The Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K 440 is a 2-person (or tandem), inflatable kayak…or is it a canoe?? It's sort of a kayak/canoe hybrid that marries the best features of both. This design approach has become a growing trend in the paddle sports world. You get the freedom of movement and the comfort of a canoe, plus the performance, power, and stability of a kayak. I wanted to find out how good of a family kayak the Tomahawk is so I recruited my daughter and together, we put this thing to the test. Let's break down the specs and then dig into some key questions about this “canoe-ak” as my daughter calls it.
ABOUT THE TOMAHAWK AIR-K 440 KAYAK
Retail Price: $1,099 USD
Length: 14'5″
Width: 31″
Weight: 45 LBS (20 KG)
Max Capacity: 460 LBS (210 KG)
Best Use: Flatwater Touring
This 2-person inflatable kayak is made up of 3 drop-stitch compartments that pump up to a firm 10-PSI. It has a V-shaped bow for tracking and speed, adjustable foot rests, high back seats, and removable twin fins. The Tomahawk 440 also comes with a backpack and a hand pump.
How do I set up an Aqua Marina Tomahawk kayak?
Since the Tomahawk 440 is made with drop-stitch construction, it can be inflated to a solid, 10-PSI. This serves to enhance performance, but it means it can take a while to pump up by hand. Therefore, I recommend investing in an electric pump for not only this kayak, but any inflatable kayak that has drop-stitch construction. It will save you a lot of time and energy. Otherwise, the Tomahawk 440 assembled easily. It is not a complicated design and came together quite quickly.
What are the advantages of an inflatable kayak?
Inflatable kayaks are a huge asset when it comes to portability and transportability. If you have limited storage space or don't have a vehicle with racks, an inflatable kayak will solve both of those problems. Inflatables usually pack into a decent-sized backpack or duffle bag that can be stored in a closet or corner of an apartment. When a paddle day arrives, the deflated kayak can go along for a hike, or be tossed in the back of a cab, Uber, or friend's car en route to the water.
Are tandem kayaks more stable?
Generally speaking, tandem kayaks are more stable than solo kayaks since they are longer and also tend to be wider in order to accommodate the extra weight of two people. In the case of the 31-inch-wide Aqua Marina Tomahawk 440, this model is on the narrower side of tandem/recreational kayaks. It is built to feel reasonably stable (but not exceptionally so) while also maintaining performance and efficiency.
Are tandem kayaks faster?
They certainly can be! Since the paddling power doubles with another person it can be possible to outpace a solo kayaker (if other variables are roughly equal). However, this requires some coordination. It's not hard to clip paddles, deviate off-course, or simply have to carry the dead weight of a lazy crewmate. That being said, a tandem kayak also allows for rotating rest periods and so a consistent pace can be established on a longer tour. For the Aqua Marina Tomahawk 440, its slick design and firm drop-stitch construction does get this kayak moving pretty well. It's not what I would call out-right fast, but it is relatively quick.
Are tandem kayaks hard to use?
Again, it depends on how in-sync the dynamic paddling duo are. In some ways tandem kayaks can be easier to use than solo kayaks. You have a buddy to help carry and paddle the craft. The difficulty comes in the initial coordination of paddling a tandem kayak. This often falls into a workable rhythm soon enough. Then some further communication can come in handy for establishing or changing direction.
In the case of the Tomahawk 440, I thought it would be difficult to turn with two removable skegs in place, but it ended up being surprisingly easy. The only thing that took some getting used to was having those two snag points to watch out for in shallower water.
The Tomahawk can also be paddled solo. The trusty D-rings allow for one seat to be centered (and the other removed) so that the more zealous of the two paddlers can continue the fun after the other taps out.
How durable are inflatable kayaks?
If kept to the designated conditions (prescribed by the manufacturer), and with proper care, inflatable kayaks can be quite durable. In the case of the Aqua Marina Tomahawk, if used exclusively for flatwater touring (i.e. waters that are protected from harsh wind and waves) the drop-stitch construction will hold up nicely. The only thing to keep an eye on are those 2 removable fins as you are navigating shallow waters. Since they are low-hanging, thin pieces of plastic, they will present the most immediate vulnerability. For that reason, make sure to remove the fins before resting the kayak on the ground.
Aqua Marina recommends that the kayak be stored in a shaded, cool, dry space when not in use. Direct sun can lead to over-inflation as well as gradual damage to the PVC exterior. They also suggest an air pressure of no more than 60-70% if leaving the kayak inflated for an extended duration while not in use. Finally, before packing the kayak into the provided backpack, make sure that it is completely dry.
Is the Aqua Marina Tomahawk kayak comfortable?
The canoe element of the design comes into play nicely in terms of comfort. The wide open layout allows for freedom of movement, changing of leg positions, etc. Also, the thick seats keep the paddlers off the floor, so if some water gets into the craft, you won't end up with soaked butts. The seats themselves are adequate but nothing to write home about. This is often true for inflatable kayaks as hard-shell models set the gold-standard for comfort. The foot rests add some level of comfort, but not quite up to the level of solid foot pegs. Granted, it's not particularly common to see full on foot pegs offered in an inflatable kayak. Finally, at 6'2″, I'm used to feeling a little crammed in a typical recreational-tandem kayak, but in this case, I was able to sit comfortably.
Is the Aqua Marina Tomahawk 440 kayak worth it?
The Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K 440 is a great option for anyone wanting an inflatable tandem kayak. The standout advantages are that it's portable and can actually function (and not just claim to function like some models) as a solo or tandem craft. The Tomahawk should be kept to calm water adventures but beyond that, the skill level of the paddlers can range from beginners to…well, anyone that wants to have some fun with a partner.
The Tomahawk strikes a balance between moderate stability and a little zip in performance. Though $1,100 is nothing to sneeze at, this price point is rather competitive for a boat in this category and class. So yes, the Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K 440 inflatable tandem “canoe-ak” is definitely worth it, especially for family fun.
I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information, check out my gear reviews, tips, and adventures on PaddleTV.
