AIRE Tributary Tomcat 2 Inflatable Kayak Tandem

Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak front

Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak front angle

Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak side

AIRE Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak

Manufacturer: AIRE

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Product ID: aire tomcat2

Weight: 56.00 lbs

$1,259.00

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Overview

High weight capacity whitewater tandem, save now on Teal color - see text!

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We are currently have some teal color Tomcat tandems with older serial numbers for $1,059 on phone-in orders, with UPS included to the lower 48. A very good deal on a stable, big-water worthy tandem.

For those who don't wish to mortgage their house to get into inflatable kayaking, and anyone who would rather not sit in two or three inches of water as a pair of big adults would in many of the mass-marketed self-bailing tandems, the Tomcat line is a highly affordable alternative. AIRE Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak was AIRE's first entry into the import market way back in 2003. "Tributary" is the name AIRE uses for their Chinese line, which now includes a total of eight kayak models, and six Tributary rafts.

AIRE Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak New Material

The Tomcats have been upgraded this year with a new, lighter, stiffer, stronger fabric. Other improvements include larger, nicer bras, mesh covering over the bail holes on the bottom of the boat, and flip grab loops (also on the boat's underside). There are also attractive new graphics on the side tubes this year and a new teal color. We try to stock the teal, blue, and lime, though we usually do not have reds on the shelf.

Tomcats differ from the Lynx, Outfitter, & Strike models in several ways: 1) the warranty is one year, not five or ten, and it will not cover damage you do to the boat, 2) Tomcats (and the Strikes) are made in China instead of the States, 3) it uses less stretchable vinyl tube bladders instead of urethane ones, 4) it has summit valves instead of the more expensive Leafields, and 5) the pvc hull material is slightly lighter in both coating & base fabric, but as stated above it is still excellent considering the cost of the Tomcats.

AIRE Tomcat Set-up and Inflation

Tomcats are made from 23 oz. per square yard 1000 denier pvc throughout.

Valves in AIRE Tributary Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak

Tomcats do definitely have superior valves and weight capacities compared to the old Sevylor River-X series or many of the Sea Eagle models. The only other two person whitewater inflatable that holds more weight than a Tomcat II is AIRE's Outfitter II. AIRE rates the Tomcat II at 450 pounds but it will handle at least 40 or 50 pounds more.

As of a few years ago, paddlers do have another inexpensive option for a tandem kayak with the new NRS Outlaw II. It weighs a bit less than the Tomcat 2, and though we haven't tested it yet we assume it will perform at least as well. The one big caveat to consider is how much weight you will put into your tandem. If it's in the 300 pound range - and not 300 lbs where one person weighs 200 and the other 100 - then the Outlaw may be a great option. Should you need higher payload capacity, stick with the Tomcat 2 Tandem Inflatable Kayak.

Please check on color availability before placing your order. We rarely stock the reds anymore as that color seems to not be very popular.