Most outdoor enthusiasts are knowledgeable and sensitive to the impact that plastics can have on the environment. There are a growing number of consumers and retailers that want to see products that are kinder or at least more benign to Mother Mature. This comes down to a reduction of key plastics and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of those materials on the hit list.
While PVC is still used in many applications, Innova Kayak of Burlington, Washington is starting to release PVC-free inflatable products.
These include the Swing I and Swing II, which are designed to meet the PVC-free standards that progressive dealers and consumers demand, while still offering the performance benefits of a decked boat.
The result is one that weighs less than half that of many comparable hard shell boats; where the 10-foot, 6-inch Swing I tips the scales at 22 pounds and the 13-foot Swing II, a double, is 26 pounds.
The Innova Kayaks feature a 10-minute setup time, with the Swing models offering three separate air chambers, a urethane-coated deck skin supported by lightweight aluminum arches and zippered access for below-deck storage. Unlike the bulky bladder construction used in some inflatable kayaks, the Swings also can dry quickly thanks to the Dupont Teflon treatment on the LitePack hull fabric.
These kayaks are designed for the recreational and touring paddlers, but not the whitewater extreme paddlers however. The Swing I and II offer a dry cockpit and the same storage benefits of a decked boat all while providing a stable and fast platform. The Swing line has the option of adding a spray skirt to keep water out and a tracking fin which is helpful in open water.
As with other Innova inflatable kayaks, the Swing I and II are just as portable. Not only can you easily carry these boats on your back, they will actually fit in the overhead bin of most commercial airliners – when deflated of course.
The Swing I and II have not yet appeared on Innova’s website, but once they do, you can order them directly. If you are in the market for a now kayak, ‘Swing’ on over to their website to learn more about PVC-’free’dom!