Aquaglide Chinook 120 Review

The Chinook 120 is a convertible tandem kayak with an impressive 550-pound capacity. It weighs 37.6 pounds and is constructed from 600D hex ripstop polyester on top with a PVC bottom. It features a drainage hole, paddle keepers, adjustable backrests and foot braces, a removable skeg, bungee cords, and carry handles.

Performance Comparison

Handling

If you're here looking for speed and accuracy in a tandem kayak, the Chinook is unlikely to live up to your expectations. It rides high above the water and paddles more like a leisure cruise than a targeted expedition, with a flat, inelegant nose that rides on the water rather than slicing purposefully through it. At just over 12 feet, the Chinook does an alright job tracking through the water — as long as you're not fighting big wind. Because it rides so high, it's more likely to be caught in crosswinds. Velcro adjustable foot braces add a little bit of stability while you paddle, but without anything to brace your knees against, they're more of a formality. We enjoy paddling this boat most when the water is flat, the day is calm, and we've got a picnic along for the ride.

Comfort

With real cushioned seats and fully adjustable backrests, the Chinook is a pretty comfortable boat to paddle. It's one of the widest boats we tested, at 3'2", which does make paddling a little less comfortable than narrower boats but adds stability that makes it possible to really relax within. Velcro strips on the bottom of the seats let you place them wherever you want, but they are more challenging to adjust once you're out on the water. An optional center pillow-like inflatable can act as a third seat for a very small paddler, though including this starts to make the boat feel very small. With two people, it's just big enough to be comfortable. Conversely, solo paddling feels difficult and cumbersome in this wide rectangular watercraft.

Ease of Set Up

Like so many other inflatable kayaks, the Chinook uses the right side, left side, floor inflation system. This system works just fine and is simple to get used to and use. Using Boston valves is not our favorite solution, though. Because Boston valves have two caps (one for inflation and one for deflation), they also have two leashes. More than once, these string leashes got in the way of attaching the valve, causing a leak in the system.

We love that the floor has a drain on one end, though the open concept cockpit doesn't really need one as you can simply remove the floor section. The top fabric isn't waterproof, though, and will get wet as you paddle, taking longer to dry. We also had a tough time fitting this boat back into its stuff sack, with its single-end opening.

Portability

The Chinook weighs 37.6 pounds with all its components assembled. This is a bit above average among tandem models we tested, though it's certainly doable. It's easiest to carry when already set up via the bow and stern handles and utilizing the paddle keepers along the sides. The duffel bag it comes in is closed by a drawstring with a weak toggle that tends to slide open during carrying. We ended up putting a knot in it every time to prevent it from spilling everywhere.

Durability

Made of durable 600D ripstop fabric on top and PVC-like material on the bottom, the Chinook is confidence-inspiring. A repair kit is included to patch minor leaks. However, if you happened to pop one side of your kayak while out and about, it would be extremely challenging to paddle back to shore with just half of your boat inflated. This is the major flaw of the left side, right side inflation method. A handful of kayaks use the inner chamber, outer chamber strategy instead, meaning that if you did manage to rip a hole in your kayak, you'd still have an inner chamber of air giving body to your boat and letting you get back to land more easily.

Value

If you're after a comfortable, durable boat for two (or two and a dog or child), the Chinook is a solid purchase. It doesn't come with everything, so you'll still need the paddles, pump, and PFDs, but we think that what you get for the price is a fair bargain.

Conclusion

The Aquaglide Chinook 120 is a comfortable tandem for leisurely endeavors. Though it converts to solo paddling, we far prefer it with a friend. It's wide, stable, and open enough to enjoy a picnic on the water with a friend. If you're hunting for a casual, pleasant boat for relaxation, this is a good choice and a solid value.