Bote Deus Aero 11' Review

The Bote Deus Aero 11' is a convertible sit-on-top kayak turned SUP-with-sides and a 300-pound capacity. It's made of thick “military grade” PVC with foam toppers and comes with a rolling bag, removable fin, repair kit, and its own PSI-measuring, dual-action hand pump. It features a removable seat, bungee cords, and a host of optional accessories for additional purchase.

Performance Comparison

Gliding and Tracking

Unlike all the other inflatable kayaks we've tested, this conversion craft handles much more like a SUP than a kayak. That is, it floats on top of the water rather than in it. Though it's 11 feet long, the only piece cutting through the water is the removable fin on the bottom, leaving you to steer it with your paddle instead of relying on the boat's shape to track in a straight line. If you're down with the handling and feel of a SUP, you may love the Bote Deus, though it differs because of its non-removable sides. On flat waters, they keep the bow of your boat dry, perfect for a bag of snacks or a four-legged friend. But in even moderate waves or on breezy days, the waves and wind hit those sides like a sail, causing instability and making it more challenging to steer.

Maneuverability

Just like a paddleboard, the Deus Aero changes direction on a dime. This is great for going down a rapid river and avoiding obstacles, but it can become tedious over long, flat paddles. Its thick hull is impressive for an inflatable kayak, and we never worried about it popping on a rock or stick. This SUP-like watercraft also rides so high on the water that we barely hit anything, even in very shallow situations.

Stability

Getting on and off this board is rather easy, as its width renders it quite stable. Inflated to such a high PSI (15, where most kayaks go only to two or three PSI), this craft feels remarkably sturdy to paddle. Because it floats so high in the water, it can feel a little more tippy when making big movements - just like a SUP. But firmly seated, we never saw any one of our testing team come even close to falling off this boat.

Ease of Transport and Set Up

As a kayak, the Deus has five chambers to fill, two of which are seat components. The included hand pump is simple to use, though inflating to 15 PSI takes far more effort than most kayaks' low two to three-PSI requirements. Our bigger struggles came when putting the Deus away. Because the sides are so thick, we quickly learned that using the deflation side of the pump is a must for getting it to fit back into its bag. Though it has plenty of straps to condense and hold it in place, we found it challenging to fit the boat, the seat, and the pump back into the bag and zip it closed — with no extra room for a paddle. The Deus weighs a whopping 55 pounds, putting it on par with the heavy-duty tandem models we tested. We appreciate the wheels and thickly padded handles on the case, though we found they are nearly worthless in the sand and not much better on dirt trails.

Comfort

Sitting in the removable seat made us feel like we were paddling from a supported and comfortable throne. Finding ourselves higher out of the water, we did need to use a longer kayak paddle than normal to get a more comfortable stroke. For features, it has just a single section of bungee across the front. However, the Bote website offers dozens of optional add-ons, from magnetic tumblers and slide-in cup holders to matching bucket coolers and waterproof speakers.

Construction Quality

We're not sure what “military grade PVC” actually means, but it is impressively thick and filled us with confidence about this boat's ability to withstand bumps along the way. We had no issues or worries dragging the Deus across beaches, in shallow waters, or over minor submerged obstructions. Even the case is made of thick material with beefy zippers that tower over most of the competition's case durability.

Should You Buy the Bote Deus Aero 11'?

This is where the Deus falters. It's a very expensive boat that still needs two paddles (one for kayaking and one for SUPing) and a PFD to be a complete package. It also doesn't track well as a kayak, and the sides catching wind and waves make us question it as a SUP. Like most hybrids, it tries to do a lot and doesn't do any one thing perfectly. However, it's a wonderfully comfortable leisure paddle craft that looks great and can be fully outfitted with matching accessories for a truly bougie boat. If you have the money to blow and access to calm waters, we know you'll still have a lot of fun using this unique craft.

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