SideKick Ama Kit?

I am probably one of the clumsiest people ever. If there is a way for something to go wrong I usually find it out the hard way. I'm trying to think of ways to decrease my accident rates and I thought that the possible addition of the SideKick Ama Kit might help me out. I'd be installing the kit on my new Outback. Does anyone here have any experience with the kit? Does the kit make the kayak more noticeably stable? I read that they are inflatable...are they durable?

To be totally clear...I feel very stable on my Outback. I just want that peace of mind granted it's attainable with the upgrade. Anything can happen! Maybe it's my lack of experience and you all see the kit like a set of training wheels. I'm interested to hear any reviews or advice on the matter.

Ndogg and I have installed a few here at the shop and they're a pretty slick rig. Very heavy duty bladders on the inflatable amas and the mounting system makes them very easy to take on and off the boat.

I think Rory used to have em IIRC. Not many folks around here seem to sport amas for what its worth.

Capsizing, assuming you have practiced reentry (and don't lose any gear) is really not a big deal. Yes the water is cold hence dressing for immersion. I'd suggest practicing reentry before putting on Amas if your fear of capsizing is the main issue. You are right anything can certainly happen but that's why you practice so when you do capsize its not so scary. 

Just my $0.02

I'm not really scared of getting hullied. I just don't want to deal with it. I plan on doing some re entry practice once I get some decent immersion gear. I will be prepared in the event of going into the drink but I would like to just decrease the chances of it happening as best I can. Maybe I'm just a lazy noob haha.

I'm not really scared of getting hullied. I just don't want to deal with it.

Unfortunately you do have to deal with it, you are in a kayak after all

Haha yeah, I guess you're right. I might get them just for shits and giggles. They won't break the bank! But at the same time...that could be money better spent on a sick new Kokatat drysuit.

I appreciate the advice though.

Where's that video of someone trying to flip the outback? I recall he couldn't do it in flat water. He'd slide off first. In surf landings it can happen though.  Pretty stable.  But peace of mind is worth something. I'm considering a kayak with amas set up for my fiancée since she might be packing a little more camera equipment not so tolerant of water. 

Where's that video of someone trying to flip the outback? I recall he couldn't do it in flat water. He'd slide off first. In surf landings it can happen though. 

Tell me about it. I just hullied my outback in a surf landing about a month ago. I do agree with trying to flip the outback on flat water. It's pretty darn hard to do.


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Oh..trust me..  folks with little kayaking experience can and will flip an outback if you turn your back on them. Often losing at least some of your gear in the process

Ling,
OK, I'll admit it, I use the ama's on my Revo, especially when going out in salt with a lot of boat traffic.  They give me a lot of peace of mind.  I keep them adjusted high, normally out of the water, so they dont drag in the water.  The only time they really hit the water is when I'm turning around to get something out of the milk crate - I dont have to worry about balance or sneaky waves.  I've been out enough now that I feel like I really dont need them - Revo's are pretty stable, and Outbacks are twice as stable.  If I ever get an Outback I dont think I'd use them.
On a couple occasions, when coming into the beach with surf, I actually wish I didnt have them on - the amas riding up on the waves really caused the kayak to tilt.

I just bought an Outback and it hasn't even gotten wet yet!  But I did get the Ama kit mainly because I hope to do some fly fishing with the boat.  Theoretically it should give me the ability to stand up in the rig more comfortably.  I will let you know if that is true.

 I've had the kit for a few years with my Revolution. I bought it because I have a sail for the revo and needed the stability. I think they are great--durable, easy to inflate with a few puffs of air. i have never tried standing up but they certainly did the job when the wind heeled me over with the sail up.
T2

Oh..trust me..  folks with little kayaking experience can and will flip an outback if you turn your back on them. Often losing at least some of your gear in the process

I bet you have some stories! So I guess ya. Im sure it can be done. I flipped my mini x which is one of the wider Yaks out there.  I put a single outrigger when I was pulling shrimp pots with my mini x and it did give that extra level of comfort.


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I wish I could 'like' posts here. I forget this isn't facebook. Thanks for all the info. This place is awesome for that. I might get them and try them out for myself. I can always sell them if I don't like them! Though they are really starting to sound like training wheels based on the things you guys have brought up.

I wish I could 'like' posts here. I forget this isn't facebook. Thanks for all the info. This place is awesome for that. I might get them and try them out for myself. I can always sell them if I don't like them! Though they are really starting to sound like training wheels based on the things you guys have brought up.

There's no shame in amas. If you feel you need em, get em.


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