Inflatable kayak designed for river running
When most people think about inflatable kayaks, the question of durability comes to mind. Can they handle bouncing into a rock? How about general rough conditions? Many inflatable kayaks are best suited for calm water, but the STAR Raven Pro was specifically designed for river running – everything from fast flowing water to challenging white water conditions. But just because it's designed for those conditions doesn't necessarily mean it performs well in them. So that's what I set out to investigate. Is the Star Raven Pro a worthy river running kayak?
ABOUT THE STAR RAVEN PRO KAYAK
Retail Price: $1095 USD
Length: 9'10”
Width: 38″
Weight: 39 LBS (18 KG)
Max Capacity: 275 LBS (125 KG)
Best Use: RIVER RUNNING
The Raven Pro is made from a rugged PVC-coated polyester, which is reported to be highly durable. The drop-stitch floor is also PVC-coated and it inflates to a solid, 8 PSI. The boat has 18-inches of rocker to help climb over waves, a high-back kayak seat, removable foot braces, laced in thigh straps, and stainless steel D-rings to attach your gear. The package comes with a carry bag, a pump, and a repair kit. One of the standout features of the Raven Pro is its confidence-inspiring, 3-year warranty.
Is the STAR Raven Pro kayak easy to set up?
The STAR Raven Pro packs up into a chunky but manageable carry case. At 39 LBS, it’s a pretty typical weight for an inflatable kayak, which means it feels like the heavier end of a backcountry trekking bag. As a 200 LB man, I was able to sling it over one shoulder without much issue. The ease of portability will really depend on the strength and build of the paddler. In terms of assembly, anyone will be able to put this thing together without difficulty. The removable foot braces, the thigh straps, and the seat anchors all went into place beautifully.
Is the STAR Raven Pro kayak stable?
At 38-inches wide, this is a super stable boat. Not only does it have a solid base, but the generous front rocker, combined with the thigh straps and foot braces, gave the Raven Pro a confident feel on white water.
What is the STAR Raven Performance?
Even though the STAR Raven Pro is designed for river running, it's worth noting how it does on calm water too. As I paddled toward the white water it became clear that this kayak wouldn't win any races. In fact, it would probably come dead least. That being said, it's comfortable and playful. This is more of a lake toy than a lake kayak. I noticed that it spins on a dime. With one stroke I spun a full 540-degrees. What other kayak can you do that in!? If these elements sound appealing to you then you could simply opt for the STAR Raven, rather than the STAR Raven Pro, as you wouldn't need the performance accessories (i.e. thigh hooks, foot pegs, etc.) for some simple, flat water fun.
When it came to the full on white-water experience, I was really impressed. I took this kayak on bigger rapids than most people ever would. I figured, if it performed well in those conditions, it would work well anywhere. The Raven Pro is like an SUV, or 4-Wheel Drive, river machine. Because there's so much rocker in the front of the boat, it simply skipped over all the waves. It actually kicks up so much that I relied on those thigh straps and foot braces to keep me locked in. Otherwise, I probably would have been bounced right out.
As was the case on flat water, the Raven Pro continued to be a slug on white water. It's highly maneuverable, but as is so often the case, you get that by trading in speed. It's difficult to get forward momentum in this thing, but that's okay, because you don't need that to clear the waves. This is basically an inflatable tank.
STAR Raven Pro kayak features
Sometimes it's the simplicity of a boat that I really appreciate. And that's what the Raven Pro brings to the table. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles. The foot pegs and thigh straps are easy to install and bomber out on the white water. The seat also anchored down nicely, so I didn't have to worry about it moving around. Those are the kinds of things that are important in a higher performance model. They were solid to the point where I almost felt like I was in a proper white water kayak.
Who is the STAR Raven Pro for?
If you're looking for speed then you'll want to continue your search elsewhere. But if you're looking for something fun that can deal with any type of river running (from Class 1 moving water to Class 4 technical water) then this is an awesome boat for you. If you just want an easy, playful, inflatable kayak for weekends at the lake, then you could drop the “Pro” and instead consider the STAR Raven model.
Is the STAR Raven Pro worth the price?
The STAR Raven Pro is a stable, comfortable, and fun boat! It's a total slowpoke in all conditions, but out on the rapids, it's bouncy and easy to maneuver. The PVC-coated hull, stiff floor, and 3-year warranty are sufficient to silence any standard durability concerns. So for you white water warriors, the STAR Raven Pro is certainly a worthy, river running kayak.
I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information, check out my gear reviews, tips, and adventures on PaddlingTV.
