Our verdict: A roomy kayak with plenty of space for two people and their gear, but it's a heavy choice and steering could be improved
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First impressions
Built to accommodate two paddlers, the Aqua Marina Steam 412 felt heavy to manage from the start. Its attractive colouring and high backrest padded seats offered promise, but even with the included and impressive backpack, I didn’t feel one person would want to carry it far. Once rolled out I could see this kayak had good storage capacity, and the addition of a dry bag was welcome. The boat’s two removable fins (skegs) boded well.
Set up and inflation
The hand pump provided was effective. It included a gauge, which allowed us to pump the sides and floor to their correct inflation levels. Pumping was quick and relatively easy, and the Halkey-Roberts style valves made a secure connection on all but two occasions. The footrests were integral to the floor, but the seats required separate attachment. The fins were very difficult to insert fully and would benefit from lubrication.
Is it comfortable to sit in?
The seats in the Steam were of high quality with padding, side protection and some adjustment. Attached by Velcro to the floor, they had a tendency to move on entry but were comfortable once in the correct position. The footrests didn’t provide enough adjustment to suit taller paddlers and we didn't find them particularly useful when it came to control. The kayak's low sides made entry easy, but the comparatively low air pressure (1.5 PSI) in the tubes meant they didn’t provide much leverage when it came to getting out.
How does it perform on the water?
We were disappointed with the performance of this kayak. We tested it at the beach on a calm day with slight wind. It tracked well into the wind but once we had turned, two experienced paddlers found it difficult to steer even with the addition of the fins. The hull’s lower pressure and subsequent flexibility may have contributed to the steering issue. That said, the Steam 412 sat well and felt secure enough for a fun excursion in calm waters or perhaps on a gentle river run. Thanks to the deck shield, we didn’t take on water, but the kayak was well equipped with drain valves had we done so.
Is it easy to pack down and carry?
For such a long boat, this kayak has an reasonable pack size, but despite having its own comprehensive backpack style bag, it is not an easy kayak to manoeuvre. The Steam 412 kayak can be set up for one person, but its weight and bulk mean you would have to be very determined to carry it alone for any distance. Deflation was quick and the floor removed for packing, but the kayak was a tight fit into the bag and the seats had to be carried separately. Although the surfaces dried quickly after rinsing, I had to use a cloth to dry out some pockets of water.
Durability and sustainability
This kayak has three air chambers. The tubes have been high frequency welded to ensure airtight bonding, they are seamless and protected from collision at both ends by a hard cone. The floor can take a higher inflation pressure than the tubes and has drop-stitch technology to support this. The seats are well made but depend on Velcro, which may become compromised. Aqua Marina offers a one-year warranty on this kayak but doesn’t advertise a repair service or post-lifecycle take-back or recycling. No recycled materials are listed for the construction of this product.
Good value?
For two people looking for an entry level kayak I would say perhaps, but only if you don’t expect too much in terms of performance and steering. I wouldn’t choose to paddle this kayak in windy weather, but it could offer family fun on calm water. It required two adults to manoeuvre it any distance. When paddling, I would always recommend wearing a personal flotation device and avoiding offshore winds.
Best suited for:
We didn’t find this kayak easy to steer in the wind, but it was easy to inflate. Because of its weight, it’s perhaps best for trips with two people where you can park near to the water.
Facts at a glance: Aqua Marina Steam 412
Kayak type: Inflatable
Kayak size: 1 or 2 person
Packed measurements: 88 x 59 x 30 cm
Boat measurements: 412 x 90 cm
Material: PVC with a rigid drop-stitched floor
Weight: 15.5 kg
RRP: £559
Items included: 2 seats, 2 fins, dry bag, hand pump, backpack
For more models, head to our full roundup of the best inflatable kayaks, tried and tested.
