Returned after first use. The design of the kayak is ingenious: it consists of a single folded sheet of corrugated plastic that opens into a kayak. I noticed on first assembly that the kayak leaned a bit to the port side on firm surface. Im a kayaking instructor and last weekend I tried to teach a student to self rescue in a Bay ST. Tracking was okay and rigidity was sloppy.
It seems there would be potential issues for someone who would be extremely tall, or extremely heavy. "), it is incredibly easy to get the hang of, and we were soon consistently setting it up in under five minutes.
Its not made to sustain regular, high impact beatings. If you don't need the portability-- go buy a regular kayak (it'll perform much much better). But probably the main reason for using the ORU Kayaks is that they are real fun to paddle. Since I ALWAYS have a roll of duct tape handy, I'm not concerned about repairing leaks on expeditions.
We have but one extremely minor concern with the construction of the Beach LT. More about the Oru Bay. It lays flat and wide on the water so it handles easily but not very fast or great at maintaining speed.
Just make sure the footrest is free of the folds first!) 
Considering you don't also have to cart along a pump, we think this weight is pretty reasonable. And after a full day of paddling, I can put carry it up the stairwell of my apartment and put it in the closet. It is faster than a junk kayak but much slower than, for example, a 14-foot Eddyline Sitka with a skeg. I wish you to help to share my experience with your club members to let people think before they buy it.. Bought the Oru Bay used for a $700 because I have a tailwheel airplane in Alaska and it gives me opportunities to go places where there aren't roads. I also have a little bit of trouble getting into the boat. Because the straps and handles catch on the seat or hatch a bit, it fits best in an empty hatch, which mine never is. This will prevent scratches, creases, and dents during transport. Curious if anyone else has noted this issue? The Oru Kayak can be checked as luggage on a plane. Even with its impressive length of 16 feet, this kayak folds into a compact shape that makes it easy to store and take on the go. Returned after first use. It's made out of corrugated plastic, and you'd think that the boat would be a bit flexible as a result. My husband and I are still trying to tighten the straps of this kayak.
They are very responsive, fast and easy to manoeuvre.
I purchased a Seal skirt for it and am currently trying to successfully roll the kayak. I highly recommend getting the ORU pack. They just behave perfunctoryNo reply if the boat or the handler was on the way Why it was so late??? They offered to send in a new strap and buckle, but I succeeded in unbuckling it by pulling hard on the strap with pliers while stabilizing the boat with my feet and pressing the releases. The boat went together as expected for the first try and with several engineering types in command.
Here's my review: Assembly: No trouble in steering through heavy current either. At first, I was very careful with all of the pieces (as should be the case with any new toy), but I soon came to realize that boat hull and components were rigid and meant to take some bumps and bruises. Each time I enter/exit the boat, it seems to get easier so this may not be a real issue (and I'm by no means a small person at 6'2" so many people might not even notice). Its more then 5 weeks!!! Disassembly is even easier. The paddle, float bags and backpack. I really didn't know what to expect (beyond getting second hand accounts of those fortunate enough to paddle the Oru before mass production), but I must say - I am pleasantly surprised at how well this boat is constructed. On exit, I have to lift myself straight up and out: no bending of knees permitted. I don't own it but I had a chance to test a friends out.
I love this boat. This folding kayak seems to hit all the major checkpoints that kayakers seek: mobility, navigation, portability, weight, design, and most of all, aesthetically beautiful when folded or in action. Oru never gave me face to face reply. This gets a collective "ahh" from a crowd of onlookers every time and makes me grin like I invented the thing. While the water was quite cold I did not wish to put to the test in the slightly choppier water its secondary stability. Theres also plenty of space in the hull to keep gear for longer excursions, and it fits all standard size spray skirts. It is light in weight but heavy on features. The Oru Kayak is highly maneuverable and has good tracking, considering its size. I don't own any of these, figured I'd make sure I liked the boat first before investing too deeply into the system.
I highly recommend the Oru Kayak. The best part about the evolution of this folding kayak is that it behaves, navigates, and actually IS a real kayak; definitely not something that was rushed or comes off as cheap. With an adjustable footrest, backrest, and thigh braces, the Coast XT gives you amazing comfort and control. I received my Oru Kayak last month and have taken it for several short paddles on a calm lake. Sick of being the only one without a kayak, but you have As the number of paddlers continues to grow, kayaking Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Tandem, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Handles well, high durability, fast, stable, fabric is water resistant, Handles and tracks well, very durable, helpful features, option for single or tandem paddling, Complete package, doesn't soak up water, spacious, can paddle solo also, Extremely portable, maneuverable, stable, easy set up, Heavy, floor difficult to inflate, hard to drain, Heavy, no paddles or pump included, expensive, Small paddle blades, unimpressive attachments, materials less durable, Low durability, poor tracking, weight doesnt include pump or paddle, With excellent handling, a long lifespan, and great comfort, this kayak will go the distance, Rather heavy but a great performance for a two-person model that can also be used solo, Everything you need to get out on the water with a friend or by yourself for a great price, Getting on the water miles from any roads has never been easier than with this extremely portable kayak, Paddles, pump, repair kit, GoPro/phone mount, fishing rod holders, and pressure gauge, Aluminum ribs in bow & stern, PVC-coated polyester, Aluminum ribs in bow & stern, PVC tarpaulin, 3 layers rip-stop material, 3-ply PVC vinyl laminate with polyester core, Adjustable foot brace and backrest, bulkheads, carry handles, Adjustable backrest, bungees, pressure relief valve in floor, skeg, Paddle keepers, seatback pockets, bungee straps, D-ring attachment points, converts to solo boat, Adjustable backrest, drainage hole, foot braces, carry handles, fishing rod holders, phone/GoPro mount, skeg, tracking fin, converts to solo boat, Rubber-molded handle, mesh carry bag doubles as onboard storage, accessory D-rings. You WILL have to demonstrate the folding/unfolding process if you launch in a public place. No pump, no problem! Self-inflicted every time. You can do all this from the comfort of your own garage. Got feedback? The Oru Kayak team is knowledgeable, helpful and available for questions, information and orders. I sent a picture to the company and they said it apparently got cross threaded, presumably because it didn't go in straight. After a capsize, once the kayak has been put right-side-up again, having float bags makes it much easier to get the rest of the water out from the cavity. Shorter testers mentioned that they frequently hit the backs of their heels and Achilles tendon with the packed up boat, despite having the messenger strap as short as it would go. The Oru customer service was not helpful at all. If capsized, I doubt I could reenter the Bay. But it takes days and weeks of badgering to get them to respond to simple emails. The best thing about the Oru is it makes you think about kayaking in a whole new way. Part of the time, I spent explaining the concept and process to passers-by, but it definitely takes a decent amount of time on the first go. It may be very cool, very fashion, and also, good function, and nice product with good design. That means that not only can it withstand rigorous folding, but the Bay ST is extremely puncture and abrasion resistant. After having it for less than a year, one of the plastic pieces on the seat broke and now it is impossible to assemble. As a low-riding, narrow boat, it's easy to get in and out of with good stability.
All with good tracking and manoeuverability.
On the other hand, portability is great! I am a very happy paddler Thank you Oru Kayak !!! Keep in mind that it will probably take you, on average, 15-30 minutes to assemble it. Additionally, though this rigidity is greatly appreciated in many other aspects of usage, it does make it harder to stuff the Oru into small spaces like a narrow car trunk or through a small sedan door.
After one round of assembling it at home, the second assembly was smooth - maybe 10 minutes? It's a real boat, folks. By the end of summer, I'll be at $60. I've been out on many lakes with the Bay and in Price William Sound hugging the coast. Even though the first 10 yards in, I caught a swell and brought in about 2 quarts of water, I was able to muster up enough adrenaline so I made about 10 extremely quick paddles. Since none of the models have watertight bulkheads, there is no other way of keeping water out of the kayak. A bit fragile. The minor issues I had I addressed with Oru, and they were extremely responsive over them. I would definitely exchange this for another if I could be assured this is not a standard 'defect' in the manufacturing process. It is not a perfect fishing kayak, but it is certainly adaptable to fishing and will get you to your favorite fishing hole quickly and easily. Other times, I troll. If you want a light weight easy day kayak that folks will flock to: great. While transporting is way more convenient than a rigid vessel, the Oru is a bit big in my Ford Focus hatchback. I tend to go paddling when I'm on holiday.. but have never put in the effort to go out on the water in London, even though I walk along the canal every day. The Oru Bay kayaks design and construction is tailor-made for those seeking the most out of both their kayaks and their lives. I was pissed about this but its high enough and so far no leaks or other issues. No. And storage is a cinch as well.
Not only is it perfect for flatwater excursions on lakes and slow rivers, but the hard-chine hull also responds well to braced turns and edging. Like most reviewers below, it takes some getting used to before actually feeling comfortable when building and taking apart the Oru. First, I'll say that for the month of August 2014, Oru is offering $100 off if you enter a code from someone who has purchased one. If youre interested, you can check them out here at Amazon. One of the worst companies I have ever dealt with in terms of responsiveness. There is a clip there, and the dry bag is secured to that clip. Being my first time, it took 25 minutes to put together.
But enough! The adjustable back and foot bar make it easy to customize for all sizes.
While float bags are not mandatory or required by law, there is a very good reason that they are recommended with Oru Kayaks. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
I've been through 3 Oru Bay ST's. I asked the previous owner why he was selling and he said it was too tippy for him. (Keep in mind that the Oru falls under the origami kayak category, not inflatable!).
Additionally, the double-layered polypropylene gives a lot of confidence when navigating over submerged objects like sticks, logs, plants, and rocks, as well as the ability to land on a rocky shore and survive a short drag across a sandy beach. And that's just my first summer with this kayak. I broke it down in 10 minutes. Previously, I used an inflatable kayak for several years. A thin but comfortable seat attaches easily to the floor of the Oru. When I saw the OruKayak my excuse was gone. This has caused some strain to the seam channels at the back where they have splintered and broken up. My kayak is half assembled, sitting in the garage and maybe in the spring we'll put it together or sell it. Though not quite as comfortable as some of the squishier, inflatable competition, the Beach is still a pretty nice craft to ride in. It is not very stable in rough water, if you become sideways and get hit by a wave, there is a high chance of flipping. Plenty of room in there for the PFD, sprayskirt and some dry bags. You can't compare it to a rotomolded kayak, those are still superior due to the weight and rigidity. I've had to repair twice a teeny tiny leak that was a small nuisance but repair is holding well. The Oru Bay ST, for example, is ideal for camping trips. The Oru is only 26 pounds, which makes for pretty responsive maneuvering in the water. It is steady and easier to paddle in the wind and waves compared to crossover kayaks. Overall I'd say it has made me a better more conscious kayaker and the darn thing is just fun. This is where I was really let-down by the kayak. The Oru Bay ST is also comfortable, boasting a foam seat and adjustable footrests and backrests. I booked a new Bay ST. First is the shipment cost more than 2 weeks! The Oru Bay ST is perfect for fishing, hiking, and camping. I took it out for a paddle after dark and put a couple of LED lanterns inside the kayak and it just glowed-- it was simply amazing. It slides back into place, creating a tight fit for the seatback with adjustable straps that can be used to adjust the tilt of your seat. There's plenty of space behind the seat to shove stuff, but it's not particularly accessible while paddling. Also, all 4 of sticks all lose and ready to full off. All you need is room park your car and room to unfold it.
No. Who doesn't want to know more? I am slightly underwhelmed. The kayak was stable, easy to paddle, tracked well, turned easily, and was dry inside. Easy to set up and easy to store - it's just ace. I've never tried a portable sea/open water kayak before. The only thing slowing me down was fielding all the comments from passersby.. Can't wait for my next outing - and the return of sunnier days to London! This kayak solves them all. After tinkering around with it for an hour or so at the store I took one home and immediately took it out on the water.
You can read a more in-depth review on my blog: http://jones.in/for-a-blog/review-oru-kayak/. Picture Monmouth Beach NJ, on a slack tide with knee high swells. The Oru Bay ST Kayak is easy to assemble, giving you more time to enjoy the water, and is made out of strong, double layered polypropylene. Let us know! Assembly gets easier and easier as you do it more often. I have to slide my legs, straight-legged, into the interior. The messenger style carry is also a step up from the awkward duffel carry of many of the inflatable boats. It could also be a smart choice for others who want to travel with a very capable kayak. With easy-to-grab bow and stern handles, the Beach LT is also no sweat to carry when set up, assuming you've got a friend to grab the other end. The Oru comes with a quality seat too, much like other kayaks in it's category. He called them and Oru promised to send one new handler to me to Taiwan directly. Folding this plastic suitcase into a kayak is an easy task once you get the hang of it. If I'm going out to the flats to wade, I have a 3 lb. Everything - seat, footrest, even a PFD can be stowed in the box. The kayak is good-looking and collapses easily in 5 minutes. First one was not folded quite right and had a terrible port lean. I've had the Oru on a flatwater man-made lake in the centre of my city (Regina, SK). I will update this review once I do. Not only can I put it in the back of a Smart car (thanks, Car2Go!) This could be improved with better paddling technique. Structurally, it can take a beating.
Furthermore, I'd also say that you need to be careful if you are more than 6'2". The speed of any vessel is determined by its size, weight, and the flexibility of its hull. But if you're a city-dweller and are looking for a kayak you can take anywhere, this is it! A bit disappointed and thinking it may be just the one I bought, I went to the REI store where they had an assembled model on display. The replacement need $30. If you rush things before you really know how to do it - which I did of course - you can risk getting a leak. The company CEO even sent me a video showing me how to remedy the issue. Then, a buddy of mine pointed me to the local REI where they had the Bay ST on display. Just make sure the footrest is out of the way of folds when putting it back together, and use any available hull straps to keep it temporarily shut while you put the cover/lid and outer straps on. The reason for this priority was the possibility to do a lot of micro-adventures at many of the lakes and fjords (live in Norway) surrounding us. I retired at an early age last fall and decided I did not want to go back to work. I've hiked with the boat about 1.5 miles in the Snoqualmie Pass area to a remote lake where I was the only boat on the water. The kayak is surprisingly fast, tracks very well, and is simplicity itself to set up. On the plus side, the Beach is one of the lightest kayaks we reviewed, weighing barely over 26 pounds. While you cant ignore that the cockpit is a very tight fit and takes a bit of getting used to, neither can one ignore how well it performs. My only complaint is that I won't be able to get one of my own until next spring (2013). I expect them all to be the same quality as the kayak and will probably purchase a backpack as my adventures take me farther from parking lots.
In such little channels, it is a struggle to dump all the water out of that orange piece, which we could see creating a bit of a funky odor down the line especially if you like to paddle in some less-than-pristine waters and store your boat in a humid environment.
This kayak is perfect for Pros looking for an adventure, but that doesnt mean its not comfortable. The Oru Bay Kayak is lightweight but incredibly sturdy, and can carry a total of 300 pounds. The Beach LT kayak is also the most inexpensive ones of the Oru Bay kayak line.
I took a friend out who is 6'4" and he felt it was a little tight. I did exactly that and I'm going to take the kayak out again to see how it performs. It can be packed for extended journeys, it has plenty of cargo space. Before you read any more about it, did you know that the Oru Bay Kayak started as a Kickstarter project years ago and the founders even made it on Shark Tank? I'm 6' and 205 with an athletic build and getting in and out easily is a process that requires a little practice. The first time it will probably take you around 25 minutes and after doing it a few times, around 15 minutes. I was on flat water and the boat felt like what it is. For me, it instantly rekindled a love of paddling and is worth every penny. I don't have enough kayak experience to have a good feel of how it handles compared with other kayaks, but found it handles well. Mostly because of storage, I'd call the Oru mostly a daytripping kind of kayak.
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Also, no. Make sure that it does not interfere with the folding process or damage the kayak as you fold and unfold.
I know two other people who also have the Bay St and all of us have similar problems. All of these are available on the Oru site now. However, our burning question was, of course, how many times can you fold/unfold this thing before it rips into pieces or tears a hole and is no longer waterproof? The kayak is responsive and turns very well. The backrest is terrible, make sure you have it at the right height and just off the back of the combing. It has the look and shape of a travel suitcase without the weight of one. No sponsored content. It handled well and was very comfortable on the water. Its extremely difficult to determine how fast a kayak can go. 3) IT FOLDS UP AND STORES EASILY! The design of the Oru kayak has worked these folds into the material of the craft, so that you can assemble and disassemble this boat within a span of minutes. Probably should someday I will. I did buy some pipe insulation, cut them to the width of the kayak and then duct tape them together and put that under my knees. Additionally, the rigid structure lends itself well to being stacked or lined up cleanly against the wall of the storage shed for those who appreciate tidy organization. Chances are that since you are researching the Oru Bay kayak (also known as the Oru kayak), you are familiar with its coolness factor. (Helpful tip: don't be afraid to sit on the boat to close it up. One feature we love is the presence of handles inside the gunnels on either side of the cockpit.
It is a bit cumbersome to carry it on your shoulder and I wouldn't recommend anything super strenuous until the backpack comes out (sometime soon, I think). The Oru Kayak solves many of the problems that have prevented me from purchasing a kayak sooner. Still, I get a moment to bask in the brilliance of the design.
Easily fits into my car backseat. The corrugated plastic holds well up to bumps and dragging through rocky landings. Due to its construction, relatively low weight, and the level at which it rides in the water, this boat is both surprisingly maneuverable and extraordinarily fast. I do think Oru is a brilliant idea and helps a lot of kayak lovers, especially in a small country with limited space, like us. I want to share this with kayak lovers and warn them think carefully before buying kayak!!! It performs very well for a folding kayak. I anticipate that assembly time will decrease with a more repetitions. It also leaned to the port, even more so than mine.
The next section discusses how the ride feels: Despite the Oru Bay kayak being a feather weight, the kayak makes really sweet, sharp, tight turns and when accelerating, is super responsivewhich came to us as a surprise, just because its that light! The cool swan people build using a piece of paper? The Bay ST kayak is easy to store and wont occupy a large amount of space like traditional kayaks. While we don't find this particularly off-putting in terms of longevity, it does allow water to collect inside the orange piece while paddling. It's also a relatively short boat in terms of height above the waves, which helps it to catch less wind so gusts are less likely to blow you off course. The reason I chose the Oru Kayak is that I live in a second floor walk-up apartment, lack the storage space for a standard kayak, and I drive a small car.
Overall though, it is a pretty simple kayak to cart around. Simply unclip and flip! Have a Scotty flush mount fishing rod holder and I will definitely give it a go on the Fall striper run, but I definitely need a stabilizer. And it's a sweet little boat. I bought the ORU kayak after seeing it on Shark Tank and not wanting to buy a new rack for my car. And customer service is great. Its durable plastic material can be folded thousands of times without any wear or tear, and a large cockpit makes it easy to get in and out of. The overall shape of the boat cuts through said waves, but once they breach the hull of the boat, the overly large cockpit willingly accepts all water, and you'll be sitting in a puddle in no time, with no scupper hole to drain it back out. Then, I use a spray skirt also. It weighs 26.1 pounds and is made of double-layered polypropylene. It feels extremely fast because of its light build, giving you the best of kayaking experiences.
No other kayak that we tested has such convenient single-person, assembled carry options. High dock, low dock, rocky beach, sandy beach. I purchased the ORU in early spring 2015. Every assembly in turn requires quite some prying and muscling those parts together. Despite having no skegs, the added length translates into great tracking and the ability to cut through waves like a pro. However, as a rigid construction kayak, we had a few challenges and discomforts while carrying the Beach LT between our car and launch points.
Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Once I got used to paddling it, I was racing along and enjoying myself. The Oru Bay ST is in its element when you use it to explore wide, open water bodies. The overall length and width give the Oru a stable base for even the most nervous paddlers. The seat is comfortable enough and the footstraps are easy to adjust. However assembly for someone who isn't a strong male definitely does not take 10 minutes. I've been in the market for a folding kayak for a while, since I can't store a full size in my apartment and don't have a roof rack. But if you are more worried about entry and dont have particularly rigorous kayaking in mind, the Beach LT, with its wide opening, is probably the perfect craft for you. Oru customer service did not even give us an explanation. I fashioned a rod holder (I designed it myself) that is secured under the X-shaped elastic bow strap. If Oru did care what customers think, they will not ignore my questions since very beginning. Do yourself a favour and get one! I would have loved to buy a scull, but they are expensive and difficult to store. The only time I get wet is by paddling under a waterfall in the city lake or from entering the boat with wet sandals. It folds up to the size of a large suitcase. Ordered two in the Spring which my wife and I used most of the time last paddling season (we own a couple of Prijon Merlin Prelite also). I can't emphasize this enough. It seems pretty quick too, possibly because it weighs half the weight of similar sized kayaks. I needed to get back on the water again. The cockpit is standard and has an opening of 16 x 30. It takes a maybe 30 minutes the first time you fold it into a boat, but after that can assemble it in less than 10 (mine has a particularly tough spot on the front fold that will get more flexible with more folds and reduce this time a bit). All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! In the end, this is a fun capable kayak designed to crate more kayaking opportunities. It fits in my closet, and transports in my Prius trunk. It drew a crowd.
Flying and landed off airport near an Alaskan glacier is fun enough, but to put together a light weight, reasonably rigid and capable kayak for tooling around icebergs is pretty damn fun.
(The Sting Ray is outstanding, by the way.). Feel free to enter VXISCSF7 at checkout for your discount. You buy this because you need a portable kayak. it seems slightly tighter than other kayaks I've tried. The Oru kayak is meant for paddlers upto 63 in height. Excellent performance into the wind, with sideways swells as well as tailwind. I played around a little bit and realized that it was because of a serious port-side lean. Transforming it from box to boat takes just a few minutes. In return I get a gift certificate from REI as well. I can carry it or put it on a dolly, or backpack with it.
They make it a piece of cake to grab the setup boat in one hand, along with your paddle, life jacket, and water bottle in the other, and make short work of that walk down to the water's edge.
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