Aqua Marina Tomahawk AIR-C 478 High Pressure Speed Inflatable Canoe - 3 Person

The Aqua Marina Tomahawk AIR-C 478 High-Pressure Inflatable Canoe is a rigid drop-stitch canoe for two or three paddlers, with a 260kg maximum payload, extra-long 478cm waterline and inflatable bow and stern keel sections for improved tracking. The package includes anti-skid bench seating, a third-person seat cushion, pump, backpack and two removable fins.

The AIR-C combines a 7cm drop-stitch hull and deck with three primary high-pressure chambers and two inflatable keel sections. Its adjustable seating system can be arranged for two paddlers with additional equipment space or three occupants using the removable drop-stitch cushion. The current model measures 478 × 88cm, weighs 28.5kg and has a maximum inflation pressure of 10 PSI.

Product Identification

• Brand: Aqua Marina
• Product range: Tomahawk
• Product name: Aqua Marina Tomahawk AIR-C High-Pressure Inflatable Canoe
• Model: AIR-C
• Product category: High-pressure inflatable speed canoe
• Maximum passengers: Three
• Recommended configuration: Two or three users
• Length: 478cm / 15ft 8in
• Width: 88cm / 35in
• Net weight: 28.5kg / 62.7lb
• Maximum payload: 260kg / 573lb
• Air chambers: 3 + 2
• Drain valves: Two
• Maximum air pressure: 10 PSI / 0.68 bar
• Drop-stitch thickness: 7cm / 2.8in
• Main construction: High-pressure drop-stitch PVC
• Tracking system: Inflatable bow and stern keel sections plus two removable fins
• Seating: Adjustable anti-skid benches and removable drop-stitch seat cushion
• Paddles included: No
• Quantity supplied: One complete AIR-C canoe package

What Is the Aqua Marina Tomahawk AIR-C Used For?

The Tomahawk AIR-C is designed for recreational canoe touring where load capacity, efficient tracking and a rigid paddling platform are priorities.

• Two-person recreational touring
• Three-person paddling trips
• Longer-distance canoe journeys
• Calm lakes and reservoirs
• Canals and inland waterways
• Calm or gently flowing rivers
• Sheltered estuaries
• Suitable sheltered coastal paddling
• Camping and touring equipment within the payload limit
• Paddlers who need compact storage compared with a rigid canoe

What Is Included?

• One Aqua Marina Tomahawk AIR-C inflatable canoe
• Two adjustable anti-skid bench seats
• One removable drop-stitch seat cushion
• Two slide-in canoe fins
• One Aqua Marina Liquid Air V1 double-action hand pump
• Inflation hose
• One CIRCUPACK zip transport backpack
• Repair patch
• Valve wrench
• Transparent hose for deflating the inflatable keel sections
• Factory-fitted carrying handles and safety grab handles
• Two integrated self-bailing drain valves

What Is Not Included?

• Canoe paddle or paddles
• Buoyancy aids or personal flotation devices
• Dry bags
• Waterproof phone case
• Additional seating
• Additional fins
• Electric inflation pump
• Personal rescue or signalling equipment
• Vehicle roof rack or tie-down equipment
• Paddling clothing or footwear

How Many People Can the AIR-C Carry?

The AIR-C has a published maximum capacity of three people and a maximum total payload of 260kg.

The payload includes all paddlers, clothing, paddles, food, drinking water, dry bags, camping equipment, safety equipment and every other item carried in the canoe.

The complete loaded canoe must remain within both the three-person limit and the 260kg maximum payload.

How Does the Two- or Three-Person Seating System Work?

For a two-person setup:

• Position one anti-skid bench towards the bow.
• Position the second bench towards the stern.
• Leave the central area available for luggage or touring equipment.
• Distribute equipment so the canoe remains level.

For a three-person setup:

• Retain the front and rear anti-skid benches.
• Fit the removable drop-stitch seat cushion in the central position.
• Keep all occupants and equipment within the 260kg load limit.

The benches slide into the canoe's mounting slots, allowing their positions to be adjusted. The central cushion can be removed when the space is needed for luggage rather than a third occupant.

What Is Drop-Stitch Construction?

The AIR-C uses drop-stitch construction for its hull and inflatable deck. Internal threads connect the outer surfaces of each chamber, allowing the chamber to retain a flat, rigid shape when inflated.

• Rigid canoe hull
• Reduced flex under load
• Firm deck and seating platform
• Efficient transfer of paddle effort
• Improved tracking
• Responsive handling
• Better stability when entering and leaving
• Compact deflated storage

The drop-stitch chambers must not be inflated beyond the published maximum pressure of 10 PSI.

What Does the 3 + 2 Air-Chamber Layout Mean?

• Two high-pressure side chambers
• One high-pressure inflatable deck or floor chamber
• One inflatable bow keel chamber
• One inflatable stern keel chamber

The three main drop-stitch chambers form the canoe body, while the two separate keel sections help shape the underside at the bow and stern.

How Do the Inflatable Keels Improve Tracking?

• Form a more defined V-shaped profile beneath the ends of the canoe
• Reduce sideways movement
• Help the canoe hold a straighter course
• Improve water flow beneath the bow and stern
• Reduce repeated corrective paddle strokes
• Support efficient touring over longer distances

The two removable fins provide additional straight-line tracking in suitable water depth.

How Does the Long Waterline Affect Performance?

• Improves straight-line tracking
• Maintains forward glide
• Reduces drag at touring speeds
• Carries two or three occupants efficiently
• Provides additional internal space for equipment
• Reduces the need for frequent steering corrections

What Are the Anti-Skid Benches?

• Slide into the canoe's mounting slots
• Support two- or three-person seating layouts
• Provide an elevated canoe-style seating position
• Improve access to the central cargo area
• Allow the canoe to be reconfigured without permanent fittings
• Provide a slip-resistant seating surface

What Is the Drop-Stitch Seat Cushion Used For?

The removable drop-stitch cushion provides the central seating position when the canoe is configured for three people.

It can be removed to create additional space for dry bags, camping equipment, food, water, clothing and other touring cargo.

How Do the Self-Bailing Drain Valves Work?

• Close the valves for dry, calm-water use where instructed.
• Open them when drainage is required and conditions are appropriate.
• Keep the openings clear of sand, weed and debris.
• Check the valve components before every launch.
• Close the valves before storage to prevent dirt entering the openings.

What Inflation Pressure Should Be Used?

• Maximum drop-stitch pressure: 10 PSI / 0.68 bar
• Keel chambers: Inflate according to the separate keel-valve procedure in the Aqua Marina manual

Do not use an unregulated air compressor, compressed air or CO2 to inflate the canoe.

How Should the AIR-C Be Set Up?

1. Unfold the canoe on a clean, level surface.
2. Inspect the hull, deck, valves and keel sections.
3. Connect the inflation hose and pressure gauge to the Liquid Air V1 pump.
4. Inflate the bow and stern keel sections according to the keel-valve procedure.
5. Inflate the side chambers in the sequence shown in the manual.
6. Inflate the deck or floor chamber.
7. Do not exceed 10 PSI in the drop-stitch chambers.
8. Close every valve cap securely.
9. Slide the anti-skid benches into the required positions.
10. Fit the central seat cushion when carrying a third occupant.
11. Install both fins where the water is sufficiently deep.
12. Check the two drain valves.
13. Distribute occupants and equipment evenly.
14. Obtain the required canoe paddles separately.

How Should the Canoe Be Loaded?

• Keep heavier equipment low and near the centre.
• Distribute passengers evenly from bow to stern.
• Secure all loose equipment.
• Keep the cockpit clear enough for safe entry and exit.
• Do not block the drain valves.
• Protect the hull from sharp equipment.
• Include all carried items in the payload calculation.
• Reposition passengers or luggage if one end sits excessively low.
• Do not exceed three occupants.
• Do not exceed 260kg total payload.

Safety and Use

• Read the current Aqua Marina manual before use.
• Wear a correctly fitted and approved buoyancy aid or personal flotation device.
• Check weather, wind, tide, current and water conditions.
• Do not use the canoe in high winds, strong currents, floodwater or dangerous tides.
• Remain within the three-person and 260kg limits.
• Distribute occupants and equipment evenly.
• Do not exceed 10 PSI.
• Do not tow the canoe behind a boat or vehicle.
• Keep children under direct adult supervision.
• Tell someone the intended route and expected return time.
• Carry suitable communication and rescue equipment.
• Do not paddle while affected by alcohol or drugs.
• Do not use the canoe as a life-saving appliance.
• Follow local access, navigation and water-safety regulations.

Care and Maintenance

• Rinse the canoe with fresh water after saltwater or dirty-water use.
• Remove sand, weed and debris from the deck, valves and drain openings.
• Rinse the fins, benches, cushion and pump fittings.
• Allow the canoe and accessories to dry completely.
• Inspect the drop-stitch surfaces for cuts, abrasion or punctures.
• Check the valves and seams for leakage.
• Inspect the keel sections for damage.
• Remove the fins and seating before folding.
• Deflate every chamber completely.
• Avoid repeatedly creating sharp folds in the same location.
• Store the canoe in its backpack in a dry, ventilated room.
• Keep it away from rodents and other animals.
• Protect it from prolonged sunlight, frost and excessive heat.
• Do not place heavy or sharp objects on the stored canoe.

Key Features

• Aqua Marina Tomahawk AIR-C model
• High-pressure inflatable speed canoe
• Two- or three-person seating configuration
• 478cm / 15ft 8in overall length
• 260kg maximum payload
• 28.5kg current published net weight
• 7cm drop-stitch hull and deck
• 10 PSI maximum pressure
• Three primary chambers plus two inflatable keel chambers
• Inflatable bow and stern tracking keels
• Long waterline for touring efficiency
• Two adjustable anti-skid bench seats
• Removable third-person seat cushion
• Cushion can be removed for additional cargo space
• Two self-bailing drain valves
• Two removable canoe fins
• EVA footpad
• Rubber carrying and safety grab handles
• Liquid Air V1 double-action pump included
• CIRCUPACK transport backpack included
• Paddles sold separately

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can the Tomahawk AIR-C carry?
The canoe has a maximum capacity of three people, subject to the total 260kg payload limit.

Can it be configured for two people?
Yes. The two anti-skid benches can be arranged for two paddlers, leaving the central section available for equipment.

How is the third person seated?
The third occupant uses the removable central drop-stitch seat cushion.

Can the seat cushion be removed?
Yes. It can be removed to create additional luggage space when the canoe is used by two people.

What is the current published net weight?
Aqua Marina's current product information lists the net weight as 28.5kg / 62.7lb.

What does 3 + 2 air chambers mean?
It refers to the two side chambers and deck chamber, plus separate bow and stern inflatable keel chambers.

What pressure should be used?
The high-pressure drop-stitch chambers have a maximum pressure of 10 PSI / 0.68 bar. Follow the separate instructions for the keel valves.

Are paddles included?
No. Paddles are not included in the current standard package.

Are the fins included?
Yes. Two removable canoe fins are included.

Is a pump included?
Yes. The package includes the Aqua Marina Liquid Air V1 double-action pump.

Does it include a transport bag?
Yes. A CIRCUPACK zip backpack is included.

Does the canoe have drain valves?
Yes. It has two self-bailing drain valves.

Is the AIR-C puncture-proof?
No. The drop-stitch construction must still be protected from sharp and abrasive objects.

Can it be used as a life-saving craft?
No. The AIR-C is recreational paddling equipment and is not a life-saving appliance.

Specifications

Select and load the AIR-C according to the three-person and 260kg limits. The maximum payload includes all occupants and equipment. Paddles and buoyancy aids are not included.

Select and load the AIR-C according to the three-person and 260kg limits. The maximum payload includes all occupants and equipment. Paddles and buoyancy aids are not included.