Care & Maintenance

If you must store your boat outside, we recommend you tie it down. Strong winds can catch the underside, ﬂip it and cause damage.

Canoes should always be stored upside-down, even overnight. Set them on saw horses, blocks, slings or garage rafters if at all possible, as this will al- low the gunwales to carry the weight.

Store your kayak cockpit-side down, on its side or on end. The best way to store your polyethylene or composite kayak is to run webbing straps under the bulkhead points (or widest points) and hang the boat or place on cradle- type saw horses. This will keep the decks from being distorted. Do not use the strap eyes, carrying handles or scupper holes to hang your boat. Do not store your boat on its hull. If the hull warps, your kayak will not perform as it should. Use a cockpit cover to keep dust and critters out.

Attention to proper storage will help ensure years of excellent service from your canoe or kayak.

Your boat is designed to require minimal maintenance, and a little timely care will ensure a lifetime of enjoyment. Whenever you wash your boat use mild soap and water. Rinse your boat and hardware thoroughly after paddling in salt-, brackish or polluted water. A quick rinse of the moving parts of the foot braces, rudder and skeg box keeps them clean and operating smoothly.

Occasional operational checkups will keep your boat in tip top condi- tion. Check neoprene hatch covers,

cables, buckles, straps and other mov- ing parts for wear, and replace them when necessary. Keep all nuts tight and check hardware exit holes for water- tight silicone seals. Give your hull and deck a thorough review annually. Light nicks, scratches and scrapes are part of the paddling experience, but deep scratches should be repaired.

All canoe and kayak parts and repair kits are available through your local dealer. To locate your nearest dealer, contact us or visit our website.

For more care and maintenance tips, go to our website.

Normally wooden parts are oiled or coated with polyurethane for protec- tion from the elements. Any areas that become chipped or worn need only to be sanded and touched up with a quality polyurethane, or sanded and re- oiled. We recommend you inspect and touch-up your boat’s woodwork prior to off-season storage.

If the hull on your boat is distorted due to an accident, improper storage or transportation, correction may be simple: brief exposure to the heat of the sun often restores a hull to its original shape. If that fails, hull shape can often be restored by applying a low heat source (such as a low wattage bulb or hair dryer) to the deformed area. When the hull is pliable enough, hand-shap- ing can restore the hull. CAUTION: Overheating can burn you or damage the hull.