Tucktec Folding Kayak Review

The Tucktec Folding Kayak is a single-person origami boat with an advertised capacity of 300 pounds. It weighs 26 pounds and is made out of eighth-inch thick high-density polyethylene thermoplastic. It comes with a paddle, an adjustable foot brace, and a front bungee strap.

Performance Comparison

Gliding and Tracking

With a hard plastic hull and a tracking skeg hanging off the back, the Tucktec tracks and glides better than many others that lack one or both of these features. Getting the placement of the skeg correctly in the water to aid in tracking without creating a snag on the bottom of the boat takes some trial and error.

Though this is advertised as a 10-foot watercraft, the actual body of the boat measures just 9 feet 4.5 inches, with the skeg making up the difference. This makes it one of the shorter single boats we've tested, which somewhat diminishes its tracking ability. Compared to other hard-sided origami boats we've tested, like the Oru Beach, the Tucktec has no cover over its bow fold, allowing water to flow into this crevice, adding unnecessary drag.

Maneuverability

Because of its wide, flat bottom and short overall length, the Tucktec is easy to turn on a dime to get around objects or change directions. Its open cockpit doesn't allow you to brace yourself in place to aid turning with your hips, but it does just fine turning with paddle strokes. The eighth-inch-thick high-density polypropylene hull is highly abrasion and puncture-resistant, letting you paddle confidently over submerged sticks and land easily on rocky and sandy beaches without worry. The included paddle is a hefty two pounds but is sturdier and more effective than most other paddles included with other inflatable kayaks we've tested. We got wetter than usual paddling with it, but we have no complaints about its functionality.

Stability

Out on the water, this wide, flat-bottomed boat feels like a pretty stable ride. It's not too wobbly while paddling and is a great option for folks who dislike tippy-feeling kayaks. The getting in and out process is more challenging, though. While the sides of the kayak are covered to prevent cutting your hands, they are a single layer of very flexible plastic that immediately buckles under the body weight of even a 125-pound pilot. Even getting in and out while docked along the shoreline more than once allowed the wide-open cockpit to flood with water as the side of the Tucktec collapsed below the waterline with the weight of the incoming paddler.

Ease of Transport and Set Up

The Tucktec is one of the smallest packed kayaks in our lineup and slides easily into the backseat of your car or a shelf in your closet. It's on the lighter side, too, weighing 26 pounds — 28, including the paddle. And with no additional pump to carry around, that's a bargain. Its shoulder strap offers only messenger-style carry and is rather rough on bare skin and not our favorite, even over a sun shirt.

The six metal arms that clamp the whole boat into shape are easier to secure in place than the clasps on previous versions. However, the side clamps require a large amount of force and hand strength to swing into place — even when the plastic boat had warmed in the sun. All the components of this package become a part of the boat, though, so you're not left with so much as a strap to lose in the sand.

It has no drainage port but tips upside down easily to drain before heading home and dries quickly in well-ventilated storage. The worst part about folding this boat up during our testing is that it easily collected beach sand and made our cars very dirty.

Comfort

The Tucktec seat is made of thick but very hard, unforgiving foam. It's rather narrow and only adjusts a few inches forward or backward. The velcro strap holding it in place can feel quite scratchy on bare legs, as well. The large cockpit and high advertised weight capacity seem like a great combo for larger paddlers. However, its flimsy design sometimes bends under heavy weights, making it both less comfortable and less conducive to effective paddling.

This version has a bungee cord across the front and a foot peg in the bow. This peg is challenging to use, as it clicks to different lengths and must be placed at the right distance before getting in to paddle. More than once, it popped out of place as soon as we sat down, and the boat widened, and we struggled to wedge it into place at the right length and distance to be able to rely on it for bracing.

Construction Quality

The high-density thermoplastic that comprised the Tucktec feels durable and long-lasting. The company claims it's rated for “1000s of folds”. We're glad to read that because bending the little plastic arms all the way over onto the body of the boat in order to latch the clamps in place creates extreme pressure points on the eighth-inch polypropylene that appear starkly white and look rather alarming in contrast with the bright color of the plastic. Our worries aside, the actual construction and materials of this craft seem sturdy and reliable.

Should You Buy the Tucktec Folding Kayak?

For folks looking for an origami boat that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, the Tucktec is a high-value option. It comes with a paddle and gets you out on the water for less than many other hard-sided portable models. Its open cockpit is versatile and stable, and it glides and tracks well for its size. It's not a great option for larger folks or those who rely on sturdy sides to get in and out of the boat.

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