QUICK STATS
- DIMENSIONS: 78” X 75”
- WEIGHT: 22.4 POUNDS
- MANUFACTURER: KWIK TEK/ AIRHEAD
- MODEL: AHGF-3
- MAX PEOPLE: THREE
- COVER MATERIAL: NYLON
- MAIN MATERIAL: HEAVY DUTY PVC
- FINS: TWO INFLATABLE STABILZER FINS
- BOSTON VALVE: YES
- HANDLES: NYLON WITH NEOPRENE KNUCKLE GUARDS
- WARRANTY: NINETY DAY LIMITED
- PRICE GUIDE: $150+
- OUR RATING: 4 STARS OUT OF 5
WHAT IS IT?
Hmm the words ‘virgin PVC bladder’ and ‘heavy duty’ all in the same description lead to some eyebrow raising questions about this inflatable, but rest assured because all is well.
Despite being shaped like a giant toilet seat, we at Beach Baby believe that you can have some good times aboard this tube.
WHO SHOULD USE IT?
The design, as pictured, is red and black and features a cartoon drawing of the eponymous airhead. It is clear from this, that this is intended for children, but is it only for kids?
Fortunately, the answer is no. Adults can also ride aboard this, although there is some debate about just how many are going to fit onto this inflatable.
Possibly three, possibly not, depending on how small and light you are, or how much you like your own personal space.
There are some views about the best way to distribute the weight on this inflatable, and how one ought to ride it.
Some advise keeping the weight to the back. When it is lighter there is more chance of going under, than when there is more weight to it.
Some do think that it is better for adults or teenagers, but then again, there are plenty of testimonials about it being great for kids of all ages. A lot depends on the exact balance and weight distribution.
As with all inflatables, please ensure all riders are wearing a flotation aid and are properly supervised. This, like all inflatables, shouldn’t be used otherwise, or by non swimmers.
Unusually perhaps, the consensus seems to suggest this is actually less likely to capsize at higher speeds than slower ones!!
WHAT IS ITS DURABILITY LIKE?
Remarkably good, is the quick answer to this. Most people who rated it, thought that it was highly durable, aside from the odd rogue product which was clearly defective in some way to begin with.
Customers have patched and mended any holes in the inflatable successfully, and some have even replaced the bladder as well.
This is good news as it means it is (largely) repairable. It should last at least a couple of seasons of reasonably harsh use, maybe longer- much longer even.
It probably is down to you, and how much use (and abuse) you give it.
WHAT IS THE USABILITY LIKE?
This is always important to know, if you are going to have some kind of epic struggle on your hands just to get it inflated, but no, this is pretty easy to get going, using an electric pump.
Fitted with a Boston valve, this should not present a problem in the sometimes arduous task of keeping it pumped up with air.
As is usual with all inflatables, there are a few customers who have had bad experiences with this aspect of it, but they are in the minority on the whole.
You will want to check that you are fully inflated at all times, but thanks to the Boston valve you should be up and down in no time.
IS THIS GOOD AS A POOL FLOAT?
What if you don’t really want to experience a roller coaster ride, and just want to, y’know, lounge about?
Well, of course it could be tied to something to float to, but there are some who feel this keeps its water wings better when it is actually moving.
Beach Baby also feels this is definitely meant to do what it says on this tin eg. be towed by a boat, rather than just float, freeform.
ARE THERE ANY ISSUES WITH THIS INFLATABLE?
Beach Baby has a saying, that no inflatable is infallible, unless it is the Pope’s, and this one is no exception.
You have got to expect occasionally, in a small instance of cases, that something might go wrong.
Fortunately this comes with a ninety day limited warranty from the manufacturer, which should be read carefully.
On the whole, Beach Baby feels that there aren’t any specific issues with this inflatable, that couldn’t occur to any other product out there.
SO WHAT DO WE LIKE ABOUT THIS INFLATABLE?
This is fun for all the family, and a good compromise between some of the – much bigger –inflatable towables out there, as well as the smaller ones.
It is not the cheapest, but it is pretty durable overall. The majority of customers we’ve seen in our research have scored this towable five stars…Beach Baby says that is a good enough statistic for us!
In terms of fun, this cannot be faulted, and is just as good for a group of small kids as it is for teenagers and adults to use.
You might want to figure out the best positions for all the riders, and keep the weight to the back, however, for the best results.
It is repairable and can be patched etc., and spare bladders can and have been successfully fitted.
Plenty of customers have been happy with the customer service that they have received from Kwik Tek.
Of course, no one wants a towable that never gets them wet, or never deviates in its smoothness of ride?
The thrills and literally, spills of the ride are all part of the fun. So yes, you will learn to duck and dive with this inflatable, but you wouldn’t want it any other way surely?
THE VERDICT IS…
This is as good an inflatable for you to splash about with this summer as you could hope to find out there.
No, it’s not perfect and it will not last forever, but it is good value for money, and on the whole pretty durable.
There’s a definite ‘knack’ to riding this, but once it has been mastered, it should be fun for all the family!
Airhead Ahgf-3 G-Force Inflatable Towable
