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Customer reviews for Hydro-Force Surge Elite X2 Inflatable Two-Person Kayak - 12'8" for
Hydro-Force Surge Elite X2 Inflatable Two-Person Kayak - 12'8"
2.6 out of 5 stars
stars14 ratings12 reviews
  1. 5 stars0% (0)
  2. 4 stars36% (5)
  3. 3 stars7% (1)
  4. 2 stars36% (5)
  5. 1 star21% (3)

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Showing 1-10 of 12 reviews
Jul 25, 2023
CO John
4 out of 5 stars review

Good Value, Well-made

For $300, this is a good value and a well built, inflatable kayak. I own 6 kayaks that are all hard shell, but we needed an inflatable that would collapse and could be carried in our RV or on our ATV. We can ride our ATV into very remote Trout Lakes and desire to fish areas that hikers won't go to the effort to reach. Anyway, this guy perfectly fits the bill and it gets four stars because it isn't perfect, but it is darn, darn good and a good purchase. By the way, I am 6'4" and 240lbs... while the wife is 5'9" and 160lbs, so we are right at the limit for size and weight and it works good for us.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello, we are happy to hear you guys are enjoying your Kayak! If you have any questions or issues: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

Jun 12, 2023
gunrock_sams
4 out of 5 stars review

Fun Inflatable Kayak, A Few Negatives to Consider

Fast and easy to set up. This set comes with everything you need to get going. The pump has a PSI gauge on it and the kayak has the PSI you need to inflate to, on each of the three parts you inflate. As you come close to the desired PSI, stop on the down stroke and allow the pump to get a good reading, so you don't over inflate it. Take down is simple, everything actually fits in the bag. I deflated the kayak, folded in half then folded in 18" or so sections and set sideways in the bag, so you can fit the oars, seats and pump beside it. I can't compare this to other inflatable kayaks, but compared to a regular kayak, it definitely feels more stable. It doesn't cut through the water the same way. A hard kayak, you feel like you are cutting through the water. With this one, you feel like you are on top of the water. Again, if you like a stable feeling, you will like this better. I am not a professional kayaker and neither are my kids, so we were able to keep up to each other very easily. This product does have some negatives. If you have two people in the kayak and you are the person in back, it seems harder and not as comfortable. It doesn't feel like you get the full back support, so you end up using more of your core muscles to stay sitting upright. I think this is because it's thinner towards the back and there is a little more flex. If you are a lighter person, this might not be an issue. If you are in it by yourself, the seat and backrest are comfortable and function. The fins can be a little hard to remove; be sure to rinse the kayak in water; i think the sand makes it hard to remove them when you are finished. You might need to gently tap them with a rubber mallet to remove them. I did notice, the more you work them in and out, the easier they are to install and remove. Last, the side walls are quite wide, which makes rowing a little more difficult. If you are short, it may be even more difficult because of the wider reach. You have a tendency to rub the sides of the kayak while paddling which as well can irritate your arms and makes you wonder if you are going to put a hole in it. Overall, great fun, easy to transport. I gave it four stars for the negatives. We also just bought it, so I can't comment on the longevity.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello, thank you for taking the time to review your Hydro-Force Kayak. If you have any questions or issues: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

Aug 18, 2023
Cs
4 out of 5 stars review

Verified Purchase

Got a deal on it and it was worth it

Recommend so far, we havent used it much but it seems durable and great value for getting it on sale and paying $160.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello, If you have any questions or issues regarding your Kayak: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

Jul 17, 2023
somayeh
3 out of 5 stars review

Verified Purchase

water was inside the boat

I have used this twice so far. The second experience with two persons was awful. front and back let water come into the kayak, in our case water was inside the boat from the back. We had to change seats, but it was pretty scary. Our weight in total was around 160 kg, which is below max weight.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello, we are very sorry you have experienced this issue with your boat. If you have any questions: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

May 4, 2023
Wet Butt Kayaker
2 out of 5 stars review

Like getting a wet butt? Buy this kayak!

The kayak design is meant to take on water as you paddle. It does seem sturdy and assembled quickly. But nowhere on the package or in the reviews is it mentioned that the front and rear of the kayak can take in some amount of water. We were well within the weight range for the kayak and both passengers were sitting 6" deep in water.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello, we are very sorry to hear that you experienced this with your Kayak. If you have any questions: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

Nov 21, 2025
Edward
2 out of 5 stars review

Seam leak

It immediately had a leak and started deflating after only a few uses. We tried the patch the defect which is on the seam and the patch did not hold. As seen in the picture the kayak slowly takes on water and the back starts to sink. Such a bummer we really liked how light it was to carry.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello Edward, we’re so sorry that happened! Your feedback is important to us, so if you haven’t already, please reach out to our Customer Support team at 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada so they can get more details to further assist you. Thank you for letting us know!

Jul 22, 2023
Russ
2 out of 5 stars review

Wet butt, inaccurate product description!

The 4.6 star rating here is obviously overinflated by "promotional" reviews that are all 5 stars. Don't bother reading them, read the other ones. Seems like good quality construction. Easy to assemble and inflate. But as I found out today on the lake, you end up sitting in several inches of water! This kayak is clearly designed to take on water, as it has an intentional hole at the front and rear of the floor, and yet the product description includes this statement: "this kayak features a form-fitted construction that prevents water from entering the cockpit as you paddle along". Needless to say the product description is laughably inaccurate, the floor was 3-5 inches deep in water within minutes. And since you're sitting in a seat on the floor, well, you're in the water. Also needless to say, I'll be returning it to Sam's. And I've seen the company's responses to the other negative reviews, maybe they'll surprise me with something other than a robot-like canned statement, but I'm not optimistic.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hi Russ, we are truly sorry you have experienced this water issue with your Kayak. We can pass this information along to our design team. if you have any questions regarding your Kayak. Please feel free to call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT.

Sep 11, 2023
Juana
1 out of 5 stars review

Verified Purchase

Inflamable Kayka

Went to use for the very first time right out of the sealed box and was missing a plug. Very, very disappointed. Ruined our week camping trip.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello Juana, we're very sorry that your Kayak is missing such an important part. Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

Aug 30, 2023
Deb
1 out of 5 stars review

Verified Purchase

Floating swimming pool.

Poor design. conflicting weight limitations.

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello Deb, we're sorry to hear that you are disappointed with your kayak. If you have any questions: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.

Jul 27, 2023
Sunnyside
1 out of 5 stars review

Let's in a lot of water

The kayak let's in a lot of water to the point that it starts sinking. The material quality,dimensions and comfort is good but it is of no use as the kayak becomes practically useless after about 15 to 20 mins of kayaking

Helpful?3B1WJ9T4S4OH13938967012
reply from Bestway USA

Hello, we are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with your Kayak. If you have any questions: Please call our Customer Service Department at: 480-530-0500 if you are in the US or 418-579-8200 if you are in Canada. Our business hours are M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm MT. You can also request a call back from one of our representatives on our website.