REVIEW OF SANDBANKS STYLE OPTIMAL KAYAK

CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Price
3. Specification
4. Drop Stitch Construction
5. Contents of Package
6. Inflation and Setup
7. On the Water Tests
8. Sandbanks Optimal in solo mode
9. Pros of the Sandbanks Optimal
10. Cons of the Sandbanks Optimal
11. Summary

1. INTRODUCTION

The Sandbanks Style Optimal is a full drop stitch inflatable kayak.

This review is of the tandem version of the kayak, although the tandem version can also be used solo by one person.

There is also a smaller solo only version of the Sandbanks Style Optimal kayak.

2. PRICE

This tandem version of the Sandbanks Style Optimal that this review covers usually retails for about £749

The smaller solo version of the Sandbanks Style Optimal kayak usually retails for about £599

Prices may of course vary and as with any kayaks, you can often get deals at certain times of the year.

3. SPECIFICATION

The Sandbanks Optimal tandem kayak is 440cm long and 90cm wide.

The kayak alone weighs about 19kg.

The weight of the kayak together with the included wheeled carry bag, 2 seats, pump and 2 paddles is about 25kg.

The maximum load is 231kg or 509 lbs which converts to 36 stones and 5 lbs.

4. DROP STITCH CONSTRUCTION

The Sandbanks Optimal tandem kayak is a 2 panel full drop stitch kayak

These are comprised of a top panel which forms the decks and the cockpit surround and a bottom panel which comprises the hull and the floor. 

They are commonly described as having a ‘clamshell’ shape with the top panel and the bottom panel symmetrically closing around each other.

Drop stitch technology involves interweaving walls of the chambers with thousands of threads of fibre fabric allowing the chambers to be inflated to a much higher air pressure so that they become very firm. 

Since the Sandbanks Optimal inflates to between 10 psi to 12 psi, the hull and decks of the kayak become almost as rigid as a hard shell kayak and you could easily mistake it for a hard shell.

We have done a separate Guide to Buying an Inflatable Kayak which summarises the different types of inflatable kayak.

5. CONTENTS OF PACKAGE

The Sandbanks Optimal tandem kayak package includes the following:

• 2 padded seats

• a double action pump which both inflates and deflates 

• A large carry bag with built in wheels 

• 1 skeg which you attach to a slot on the hull of the kayak to improve tracking

• 2 * paddles which are about 220cm long 

• A repair kit which comprises repair patches plus the required glue to stick them down with and a valve removal tool is included in the very unlikely event of you needing to remove any of the air valves

We got the turquoise and grey version of the Sandbanks Style Optimal but it also comes in a blue version

6. INFLATION & SETUP

There are only 2 chambers to inflate.

The valve for the bottom section is in the floor of the cockpit and you inflate this first 

The valve for the top section is on the rear deck and you inflate this second.

Both should be inflated to about 10psi – 12 psi.

The double action hand pump which is included in the package has a built in gauge

It takes about 10 minutes to inflate the kayak fully using the supplied hand pump

If you wanted to save time and effort, then you could alternatively use an electric SuP pump. 

The seats are each attached to the kayak by way of four straps which have carabiner clips on them which you clip onto D rings on the kayak.

The skeg which helps with tracking is about 8.5 inches long and you attach this into the slot on the hull of the kayak.

7. ON THE WATER TESTS 

Accessories

The 2 included 4 piece paddles are pretty good for paddles which are included as part of a package. 

You may notice than in some of the photos I’m using a longer paddle with blue blades.

That was my 250cm long Werner Camano paddle. I paid so much for it that I had to justify the price by using it on some of the trips! 

I did though use the included paddles for much of the paddling we did in the Sandbanks and they were noticeably better than some of the paddles which have come with other kayaks that we’ve got. 

Sandbanks give you the option to upgrade the 2 standard aluminium paddles for 2 fibre glass paddles when you order the kayak from them.

This upgrade adds £100 to the price of the tandem for the 2 upgraded paddles and £50 if you are buying the solo version of the kayak with one upgraded paddle

The included double action pump is also good quality, with a built-in gauge so you know when you’ve got to the desired pressure.

The ability to use the pump to deflate the kayak when you are packing up afterwards is also very useful since it helps to suck any residual air left in the chambers so that the kayak can be rolled up and packed away more easily in the carry bag. 

Speed

The Sandbanks Optimal kayak is pretty fast on the water due to the full drop stitch construction, which results in the hull of the kayak being very firm and streamlined.

It is difficult to scientifically test comparative speeds of different kayaks but the sandbanks optimal definitely felt a bit faster than other tandem kayaks that we have used.

When we used it on the Gloucester  & Sharpness canal, one of the Crew was really struggling to keep up with us on his solo hard shell sit on top kayak . 

This was maybe partly due to the fact that 2 paddlers in a tandem will usually be faster than a solo paddler 

However, the Sandbanks to us definitely felt a bit faster than many of the other inflatable kayaks that we have. 

As you can see, I wasn’t quite able to keep up with the rowers in the racing kayaks from Swansea University Canoe Club but I think I certainly give them a run for their money. 

Tracking

Tracking is your kayak’s ability to go in a straight line.

The Sandbanks Optimal kayak seems to track quite well which is presumably due to the slight V shape to the keel. 

The skeg which slots onto the hull of the kayak also helps with tracking.

Comfort

It is comfortable since the floor of the cockpit remains quite dry due to the drain well, the cockpit is roomy.  

The floor of the cockpit has a slight depression which drains most of any water which splashes into the cockpit away to a drain well situated under the rear well.

Stability

It is a very stable kayak and we did not have any concerns when we used it on the sea and conditions got progressively rougher on a sea kayak paddle Mumbles to Swansea.

Portability

Regarding portability, you probably will find that you will mostly be able to wheel the large carry bag along and should only have to carry it on your back over short distances. 

If you do have to carry the bag on your back then when you have the kayak and all of the accessories in it, it is quite heavy when compared with non-drop stitch kayaks since drop stitch fabric is much denser and heavier.

When carrying the kayak with another person, then it’s very manageable since you can carry it between you using the carry handles on the bow and stern  

If carrying the kayak on your own, then best way to pick it up the kayak up is by grabbing it under the well of the cockpit and putting in on your shoulder. For a full drop stitch tandem kayak, the kayak is reasonably portable.

Storage

Regarding storage, both the front and rear decks have bungee cords which are really useful for securing down dry bags or other items. 

This is particularly useful to me since I tend to take everything bar the kitchen sink with me when I go paddling.

There is not much room for storage under the decks themselves although you can squeeze in some small items.

As already stated, because the cockpit is quite wide, you can actually store items on the floor of the cockpit itself. 

This is useful for having essential items on hand such as your snacks and coffee flask 

The seats also have useful storage pockets on the back of them that you can put small items into. 

8. SANDBANKS OPTIMAL IN SOLO MODE

While this is primarily a tandem version of the optimal kayak, it can also be used solo by one person.

In order to use it solo, you place the one seat in the middle of the kayak and attach the straps to the middle set of D-rings.

Since only 1 person is paddling in solo mode, the kayak is obviously a bit slower when used solo compared to in tandem mode when you have the power of 2 paddlers pushing it along.

Despite not being the strongest paddler, I found it to be surprisingly easy to paddle on my own and was able to sustain a reasonable pace. 

There is obviously a lot more space in the cockpit when used in solo mode

It would be ideally suited as a solo kayak if you took a lot of gear with you out on the water, for instance if you were kayak camping.

Alternatively, it could be used as a large solo by somebody who was, say, 6 foot 3 or taller and who wanted a lot more legroom in the cockpit.

Remember, there is a smaller solo-only version of the Sandbanks Optimal, this review relates to the larger tandem model.

9. PROS OF THE SANDBANKS OPTIMAL KAYAK  

• Drop stitch floor – The drop stitch floor provides a firm and relatively dry base to sit on 

• Stability –  It is a very stable kayak due to the wide area of the hull which sits under the water line because of it’s ‘clamshell’ shape.

• Speed – the Sandbanks Optimal feels quite fast and continues to glides through the water some distance even after you stop paddling. 

• Comfortable and roomy cockpit – The cockpit is comfortable and roomy with padded seats 

• Strength and durability – the drop stitch construction results in the hull and decks having a rugged and tough outer shell.

• Carry Bag – The carry bag is well made and is very useful and roomy and enables the kayak to be transported either by wheeling it (which we tend to do whenever we can) or by carrying it on your bag as a backpack. 

• Easy to get into / out of – It’s is easy to get into and get out, even for old men like us, because of the firm drop stitch surrounds to the cockpit and the quite low sides. 

• It can be used tandem or solo  – while it is best suited to being used as a tandem kayak, can also serve well as a spacious solo kayak

• Tracks well – The slight ridge along the keel of the hull helps the kayak to track well

• Well made – it feels very well made and durable

10. CONS OF THE SANDBANKS OPTIMAL KAYAK

• It is quite heavy – Due to the drop stitch construction, it is a relatively heavy kayak compared to non-drop stitch inflatable kayaks.

• Water ingress due to low sides – The sides to the cockpit are quite low and if you are paddling in choppy waters then you may find that a lot of water may splash into the cockpit although most of it drains away into the drain well at the rear of the cockpit.

• Lack of under deck storage – There is not much space under the decks to store items under the decks 

• No footrests – The kayak does not have any footrests. When used in tandem mode though, the front passenger can use the front well of the deck as a footrest and we roll up the carry bag and place it behind the front seat so that the rear passenger can use it as a foot rest. 

11. SUMMARY

We really like the Sandbanks Style Optimal tandem kayak and can highly recommend it if you are after a well built, solid and stable inflatable kayak.

It is maybe one of the most comfortable kayaks that we have used

It looks and performs very similar to a hard shell kayak 

Build quality seems excellent and if you buy one then we’re sure that you’ll be getting a sturdy and reliable kayak which will serve you well for many years 

Below is the link to our Youtube video review of this kayak.