Today I’m reviewing the Bōte LONO Aero 12’ 6” Inflatable Kayak with the Apex Pedal Drive + Rudder System. I’ve owned this kayak for a few months now and am impressed and surprised at how rigid and stable the boat is, even though it’s inflatable. The Apex Pedal Drive (Apex PD) is a feature that really puts this boat into a level of its own when it comes to functionality and packability, which was fun to test.
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BOTE LONO AERO Specifications
When fully inflated, the Lono Aero is 12 feet 6 inches long and about 3 feet wide. It’s basically made up of five parts: the hull, the seat, and the back deck, all three of which are inflatable and stored together in a travel bag with wheels. Then there’s the Apex PD, which is packed separately. Finally, there’s the hand pump, which attaches to the side of the main bag using a bungee.
specification
Dimensions: 12′6″ L x 35.5″ W x 20″ D
Average hull weight: 51 lbs.
Capacity: 400 lbs
Removable top dimensions: 53″ L x 33″ W x 3.5″ D
Average weight of removable top: 9 lbs.
Removable seat dimensions: 24″ L x 22″ W x 18″ D
Average weight of removable seat: 7 lbs.
Construction: Inflatable AeroBOTE Technology
Optimal Hull Inflation: 10-15 PSI
Removable Top Optimal Air Pressure: 10-15 PSI
Optimal Air Pressure for Removable Seat: 7-10 PSI
Travel bag dimensions: 41″ length x 19″ width x 13″ depth
Bag Capacity: 73 lbs (Apex Pedal Drive not included)
Inflation and assembly
Keep in mind, this is an inflatable kayak, but it is more stable than you would expect for an inflatable boat. A manual hand pump is included, allowing you to quickly inflate the kayak. You can also purchase an electric pump from Bōte for $200. If you plan on using the kayak regularly and completely disassembling it each time, this may be a good idea.
The hand pump has a twist lock connection that connects securely to the air port on your boat. There are separate ports on each side and on the bottom of the hull. There are separate ports on the seat back and bottom as well. In addition, the aft deck also has its own port.
Remember, each air hole on the boat has a yellow spring-loaded stopper. You twist and push these in to let the air out of the boat. You need to twist the stopper and push the spring out to seal the holes and keep the air in during inflation. I neglected to do this a few times and had to re-inflate the kayak after the air leaked out of the open valve.
Each part of the boat is connected using straps and G-hooks that can be easily and securely secured to loops installed throughout the boat. It took about 20-25 minutes to unpack the boat, inflate all three parts, and assemble it using a hand pump. The process was very smooth and intuitive.
Apex Pedal Drive
The Apex PD system comes with a pedal port that attaches using a small strap and G-hook. The port fits into a hole in the floor. It’s easiest if you connect the pedal port strap before fully inflating the floor. Once the port is in place, you can attach the Apex PD itself.
It’s a pretty simple process: there’s only one pin that connects the Apex PD to the kayak, so you insert your foot into the pedal port, rock the front end of the drive under the port notch to secure the Apex PD, and once it’s flat, rotate all the latches to secure it in place.
There is a clear window that allows you to see if there are plants or other debris around the propeller. You can also use this window to make sure the propeller is vertical and to lift the Apex PD out of the pedal port. To do this, simply twist the three latches and lift the Apex PD out of the hole to store it at the front of your boat.
Additionally, the Apex PD comes with a rudder system that mounts to a plate on the back of your boat using four small screws, you route the cables along the side of the boat using Velcro straps, and mount the rudder hand control to the left or right side of your boat seat.
If you want to take the Apex PD off the boat and leave it at home, the pedal port holes can be covered with clear plates so nothing falls out, and there’s a catch-all net attached to the rear of the hull to stop your belongings rolling off the back.
Personal Experience
When I test drove this boat, I was very impressed with a few things: The Apex PD is sturdy. I was able to cover much more water than I could with just the paddle. I was also able to go much faster with the Apex PD than with the paddle. On my second trip with the boat, the Apex PD was able to overcome a fairly strong headwind that nearly stalled me out when I tried to paddle just the paddle.
I was surprised again because I could even stand on this kayak. I had never been on a SUP (stand up paddle) board before. Bōte is known for these boards. To be honest, this isn’t that surprising to me, but I currently weigh about 245 pounds and am not very stable on my feet. For me, hopping on this board was pretty impressive.
But I was sitting most of the time. I was equally impressed with the quality of the inflatable seat. On my second trip, I fished about 4 hours on this boat. After about 2 hours, my back started to hurt a little, but I was able to use the straps to reposition and adjust, and finish the trip without any worries about my back.
What I found difficult about this boat
Although the Apex PD is sturdy, I found it a little difficult to operate. I think this has to do with the fact that I’m 37 years old and a little overweight. I also don’t really like riding bikes. With all that in mind, you can see why I had a bit of trouble pedaling.
I think this system is just as good as any pedal-powered system out there, and I was very grateful for it at the end of my second day fishing this boat, as I made the 1.5 mile trek back to the ramp, beating the headwind. However, when fishing from shore, I was paddling as much, if not more, than I was pedaling. This is fine, and having the pedal-powered system there when I needed it was a great help.
It was time consuming to inflate the boat and assemble it, although it wasn’t a difficult task at all. It also took some time to disassemble and repack the kayak. When you deflate and repack the kayak, make sure you use the deflation function on the manual to remove all the air from the kayak. This will be very helpful when repacking.
The base boat also doesn’t come with rod holders, which can be a challenge for avid bass anglers. I was able to bring a few rods and a small tackle on the boat each time. However, limited storage space for rods and tackle is definitely something to consider. Bōte includes the Rocket Rac in some packages, but also sells it separately. The Rocket Rac holds four rods and mounts to the deck at the back of the boat.
Who is this boat suitable for?
If you own a truck and are an avid tournament angler, the Bōte LONO Aero will be a tough buy for you. Limited storage space is the biggest obstacle for that demographic. But if you own a car or small SUV and love spending time on the water, this is a great option. I had a ’99 Buick Century for a year and a half while I was paying off debt a few years ago, and I wanted this kayak then. Being able to fit a kayak of this caliber in the back seat or trunk of a car is a game changer, especially with the Apex Pedal Drive.
This is also a truly modular boat. You can remove the rear deck to lighten the boat if you want. Leave the Apex Pedal Drive at home and you’re basically left with a SUP board with a seat. Paddle out to the beach, remove the seat, put it on the sand and rest for a while. Then put the seat back on and go.
Points to note
The Bōte Aero LONO 12′ 6” Inflatable Kayak with Apex Pedal Drive System has a plate at the back of the deck that is compatible with the Power-Pole Micro shallow water anchor. The rear deck has a circular hole that fits Bōte’s Kūla 5 Magnepod cooler and provides additional storage space below deck.
For storage, there are mesh stash pockets on either side of the hull in front of the seats that fasten with Velcro, and on the floor in front of the seats is a Magnepod, a magnetic attachment for securing your favorite metal cup. There is a threaded accessory attachment point at the front of the boat. Finally, there are bungees and handles throughout the boat.
The Bōte Aero LONO 12′ 6” Inflatable Kayak with Apex Pedal Drive System is undoubtedly a great product. For any water enthusiast, this is a great boat. The kayak (without the Apex pedal drive) can be purchased for $1,549.00. Bōte also offers a package that includes the Apex PD, Rocket Rac rod holder, and a 5-piece adjustable paddle for $2,857, which is currently on sale for $2,327.10.
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