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How do I work the
valves?
Please see our instruction sheet --
Valves in your Boat
(pdf)
How many air chambers are
there?
Each boat has three main air
chambers., plus other smaller chamber for seats decks, or footrests.
What is Nitrylon™
fabric, and how is it different from PVC?
Nitrylon™ is a
lamination of nitrile synthetic rubber and natural rubber over a 1,200-denier,
low stretch polyester fabric. Nitrylon™ is very puncture and abrasion
resistant. It is considerably stronger, easier to patch, performs better in
cold weather, and is much more abrasion resistant than PVC. Some of our models,
the K1, K2, and Seakers, use polyester reinforced PVC (Mirasol ™) for the
side chambers. Mirasol™ has better structural stiffness for long tubes
than Nitrylon™.
How resistant is the boat to
abrasion?
The Innova Kayaks are extremely abrasion resistant.
Scuff marks on the bottom are normal and don't harm the strength of the fabric.
As with any inflatable, avoid dragging the boat. The UV protectant UV Tech, by
McNett Corporation, is useful in keeping the color and luster of the boat and
it also minimizes scuff marks.
Are the boats self bailing?
The Safari, K1, K2, and Orinoco are self-bailing, but the other boats are not.
The Traveller and Seakers are enclosed cockpit designs to be used with a spray
skirt.
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How do I inflate the boat and how long does
it take?
Inflate the chambers starting with the floor, then the
side tubes, then the decks. Using the Bravo 1 foot pump, this will take 5-10
minutes. Other types of pumps can be used, like the K100 high-performance
manual pump, or the Scoprega Superturbo 12-volt electric inflation pump.
Compressed air should never be used. Most cigarette lighter electric pumps do
not have enough power to fully inflate the Innova kayaks to their recommended
pressure.
The decks on the Helios and Vagabond, since they get heated
easily by direct sunlight, should be kept soft. The decks in the Helios are
also more comfortable to sit against when not too stiff.
What is the proper inflation?
All models take 3 psi, with a couple of exceptions. The K1, K2, Orinoco, and
Seaker models have high-performance side chambers that should be inflated to
3.7 psi. The decks of the Helios and Vagabond should be soft, since they are
always exposed to the sun and you need to allow for some expansion of the
heated air.
We offer a Scoprega inline pressure gauge to check the
correct pressure when inflating the chambers.
If you do not have a
gauge, the Bravo 1 foot pump can reliably be used without danger of
overinflating the chamber. After you have firmly inflated the chamber so that
stepping on the foot pump no longer pushes air into the chamber, reach down and
squeeze the chamber with your hand, registering in your mind what it feels
like. Your hand can detect about a 10% change in pressure, and you will be able
to tell if the pressure increases, say by the boat heating in the sun. Be
prepared to release excess air if the chamber starts feeling
drum-tight.
How do I get into the boat?
When possible, straddle and sit down. If not, use a paddle as cross brace and
get your weight centered over the middle of the boat before sitting
down.
In the Helios what are the small inflatable
tubes with nylon straps?
These are the stretchers or foot braces.
They are used to push against with your legs to keep a more upright paddling
posture, and they are adjustable in length. An efficient sweep paddle stroke
uses a twisting motion of the torso (rotate your trunk pushing the paddle)
requiring bracing of the feet. This paddling motion will reduce fatigue of the
arms.
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What water conditions can the boats
handle?
The Sunny is rated for up to
Class I river conditions. The
Helios is rated for Class II. The
Safari and Vagabond are rated for up to Class III, and the Traveller, Orinoco,
K1, and K2 are rated for up to Class
IV conditions. (For a complete description of these water condition
ratings, please see International Scale
of river difficulty.)
What is the best paddle to
use?
Except for the Vagabond and Orinoco canoes, use a 2-bladed
kayak paddle (~230 cm length) for most flat water. If you are shorter than
5'-5" you might consider a paddle length of 220 cm. Narrower hulls, like that
on the Safari, make it easier to paddle with a shorter paddle. A 4-piece paddle
is handier to pack than a 2-piece paddle. If using the boat in shallow streams
or fast rivers requiring maneuvering, pick a shorter paddle with a strong blade
to fend off rock dings. Innova carries several models of easy-to-pack AquaBound
4-part paddles.
Are rudders available?
A rudder
is included with the Seaker models. An optional rudder is available for the
Helios models. The rudder is useful when paddling the Helios as a double when
heavily loaded while touring on open water. The rudder keeps the boat tracking
straight so that all paddle strokes can go toward thrust, not steering. The
rudder also helps in crosswinds when more lightly loaded. When paddling the
boat as a single, or when descending swift rivers, the rudder is not needed.
Some experienced paddlers eschew the rudder in all conditions, but we generally
recommend it for touring doubles. The Safari, Solar, and Sunny come with
removable tracking fins.
How do the boats handle in the
wind?
Many of the Innova boats are low-profile in design and
present minimal area to the wind. For example, the Helios has been raced in
30-knot winds and 4-foot seas, and it actually performs better than some rigid
kayaks in these windy, rough conditions when loaded and trimmed properly. If
you are paddling a Helios solo in a crosswind, the bow will tend to weathercock
away from the wind. You can reduce this weathercocking by using a rudder and/or
putting 20-25 pounds of gear in the forward cockpit.
Can I get back into the Innova boats if I
fall out?
A great advantage to the open-deck Innova boats is the
ease of reentry. You can use this advantage for snorkeling or swimming. When
you want to get back in, just roll the boat upside down to dump whatever water
has collected, turn it rightside up, and grab the side of the cockpit and
flutter kick and scramble aboard like you would climb out of a swimming
pool.
How should I dress when
paddling?
You should dress for the water temperature, not the air
temperature. Use common sense about your possible exposure. Will you be
paddling close to shore? How cold is the water? When paddling in open, cold
waters, wear suitable clothing for immersion such as a dry suit, or at a
minimum, dry pants or farmer john wet suit bottoms. When enjoying a flatwater
paddle in benign conditions, take along a small towel to mop-up paddle drips
and keep the cockpit dry. Always wear a Personal
Floatation Device (PFD/lifejacket)!
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| Care and Maintenance
Questions |
How do I clean the boat?
Use
soap and water. Do not use solvents of any kind.
How should I store the boat?
Before folding and putting the boat into its bag, make sure it is clean and
dry.
Can I leave the boat inflated when
stored?
Yes, however, do not store the boat in direct sunlight
since long-term UV exposure is tough on any fabric.
How long will the boat last?
With proper care, Innova boats will last a lifetime.
How can I keep the boat from fading, and what
can I do about scuffs?
Use the UV protectant UV Tech, by McNett
Corporation. This material should be applied regularly to add luster, deepen
the color of the fabric and help hide scuff marks. Don't use ArmorAll on the
fabric as this product doesn't provide adequate UV protection and leaves an
oily residue that can interfere with patching.
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What is the warranty? 2
years.
Are replacement parts available?
Yes, contact Innova Recreational Products.
Where do I go to get the boat
repaired? Contact Innova Recreational Products.
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