Thermoformed Owners Manual 2012 Edition – All Rights Reserved
Welcome to the Seaward Family! Congratulations on the purchase of your new Seaward Kayak! Be proud… you have purchased the very best kayak available on the market today. Our dedicated team of passionate boat-building professionals have hand-crafted your new kayak with the care and expertise borne of over 125 years of combined experience.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT SAFETY… Check your local boating regulations for a list of required safety equipment when kayaking.
Some Cool Seaward Kayak Features Self Rescue System™ (SRS™) Self Rescue System™ is available on all Seaward kayak models, and is used in conjunction with a paddle float. Nylon rescue straps mounted on the deck just aft of the cockpit can be used during a rescue. While using the SRS straps, the paddle can be securely attached to the deck of the kayak, making paddle-float self-rescue safer and easier.
The Seaward safeHATCH™ System Avail on most models, the safeHATCHTM system provides three levels of storage protection. 1. The hard-shell outer hatch cover is tethered to the boat to prevent loss. 2. The neoprene inner hatch cover is also tethered to the kayak. They are custom fitted for each hatch so we’ve silk-screened them with instructions to confirm how they go on. 3.
Kajak Sport oval hatches come with a "hash mark" on the cover and ring at the 12:00 and 6:00 positions. By aligning these marks, you can ensure that your hatch cover is installed properly each time. Rinse your hatch covers at the same time you rinse your kayak. One piece hatch covers include a tether to connect the cover to the kayak. Be sure the tether remains in place and attached to avoid losing the cover accidentally. Periodically treat the hatch cover and ring with 303 Protectant.
Rudder/Skeg Description and Use Depending on the model, your kayak may be equipped with either a rudder or a skeg. RUDDERS A rudder can help keep your kayak on course in difficult weather and currents. It can also help you control the direction of your kayak. To move the rudder to one side, pivot or slide the foot pedal on that side forward. On kayaks equipped with locking (pivoting) foot pedals, it is only necessary to tilt the foot slightly to push the top of the pedal and move the rudder.
RDSTM (Rudder Deployment System) Seaward’s initial (2008-2011) ruddered thermoform kayaks were equipped with the Rudder Deployment Switch - RDS. To operate, just slide the control knob towards the stern to deploy the rudder. To retract the rudder, slide the control knob towards the bow. Note that the kayak must be moving for the rudder to help turn the kayak. SR Super RecTM Series Rudder: Seaward’s SR Super RecTM series of kayaks feature a new retractable rudder.
Skeg A retractable skeg can help keep your kayak on course in difficult wind and currents. Skegs will lessen or eliminate the tendency of most kayaks to turn up into the wind, or 'weathercock'. However, a skeg will not help turn the kayak. To deploy the skeg, slide the control knob forward. To retract the skeg, slide the control knob back. A skeg blade can be partially deployed if need be, to fine tune the amount of control applied.
For the best blend of comfort and performance, the balls of the feet should be on the foot pedal and the thighs should be secure, and comfortably located up under the thigh braces. For most paddlers, the feet will be in a ‘heels in – toes out’ position. Novice paddlers tend to adjust their foot pedals too far away, making it necessary to ‘reach’ and then lose contact with the thigh braces.
INTRODUCING… The ALL NEW 5-WAY ADJUSTIBLE SEAT! Available on the entire line of SR Super RecTM Series of kayaks: Pura SR-120 Halo SR-130 Compass SR-140 All SR Kayaks come standard with an ALL NEW, 5-WAY Fully Adjustable seat and backrest. This seat fits bums of all sizes and shapes while offering the most customization of any recreational kayak seat on the market today. The seat itself is adjustable forwards/backwards with a beautiful and simple-to-operate slider.
The SEAWARD KAYAKS Philosophy… The goal at Seaward has always been to build the safest and most comfortable Kayak available today – bar none. To this end, Seaward has been hard at work over the past year designing and building our new SR Super RecTM Series of kayaks. It has been no small feat to integrate this within the flow of our normal production schedule and we are extremely excited about the new designs and the response they are getting from both seasoned paddlers and beginners alike.
Kayak Care Cockpit Cover A cockpit cover prevents debris and water from entering your kayak, prolonging its life and ‘like new’ condition. These are available form Seaward Kayaks. Cleaning Rinse the entire kayak with fresh water after each use and always after exposure to salt water. Pay particular attention to the backrest, foot pedals, rudder, neoprene hatch covers and deck lines. Rinse any sand and debris out of the cockpit, hatches and rudder assembly with fresh water.
Transporting and Security Always secure your kayak properly when storing, transporting or locking it up. When transporting your kayak, it should be empty with the rudder or skeg in the locked position. Use a solid, specialized roof rack system with kayak cradles. Kayak cradles distribute pressure evenly when loaded on a kayak rack. Cam buckle straps and bow and stern lines provide the safest, most secure transport of your kayak.
The Seaward Kayak Warranty All thermoformed kayaks manufactured by Seaward Kayaks are warrantied against defects in materials and workmanship in the hull and deck for three years. In the case of replacement, a hull or deck of the same or equivalent model may be used, at the exclusive discretion of Seaward Kayaks.
