Avon Marine
With its recent purchase by Zodiac now complete, Fountain Valley, Calif.'s Avon Marine has enjoyed increased production efficiencies, resulting in decreased prices across the line. Best yet, the company accomplished these price reductions while introducing a heavier fabric that offers less stretch and more resistance to abrasion and tensile strength. "We fit the one niche Zodiac didn't have," says Avon Division Manager Norm Bender. "They had PVC, we had hypalon. They had money, we had a river line. It was a perfect marriage." The company has also rolled out multiple thwart combinations for its three largest boats, as well as a new inflatable kayak line in one- (9'10") and two-person (11'10") models. Info.: (714) 566-9111, www.avonmarine.com.

B&A/Momentum
Portland, Ore.'s B&A Distributing introduces the new Harrier inflatable canoe/kayak. At 3' 9"wide by 14' 6" long with 15" diameter tubes, the boat is designed to be paddled by two people on extended trips, or up to three people on day excursions. The new design weighs 60 lbs. and, as with Momentum's other offerings, is made from Du Pont hypalon and comes with an inflatable self-bailing floor. Info: (503) 230-0482.

Custom Inflatables
Constantly fine-tuning its inflatable line, Reedsville, W.V.'s Custom Inflatables has introduced a revamped suspension system on its inflatable floors, as well adding two new models to its Thrillseeker line. Available is customized specifications, the 180 and 220 ($999) are for paddlers of respective weights. The boats measure anywhere between 9'3" and 12' long and weigh between 32-35 lbs. Also new is the SeaSeeker inflatable catamaran touring kayak, available in two sizes and made with 32-oz., PVC-coated, 1,000-denier polyester with foam floors. The 16' single ($699) weighs 38 lbs.; the 20' double ($849) weighs 42 lbs. Info.: (800) 6-SEEKER, www.tseeker.com.

EuroCraft
The United Kingdom's EuroCraft wins the creativity award with its new Rapid Rascal, a unique inflatable C-2 that lets users straddle an inflatable beam and kneel on an inflatable floor. Joining a line of six other hypalon inflatable canoes and kayaks, the Rascal ($1,700) measures 12'3" long and 3'3" wide, and comes with a drop-stitch floor. Info.: (017)
72-622-856, www.airtime.co.uk/eurocraft.

Hyside
Hyside has been working with both in-house and component manufacturers to develop a line of inflatables that satisfies design and quality needs at a reasonable price. Designed for the recreational market, the new line has the quality of Hyside's commercial raft line, minus such features as lace-in floors and rubstrakes. Available in gray only, models in the line come standard with four main chambers (plus thwarts), seven D-rings, handles, top and bottom chafers, and a five-year limited warranty. Info.: (800) 868-5987, www.hyside.com.

Innova
Innova's 10', 24-lb. Safari ($549) is a self-bailing single kayak with a newly developed tracking fin. The boat can be carried in its own drybag/backpack that fits behind the boat's seat when underway and is small enough to be a legal carry-on for air travel. Detach the fin, and the Safari becomes a nimble whitewater kayak. Install the seat and thigh straps and the Safari can be rolled and maneuvered like a rigid boat. The kayak's Class III rated performance is enhanced through low-stretch, rubber-coated, 1,200-denier polyester, making the structure surprisingly stiff. The hull is shaped with pronounced keel depth and rocker for easy turning. The company's open-decked Sunny ($649) comes with a removable tracking fin. It can be paddled as a single or a double. Info: (425) 776-1171.

Jack's Plastic Welding
The new Cutthroat from Jack's Plastic Welding is a personal cataraft with a raft of options. Available in one- or two-person models, the Cutthroat can be paddled as a kayak, canoe, or raft, and is capable of expedition self-support, motor use, large volume whitewater or tiny streams. It also breaks down small enough to transport on a commercial airline with no extra freight charges.
With a frame built from interchangeable parts, customers can upgrade from a one- to two-person model by purchasing longer tubes, extra floor and seat panels, and longer extension tubes to lengthen the frame. The package includes a breakdown galvanized steel frame, 7-foot oars, brass oar locks, adjustable mesh seat with back rest, and mesh floor panels. The 12-foot Cutthroat 1 ($1,457) can carry gear and one operator, or be adapted for two people with no gear. The 14-foot Cutthroat 2 ($1,630) carries two people and gear for an expedition. Both come with 16-inch tubes and a 46-inch beam. Info.: (505) 334-8748, www.jpwinc.com.

Jumbo Inflatables
Jumbo Inflatables, by Zodiac, debuts the 2000 model of its best-selling inflatable kayak, the Tramper. Easy to transport and store, the Tramper can be inflated and launched in minutes. This year's new wider design provides more stability and greater interior space. The Tramper comes standard with two collapsible kayak paddles, two adaptable backrests for double or solo use, adjustable footrests, carrying handles, pump and repair kit. Info: (403) 287-2120.

Maravia
Riding the success of its number one seller in 1999, the 13' Spider, Boise, Idaho's Maravia introduces the 14-foot-long, 6'3" wide Diablo ($3,599) to its popular Voyageur Series, showcasing tubes that diminish from 20 to 16 inches and a cargo capacity for eight people as a paddle raft. Joining the company's 13-model Wind Series is the new Monsoon, featuring tubes that diminish from 22 to 16 inches at the bow and stern, which decreases wind resistance while increasing cargo space and splashes. Available in custom colors, the 17'6" Monsoon ($4,971) can fit up to 10 people as a paddle craft. Info.: (800) TOP-RAFT, www.maravia.com.

Northwest River Supplies (NRS)
By re-introducing the once popular Otter series in a new line called the Livery Series, Moscow, Idaho's Northwest River Supplies (NRS) has found a way to meet the needs for economic rafts manufactured from first-class materials. To back up its claim, each boat in the series comes with a two-year warranty against defects in workmanship and a three-year material warranty. Available in three new raft designs in 11-, 13-, and 14-foot lengths, each model comes standard with 840-denier hypalon tubes; carrying handles; six D-rings; metal military valves; and standard floors.
Info: (800) 243-1677, www.nrsweb.com.

Sea Eagle
New from New York's Sea Eagle is the return of the company's Sea Eagle Explorer Canoes, the first inflatable canoes to use drain valves on the floor. Used in the first descent of China's Yangtze River from the source, the boats are known for their ability to handle whitewater. One of three inflatable canoes, the new 12'6", 45-lb. Sea Eagle ($749) holds up to 750 lbs. and comes with an improved 1,000-denier polyester hull and modular design. Info.: (800) 944-7496, www.seaeagle.com.
Soar Inflatables
New from Healdsburg, Calif.'s Soar Inflatables on the accessory side comes a rowing frame ($239) and sailing rig ($795), both of which can be retro-fitted to fit all existing Soar models. The rowing frame takes less than five minutes to set up and comes with frame, 6.5-foot oars and oar clips. The sailing rig, which offers 45 square feet of sail, comes complete with a dagger board that attaches to the side tubes and a tiller. Info.: (707) 433-5599, www.soar1.com.

Star Inflatables
Star Inflatables, from Travelers Rest, S.C.'s All River Equipment, introduces the 12'6" Starlite ($495), an affordable family "fun yak" that comes with a paddle, pump and travel bag. The company is also unveiling the Super Bug, a cataraft/raft combo combining the speed and maneuverability of a cat with the safety of a raft. It accomplishes this with a 4,000-denier floor suspended 12 inches up the side of the 24-inch tubes (diminishing to 16 inches at the bow), eliminating floor drag. The design also keeps the craft affordable ($2,150) by eliminating the costs associated with self-bailing, inflatable floors. Info.: (877) 900-2628, www.starinflatables.com.

Stearns
Long known for its lifejacket wares, St. Cloud, Minn.'s Stearns has entered the inflatable kayak market in style with its new IK116 and IK140. The single-person IK 116 measures 9'6" long, 37 inches wide, and weighs 29 lbs; the IK 140, built for two people, measures 11'6" long, 43.5 inches wide, and also weighs 29 lbs. Both come with three chambers, including an inflatable floor, a carrying bag, and are made from nylon PVC Tarpaulin. With similar performance to hardshells, the boats include an innovative outer shell for added durability and come with a splash/gear deck complete with a center zipper, mesh pockets and map window. Other features include a knuckle guard, abrasion runner fore and aft and tracking fin. Info.: (800) 697-5801, www.stearnsinc.com.