Aquaglide Multisport - a Quick Review of our Latest ‘Boat’
We’d been looking for a small boat to carry on our Regal 2760 for use at anchor or at our favorite beach locations. The Regal is big enough for a modest dingy, but we’re not yet in the position to spend for the necessary outboard to go with it. I’d seen advertisements for the Aquaglide products, but hadn’t had a chance to evaluate one up close until our trip to the Miami boat show last month. At the show, we got to see the Aquaglide Multisport, which is a combination towable, windsurfer, sailboat, and kayak built on an inflatable hull for easy portability. We decided this fit the bill as a carry along ‘toy’ for our cruising adventures and would give us a nice platform to teach the kids some basic sailing techniques. Read on for our review:
Specifications:
The Aquaglide Multisport is a combination towable, windsurfing rig, sailboat, and kayak. The core of the system is a 9′ inflatable hull with very nice fabric cover. Depending on how the hull is ‘accessorized’ it can function in the various boating modes. The basic multisport ‘kit’ includes everything required for the towable, sailboat, and windsurfing set-ups - so you don’t need to worry about getting the correct extras after-the-fact. The entire rig is designed for portability and can be packed in an included carry bag. Total weight is about 30 lbs. We have posted pictures of what’s in the box in our Aquaglide Photo Album.
Set Up:
Set-up is fairly easy. The included documentation is adequate, although not overly informative. The 1st step is to rig the hull. For the towable, this is simply a matter of inflating the hull until firm. For the windsurf and kayak modes, you inflate the hull to about 50% (when it starts to keep its own structure) and then insert the 2 provided keels. Once the keels are in place, inflate until firm. At this point, you can mount the seat for the kayak (if you’ve purchased the kayak kit). For the sailboat, inflate to 50% then insert 1 keel into the center mount and insert the rudder shaft into the rear-most hole. Once the shaft is in place, secure the tiller arm and pin and then inflate until firm.
For the windsurfer and sailboat, the last step is to rig the sail and mast. Join the top 2 aluminum mast pieces and run these through the stitched pocket in the upper sail - there is a grab strap provided about 1/2 way up the pocket to assist in running in the poles. Run the lower mast piece in the opposite direction through the bottom sail pocket. Extend the boom length to fit the sail (the boom telescopes to save space in the carry bag and allow for smaller sails for teaching children to sail). If you have the base sail, you need to pull extend the boom to the last spring-loaded stops. Pass the boom up the sail from the bottom and insert the boom ‘eye’ into the top of the lower mast pole until it rests on two stopper o-rings. Join the lower and upper masts and connect the trailing end of the sail to the rear of the boom using the provided strap.
For the windsurfer, insert the bottom pivot into the mast and secure it to the sail downhaul strap. The pivot is then threaded into the hull attachment point and secondary attachments laced from the pivot to the hull attachment base. Finally, attach the sail uphaul tether to the boom and you are ready to go.
To complete the sailboat rig, the mast is placed directly against the hull attachment point and held in place by securing head, port, and starboard stay straps from the boom pivot to steel rings on the hull. The sail downhaul is then connected directly to the hull attachment point and the main sheet is tied at the boom tail and threaded through a steel ring at the stern.
Initial Impressions
For our 1st cruise, we used the sailing rig. Setup was easy but it did help to have 2 people while securing the mast to the hull. Even though we had extremely light winds, it was easy to cruise at 90 degrees to the wind in either direction. I found that it was more comfortable to lay down to drive rather than sit. I look forward to trying some more when there is a bit more breeze.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
How has this aquaglide held up? Have you been able to put 2 people on it?
Would you recommend it as fun for kids learning to sail? And for Dads?
June 28th, 2007 at 11:17 am
I haven’t had time to use it as much as I’d like, but so far it’s held up very well.
2 Adults would be tough, but an adult + child (under 10 years old) is no problem. Our kids are still young to grasp the sailing concept, but they love to have us set it up as a ‘raft’ and let them paddle around with a couple of oars.
I’ve started to learn the windsurfing aspects and this has a lot of potential. One of my friends with actual windsurfing experience was able to cruise around pretty easy.
July 9th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
I learned about the aquaglide while browsing an in-flight magazine.
WOuld like to hear from you as to maneuverability of tacking the aquaglide, how fast it moves, weight limitations.
Saw one of your pictures and it shows the potential of water coming inside the aquaslide especially if you are on the heavy side.
Will it hold up for “rougher” waters like the pacific and atlantic oceans? Did you use it in a lake as a sailboat and windersurfer by your friend?
I’ve sailed since as a child, but don’t have the space to buy a hobby cat/laser/sunfish and this aquaglide seems like an answer.
July 9th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Eliane,
I still haven’t had an extended chance to sail the aquaglide in anything less than very calm conditions.
My sense from windsurfing in stronger winds is that it will move pretty good and will tack fast. I don’t expect it will sail into the wind very well, but that’s to be expected given the hull shape, weight, and limited keels.
The aquaglide ‘hull’ is a single-cell inflatable, you’ll get a wet ride but it’s not likely to sink as there’s no place for water to pool. Material quality is well above average compared to consumer inflatables like Coleman. I use it primarily in the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway where water is generally calm to a light chop. The rig isn’t really suited to open water (nor are most other small sailboats) unless wave conditions are light.
- Virgil
July 14th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I have just returned from a two week yacht charter in the north Ionian where we towed the aquaglide everywhere. It was great and easy to handle but we did loose a fin and nearly lost two. Does anyone know the best way to secure them?
July 30th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I have been having a very hard time sailing into the wind because it seems to reliably and immediately turns directly into the wind with each gust. Even with wind behind, it is not very steerable. So far the little fin straps seem to keep the fins from getting away.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I have one of these (also purchased from in-flight magazine) and have sailed it in the sailboat configuration three times in light and moderate breezes. In strongish winds, the mast can give unless you have very high pressure in the tube, but it is manageable provided you know how to handle the sail. I found it to be very steerable and a lot of fun. You will get wet in stronger winds, but as the other writer said, it can’t sink and there is no where for the water to pool. I think the boat would significantly benefit from a stiffer board. On the whole, it’s well worth the money. We enjoy it a lot.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I bought two of these from Ebay from a liquidation company that apparently buys customer returns from the aquaglide factory. I checked closed auctions and you can pretty much get one for under $130, including shipping. It is sold as-is and one of mine was missing the valve so I couldn’t blow it up (one wasted trip to the lake) and the other’s boom would not extend fully because the little stops were bent–my son was able to extend it when I got home (#2 wasted trip to the lake) I saw first in an inflight magazine. I’m pretty good at following directions, but I had a very hard time with these. The manual writer should have either 3 sets of directions (sailboat, windsurfer, kayak) or one set which clearly directs you to go to a specific step next, depending on what you are building. The first time(S) you try to put this together, it would be good to have two people. I tried 3 times before I succeded–partly due to bad directions, partly missing a piece I had to salvage from the other boat, partly because I’m pretty new to sailing.
Yesterday I finally sailed it and I can say it was WORTH IT! I got stuck once in a corner of the lake, tipped over once, but it was easy to right. I also noticed its tendency to weathervane into the wind. The directions say to inflate it until VERY FIRM, and I think I did not inflate it enough yesterday. I’m going out today by myself and I hope to sail it one last time for the season (because I am a cold water wimp) I will let you know If I could get it together by myself.
Even though it comes in a carrying case that easily fits all the parts, I recommend that you get a separate bag (parachute style bag) for the hull and to make sure it is dry. My two arrived with mildew because the former owners put them away wet–you wouldn’t put a tent away wet, so don’t put this away wet either!
Happy sailing!
October 9th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I did take it out today. It took me 40 minutes to put it together by myself. The trick was that the previous owner, probably in an attempt to make putting it together alone easier, passed the webbing through PLASTIC (will become important to the story) swivel hooks. After about 30 minutes of sailing, the mast fell off.
I was in the middle of the lake and had to swim to the shore, towing the Aquaglide. When I discovered the problem, I removed all the plastic hooks and ATTEMPTED to reassemble the sail boat. I had to wait for a person who was walking along the path to come along and hold the mast up while I fastened the webbing. The rest of the sailing was uneventful.
SOLUTION TO PUTTING IT TOGETHER BY YOURSELF:
1. Get THICK METAL D-rings (the kind climbers use) and attach them to each of the web stabilizing straps.
2. Put the hull in the water and then put the mast on. I think this saves dragging the keel/rudder over the ground with the sail attached. If you are a BIG STRONG GUY, maybe you can just pick it up! I’m a not-so-strong woman. I also remove the mast while it’s still in the water.
I learned one tip from a website this morning: If you want to know where the wind is from, get an old cassette tape and tie a few knots (every few inches) and then tie it so that about 9″ is trailing. The knots are to keep the tape from sticking when it gets wet (learned the hard way after the mast fell off). I tied mine to a few places on the mast, but I decided that tying at least one to each side of the boom would be a better idea.
A FEW COMMENTS:
1. I still don’t know if I had it blown up tight enough. I pumped until it seemed that air was going out the relief valve of the pump.
When the three stabilizing webstraps are cinched firmly to keep the mast straight, the rubber thing the mast is on was depressed about 3″ below the top of the cover. This seemed to work, but I don’t know if it’s right.
2. I launched and landed on a beach that was mostly small pebbles and they got inside, between the cover and the liner. I can’t figure out how to remove them, but they also don’t seem to hurt anything.
3. I learned that even though the directions say to inflate to 50% (and not more) to insert the keel or rudder, I found that about 70% and dipping them in water makes them go through really easy.
4. RUDDER: Once in the water, I couldn’t tell if the rudder was sticking out the back like it should or facing the wrong way (remember the above post, I’m a novice) so today I painted the side that should face me with red nail polish (an admitedly girlie solution) and it worked like a charm.
5. DRYING: It takes a long time to dry, so plan where you might be able to let it dry out in your garage, house, or on your deck (check the forecast).
6. QUESTION FOR REAL SAILORS: How tight should I attach the sail to the mast base? How tight should I attach the the end of the sail to the boom?
WHAT I DID: I fastened the bottom of the sail as tight as I could pull. I fastened the end to the boom loose enough to “fill” with air and touch the boom. It seemed to work better than yesterday when I had it very tight.
CONCLUSION: I am still HAPPY because this meets my desire to sail and to not have to store a boat or tow a trailer or lift something on the hood of my van. I transported the bag of parts and the hull on a hand truck from my van — why strain before I even TRIED to put it together alone? My kids said they would have given up after my several initial attempts to put it together (they were readding the directions and providing some muscle) They are proud of me and I am proud of myself!
January 6th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I really enjoy seeing the photos and people’s comments. I wondered if anyone has more photos and, are you planning to use the Aquaglide more this year?
I bought one last year but have so far not used it because of the weather but I am of course looking forward to.
Tks,
David.
January 7th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I’m definitely hoping to use mine more this year and better test the sailboat configuration for my kids. I’ll post more photos and a review when I do.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
i brought one of these AQUAGLIDE MULTISPORT LE. i took it out today with aprox 15mph winds on our local lake. man it tested my sailing experience as there seems to have quite a bit of drag but thats understandable considering the type of boat it is..
tacking the boat was a challenge at 1st but once i got used to the boats characteristics then i made progress upwind but it cant tack as foreword into the wind as much as a conventional topper or similar so upwind was gradual but still capable.
one question i would like to ask though is pumping it up.
should you pump it until the inner expands enough to make the outer fabric tight?
im kind of frightened of damaging the inner by over inflating it because the inner seems quite tight and the outer just hangs on it rather then getting pulled into the shape of the inner part..
May 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I have sailed it extensively at the agean sea at winds upto 18 miles
for distances up to 3 miles at a time. I have used the sailboat and kayak setup not the windsurf setup.
She exceeded my expectations greatly. This is a very nice little boat.
It tacks and gybes really easily. She has really good upwind performance,
far better than I have expected.
You get somewhat wet when sailing upwind at stronger winds,choppier waters but this is expected.
I have mainly used it when I couldnt go out windsurfing in lighter winds.
The seating is not comfortable but if you sit the your back facing the sail then the ride gets comfortable. Alternatively you can lie down and control the tiller with your foot.
The kayak option does not work well. She is quite slow due to the drag.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I scored a brand new Aquaglide 4.1 on eBay. I put it together on my lawn last week and finally got a chance to try it out yesterday. We took it to our favorite beach in the Chesapeake Bay. Setup was a snap. I had it inflated and rigged in 30 munutes, wioth help from my wife and daughter.
Unfortunately, we had an very light offshore wind and a bit of onsetting current. I haven’t sailed that much, but it became painfully obvious that sailing upwind was going to be problematic. For about an hour I made little if any forward progress in the near dead-calm conditions. I actually drifted back into the shore twice and had to get my wife to push me back out. After nearly an hour, I think I travelled maybe 500 yards upwind. Finally, I got a bit of wind off the starboard beam. I tacked and actually was able to get her to turn. During the short downwind run back to the beach, the boat seemed to move okay and responded to the steering.
one question i would like to ask though is pumping it up.
Overall, I was happy with the easy set up; but was disappointed with the boat’s perfromance. That said, I am going to assess that it was just not a good day for sailing. I’ll make a final judgement when I take it out with stonger winds.
Some helpful hints:
Getting the keel fin and rudder in and out of the tube is not easy. I found an better way of doing it. Just lube the shaft with some tanning butter or some other slippery substance. It will slide right in and out for you.
I was a bit concerned about ensuring the mast would sit secure in its insertion point. It seems very easy for the mast to fall out if not secure. I tightened the three straps pretty snug and added some more air.
Next time, I might try just holding the outhaul strap and sheet it by hand.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:15 am
This toy does not work at all
I tried my Aquaglide rigged as sailboat at 3 occasions and all it did was turn into the wind by itself and drifts backward. The stronger the wind, the worst it gets.
There is a design flaw somewhere and I don’t know yet what it is!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
reply to ‘'’guy Fortin ‘'’..
it sounds like you’ve not set it up to its potential.
i found almost exactly the same thing as you but realized my mistake.
you thus need to make sure that your mast is slightly leaning foreword and not back !!! if it is leaning even a tiny bit back that will cause the boat to do what you mention..
now to every one…ive made comments about this sailing dinghy before but now Ive got used to it i have to say I’m very impressed with the thing considering the price and portability etc.Ive just got home from a few hours sailing it on the sea and i just love it.