review. What’s the name model of the paddle you were using from this video?
would definitely carry a big sponge, like a grout or car washing sponge, to bail out any water 😂. pretty cool product.
Could you/would you recommend this for up to class 2? I would only be on a river/lake, but it has heavy, fast boat traffic so 1-4' waves are fairly common
That would be pushing this boat - or any sit-inside kayak with a large, open cockpit. If you need a portable kayak in the same price range, you might want to consider an inflatable kayak, because it can't fully swamp - Something like the Aqua Glide Chelan 120 or the Sea Eagle 385ft. If you don't need a portable, a sit-on-top kayak could be a good option, or a hardshell kayak that can take a skirt - something like the Perception Carolina, Dagger Stratos 12.5, or Feelfree Aventura 125. Hope this helps!
It seems that every time he says "A few minor issues/A couple of things..." , it's actually a real issue 😋😂👍
Would like to see the Pakayak here. :D
Hope to test one soon!
Looks a great bit of kit..
Being so light, how does it perform in moderate wind?
Interesting! Can I ask how easy it is to get in and out and also would it deal with a slight chop?
It's as easy as any sit-inside kayak to get into or out of. As for dealing with chop... it will handle small chop, but it's definitely not a good kayak for anything more than that.
Thanks for the video :) So what do you think - if it does tear somewhere on the kayak do you think it is fixable?
Would this be okay to fish with?
Definitely. You can't add accessories like rod holders... but otherwise it wouldn't be fine for fishing.
I've heard they take forever to dry, since water gets itno the "corrugations" in the hull material and don't drain out quickly?
I've wondered if the edges are sealed or if that would be an issue.
Great video! I just subscribed. As a canoe paddler, I’d be curious to see a review on their origami canoes. Since I live in Montreal, it’s hard to store more than one canoe.
They don’t make a canoe per se, but their Haven TT is a tandem kayak that may fit the bill. Otherwise there is the MyCanoe which is sort of a Korean rip off of Oru and their canoes are more affordable too
Thanks! I've been wanting to review some canoes this season, but I haven't been able to get my hands on any. Kayaks and canoes have never sold so fast!
What about wind? Would this kayak get blown all over, more than a hard shell?
I've taken my Inlet out on very windy days & it was fine.
The fact that it's so light will make it a little more susceptible to the wind, but the biggest factor is hull design, and I was surprised how well this kayak tracked for a short boat. I think it would preform as well as comparable hard shell kayaks in windy conditions.
Would it be stable enough to paddle in calm Florida rivers, with alligators? I'm a beginner.
Absolutely!
Depends on the size of the 'gator. :) A 12 foot alligator could flip the Inlet without any trouble.
I just purchased this (haven’t received it yet) and afterwards saw many people reporting that tears/holes develop in the folds rather quickly. I’ll update my comment with any issues.
Interesting! I haven't heard that yet, but look forward to your update on the possible issue. Thanks!
@@PaddleTV A woman (named Stephanie I believe?) here on RUclips did a video about a hole/tear in the fold crease and then others reported the same issue in the comments below her video. There were some others on Facebook that stated the same.
Additionally, in one of the Oru Facebook groups, a man claiming to be highly experienced (who teaches kayaking classes) had the Oru in a swimming pool and demonstrated why he claims self rescue in the Oru Inlet isn’t possible. BUT then someone else claimed to have done it but didn’t have it on video, just diagrams of how he claimed to have accomplished it
It would be such a great idea for you or someone else to write a book with diagrams of proper form for paddle strokes that can be printed or copied to take for practice while kayaking. It is difficult to remember it all when out on the water and to have a quick reference with pictures would be absolutely fabulous. I have purchased so many kayaking books and Googled to no avail.
I absolutely LOVE Paddle TV so I’ll do my best to remember to come back and update my comment here after I’ve had some time with my Oru Inlet. Thank you for such helpful information. 😊⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks for kayaking have a couple students myself don't think this will be for me don't want to assemble
Great review. I know it’s a flat water boat but I’d love to see how it handles easy rivers, Class 1 or easy Class 2. Maybe a faster alternative to a pakraft in easy water?
I'm hoping to try one of their 'higher performance' models soon. When that happens, I'll be sure to test it out in some mild rough water. Thanks!
Hi Phil, my buddy has a couple of inlets and while we love taking them out on calm lakes, and I'll even take my son out with me in it, my friend has tipped over in very slight chop and wind. And I'm not saying this to disparage the kayak in any way, Oru is very clear that this model is meant for very calm water. It is perfect though for taking it out on lakes and resevoirs on calm days and performs amazing well considering how light weight it is. With that in mind I'm currently waiting for my bay to show up, so I'd say I'm fairly sold on the company and their products as a whole.
@@hellouthere8800 Thanks for the insight. I'm mainly interested how it handles crossing eddy lines and small riffles. I'm thinking it'd be a good alternative to a pack raft when crossing lakes or going down easy rivers. Or even a back of the plane boat for remote trips, not epic trips obviously, but crossing a river to get to a good fishing spot sort of thing.
@@philipschaefer8556 You bet! Now before I say anything else, I'll reiterate that Oru markets this one for Calm water. With that in mind, I think if you want to test it out on moving water your biggest concern is going to be weight you intend to carry. The weight limit on the inlet is 275lbs. I weigh around 225 (Thanks covid life!) and have taken my son out with me, he's around 35lbs, and have felt stable. But we end up riding real low in the water, and this model has a wide open cockpit. So if your weighed down and dealing with any kind of cross currents or eddie and you need to counterbalance, you're not going to have a lot of room for error before your taking on water and possible going for a swim. So overall, I'd say lakes are your best bet and that if you do intend to tackle any kind of moving water, you'll want to really stress test it somewhere close to home before you commit to a longer trip (probably goes without saying, but who knows who might read these comments)
I've taken my Inlet in all kinds of water, including whitewater with rocks (NOT recommended), and it handles really well in everything. Was in very choppy Potomac River on Fri night and was able to maneuver easily. Then less choppy next day but lots of wake from heavy boat traffic; still handles great. Been in fast rivers and slow; enclosed lakes; etc. I LOVE my Inlet!!!
This video is sick 🙏
What PFD is Ken wearing? Looks like a cross between a Kokatat and NRS. Thanks!
Hey Craig. It's the NRS Odyssey PFD. I was testing it out on this shoot. Nice PFD for sure. Best for kayaks with low back support (sea kayaks). I would go with a mesh back PFD for a recreational kayak with a high back seat.
What about fishing from this Kayak? Easy?
Yeah, it wouldn't be bad at all. It's got the stability for fishing comfortably. The only downside is that you can easily customize it if you want to use a fish finder, rod holders, etc. But if you just want to grab a rod and your tackle box, it would be great!
Do you think you could fresh water fish from it?
No doubt you could!
what material is this?
Love all the gear reviews. I hope you get a chance to review Decathlon's itiwit x500, and a modular or nesting kayak like the pakayak. Also, have you ever tried out any Canadian kayak apparel, such as Level Six?
I'll check the Itiwit out! Haven't heard of it. Yes, I have tried a lot of Level Six's gear out. They make great stuff, and they're good folks too!
Did they send you this or did you buy it yourself?
They sent it to me. But that had no bearing on my review. I own over 20 kayaks already, and so getting another kayak doesn't do anything for me. Furthermore, I tell any company that sends me gear to review that I'm going to speak honestly about it, and so they might not like everything I say... but that's the deal.
How long a paddle do you use?
I'm 6'2, and I typically use a paddle between 220 and 240cm, depending on the boat I'm using. For narrow, sit-inside kayaks, I'll use a 220cm. For wide sit-on-tops, I'll use a 240cm. For the Inlet, I likely used a 225 - 230cm paddle.
I love mine!!
You should mention that the shipping and handleing will double the cost!!
The weight and capacity are impressive.
The beam to length ratio is somewhat bargeish!
Fun to have in the trunk for impromptu yak fishing perhaps...
Thanks for the detailed review!
I agree. It's a bit of a bath tub shape... but it really does paddle surprisingly well. I'm truly looking forward to trying their 16' Coast model, which should perform very well.
How heavy are you?
I'm around 195 lb
when will you review the ORU COAST XT and the PAKAYAK, those are two kayaks that I'm interested in. Thanks
Pakayak review is coming! Hoping to get an Oru Coast to review. Feel free to send their customer service an email telling them they should send a review kayak to me! :)
Man, I’m just thinking if you could pack this in as a duck hunting rig.
You definitely could. I know of a lot of people who duck hunt from a kayak. This one would make getting that kayak around easy!
I'd like to see somebody stand in one of these. Like, is it even feasible?
I own an Inlet and I've never gotten that much water in the boat from the paddle. Just saying.
Good to know. I paddle with a very high angle/aggressive stroke, which comes from my many years of whitewater kayaking. I think that's why I was getting water in the boat. I'm guessing you have a lower angle / touring style of stroke that keeps the water out. Thanks for sharing.
Kayak rentals are very expensive so if you’re a person who likes to travel it’s worth it.
Keep a large sponge in the boat for drips.....