Pakayak’s Bluefin 14, now on the market, is a sleek 14-foot sectional kayak that packs inside itself to a mere 3.5 feet for storage and transport.
Editor’s note: This article, originally published in 2016, was updated in November 2018 to provide readers with more current information.
I live in a 720-square-foot apartment in the middle of Minneapolis, Minn., a state whose slogan is “Land of 10,000 lakes.” There’s a literal Chain of Lakes mere blocks from my door.
While a few options, such as the Oru folding kayak and inflatable SUPs could both get me on the water and be stored in my closet, the Pakayak is a new option that the brand claims performs like a standard, hard-side touring kayak.
‘Packable’ Kayak
Pakayak launched its first sectional kayak, the Bluefin 14, as a Kickstarter project in June 2016. It was an instant success as it racked in $546,562, surpassing its funding goal of $427,325 and catapulting the brand into full-on production mode.
The Pakayak Bluefin 14 is a 14-foot hard-shell touring kayak that weighs 55lbs, is made of a resin formulated for roto-molding kayaks, and has a max capacity of 275lbs.
It’s not the lightest kayak you’ll see, but the real kicker is in the packability.
The kayak is ‘sliced’ into six pieces, which all fit inside each other to form one 3-foot, 6-inch unit for transport or storage. When the water beckons, the nested boat assembles in less than five minutes, the sections clamping together with a force that forms a watertight seal.
Sea Kayak Capabilities
Even with the nesting magic, the Bluefin 14 doesn’t skimp on standard sea kayak amenities. Two bulkheads keep front and back compartments watertight and there’s a padded fold-up seat and seat-back that will keep you out on the water longer. Also included: adjustable foot braces, reflective safety lines, bungee deck rigging, front and back handles, and more.
It can be used with a rudder, which is purchased separately.
The sectional kayak design is patented and the Pakayak team of four water-lovers worked on the concept for a total of four and a half years. By February 2016, they were testing and playing around on their prototypes, perfecting the clamps and getting the unit ready for the public.
The brand claims the boat handles no different than a typical sea kayak, gliding through open water with ease (see video below).
New System, Eco-Friendly Vision
We’ve been proponents of inflatable kayaks for years, praising their packability and ease of use. That said, Pakayak’s system is a welcomed addition to the watersports market, giving us a hard plastic sea kayak that can be put in an elevator, stored in a closet, thrown in the back of a convertible, and even brought on an airplane. The possibilities are endless with a 14-foot kayak that dissolves to a 3.5-foot unit.
The company has made plans to use their success to preserve waterways and marine species. Each Pakayak model will be named after an endangered marine animal or fish, with a percentage of profit from each sale going toward efforts to save that particular species.
Pakayak Available To Order Online
Ever since Pakayak’s successful Kickstarter campaign, they’ve been hard at work fulfilling Kickstarter orders (the first Kickstarter Pakayaks shipped out in March 2018) and finalizing production. The Bluefin 14, which retails at $1,795 online, comes in four colors and includes a carrying sack that the 3.5 foot unit fits into, allowing you to throw the ‘yak over your shoulders and hike the boat to the water.
If your square feet is limited, your car is itty-bitty, and/or you just want a solid kayak without the headache of storage concerns, your day just got a whole lot better.
More Info // Buy Now
–This post was sponsored by Pakayak. Check out their kayaks online at Pakayak.com.
