Advanced Frame Convertible

Thus I decided to buy Advanced Frame Convertible manufactured by Advanced Elements.
My next step was to shop around and try to find the store somewhere in Toronto area to look at the kayak, to seat down into it, to touch it with my hands. From the Internet I discovered that they are sold by various dealers, West Marine being one of them. I liked the price and package they had, but they had nothing to show in store.

Then I found out another store not far from downtown Toronto in Etobicoke. Their prices were higher, but I was able to look at the kayak in store. I did it and I even really seat down in it and felt how it would be paddling this kayak. Strictly speaking it was not Covertible - it was it's solo replica - Advanced Frame Kayak AE1012-R, but everything else was the same and I received what I was looking for - a general feeling of this kayak. And I loved it even more then.

There are several dealers selling these kayaks all around the world. I heard many good words about Airkayaks.com (Harris & Lamb, LLC, Box 926, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423). Especially people noticed their service and support, though their prices aren’t the best. And for me they were too far away from Canada. After days of searching Internet and shopping around I’ve the general picture.

As I told earlier West Marine price and their package seemed to be the best offer on the market. After final search on the Internet I composed the Table of various price/dealers/packages/accessories and made myself sure that West Marine was really the best choice. Thus on March 29, 2009 I placed an order at their store in downtown Toronto.

As to the Table shown below it is updated version reflecting situation at the end of October, 2009. The general picture is still the same as was in spring 2009 and I hope one can use it as a starting point when shopping around.

TABLE. Summary of current prices for AF Convertible and some Accessories at various suppliers and on-line stores.

Item	Price $US	Quantity	Total $US	Included into base package
				By AE	by WM*
Kayak	599	1	599	Kayak	Kayak
Bag	31	1	*	Carrying Duffle Bag	Carrying Duffle Bag
Foot pump	19	1	19		Foot pump
Seat	*	2	*	Folding seat - 2	Folding seat - 2
Single deck	39	1	39		Single Deck
Double deck	52	1	52		Double Deck
Foot brace (inflatable)	27	1	27		Foot brace (inflt)
Back bone	110	1	110
Hand pump	24	1	24
Paddles	80-100	2	160-200
Spray Skirt	49-68	2	98-136
Repare Kit	*	1	*	Repair Kit	Repair Kit
Owner’s manual	*	1	*	Owner’s manual	Owner’s manual
Total price					$ 599.00 US

AF Convertible from Airkayak	West Marine AF Convertible

One of the most frequently asked questions is:
What is the difference between AF Convertible2 AE 1007-WM sold by West Marine and AF Convertible AE1007-R sold by all others?
The best answer came from manufacturer of these kayaks - Advanced Elements Inc.:
no difference but the color: green & gray for WM and orange & gray for others.
As I understood AE Inc has a special agreement with the WM and manufactures for them the same kayak as a different model. It's simply a marketing move, no more.
But what is important and it is seen from the Table - West Marine price-for-package ratio was and is one of the best on the market. And if you are tolerant to the green & gray combination as I am, you better go with WM and save a few tens of dollars or more. (At the end of May 2009 WM had unbelievable discount and sold the same package for only $459 US!)