My experiences confirm that the Helios is Innova's all-terrain inflatable kayak.  Used by some for fishing, others for sea kayaking, and many for the kayak of choice for air travel to exotic destinations, the Helios is quite versatile.  The 380EX can be paddled by one paddler or two; a single paddler sits in back.

You can also purchase an optional rudder kit for the Helios, which makes it much easier to stay on course when you have two paddlers or are in rough or windy water.  There is a bow deck that blocks excess spray from entering the boat.  In the Pacific Coast, much less water entered my Helios kayak than when paddling on a local lake in my Sea Eagle 380X.

The kayak comes with 2 thwarts that can be used for foot braces but I did not find them useful in my travels.  If you really want to paddle using full torso rotation (most efficient), you should inflate and use the foot braces. The bow and stern dodgers add a few more minutes of inflation time to the boat setup, but it can still be done in less than 15 minutes.  For seats, the stern paddler has a more comfortable ride, with full back support.    The bow paddler has an inflated crossbar for back support.  I think paddling for the bow paddler would be more enjoyable with some added d-rings and an alternate seat like a folding camp chair.  

I'm very glad I took this kayak with me on trips to Hawaii and Southern California.  The Helios loves the Pacific coast!

People looking into the Helios are probably looking into the Sea Eagle series of boats as well.  At first glance, the Sea Eagle looks like it has more bang for the buck.  (Without any first hand knowledge I bought one myself a few years ago), however, the Helios is a much better value:

• Higher quality material, 1200 denier Nitrylon, rugged and durable.
• The Helios weighs more than 10 pounds less than the Sea Eagle.
• Packs up for easy transport in the included dry bag/backpack.  The Sea Eagle can be folded or rolled but is nowhere near as easy to transport as the Helios.
• Easier to clean.  The Helios has an all-in-one design that is easier to wipe down after you exit the water.  The Sea Eagle has separate seats and a floor, and the main frame of the body (so you need to clean 2 floors).
• Higher performance hull.  Innova Kayaks have a higher performance hull design which cuts through the water faster than Sea Eagles.  The Sea Eagle is relatively flat on the bottom, resulting in more drag.  The narrower body of the Helios not only results in higher overall speed, but also less paddle drip settling in the floor of your kayak.
• Fully functional rudder (option, MSRP $119).  The Sea Eagle has a directional stabilizer fin that can be attached but not adjusted to help with steering.  The Innova Helios optional rudder kit is foot operated and provides real value in windy or rough water for consistent navigation.
• Craftsmanship.  The Sea Eagle is glued together PVC and machine made in Asia.  The Helios is hand-crafted in the Czech Republic and is not made of the same self-destructive mix of PVC and glue, which outgasses and breaks itself down. Instead, it is an abrasion resistant composite of natural and synthetic rubbers.
• Wind.  The Helios is a lower profile boat and catches less wind than the Sea Eagle.

Here's a picture of my Helios, packed up in its included Drybag.  (Paddle shown for size purposes):

You can verify the lasting value of the Helios by trying to find one on the second-hand market.  It's tough, because not only are they built to last, but they are portable and perform well enough that people rarely sell them

The Canadian Rangers picked the Helios as their choice for a rugged kayak that can be quickly loaded on a sea plane and set up:

Here's a link to a brief (3MB, high-speed internet only please) video.  The Ranger exits the Helios and is able to quickly get back in, due to the design and stability of the Helios.  
MPG1 Video
The Innova Helios comes with a 70liter drybag/packback, which unlike most IK's is actually useful for kayak storage or gear storage during a trip.

Kayak details:
Length: 12' 5"
Width: 30"
Weight: 35 lbs

Wondering how fast this could go? Try our Kayak Speed Estimator!

Check out these trip reports where the Helios 380 was used:
Kealakekua Bay Hawaii
Saint Croix Fraconia Landing to William O Brian
minnehaha-creek-creekside-park-to-longfellow-lagoon
lower-minnehaha-creek
white-bear-lake-kayak-sailing
newport-dunes-california
kettle-river-maple-island-to-kennedy-brook
dana-point-harbor-california

Comments (6)
Richard Thomsen March 4th, 2004 08:07:55 PM

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