Video · Inflatables & Skiffs
Bote Lono Apex Inflatable Pedal Kayak: Walkthrough and Water Test
At iCAST 2021 I checked out the Bote Lono Apex inflatable pedal kayak and the Zeppelin, then took them on the water.
What’s in this video
At iCAST 2021 I spent time with Bote, who makes hardboards, inflatables and even inflatable furniture and docks. The star was the Lono Apex inflatable pedal kayak. The pedal drive is very smooth, with hands free instant reverse and an excellent turn radius. You can change the layout to fit how you fish, and paddle it as a kayak, pedal it or paddle it as an iSUP.
I also look at their kayak and SUP lineup, the Bug Slinger and the Zeppelin, a solo or tandem kayak with three main air chambers. It has a thick rubber rub rail keel and polymer nose cones to protect it when you bounce off rocks. I take the Zeppelin on the water, compare the Lono to a Hobie, and finish up paddling.
Key moments
- 0:00 Introduction to iCAST 2021
- 1:02 Lono Apex features
- 4:30 Kayak and SUP lineup
- 6:30 Bug Slinger and Zeppelin
- 7:35 Zeppelin on-water testing
- 10:32 Lono vs Hobie comparison
- 13:07 Paddling and final thoughts
Quick takeaways
- The Lono Apex pedal drive has hands free instant reverse.
- The Lono can be pedaled, paddled as a kayak or paddled as an iSUP.
- The Zeppelin has a rubber rub rail keel and polymer nose cones for rocky water.
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