Pelican’s Ram-X is a time-tested, ultra-durable material used in the construction of recreational kayaks and canoes. This reinforced polyethylene plastic is used exclusively in Pelican boats, including the popular Pelican Sentinel kayak and Pelican 15.5 canoe.
This Pelican Ram-X review provides an overview of why the material is an outstanding choice for paddlers looking for a bombproof, no-maintenance kayak or canoe for many applications.
Wear A Life Jacket
- Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
- Always wear a USCG-approved Level 70 or Type III life jacket designed for paddling.
Best Pelican Ram-X kayaks
Pelican Sentinel 100X
Boat Specs
Length: 10′ 0″
Width: 30″
Weight: 40 lb
Capacity: 300 lb
MSRP: $349 USD
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The Sentinel 100X recreational kayak features an open cockpit and weighs only 43 lb, perfect for the regular paddler who likes to enjoy various surrounding waterways. Easy to carry, this sit-on-top kayak includes basic features designed to make your experience enjoyable like molded footrests and an adjustable Ergoform padded backrest with seat cushion.
Pelican Argo 100EXO
Boat Specs
Length: 10′ 0″
Width: 28″
Weight: 37 lb
Capacity: 275 lb
MSRP: $349 USD
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The Argo 100X EXO recreational kayak is versatile, fun and ideal for paddlers looking for a stable and relaxing experience on lakes, slow-moving rivers and calm waters. The twin-arched multi chine hull offers excellent stability giving you a secure and steady ride. It also makes it incredibly easy to get in and out of the kayak. Added floating blocks on each side of the kayak ensures you safety and peace of mind during your ride. Holds a maximum capacity of 275 lb.
Pelican Argo 100XP Angler
Boat Specs
Length: 10′ 0″
Width: 29″
Weight: 41 lb
Capacity: 300 lb
MSRP: $469 USD
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The Argo 100XP Angler is specifically tailored to the paddler looking to regularly use their kayak fishing or on recreational expeditions. It is also great for a family of kayaking enthusiasts, each with their own preference on how to spend their time on the water. With ergonomic carrying handles and at only 41 lb., you will be able to easily carry the Argo 100XP Angler to wherever you decide to go.
Pelican River Gorge 130XP
Boat Specs
Length: 12′ 11″
Width: 34″
Weight: 73 lb
Capacity: 500 lb
MSRP: $949 USD
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The River Gorge 130XP tandem kayak includes a quick-lock box and a storage platform with bungee cords. It also features molded footrests, two bottle holders, and four accessory eyelets for added convenience. With its light weight of 73 lb and its Ergofit G2 adjustable seat, this tandem kayak will undoubtedly offer you beautiful moments as a duo on the water!
Pelican 15.5 Canoe
Boat Specs
Length: 15′ 6″
Width: 37.5″
Weight: 81 lb
Capacity: 800 lb
MSRP: $469 USD
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The Pelican 15.5 canoe is the ideal compromise between tracking and maneuverability. Shorter than an expedition canoe, it is perfect for solo or tandem rides. This canoe features three molded bench seats, vertical rod holders, drink holder and carrying handles. Made of RAM-X, it is built to last. The aluminum beartail canoe paddles are must have accessories to fully enjoy your Pelican 15.5 and create memorable exploration stories worth sharing with everyone.
Carry A Waterproof VHF Radio, Use Your Phone Only As A Backup
- A handheld VHF marine band radio allows you to communicate with the Coast Guard and other boat traffic. Use Channel 16 only for hailing and emergencies. The radio should be waterproof, because it is virtually certain to get wet.
- A cell phone, even if in a waterproof case or sealable bag, might not work, so don’t rely on it as the primary means of emergency communication.
What is Ram-X?
Technically, Pelican Ram-X is defined as “crosslink thermoformed high-density polyethylene.” That mouthful of jargon essentially means Ram-X is a heat-molded plastic that gains strength and rigidity from its multiple layers. The material was engineered by the Coleman company for use in its Ram-X canoes in the 1980s; early testing involved deliberately wrapping Ram-X canoes around boulders in whitewater rapids and bombarding the material with repeated impacts from 69-pound rocks (the same impact crushed and dented fiberglass and aluminum canoes). Ram-X was revolutionary for its supreme toughness and cheap price.
Today, this proprietary material is exclusively used by Pelican Sport in recreational kayaks and canoes. Pelican Ram-X is noted for its outstanding durability and long lifespan. Its stiffer crosslink construction makes it more rigid (and therefore more efficient to paddle) than many other polyethylene plastics and a UV-resistant outer layer allows it to tolerate outdoor storage.
Pelican Ram-X attributes and applications
Ram-X is designed for recreational paddlers looking for ultimate durability in a budget-friendly kayak or canoe. Its primary attributes are impact-resistance and the ability to rapidly regain its original shape after being deformed. Ram-X bounces back from impact, whether it’s been run over by a pickup truck or tacoed around a mid-river rock.
Although you may never desire to paddle a whitewater river, these bombproof characteristics translate to worry-free use: A Pelican Ram-X kayak easily withstands repeated rough use, such as being dragged over shoreline rocks. With good UV-resistance it’s also fine to store your Ram-X kayak or canoe where it is exposed to the elements. What’s more, most Ram-X boats retail for less than $1,000.
Such great impact resistance comes with certain drawbacks, both of which are most often secondary considerations for recreational paddlers. First, Pelican Ram-X (like all other polyethylene plastics used in recreational kayaks and canoes) is flexible compared to more expensive composite laminates. This means that the hull tends to flex a little while paddling, making the boat less efficient in the water. However, Pelican has made solid efforts to overcome this drawback by installing a hull-stiffening aluminum rod along the keel of its Ram-X canoes and adopting more rigid hull shapes in its kayaks.
Second, all polyethylene boats involve a trade-off between extreme durability and weight. Like other plastic kayaks and canoes, Pelican Ram-X can only be described as heavy compared to more advanced (and more expensive) materials.
Because of these characteristics Pelican Ram-X boats are perfect for families, cottage paddlers, kayak anglers and river canoeists. If you don’t mind a heftier load and want a recreational kayak or canoe that lives up to the label of being “virtually indestructible,” then a Ram-X boat is for you.
Ram-X pros and cons
Pros
- Super tough, able to withstand pretty much anything a recreational paddler can throw at it
- Only slightly more expensive than comparable (and often less durable) entry-level boats
- Hull shapes on boats made with Ram-X have complex arches and ridges to maximize rigidity for paddling performance while also retaining toughness
Cons
- Modest weight penalty, but weights are comparable with other plastic recreational boats
Pelican Ram-X kayak accessories and outfitting
Most Pelican Ram-X kayaks are available in two categories of outfitting, akin to a base model and luxury edition in cars. For example, the Pelican Sentinel 100X features a more basic seat and fewer outfitting features than the Pelican Sentinel 100X EXO model (which includes a removable waterproof storage pod for the stern and an upgraded seat). The various lineups of Ram-X fishing kayaks and Ram-X tandem kayaks have distinguishing features between similar models, allowing buyers to match comfort features with their budget while still retaining paddling performance and Ram-X durability.
Pelican Ram-X kayak covers (also known as kayak cockpit drapes) are designed to keep moisture and creepy-crawlies out of your kayak. They are great add-on accessories, available from retailers, particularly if you plan to store your kayak outdoors. Other popular Pelican Ram-X kayak parts include replacement Pelican Ram-X kayak drain plugs (a cheap accessory that’s essential to keep your kayak watertight) and upgraded Pelican Ram-X kayak seats. Seats include fishing-specific models and others that can be removed for use outside of the kayak—a great way to add comfort and versatility.
Pelican Ram-X kayak specs
The specs for Pelican kayaks made with Ram-X are comparable to other recreational kayaks, with sit-on-top models typically under 10 feet in length and the decked, sit-in models residing in the 8- to 10-foot range. These compact shapes help keep the weight of Ram-X kayaks relatively low and maximize stiffness in the hull to improve your paddling experience.
Weights for single Ram-X kayaks are generally under 50 pounds, with tandems tipping the scales at less than 70. Ram-X fishing kayaks weigh roughly the same, depending on accessories.
Pelican Ram-X kayaks strike a good balance between durability, function and price. Pelican Ram-X kayak prices are typically under $1,000, with the most basic, budget-friendly single-paddler models like the Pelican Argo 100X (sit-inside) and Pelican Sentinel 100X (sit-on-top) priced at $465 and $495, respectively. Prices for angler models range from $320 to $1,890, with many options in the $600 to $750 range.
Regardless of your body shape and size, you’ll easily find a Ram-X kayak that fits. Pelican Ram-X weight limits are typically around 275 pounds, with some larger single paddler models featuring maximum capacities of 300 pounds. The weight limit on tandem kayaks is approximately 500 pounds.
Where to buy
Pelican Ram-X boats are widely available through big-box retailers and large outdoor stores all across North America, including Costco. The great durability and longevity of Ram-X boats means you can often find great deals on used recreational canoes and kayaks on platforms such as Craigslist and Kijiji.
Feature photo: Courtesy Pelican
