| Innova kayaks have been a major brand name in the | | | | - Safari - The Safari is an extremely popular |
| inflatable kayak world for many years. They are well | | | | whitewater kayak that often seems to be sold out |
| known for excellent quality and construction as well as | | | | (due to popularity). It is extremely light weight and |
| for high performance inflatable kayaks. They are a | | | | compact and is ideal for traveling. It can handle up to |
| favorite for many and for good reason. | | | | class II rapids and is really best suited for an |
| Facts About Innova Kayaks | | | | intermediate to advanced paddler due to its |
| Innova has 8 different models of inflatable kayaks that | | | | narrowness and lack of stability. You need to know |
| are great for recreational flatwater use, to paddling | | | | how to control this kayak and if you can, it will perform |
| through ocean surf, to charging down a raging river. | | | | beautifully. |
| There is a boat for everyone and each comes with a | | | | - Seaker I & II - The Seakers are high end |
| great 2 year warranty. | | | | expedition sea kayaks. They are pricey and worth |
| Innova kayaks are sturdy and rugged and very | | | | every penny. They were not designed as a light weigh |
| resistant to abrasion. They can take quite a beating | | | | inflatable kayak (they weigh 60 pounds or more). They |
| with little more than a scuff mark to show for it. It is | | | | were marketed to compete with more expensive high |
| important though to protect the kayak from UV rays. | | | | end folding kayaks. They are a specialized boat for a |
| A UV protectant will help keep the color of the boat | | | | specialized paddler. |
| as well as help minimize the scuff marks. | | | | - Solar - The Solar is an open style inflatable kayak |
| Innova is working hard to make all of their kayaks | | | | that weighs a mere 24 pounds. It is an affordable, |
| PVC free. This is really important and speaks to the | | | | highly portable and easy to use kayak that would suit |
| integrity of the company. PVC has been shown to be | | | | beginner kayakers best. The backrest is not the |
| extremely harmful to the environment as well as to | | | | greatest and I would recommend adding in a more |
| our own health. At the moment all but four of Innova's | | | | comfortable seat. It comes with a removable tracking |
| models are PVC free and the rest will follow suit soon. | | | | fin that is important for better performance. |
| Innova Kayak Models | | | | - Sunny - The Sunny is my personal favorite of the |
| - Helios I & II - The Helios comes in a solo version | | | | Innova kayaks and in my opinion one of the best |
| (I) and a tandem version (II). It is a phenomenal closed in | | | | tandem inflatable kayaks on the market. For under |
| kayak that will handle ocean kayaking as well as lakes | | | | $1000 this kayak deliver speed, great tracking, comfort, |
| or calmer rivers (up to class II). It offers lots of storage | | | | lots of room for gear, kids or dogs. It weighs only 29 |
| space and also comes with an optional rudder that | | | | pounds and easy to bring with you anywhere in the |
| really helps for tracking in open water. It is extremely | | | | world. It comes with a removable tracking fin. |
| light weight as the solo weighs only 24 pounds and the | | | | - Traveler - This kayak has a semi rigid cockpit |
| tandem weighs 33 pounds. This makes them totally | | | | coaming as well as a spray skirt which makes it great |
| ideal for traveling and camping. | | | | for sea kayaking. It would not be best used in rough |
| - K1 & K2 - The K1 (solo) and K2 (tandem) are | | | | water though as it is not self-bailing. It will paddle best |
| super rugged whitewater inflatable kayaks. These | | | | on flatwater and provide a lot of protection from the |
| kayaks offer great control as they come equipped | | | | elements. The traveler is light weight and great for |
| with foot rests, thigh straps and a decent backrest. | | | | traveling. |
| This kayak has large bailing holes so it will never get | | | | Final Thoughts on the Innova Kayaks |
| swamped with water. It is excellent for expedition river | | | | In my opinion Innova makes some of the best inflatable |
| kayaking. | | | | kayaks on the market. They are not the top of the line |
| - Orinoco - The Orinoco is a very unique kayak. Its | | | | but they do offer excellent quality for a fairly |
| design makes it ideal for river trekking up to class IV | | | | affordable price. There is a boat for everyone and |
| rapids. It weighs 55 pounds and can be paddles from a | | | | with a little care they will likely last a lifetime. Innova |
| kneeling position using thigh straps or from a seated | | | | kayaks can be used for recreational paddling, |
| position on the bench. It is not recommended for | | | | whitewater paddling, sea kayaking, fishing, traveling, |
| excessive flatwater paddling as there is no real back | | | | camping, families and dogs. Compare the Innova |
| support. However for long river runs with tons of gear, | | | | kayaks to other inflatable kayak manufacturers to find |
| the Orinoco is sure to deliver. | | | | the best one that will suit your needs. |