Retrospec Coaster Tandem Inflatable Kayak Review

Although this is inflatable SUP Authority I had the chance to test the Retrospec Coaster 2 seated inflatable kayak. Below I will share my views and primarily how it compared to recreational hardshell kayaks I have tested in the past. I bring this point up because I feel a big reason why more and more people are getting inflatable kayak is because people are downsizing or just tired of trying to lug a large hardshell monstrosity everywhere they go. 

Are Inflatable Kayaks worth it? Lets get into it.

What Did We Think of the Coaster Tandem Inflatable Kayak?

Overall I was for the most part pleasantly surprised by the Coaster Tandem Inflatable Kayak. I went out to test it as a one person kayak and its stability, tracking and speed were all comparable to your $350-$700 recreational hardshell kayak. It even has a very similar feeling to secondary stability (moving from one side to the other) which will make the switch from hardshell to inflatable that much easier. 

The Coaster also was not a complete hassle to set up, and good news, the inflation of the 3 bladders will not take as long as you may think. Especially when you compare the pumping to an inflatable SUP, which requires 14-16 PSI. For this kayak, you pump until solid, similar to what you would do with an air mattress. No PSI gauge needed. Take down is also pretty simple and straightforward, and unlike many inflatable paddle boards I have tested, the kayak fits nicely back into the bag when deflated!

Who Should Be Using the Coaster Inflatable Kayak?

The Coaster is ideal for two people and can be used for couples or a family with a small child or dog. I tested it solo, and it handled well, so you can use this inflatable kayak in solo formation as well. The kayak does have a maximum capacity of 440 lbs, so I would not go past that. 

It can also be used for an older couple as well. I actually found that the seat is more comfortable than a cheaper recreational hardshell kayak. The only thing is that the backrest has a tendency to sag. 

Retrospec Coaster On-Water Performance

Overall, the Coaster offered solid On-Water Performance. We won’t put exact stats to it as we don’t have many comparable inflatable kayaks in our rankings so I will just tell you what my thoughts were. 

Stability

One of the biggest tests I found was getting into the inflatable kayak from the dock. This was going to be interesting because I am not well-versed in inflatable kayak boarding techniques. For an older couple, I would recommend either boarding from land or on a higher dock; you have to do a bit of twisting to get in!

When on the water, I found the Coaster actually had a lot of similarities to a hardshell. It’s not like you are on an inflatable SUP where it’s sitting on the surface, but rather, you can rock from side to side like a recreational hardshell kayak. I tried rocking it from one side to the other, leaning on each side. Overall, I never felt like it was going to capsize unless I decided to just jump into the water, which, in the Nikomekl river, I was unwilling to do. 

Tracking

In this case, I paddled the inflatable kayak solo. I will test with my family at a later time. The kayak tracked better than I expected, actually. And it was comparable to a recreational hardshell kayak. This was thanks to the skeg being added to the middle of the board. Which, as we are seeing, more and more SUP manufacturers are taking note of. 

When you first paddle off, you will find there is some wagging at the front of the board, but once you pick up some speed and momentum, the kayak tracks well and there is little wagging of the nose. 

Speed

A lot of my testing gets done in tidal rivers, so I often battle the incoming tide and wind as the sweet little cherry on top. I was a little wary as to how an inflatable kayak would handle it. I can safely say that while the tide didn’t have a ton of movement, there was some wind, and the kayak handled it more than admirably. As one person, I was able to pretty easily navigate against the wind and tide while gaining a good amount of speed. I didn’t fully test the limits of speed, but it was a very pleasant paddle, and it definitely is faster than using a SUP with a SUP paddle!

One of these days I’ll have to directly compare it to the hardshell recreational kayaks I have. 

Manauverability

The kayak had very good handling and was very easy to maneuver. Your main obstacle to maneuvering an inflatable kayak with another person is communication! (Tandem SUPs and kayaks are called divorce boats for a reason!). As a solo paddler, I was able to maneuver the Coaster pretty easily. I did some 180’s with about 2 paddle strokes (one backward, on one side, one forward on the other) and 4 paddle strokes to do a 360!

If you are paddling with a partner, I would advise a lot of communication and understanding the basics that usually it’s the person in the back of the boat that steers and the person in the front carries the momentum. I will be paddling with a family member in the next while, so I will update this section. 

Retrospec Coaster Inflatable Paddle Board Stats

• Length: 12’
• Width: 39”
• Weight: 29 pounds /13.15 kgs
• Maximum Capacity: 440 pounds /200 kgs
• Materials: Tube is PVC, and the cover is 600 D Oxford

The Coaster Inflatable kayak is made with PVC inflatable tubes and a 600 D Oxford covering to protect the tubes. This PVC is different from inflatable paddle boards that have dropstich material in them. This PVC should be treated more like inflating an air mattress rather than an inflatable paddle board. 

The ideal PSI to pump this kayak to is about 1.5. Unfortunately, the pump does not come with a PSI gauge, so pump it until it’s firm and not too much more. 

The 600 Denier Oxford covering is an extra layer of protection that can be zipped off when not in use. I recommend washing this covering after every season, perhaps even more if you paddle in salt water etc. 

Retrospec Coaster Tandem Kayak Onboard Features (What’s On Deck)

When evaluating a dedicated inflatable tandem kayak, “Ondeck” real estate shifts from stand-up balance to sheer storage utility, passenger ergonomics, and cockpit space. Retrospec designed the Coaster Tandem to be an open-top, highly roomy recreational cruiser.

Here is how we rate its onboard features:

Front and Rear Cargo Bungees

The Coaster Tandem features standard cross-over bungee cords on both the bow (front) and stern (rear). Because it’s a wide, high-volume tandem hull, these cargo areas are quite spacious. You can easily slide a 20-liter dry bag up front and a medium-sized hard cooler in the back. The tie-down points are reinforced nicely, ensuring your gear stays locked down if you hit choppy lake wakes.

Dual Integrated Paddle Holders

One of the most annoying parts of tandem kayaking is deciding what to do with two sets of paddles when you want to take a break, grab a snack, or snap a photo. Retrospec solved this by placing velcro paddle holder straps on both the left and right sides of the cockpit walls. They are robust, simple to operate, and keep the paddles completely clear of the water and your lap.

Multi-Position D-Ring Attachment Matrix

Running down the interior floor and floor-side walls of the kayak is a heavy-duty matrix of stainless steel D-rings. These are primarily meant for clipping in the adjustable seats, but because there are multiple points along the track, you can fully customize your layout. You can push the seats far apart for maximum legroom, cluster them closer to keep a child or a dog in the middle, or clip a single seat right in the center for a solo paddling setup.

Reinforced Carry Handles

You get ergonomic nylon grab handles wrapped in a comfortable rubber grip on both the bow and stern, plus heavy-duty fabric handles centered on the sides. Given that this tandem setup holds more material weight than a standard paddle board, having well-balanced handles makes tandem portaging down a sandy shore a much less strenuous affair.

The Accessories Package

Retrospec is well-known for bundling everything a beginner needs right out of the box, and the Coaster Tandem continues that tradition by providing gear for two people right off the bat.

2x Adjustable High-Back Kayak Seats

Unlike the flimsy, unpadded drop-in foam seats that come with cheap conversion kits, these are actual structural kayak seats. They feature a rigid, elevated backrest that anchors firmly via four adjustable straps to the floor D-rings. The extra height helps prevent lower-back fatigue during longer day cruises.

2x Removable Floor Footrest

This is a massive inclusion. In our review of the Weekender Plus 2 hybrid, one of our biggest complaints was the lack of a footrest. Retrospec answered that with the Coaster. It comes with a wedge-style footrest that braces your feet, allowing you to engage your core muscles and legs rather than putting all the strain on your lower back and shoulders during a stroke.

2x Three-Piece Aluminum Kayak Paddles

You get two standard aluminum breakdown paddles with symmetrical plastic blades. They are slightly on the heavier side compared to fiberglass or carbon fiber upgrades, but they are durable, float if dropped, and break down perfectly to fit into the transport bag.

The Rest of the Kit

The package is rounded out by a high-capacity dual-action floor pump with an inline pressure gauge, a tracking fin, and a heavy-duty storage backpack. The backpack is standard canvas with basic shoulder straps—nothing fancy, but it easily swallows the deflated kayak, both seats, paddles, and the pump without requiring you to roll the kayak like a geometric origami master.

Coaster Set-Up and Take Down

Now this is the part that hardshell kayak owners want to hear about! How easy is the kayak to set-up? Is it complicated?

As someone who has limited experience with inflatable kayaks (but lots on ISUPS!) I can tell you the package was pretty straightforward to both set-up and take down. The best part is unlike inflatable SUPs, you don’t need an inflatable pump! In otherwords you are not going to be spending as much effort pumping up this kayak as you would with an ISUP, and the pump Retrospec provides is good enough. But I’ll break it down step by step to save you from looking at the instructions.

Step 1: Unroll and Inspect

Find a flat surface clear of sharp debris. Unroll the Coaster completely with the floor tracking-fin slot facing upward. Pro Tip: Do not inflate yet; it is much easier to slide the tracking fin into its groove while the hull is completely flat and flaccid. Slide the fin in until it clicks or locks into place.

Step 2: Check the Valve Positions:

Flip the kayak right-side up to access the Boston or high-pressure valves (depending on your specific Coaster iteration). Unscrew the outer caps. Ensure the internal valve pins are in the “Up” or closed position (so air goes in but cannot escape when you remove the pump hose).

Step 3: Inflate the Floor and Side Bladders

Always inflate the floor chamber first to create a rigid platform, then move to the left and right side walls. If you are using a manual pump, inflate to the recommended PSI (usually between 1.5 to 2.0 PSI for standard side bladders, unless you have a drop-stitch floor variant). Visual Check: Look for a taut skin across the heavy-duty tarpaulin hull without over-stretching the seams.

Step 4: Secure the Seats and Footrests:

Clip the adjustable seats to the D-rings along the interior floor floorboards. For the Tandem model, adjust the spacing to optimize legroom for both passengers. Fasten the hook-and-loop straps or floor tracks for the removable footrests, positioning them so your knees maintain a slight, comfortable bend when bracing.

Step 5: Assemble and Store Paddles:

Snap the multi-piece aluminum or fiberglass paddles together, ensuring the push-pins snap completely clear of the holes. If you aren’t launching immediately, clip them into the dual paddle-holder straps running along the sides of the Coaster’s gunwales to keep them from rolling into the water.

About Retrospec

If you have spent any time researching entry-level outdoor gear over the last decade, you have undoubtedly run into Retrospec. Founded in 2009 with a mission to make nature more accessible, this Southern California brand started out making fixed-gear bicycles before expanding heavily into skate, snow, and eventually water sports.

In the paddleboarding and kayaking world, Retrospec occupies a very specific, highly successful niche: the ultimate budget-friendly, everything-included starter package.

They aren’t trying to compete with premium, high-pressure drop-stitch brands charging north of $1,000. Instead, they focus on building approachable, highly stable, and visually appealing gear for casual weekend warriors. 

Their design philosophy relies on clean aesthetics, bright colorways, and comprehensive accessory bundles that get families onto the water with minimal financial friction. 

Where to Buy The Retrospec Coaster Tandem

Because Retrospec is a major player in consumer outdoor recreation, you have plenty of options for picking up the Coaster Tandem:

• Direct from Retrospec: Buying directly on Retrospec’s official website is usually your best bet. They frequently run seasonal sales, offer 0% APR financing options via services like Affirm, and provide direct access to their warranty department.
• Amazon: Retrospec does also sell their packages on Amazon. 

Comparable Kayaks

The recreational, low-pressure inflatable tandem market is incredibly crowded. If you are cross-shopping the Coaster Tandem, these are the three closest alternatives you will encounter on the water:

Intex Excursion Pro K2

The Excursion Pro is the heavy hitter in the budget category. It utilizes a higher-pressure laminate PVC skin that feels a bit more rigid than the Coaster’s canvas-wrapped bladder setup. The Intex tracks slightly better due to its deeper fin configuration and includes fishing rod holders, but it lacks the clean, modern aesthetic and well-padded structural seats that the Coaster offers.

Sevylor Coleman Colorado

If you plan on taking your tandem kayak into rougher environments where stray branches or hooks are a guarantee, the Sevylor Colorado swaps out a standard recreational layout for a rugged, fishing-focused design covered in 18-gauge PVC. It is built like a tank but handles like one, too. The Coaster Tandem is significantly lighter (29 lbs vs 41 lbs) and far easier to paddle and carry.

Should You Get the Retrospec Coaster Inflatable Kayak?

The Retrospec Coaster Tandem is an excellent entry-point watercraft, but it is engineered for a very specific type of paddler.

You should buy the Coaster Tandem if:

• You are a casual weekend cruiser: If your ideal day on the water involves flat lakes, calm bays, or lazy rivers with a partner, a child, or a dog, this kayak provides all the stability and comfort you could ask for during a casual day paddle. 
• You are on a budget but want the complete kit: At its price point, getting a full 2-person setup, including two decent seats, two paddles, tracking fins, and a footrest, is incredibly hard to beat. 
• Storage and transport space are limited: Weighing only 29 lbs and rolling down into a manageable 29″ x 17″ x 13″ backpack, it easily tosses into the trunk of a compact sedan, eliminating the need for expensive roof racks.