REASONS TO BUY
Multiple uses
Plenty of space on board
Great pump included
Durable construction
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor tracking
SUP configuration has sidewalls
Very heavy
High cost
Paddles not included
Bote Deus Aero 11' Review
A stylish convertible option with plenty of space for leisure paddling but lacking the details for serious missions
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: Best Inflatable Kayak of 2024
Our Verdict
The Bote Deus Aero converts between a sit-on-top kayak and a SUP for two types of paddling. It has tall, sturdy sides on the front that keep the bow storage area drier than average, while water easily drains out the back of the boat. A removable fin helps this extremely buoyant boat track like your average SUP. Though it doesn't come with either paddle you'll need, it includes a quality hand pump with dual action for faster filling, deflation capacity for easier take down, and a PSI gauge to know when your Deus is full. Though we love the multi-use concept, we're not totally sold that this watercraft does a great job in either mode. But if you want options for a leisurely day on the lake, you may just love the throne-like feel of the Deus.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Bote Deus Aero 11' | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $1,199 List $899.00 at Amazon | $1,021 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $670 List $669.00 at Amazon | $969.21 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $390 List $299.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A fashionable convertible boat with ample space for casual paddling but missing some aspects for serious excursions | Though not inflatable, this foldable kayak is an impressive performer and proven crowd-pleaser | This yak is among our favorites and it's built to last and perform at a high level | A heavy but excellent kayak that tracks well and can be used solo or tandem | An affordable and pleasant paddling experience with a friend or solo on calm waters |
| Rating Categories | Bote Deus Aero 11' | Oru Beach LT | Advanced Elements A... | Advanced Elements A... | Sea Eagle 370 Pro |
| Gliding and Tracking (25%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (20%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport and Set Up (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Bote Deus Aero 11' | Oru Beach LT | Advanced Elements A... | Advanced Elements A... | Sea Eagle 370 Pro |
| Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) | 55.4 lbs | 26.1 lbs | 33.25 lbs | 55.2 lbs | 42.8 lbs |
| Capacity | Single; 300 lb | Single; 300 lb | Single; 300 lb | Tandem; 550 lb | Tandem; 650 lb |
| Kayak Size (length x width) | 11' x 2' 9" | 12' 3" x 2' 6" | 10' 3" x 2' 9" | 15' x 2' 8" | 12' 6" x 2' 10" |
| Packed Size (length x width x height) | 36" x 21" x 15" | 32" x 28.5" x 11" | 33" x 16" x 15" | 35" x 21" x 12" | 36" x 20" x 8" |
| Included Accessories | Pump, repair kit | Repair pieces | Repair kit | Repair kit | Foot pump, repair kit, paddles |
| Material/Construction | "Military-grade" PVC | Double-layered polypropylene, 10-year UV treatment | Aluminum ribs in bow & stern, PVC-coated polyester | Aluminum ribs in bow & stern, PVC tarpaulin, 3 layers rip-stop material | 38 mil PVC |
| Features | Adjustable foot brace, front bungees, carry handles, repair kit, converts to SUP (with sides) | Adjustable foot brace and backrest, bulkheads, carry handles | Adjustable backrest, bungees, pressure relief valve in floor, skeg | Paddle keepers, seatback pockets, bungee straps, D-ring attachment points, converts to solo boat | Seatback pockets, bow & stern grablines, drainage hole, adjustable seats, two small tracking fins, converts to solo boat |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
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
The Bote Deus looks like a sit-on-top kayak and handles like a SUP.
Credit: Penney Garrett
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.
The sides of this boat do not come off. So while it tracks like you're paddling a SUP, the waves and wind hit you like you're paddling a high profile kayak.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
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.
Though its performance as a kayak and a SUP aren't blowing us away, we do enjoy lounging all day in and on this interesting watercraft.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The removable seat secures solidly in place and is simple to remove.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
Paddling the Deus is far more fun than rolling its 55 pound case (not including the paddles) down a wooded path and across a sandy beach.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
Sitting atop this convertible kayak had us feeling like we were sitting atop a fancy throne - bougie and decadent.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
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.
The materials used to make this convertible craft are thick and sturdy. Even the add-ons, like this bottom skeg are solid and easy to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
What Other Inflatable Kayaks Should You Consider?
If the Bote Deus caught your eye as a "two boats in one" option, that's fair. If what you want out of your kayaking and SUPing experience is feeling like you're on your own leisure cruise and you like outfitting your gear with all the coolest matching accessories, you'll probably enjoy the Deus. Otherwise, consider looking at our best inflatable SUP review for that piece and keep your boat just a boat. You can save some money on that side by considering the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame or the Aquaglide Deschutes 110. If you're not convinced by the whole inflatable thing but love innovation, the origami-inspired Oru Beach LT is our favorite, followed by the segmented Pakayak Bluefin 142. Both handle like a dream and are highly durable.
—
Maggie Nichols
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