It takes two to tango…and you’ll be doing that aplenty in the new two-person Tango kayak-style packraft from Alpacka, the perfect tandem craft for speed and comfort on lakes, coastal areas, and easy-flowing rivers up to Class II.
“It’s our fastest tandem model and features a low-profile hull with a full length inflatable floor,” says Alpacka’s Emily Doig, whose team and ambassadors have put it through its paces from Alaska to the deserts of Utah and mountain lakes and streams of Colorado.
The rear paddler sits on a lace-in seat with an inflatable backrest for support, while the front paddler has an inflatable seat and backrest. Both paddlers have ample leg room for kayak-style paddling, storing gear and more.
Due to the lower-volume tubes and to maximize speed (at 12’1”, it paddles faster than most other tandem packrafts on the market), the Tango is not available in a self-bailing configuration. So it’s great for flatwater rivers and protected lakes and coastal areas, but not recommended for significant whitewater. It’s also best paddled tandem kayak style.
“It’s ideal for two adults or paddling with an older child who can do their own paddling and wants to stretch out their legs,” says Doig. “The extra speed also makes it an ideal adventure racing packraft.”
And it’s a breeze to pack and hike with, weighing just 12.9 lbs. with the Cargo Fly version that lets you store gear inside the tubes (its weight includes all components except inflation bag, repair kit, and internal dry bags for Cargo Fly). Its Cargo Fly internal storage system comes standard on the Tango, featuring an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat to allow you to store your gear inside the tubes. The system provides drier and more secure gear storage and improved paddling performance due to a lower center of gravity.
Internal Dry Bags may be purchased separately and are designed to work with the Cargo Fly system, slipping easily inside the Cargo Fly zipper and easy to organize along the inside of the tubes to balance the load. The Tango has internal attachments to clip the dry bags in place. The Tango is sized for our standard size internal dry bags. The company recommends one to two sets of bags for the Tango.
The boat also comes with four bow grab loops, four stern grab loops, two backrest strap plates, and four front seat attachments. Temper assist valves allow for easy inflation and deflation.
Expect patented Alpacka durability as well. The material is Alpacka’s trademark and proprietary made-in-the-USA 210-denier nylon hull and 840-denier ballistic nylon floor.
Want to pair it with a paddle? They say it goes great with the Aqua-Bound Manta Ray and Whiskey paddles.
Watch Video Here:
Sizing and Specifications
- Fabric: 210d Nylon
- Exterior Length: 145in | 368cm
- Exterior Width: 36.5in | 93cm
- Interior Length: 88in | 224cm
- Interior Width: 14in | 36cm
- Weight with Cargo Fly*: 12.9lb | 5.85kg
- Packed Size**: 21×9.5in | 53x24cm
- Max Capacity***: 600lb | 272kg
*Weight includes all components except inflation bag, repair kit, and internal dry bags for Cargo Fly.
**Packed size is a reference measurement based on folding each lengthwise edge of the boat to the center and rolling from the bow. There are many other methods of rolling and folding the boats that will result in a different packed size that may be more or less efficient for packing depending on the situation.
***Max Capacity is the maximum total weight (paddlers and cargo) that the boat can reasonably carry in flatwater under ideal conditions. Actual capacity for any given trip will vary widely based on the paddler’s skill and water conditions. Please review our weight carrying capacity guide for further details.
Info: https://alpackaraft.com/products/tango