Sevylor Charleston 2 Kayak Review
Rating
Performance: 5
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 6
Setup: 10
Value: 6
OVERALL: 7.0
A stable and well-equipped recreational kayak.
The Sevylor Charleston is a reinforced PVC inflatable kayak aimed at casual paddlers who want a stable, quick-to-inflate option for calm lakes and gentle rivers. It comes well-equipped out of the box and sets up with minimal fuss, though it rewards realistic expectations about its two-person capacity and flatwater limitations.
Comparison
Rank: #5
Open Size: Long, narrow
Packed Size: Moderate
Weight: Relatively light
Capacity: Low
Best For: Casual paddlers wanting a stable, quick-to-inflate recreational kayak for calm lakes and gentle rivers, used solo or with a child.
Pros: Very stable, quick inflation, drop-stitch floor, good bag, well equipped, easy setup.
Cons: Uncomfortable, snug for 2 adults, struggles in wind, glued seams, no pump included.
Verdict: A stable and well-built recreational inflatable that works best as a solo or adult-and-child kayak on calm water, let down mainly by seating that doesn't live up to its billing.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Sevylor Charleston 2 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten 2 Person Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 347×94cm
Packed Size: N/A
Weight: 13.3kg
Capacity: 161kg
Approx Price: £249.99
First Impressions
The Sevylor Charleston arrives in a noticeably heavy-duty bag, being thick, strong and with a wide zip that makes getting the kayak in and out considerably less of a fight than you might expect. It gives you the impression that it’s a step up from budget territory and it sets a reasonably positive tone for what follows. At 13.3kg, the Charleston sits in the middle of the weight range for two-person inflatables: manageable for one person with the carry handles, but not something you'd want to haul long distances on foot.
Out of the bag, the reinforced PVC construction feels solid. The drop-stitch floor, which inflates to a firm 7 PSI, gives the hull a rigidity that you can actually feel when you press down on it, and the side chambers at 3 PSI are firm and substantial. Two thermo-moulded seats are included, along with two adjustable footrests, a removable fin, a pressure gauge, carry handles at bow and stern, and bungee cords fore and aft for stowing gear. Paddles and a pump are not included in all versions, so worth checking before you buy. The overall package is well-considered for a recreational kayak at this price.
Setup/Packdown
Inflation is one of the Charleston's genuine strengths. Sevylor claim it inflates in around three minutes, and while you'll need an electric pump to get anywhere near that figure, especially since the high-pressure drop-stitch floor in particular benefits from a pump that can push past basic hand-pump territory, it's a genuinely quick setup once you've got the right kit. The three valves (two sides, one floor) are clustered together at the stern end, which keeps the process logical and unfussy. If you're buying the Charleston, we’d recommend budgeting for a quality electric pump.
Once inflated, fitting the fin is a simple slide-in affair underneath the hull and the seats clip into place front and back with four buckles, with adjustability built in so both paddlers can find a comfortable position. The footrests tighten and loosen to suit different leg lengths. All in, you're looking at around five to ten minutes from bag to water, which is competitive for this class of kayak. Packing down is similarly painless and the wide-zip bag makes getting the deflated kayak back in far less frustrating than the narrow bags on some competitors. The included pressure gauge is a thoughtful addition that lets you confirm you've hit the right PSI rather than guessing.
Paddling Experience
Okay, so, on calm, flat water, the Charleston performs decently. The drop-stitch floor delivers genuine rigidity underfoot and the resulting stability is a real strength, partly due to the higher inflation pressure the drop-stitch construction allows. From our experience, we think it’s a reassuring kayak, particularly for less experienced paddlers or those heading out in mixed company. The fin does a decent job of keeping the kayak tracking straight in calm conditions and the overall handling is predictable and unfussy.
Wind, however, is where it starts to play up. Gusts of around 15 to 20mph required you to put in some real effort to maintain direction and paddle back to yuor launch point and the kayak's relatively wide, blunt profile catches the wind and makes it work hard to hold course in anything other than settled conditions. This is not unusual for recreational inflatables of this type, but it's worth being realistic about: the Charleston is a calm-water kayak and using it in choppier or windier conditions will be tiring rather than enjoyable.
The more pressing on-water concern for many people will be the seating. The thermo-moulded seats are described in the marketing as comfortable and ergonomic, and in fairness, the seat is high and the position is supportive. Still, they’re not comfortable for longer sessions. We found them functional but ungenerous, and if you’re planning anything beyond a short outing, you might want to consider upgrading to an aftermarket seat pad to make your time on the water much more comfortable.
The Charleston can technically carry two adults, but it's snug. Legroom is limited with two full-sized adults aboard, and the kayak is really at its best as a generous solo kayak or as a one-adult-one-child configuration. Two tall adults paddling together for a full day will likely find it cramped. The glued seam construction is also worth pointing out: while the PVC material itself is durable, glued seams are generally considered less robust over time than welded alternatives, and worth bearing in mind for long-term ownership.
Final Verdict
The Sevylor Charleston occupies a reasonable middle ground in the inflatable kayak market, being better built and better equipped than the cheapest options, but not without compromises that keep it firmly in the recreational bracket. The drop-stitch floor, quick inflation and solid carry bag are the main positives, and for calm lakes, sheltered rivers, and leisurely day outings, it does what it sets out to do without any drama. Just know that the seats are not the best and it’s cramped for two paddlers.
Want to see how the Sevylor Charleston 2 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayaks.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.