Review: Sevylor Colorado Canoe

This is a review for the Sevylor Colorado Canoe:

These little, packable boats absolutely rock!!! We use them extensively on almost all of our excursions. Tough, durable, extremely stable, lightweight, compact, comfortable....what else can we say!!!

Visit our new lodge in Lake Clark National Park.

We first starting using the inflatable canoe in 2007 and haven't looked back. Most of our destinations require bush plane transportation and a hard bottom canoe is out of the question. We have experimented with the foldable canoes and kayaks but were not super impressed. We needed a lightweight, compact boat able to carry at least two people and tons of gear. We purchased one boat the first year and really didn't have much hope considering the cost. We were very surprised with the quality and durability but the proof was in the the pudding. We made it a point to abuse the little boat to find all its faults. We rammed it into jagged rocks going full boar down class 3 water. We drug it over trees, rocks and beaver dams. We loaded it down with three people and a few packs(on a still lake) up to 550lbs. On the river it comfortably held two people and 120lbs of gear. We used the provided tie down loops cranking them to the max and they never gave way or ripped.  The seating in these boats are also a plus. With an elevated, inflated bladder the paddler sits 3 or 4 inches above the bottom of the boat. The seats are fully adjustable and very comfortable. We had a 36 mile lake paddle this year and spent many 2-3 hour sessions without having to get out to stretch.

The boat is separated into three main bladders. The two side tubes are regulated by the tried and true, one way boston valve. They are very easy to

Gathering Wood For The Fire

 inflate and deflate. The floor and seat compartments are regulated by a cheap rubber valve sorta like the ones on your kids floaties.....more on this later. The side tubes and floor are covered with a tough denier type material that is bullet proof. The underside of the boat is covered with a tough fabric coated rubber. This part of the boat is also extremely durable. We have floated many a shallow river where the boats dragged bottom for several hours and all with no holes worn. We did catch a piece of glass on a portage which ripped a huge hole in both the bottom and the bladder. However, with two compartments still inflated we were able to make the rest of the river. On our return to camp we promptly patched, sewed and glued the hole.....out the next day. The floor of the boat sits above the bottom of the boat by 4 or so inches. There is a gap between the floor and side tube that catches any water that may splash in the boat. You can have a couple gallons of water in the boat and not even get wet....a HUGE plus. The back of the boat has a plug which enables quick drainage.

Now the bad..........

First, the cheap rubber valves in the floor and seats we mentioned earlier. Why on earth would you build a great boat and then almost jeopardize the whole thing with a .20 cent valve were it matters most? They are extremely hard to get air into and of course the self closing feature doesn't allow air out unless squeezed. When these valves are pushed down they are a pain to get out for deflating. We usually have to use our leatherman pliers to dislodge them which sometimes ends in ripping the cap off the valve. We have two boats with ripped off valve caps. Sevylor makes a repair kit for the valves but the new caps really don't fit very tight and there is always a small amount of air leaking out. Good grief, Sevylor, charge us $10 more and finish strong by adding the proper valves. Although a pain its not a deal breaker for us. We alway carry the after market repair kit on every float.

Secondly, the plug on the back that empties any water is always getting stuck. It literally takes two people, one with pliers, to pull it. Good thought but bad design.

Lastly, the inner bladders on the whole boat could be of a little better quality. The outside denier cover is great and very protective but one look inside the zipper might cause you to doubt. We haven't had any problems so far so it is more of a concern than a problem.

Overall we give the boat two thumbs up on the cost to quality scale. If you need a boat that is extremely compact (we can fit four boats, paddles, in a life vests Piper Super Cub) reasonably lightweight, durable, capable of heavy loads and affordable than here it is.

Review: Cloudveil Hellroaring Wading Pant

    At Alaskan Ventures we USE our gear!  Spending nearly 4 months a year in the field will test any product to its limits. 
    This is a review of Cloudveil's Hellroaring wading pant. I purchased these waders in early 2009 and guided in them for over 30 days. My first impression of these waders was positive. They appeared to be very well made and light weight. The seam tape appeared to have good adhesion and the double knees were a plus. The neoprene booties were thinner than most, 2mm, which felt more natural and cut down on the overheating I usually feel when out of the water. I ordered a medium for myself, 5'11", 180lbs with a 31" waist and 31" inseam, which was very snug but workable.

While wearing these waders for almost a month straight, they began to feel the abuse. First, the seat in these waders isn't double ply like the knees. In my opinion, this is a big negative. After one week, I sat down on a piece of stubble and the cloth tore. This happened several more times, and thank goodness for my 5 minute

epoxy or I would have been wet!

The next problem was in the crotch. After a couple of weeks it blew out, starting at the zipper and running 2 inches underneath. This was a show stopper. I had to stop everything, sew up the tear and epoxy it--a real pain in the Alaskan bush.

Speaking of the zipper on the crotch, the metal tab is very small and always turns down, burying itself at the bottom were your fingers cannot grab it. After relieving yourself thigh deep with a rod in your hand, it's a real pain to have fumbling for  your leatherman and digging it out--not to mention how it looks to clients! The zipper was not a deal breaker, but annoying just the same.

Lastly, I must complain a little bit about the design and placement of the fly and pocket zippers. I knew going in that the zippers were not "waterproof" (what is?). However, I thought they might be a bit better than they were. The first time I crossed a stream (at a fast pace I may add) I had wet streaks running down my legs and crotch. I didn't stand still in the water but was moving and sloshing around. Love the idea of zippers but Cloudveil should make

them with an inner flap that is waterproof--sort of like the Simms zip up chest waders. This goes for the pockets as well.

       In conclusion I must point out the positives. For guiding or extended use these waders are are a good buy if you are handy at repairs. They are lightweight, not hot, and fit like a pair of jeans (tight wranglers in my case). For the weekend angler they would be great and you probably wouldn't have any problems. I am extremely rough with my waders, and wear them out of the water as much if not more than in the water. Except for the tears, the waders didn't leak and after inspection the seam tape had not separated anywhere. Again I must point out that the tearing and excessive holes punched in the waders were due to the amount of time and hardcore use placed on them. Overall I would give these waders a 3.5 out of 5. Cloudveil is ahead of the game on design but still behind a bit on quality compared to Simms.

Closing note: I sent my Hellroaring waders to Cloudveil for repair at the end of the year without a receipt or proof of purchase. I figured I would have to pay a repair fee, and was prepared to do so. Seven days later a box showed up on my doorstep, and it was a BRAND NEW PAIR, no questions asked. I have to give a 5 of 5 on customer service, and I will be using these waders again this coming year!
If you are interested in fishing Alaska's best backcountry rivers check out our Fishing trips.  http://AlaskanVentures.com