Pedal Kayaks · Fishing · Inflatable
FeelFree AirShip Review: Inflatable Pedal Fishing Kayak
The FeelFree AirShip is an 11-foot-2-inch inflatable pedal fishing kayak and SUP hybrid. A hard plastic center hull rides inside drop-stitch inflatable tubes, so it paddles and pedals like a hard boat but packs down to fit in a hatchback.
The FeelFree AirShip is one of the strangest and most interesting fishing kayaks I have seen at iCAST. It is an inflatable stand-up paddleboard and a hard-shell fishing kayak at the same time. A polyethylene plastic center hull locks into PVC drop-stitch inflatable outer tubes, RIB-boat style, giving you a rigid pedaling platform that deflates and packs down for transport.
Kayak Angler summed it up well from the show floor: “Combining an inflatable standup paddleboard with a hard-plastic kayak, the Airship captures the best qualities of each platform.”
If you want to skip the reading and see what it costs right now, check the current price here.
Who the AirShip is for
The AirShip is for the angler with no room for a trailer. Apartment dwellers, condo owners, and anyone driving a small car can keep a real pedal-drive fishing kayak in a closet and toss it in a hatchback. Deflate the outer tubes and the whole thing collapses into a carry bag.
It is also for the angler who fishes skinny, rocky water. The inflatable outer tubes bounce off rocks and pilings instead of grinding gel coat, and the whole package drafts shallow. If you beat up nice hulls on oyster bars and riprap, this design starts to make a lot of sense.
It is not for the big-and-tall crowd. The 250-pound capacity fills up fast once you add tackle, a cooler, and a pedal drive. Bigger anglers should look at a hard-shell with a 400-plus-pound rating instead.
The modular hybrid design
Here is what makes the AirShip different from every inflatable pedal board before it. Most inflatable pedal kayaks are 100 percent drop-stitch, which makes them light but flexy and slow. The AirShip puts a real polyethylene plastic hull in the middle, with a rockered keel that tracks straight and turns quickly, then wraps it in inflatable drop-stitch gunnels.
You get the glide and rigidity of a hard boat with the packability of an inflatable. Kayak Angler also noted the transport trick: “Deflate the gunnels, and the hard plastic deck separates and folds to fit in a hatchback or a closet.” The three-piece modular design breaks the hull into sections, and the carry bag (sold separately) swallows the whole package for vertical closet storage.
The inflatable tubes do more than float. They keep the ride quiet, add secondary stability, and shrug off impacts that would scar a rotomolded hull. A tube repair kit comes in the box, which tells you FeelFree expects you to actually use this thing hard.
The pedal drive
The AirShip ships with FeelFree’s pedal drive installed in the center console, so it is a true hands-free fishing platform out of the box. Pedaling leaves both hands on the rod, which is the whole point of a fishing kayak. Per early reports from the show, the drive cruises comfortably around 4.5 mph depending on your legs.
Because the drive sits in a hard plastic hull section rather than a fabric sleeve, it feels solid underfoot with none of the flex you get from all-inflatable pedal boards. Pull the drive and you can paddle it with the included three-piece emergency paddle or stand and paddle it like a SUP.
Justin’s iCAST first look video
I filmed the AirShip at iCAST and walked through the whole modular concept on the show floor. Watch it here:
Seat, storage, and the Angler Pod
The AirShip uses an elevated seat mounted on a hard-plastic platform with integrated accessory mounts and storage underneath. Sitting up high helps you spot fish and keeps you drier, and the rigid platform means the seat does not sag like it would on a fabric deck.
For fishing, FeelFree sells an Angler Pod package separately that drops onto the platform in minutes. It adds tackle storage, a cup holder, a fishing rod holder, an accessory track for mounts, and a tray. Four rear cargo tie-downs handle a crate or dry bag. One honest note: at $1,699, I wish the Angler Pod came in the box instead of as an add-on, because without it this is more paddleboard than fishing kayak.
Honest drawbacks
Let us be straight about the trade-offs. The 250-pound capacity is the big one. That is angler plus gear plus drive, and it rules out bigger anglers and heavy tournament loads. This is a one-person, travel-light platform.
The nickel-and-diming stings a little. The carry bag is sold separately, and so is the Angler Pod fishing package. On a $1,699 boat, the bag especially should be included. Budget another couple hundred dollars to get it fully rigged and transportable.
Rigged weight is 94 pounds with seat and drive. That is manageable in pieces, but it is not a one-trip carry to the water. And while the hybrid concept is clever, it is still new. Long-term durability of the tube-to-hull connection is unproven compared to a plain rotomolded kayak that lasts decades.
Finally, setup takes real time. Inflating drop-stitch tubes to pressure, locking the hull sections together, and installing the drive is a 15-to-20-minute job, not a throw-it-on-the-roof deal. If you fish every day after work, that friction adds up.
FeelFree AirShip specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 11 ft 2 in |
| Width | 35 in |
| Weight | 61 lb (hull only); 94 lb (with seat and drive) |
| Total capacity | 250 lb |
| Construction | Polyethylene plastic center hull, PVC drop-stitch inflatable outer tubes |
| Propulsion | FeelFree pedal drive (included); paddle or SUP paddle |
| Style | Inflatable SUP / sit-on-top kayak hybrid |
| Seat | Elevated seat on hard-plastic platform with accessory mounts |
| Fishing package | Angler Pod with rod holder, tackle storage, cup holder, accessory track (sold separately) |
| Included | 3-piece emergency paddle, locking hand pump with PSI gauge, tube repair kit, 4 rear cargo tie-downs |
| Transport | Modular 3-piece hull packs into carry bag (sold separately); fits hatchback or closet |
Frequently asked questions
FeelFree AirShip Fishing Kayak FAQ
Is the FeelFree AirShip a kayak or a paddleboard?
Both. It is a hybrid: a hard plastic kayak hull with a pedal drive, wrapped in inflatable SUP-style drop-stitch tubes. You can pedal it like a kayak or stand and paddle it like a SUP.
How does the AirShip pack down for transport?
Deflate the outer tubes and the three-piece plastic hull separates and folds. The whole package fits into an optional carry bag that stores vertically in a closet or lays flat in a hatchback.
Is the pedal drive included?
Yes. The $1,699 package includes FeelFree’s pedal drive installed in the center console, plus a three-piece emergency paddle, a locking hand pump with PSI gauge, and a tube repair kit.
Can you fish from the AirShip?
Yes, with the Angler Pod package (sold separately). It adds a rod holder, tackle storage, a cup holder, an accessory track, and a tray, and installs in minutes on the hard-plastic seat platform.
Is an inflatable kayak durable enough for fishing?
The AirShip is tougher than a typical inflatable because the business end is a real polyethylene hull. The PVC drop-stitch tubes bounce off rocks and pilings, and a repair kit is included. That said, the hybrid connection is a new design without decades of track record.
How much weight can the AirShip hold?
250 pounds total, including the angler, gear, seat, and drive. Pack light and check your total before you buy.
Where to Buy
If the FeelFree AirShip sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing. Also check out our review of the FeelFree Lure 11.5 Overdrive V2 Fishing Kayak.
