Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone could provide some advice/insight into this matter. I'm used to paddling hard shell sea kayaks that track fantastic during my younger days but now stay in a flat with no storage space. Occasionally, I get to have fun in sea kayak models on demo days from outdoor stores here but space is a limitation. My gf and I decided to get an AE convertible so we can do some kayaking in the mountain lakes, she is a beginner kayaker. I bought a used AE convertible from someone in my area. Checking the model number which ends in 08, I guess it is a 2008 model which sadly is past the warranty date. He claimed he only used it once but didn't have time any more for it. The purchase came with an electric pump. Before I bought it, he said he inflated it and left it overnight and didn't find any leaks. I inspected the tubes visually during the purchase by partially inflating it and it seemed ok although I didn't take all the tubes out and fully inflate. I also bought a new AE manual hand pump with gauge to inflate it to the correct psi - I normally fill it up to 2.2, 2.3 because I know I'll lose some air when I disconnect the pump.

During my maiden voyage in a lake in the Canadian rockies, I found that the convertible consistently tracked to the right during paddling and I had to correct often. Reading the forums, I thought that this was due to a kink in the tubes so I used the method of inserting paper at the Velcro strips and pushing with my feet at the bow and stern to straighten it out. Indeed, the tubes no longer forms a slight 'bend' after inflation. Disappointingly, the kayak still tracks to the right during my 2nd trip to another lake.

I thought that a backbone may help so we purchased one. I watched how to put it properly over the landing plate on youtube. Sadly, the kayak still tracks to the right on my 3rd trip.

Next problem, I notice during my first voyage the kayak tube no longer fills 'firm' after a break during lunch. Paddling was also quite difficult as it no longer seems to move through the water. I was confused so I tried pumping it up. Connecting the pump, I found the psi had dropped to 1. During my 2nd and 3rd trip, I paid more attention and found there was a slight hissing coming from valve 2 when I insert my manual pump. This results in a decrease in psi over time if I don't pump. Is this a problem with the pump or the valve?

Does underinflation result in tracking problems?

I'm in Calgary and there's a store here that's an authorized dealer for AE, should I bring it in to them to see if they can help or could the customer services here provide anything I should check first?

Any help will be apprecited.

I didn't find the right solution from the Internet.

References:

https://bit.ly/2sxeE6i

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Thank you.