Type: Inflatable # of Seats: 2 Weight Capacity: 396 lbs
Innova Helios II Kayak Quick Facts Juicy Details
The Helios II EX tandem inflatable kayak is a 12’ 6” kayak that is has a carrying capacity of 2 people (396 lbs). It has a total weight of 36 lbs. and folds easily to fit into the included drybag/backpack. The Helios II EX is made of rubber coated 1200 denier nitrylon fabric thus making it rugged, easy to clean, fast drying and resistant to puncture and abrasion. Helios EX also has a deck netting and gear bungees together with an adjustable footrest.
The Helios Inflatable Kayak has small uninflated dimensions and a weight of 36 lbs. thus easy to carry in the included backpack. Also, Helios EX is easy to set up and inflate since each Helios tandem kayak comes with the necessary attachments and a pump to ensure you attach it and get it into water easily. It uses push button air valves for inflation to make sure that no air is lost during this process. This feature makes inflation faster. In fact setup and inflating takes 10 minutes on average.
Has a high stability. The Helios II EX kayak has a well-balanced hull allowing good tracking and stability. Even at high speed, the hull is still well balanced thus giving you full traction. In fact, it remains stable even if you paddle standing.
Helios Inflatable Kayak Quick Considerations
Pros
Highly stable; has river rating of class
Comfortable
Has a spacious storage space
Light in weight
Durable; it is resistant to puncture and abrasion
Cons
Has no seats and sitting on the kayak’s floor can make you wet
Should You Buy the Innova Helio II Inflatable Kayak?
The Helio Ex II inflatable is a good buy and an extremely stable kayak with plenty of storage room, and not to mention, maneuvers well.
Type: Inflatable # of Seats: 2 Weight Capacity: 550 lbs
About BIC YAKKAir HP2 Fishing Inflatable Kayak
Good fishing holes are hard to find – often, you find yourself having to travel to several to find the haul you want. Fishing kayaks that are light, mobile, and easy to inflate/deflate are crucial to making sure you do not come home empty handed.
The BIC YAKKAir HP2 fishing inflatable kayak is made for this purpose – an ultra-light, easy to transport vessel that does not sacrifice functionality, durability, and strength. Developed in France, the entire boat kit (boat, footrests, backrest, pump, and bag) weighs in at just 44 pounds, and fits neatly in the included wheeled backpack. Transporting it no longer requires a roof rack or unwieldy trailer – the car trunk will do just fine.
How Does the BIC YAKKAir HP2 Fishing Perform?
But how does it perform? Just as reliably as a hard-shelled kayak, in fact – its PVC skin, high pressure keel, and solid PVC floor form a V-shaped hull that provides enough room for 2 adults, as well as a variety of accessories such as rod holders, safety grab lines, paddle attachments, and footrests. Paddles, however, are not included in the boat kit.
Kayak fishing is a sport that is growing in popularity, due to its convenience and ease, particularly attractive to beginner and novice fishing enthusiasts. The BIC YAKKAir HP2 Fishing Kayak makes it easy to not only transport and set up for a day of fishing, but also cleanup and maintenance.
From its sturdy material to its light weight, all it requires is a quick rinse and dry to make it ready for the next fishing trip. This is also an incredibly versatile boat that allows it to not only be perfect for fishing, but also perfect to travel with as well. Road trips to national parks will never be the same again – you can now actually boat in that pristine lake or river, instead of just admire it from the banks.
Should You Buy the BIC YAKKAir Fishing Kayak?!
Have a look at our quick points and make up your mind if you would like to be a proud owner of the BIC YAKKAir Fishing Kayak. 🙂
Pros:
Light-weight and compact
Sturdy construction
Nice design
Cons:
Not self-bailing
Best only for flat water or recreational use
Looking for other inflatable kayak options? Check out our kayaks guide!
Is this your first inflatable kayak purchase and you feel intimidated? Well, we constructed a nice guide to help you understand what you should be looking out for: Inflatable Kayak Guide.
Advanced Elements StraitEdge Two-Person Inflatable Kayak Overview
The Advanced Elements StraitEdge2 is an inflatable tandem addition to the Advanced Elements line of kayaks. This versatile kayak takes less than 10 minutes to be fully inflated and lasts an entire day. It holds 3 people at most but is designed for solo rides with simple adjustments. It hold a maximum of 227 kilograms which is relatively heavy.
Features of the Advanced Elements StraitEdge2 Tandem Inflatable Kayak
Is the Advanced Elements StraitEdge2 Kayak Designed Well?
The AE StraitEdge Two-Person Inflatable Kayak has been built with an aluminum bow and stern frame which serves to improve tracking in open water. It has an inbuilt valve which allows it to shed water in high seas and open waves. The valve can also be closed in calm water for a more quiet sail.
The kayak can either be used as a tandem or a solo sit-on convertible kayak.
This is made possible by the adjustable seats which can be moved to the center for more solo comfort.
The Advanced Element StraitEdge Kayak is made of two layers heavy duty PVC tarpaulin which is strong and puncture resistant. The advantage of this is that it allows you to drag your kayak along the beach without the fear of damage. Its strength also means that even if you bump on rocks during kayaking, there is no risk of water flooding the kayak.
The PVC build makes the kayak very durable. You can be assured of service that will be no less than 4 years. Check out this video:
Is the AE StraitEdge2 Kayak Comfortable?
The kayak is made of breathable foam mesh which is very comfortable. The seats are made with padded mesh to allow for a full day kayaking activity without spinal strain.
What’s Any Kayak Without Stability & Maneuverability?!
This kayak is fairly stable and may be used on level 3 whitewaters. This makes it an attractive kayak for professional kayaks and for individuals engaging in kayaking as a social sport.
The kayak also has thigh straps to ensure you are able to sail in a straight line.
It is stable enough to allow a wine glass to settle on it without toppling over. This stability feature is especially attractive for amateurs who might be afraid of the experience. It helps to build confidence.
How Would You Store the StraitEdge2 Person Kayak?
The kayak comes with a waterproof duffel bag addition. This allows you to deflate it and comfortably store it in your trunk or garage. This also allows you to be able to carry it along for camping trips in the wild. It can also be checked in as luggage when flying.
Summary of Unique Features!
The kayak has rod holders on the side. This means you can double up your outdoor water experience with fishing.it also reduces the weight that would come with adding an additional rod crate.
It comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
The additional items that come with this kayak include:
Folding seats
A repair kit
Manufacturers own manual
Pros
Easy to set up and comes pre-assembled in the factory.
Its stability is a selling point
It takes only ten minutes to fully deflate it.
Safety is enhanced by the open water tracking system.
Easily portable
Cons
When first used, it tends to steer off in the opposite direction. This will need a while to get used to.
Relatively slower compared to other kayaks of the same weight and length.
How Much Does the Advanced Edge StraitEdge2 Inflatable Kayak Cost?
There are many different offers for this kayak and it depends on where you buy it. For a very sturdy two person kayak (also known as a tandem kayak), it falls in the typical range. However, Advanced Elements is not new to the game and makes some of the best inflatable kayaks available on the market!
Do People Like the StraitEdge2?
Most customers that have bought the StraitEdge tandem kayak have voiced their appreciation of its stability and versatile nature. The durability of the kayak makes it a once in a lifetime decision that you will definitely not regret.
Is the Advanced Elements StraitEdge2 Worth It?
With all, that’s been said above it’s quite clear that the Advanced Elements StraitEdge2 is a versatile and handy kayak for anyone who loves kayaking and canoeing. Its convertible nature coupled with the stability are a pull factor for family kayaking and group adventures.
Well, buying a kayak can be challenging if it’s your first time. Sometimes pictures and videos help, so check out the following video to see how easy it is to set up the Advanced Elements StraitEdge2:
Even better, the next video goes into details about the parts of the Advanced Elements StraightEdge 2 and its build, plus more:
Inflatable: Yes Inflation Time: 7 minutes NMMA Certified: Yes # of Seats: 2 Maximum Weight Capacity: 635 lbs. Inflated Size: 12’6” L x 36” W x 8” H
The Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable 2 Person kayak Pro Package is among the top rated tandem inflatable Kayaks from Sea Eagle. It is quite an advancement from the previous cheaper models such as the Sea Eagle 330 and Sea Eagle 370 tandem kayaks. It is sleeker, faster and lighter than its predecessors. The sleek curved shape makes it a truly high-performance kayak.
Above all, the most important features of the sea eagle fast track inflatable 2 person kayak is its safe and more stable design that makes it much more sophisticated than the previous models.
Specific Features of the Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable Kayak
Does Fast Track’s Build Hold Up?
It is made of a reinforced 1000 denier material which is resistant to UV rays and salty sea water. This makes it durable even if left outside for long periods of time. Additionally, this kayak has wide overlapping seams and 4 air chambers for extra safety.
How Is This Inflatable Tandem With Maneuverability and Stability?
The Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable 2 Person Kayak Pro Package can comfortably maneuver through ponds, lakes and ocean bay areas. Alternatively, this kayak is guaranteed to paddle safely in up to class 2 rating rivers. Rivers above this rating are dangerous to paddle with this kayak.
The exciting combination of the innovative keel, the rear skeg, and the high-pressure drop stitch floor provides good tracking. This kayak, therefore, paddles straight in almost all conditions due to the improved stability. It is safe to paddle in slow streams, bay areas and windy lakes.
Storage
Since this kayak has small deflated dimensions and weight of 31” x 19” x 8” and 32 pounds respectively, it is easy to store and carry around. Additionally, it is made from a strong fabric that cannot be damaged easily by weather conditions even if stored outside.
Specifically, the 1000 Denier Reinforced Fabric is resistant to UV light and acid rain.
Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable 2 Person Kayak’s High-Pressure Drop Stitch Floor
One of the sleekest features of the Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable 2 Person kayak is its drop stitch floor. This is a separate air chamber that can be inflated to very high pressure making it as rigid as a solid floor since it is designed using the drop stitching technique. One can stand on this floor and still be stable although it has seats for enhanced comfort of the riders.
It is easy to set up!
Setting up the Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable Tandem Kayak is so simple and can be done by anyone without experiencing problems. Using the designated foot pump, inflation takes approximately 7 minutes. Although the set-up is so simple, Sea Eagle has created a video showing how to do it correctly here:
The Fast Track NeedleKnife’ Keel
This is the feature that gives this kayak the name Fast Track. The presence of an inflatable keel at the bow keeps the kayak straight regardless of the prevailing conditions. The keel is streamlined making it easy for the kayak to cut through the water with enormous force thus preventing resistance. This helps the kayak to move at high speed even in stormy conditions.
The 1000 Denier Reinforced Fabric
To most people, this may not say a lot about this material. However, this means that the material making the kayak is so strong that running a Jeep over it or hitting it with a hammer would not harm it. This helps the Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable Tandem kayak resist all sorts of scratches that may result from paddling in shallow rivers or sharp objects present in water bodies.
Sea Eagle Fast Track Quick Decision PROS Vs. Cons
Pros
It is among the safest inflatable kayaks available in the market today.
It is durable since the 1000 denier reinforced fabric resists all sorts of damage.
It is very stable and rigid making it suitable even in stormy conditions.
Cons
It is fairly expensive but if you’re looking for durability, this is a great option.
Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable Kayak Conclusion
The Sea Eagle Fast Track Inflatable Kayak is a high-quality kayak. It is very stable, durable, and rigid. Although it is a little bit expensive than other kayaks, its quality surpasses the extra bucks it is worth.
The Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak is designed for recreational family use catering for all shapes and sizes who want to spend some fun hours on the water. It arrives in a backpack, inflates easily with the help of a pump, is lightweight to handle and is ready to hit the water in no time.
Of durable materials, the FireFly inflatable kayak is well designed and produced by the renowned company Advanced Elements, made of durable materials. Whether you want to paddle around lakes or drift down calm rivers this little kayak will give you hours of pleasure performing well in its class. Essentially it is an easily transportable compact lightweight recreational kayak and it has a number of features that make it perfect for the job.
Is the Advanced Elements Firefly Portable?
As the name suggests, the Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak is extremely portable. You won’t have to think about fitting a roof rack to your car as it stows easily in any car boot and there are no storage complications as the FireFly will store away in a garage or even a closet at home. As a traveler myself, I love anything that comes in a bag, in this case a nifty breathable fabric duffle bag to ensure your Firefly kayak dries out properly after use. Also included are a repair kit and owner’s manual. It goes without saying – read it.
Does The Advanced Elements FireFly Inflate Easily?
It is easy to inflate although but you do need to use a pump if to make the job practical. Fitted with twistlok valves as well as high flow spring valves, the Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak is super swift to blow up.
Getting the inflation pressure correct is important as, if the Firefly is overinflated, the cockpit space will be significantly reduced and the kayak performance will be greatly affected. This is also the case if underinflated. It is possible to set the correct psi levels without a gauge because of visual markers however use of a gauge is recommended. Deflation is also easy, which can be important at the end of a long enjoyable day when you don’t want to be struggling to deflate your kayak.
At 16 lbs weight it is light so almost anyone can handle it at any stage, especially for those petite independent women or small teenagers. Also attached are molded rubber grip handles that facilitate moving the FireFly inflatable kayak around with ease.
As for durability despite it being an inflatable, the Advanced Elements FireFly, offers a high level of durability with its PVC tarpaulin hull, welded perimeter seam, 600 D polyester cover, as well as heavy-duty PVC main chamber. It has good water clearance too so those who do find themselves over rocks can navigate with some confidence and it is durable enough to survive a few bounces against all but the roughest rocks.
Is The Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak Stable and Able?
Once on the water the Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak has a few features that are important as an entry level or recreational kayak. It is relatively wide so that gives it extra stability for inexperienced or nervous paddlers who only have to concentrate on staying centered.
Despite the fact inflatables usually do not track well in the water, Advanced Elements have dealt with this problem by utilizing fixed rigid forms that help the FireFly kayak to cut through waves and stay on course. In-built into the cover are rigid bow and stern forms, plus a landing plate and tracking fin also to aid the kayak’s performance. Speed is limited compared to rigid models however the Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak is designed for relaxing recreation.
The following video shows how easy it is to set up the Advanced Elements Firefly:
Paddling and maneuvering the FireFly is easy because of the features added by Advanced Elements that ensure FireFly is responsive and sensitive as any inflatable in the water. The lightweight cover material means it is very maneuverable compared to heavier inflatables.
Note though: because of the extra width it is probably best to purchase a longer paddle than one would normally use to make sure you have enough to reach over the sides, possibly 4-5” longer than normally recommended for your height. The FireFly is specified for paddlers up to 250 lbs so it can take a fair pounding for its size.
Planning on the side of safety, Advanced Elements have made the FireFly from bright yellow material to ensure you are seen on the water by passing craft. On the same note, because the FireFly is so stable in the water, if you do fall out for any reason, it is easy enough to clamber back in regardless of how inelegant your efforts.
Advanced Elements take their products very seriously and offer great customer service on top of warranties for all their products. If, for some reason you did have a problem with an Advanced Elements Inflatable FireFly, you can be assured they are interested in it.
How Hard Is It To Fold Up the Advanced Elements Firefly?
After a fun but long day kayaking, the last thing you want to do is take forever to put everything away, especially your kayak… especially an inflatable kayak. Thankfully, this video shows you just that. Putting these babies away in the proper manner can be a bit of a hassle but that comes with the territory. However, watch this video and determine if the Firefly kayak is the one for you:
Missing Features of the Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak
Worthy of note, there are a few features that the FireFly Inflatable Kayak does have. The FireFly does not have a designated seat fitted with back support so may make paddling for longer periods more tiresome. Having said that, being an inflatable kayak, it is relatively soft and comfortable.
It also does not have much storage space anywhere so other than a packed lunch, you will not fit much in. You might consider also purchasing a sealing dry bag or box to keep valuables safe and dry.
Pros
Super compact and easy to transport or store
Durable lightweight materials
Simple and easy to inflate and deflate
Stable in the water for inexperienced paddlers
Has sufficient maneuverability for its purpose
Good value for money
Cons
No specified seat
Limited storage space
Suitable only for calm conditions, mostly Class 1, some Class 2
Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak Review Summary!
The Advanced Elements FireFly is a great small inflatable kayak for either entry level paddlers as well as those more experienced relaxed paddlers who value convenience. It is extremely portable, whether inflated or deflated so can be handled by people of all ages and sizes. It promotes a carefree relaxed feeling so is perfect for its job. I believe it perfectly fits the job it was designed for.
