Inflatable Kayaks · Reviews
13′ of inflatable kayak, room for 2 adults plus 1 child. Here is an honest, spec-by-spec look at the OFK396: what it does well, what it costs, and who it is actually for.
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The 13′ Ocean/River Fishing Kayak OFK396 is a 13′ inflatable kayak from Saturn, built for boaters who want paddle-powered exploring without owning a roof rack. It is rated for 2 adults plus 1 child with a 700 lbs load capacity, which covers a realistic day on the water for most buyers.
At $599, it lands at the affordable end on price. If you want to skip ahead, check the current price here.
For this review I went through the full spec sheet line by line, so everything below comes from what the manufacturer actually publishes (dimensions, capacities, and construction) plus what those numbers mean once the OFK396 is on the water.
Key Features
- 13′ long × 3′ wide
- 12″ tubes
- 3 air chambers
- Rated for 2 adults plus 1 child
- 700 lbs maximum load
- Weighs 38 lbs
- Packs into 35x23x12″
- High-Pressure Air Deck
On the Water
On the water, three numbers tell you most of what you need to know: length, beam, and tube diameter. At 13′ long and 3′ wide with 12″ tubes, the OFK396 is a full-size inflatable with a reassuring footprint. In inflatables, tube diameter and beam do most of the work keeping you level: wide tubes are why these boats feel so much more stable than their weight suggests.
Plan around the 700 lbs load rating, not just the person count. Add up people, motor, fuel or battery, cooler, and gear before you buy. If that math lands close to the limit, size up, a boat that runs near its rating is slower, wetter, and less fun.
Build and Materials
The spec sheet lists 3 air chambers. Separate chambers are a safety feature, not a spec-sheet decoration: if one compartment is ever compromised, the others keep you afloat.
The High-Pressure Air Deck keeps weight down while still giving a firm surface underfoot, a good middle ground between a rigid floor and a basic fabric bottom.
Weight, Portability, and Setup
The OFK396 weighs 38 lbs. That is a genuine one-person carry from the truck to the water. It packs into a 35x23x12″ package (61 lbs). The packed bag fits in most car trunks or SUV cargo areas: no trailer, no roof rack, no storage unit.
BoatsToGo does not publish a setup time for this model. For an inflatable this size, plan on 15–20 minutes with a decent pump the first few times; it gets faster once you have done it a couple of times.
Who It’s For: and Who Should Skip It
Who it is for: paddlers who want to explore without a roof rack or a garage full of hard shells. If your fishing looks like trailer-free launches and packing the whole rig into a vehicle, the OFK396 fits the program.
Honest trade-offs: it is still an inflatable, so inflation and setup are part of every trip. Sharp shells, hooks, and rocky shorelines demand the same respect you would give any PVC boat. Rinse it after saltwater use and store it out of long-term direct sun: UV is the slow killer of every inflatable ever made.
Who should skip it: if you want to turn the key and go with zero setup, or you regularly run rocky rivers, a rotomolded or aluminum hull will make you happier.
How It Compares
Within Saturn’s current range, the next step down is the 8.6′ Travel Sit-On-Top Micro Kayak SOT260 (8.6 ‘) at $139. If you are torn between sizes, the usual advice holds: buy for the load you will actually carry most weekends, not the biggest crew you might take once a year. A smaller boat that runs light is faster, drier, and easier to handle than a bigger one loaded to its limit.
Care and Maintenance
An inflatable kayak rewards basic care and punishes neglect, the good news is the care part is simple. Rinse it with fresh water after saltwater use, and let it dry before you roll it up; packing a damp boat away is how mildew starts.
Watch air pressure when temperatures swing. Air expands in the heat and contracts in the cold, so a boat inflated drum-tight on a cool morning can get very firm by midday. Bleed a little air if the tubes feel overly hard, and top up when evenings cool off.
For storage, keep it out of long-term direct sun, UV is the slow killer of every inflatable, and store it loosely rolled or partially inflated rather than folded tight on the same creases every time. Keep sand and grit out of the valves, and carry a small patch kit aboard. None of this is difficult; it is just the routine that keeps an OFK396 going for years instead of seasons.
OFK396 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 13′ |
| Width | 3′ |
| Inside Width | 14″ |
| Tube Diameter | 12″ |
| Air Chambers | 3 |
| Person Capacity | 2+1 |
| Max Load | 700 lbs |
| Boat Weight | 38 lbs |
| Shipping Size | 35x23x12″ |
| Shipping Weight | 61 lbs |
| Floor | High-Pressure Air Deck |
| Color | Blue V2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can the OFK396 carry?
It is rated for 2 adults plus 1 child, with a maximum load of 700 lbs. Stay under both numbers, capacity and total weight, for the safest, driest ride.
How much does the OFK396 weigh?
The boat itself weighs 38 lbs; the shipping weight with packaging is 61 lbs.
How small does it pack down?
The packed size is 35x23x12″ at 61 lbs. That fits in most car trunks or SUV cargo areas.
What kind of floor does it have?
It has a High-Pressure Air Deck.
Where to Buy
The 13′ Ocean/River Fishing Kayak OFK396 is listed at $599 on BoatsToGo‘s website. If it sounds like your kind of boat:
Pricing and availability change, so confirm the current price on the product page before ordering.
