7. TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM

Does not hold air while inflating

SOLUTION

The spring valve uses a plunger system. The only time the plunger should be in the open position is when you are deflating. Make sure that the plunger is closed to inflate. Push the plunger in and rotate counter-clockwise.

The kayak is sagging. Be sure that the right pump is being used. You need a bellows foot pump or a double action hand pump. A 12-V electric does not supply enough pressure to fully inflate the kayak. The 12-V can be used to partially inflate the kayak but one of the other pumps is needed to top it off.

The kayak will not hold full pressure for more than couple of hours.

The kayak still loses air.

Make sure that the plunger is in the closed position. It should only be open when deflating. If it is open, the only seal is the black rubber gasket inside the cap. Even then, a little air may still leak out.

If you have checked all the previous possible reasons for the kayak losing air, then there may be a pinhole or hole somewhere on the tube. Pull tube from outer covers. Inflate. If you cannot see or hear where a leak may be, take a clean rag with soapy water and begin rubbing the tube. If a hole is present, bubbles will continually form. Repair using repair kit. If it is a very small pinhole, a dab of the glue may be sufficient.

The tube is kinked or bent.

The kayak is too tight.

The fin is bent.

The tube just needs to be adjusted. When kayak is fully deflated try adjusting the position of the tube inside of the outer shell.

This is more than likely due to the fact that the kayak is over inflated. The widest point should be no less than fourteen inches across.

After inflating the kayak, turn upside down and leave out in sun for approximately ten minutes. Fin will conform to its original shape. Even if it is slightly bent, it will not affect the kayaks performance.

The floor has formed a large bubble.

There is water in the kayak.

If two of the ridges in the floor have formed one large one, the I-beam has come apart. This is caused by over inflation. It cannot be fixed. You need a new tube.

Water will drip into the kayak off of your paddle. Do not be alarmed. Simply dry it off before putting kayak away. You can also get a spray skirt from our accessories list from a dealer. This will help keep the inside of the kayak dry as well as you.

The kayak drifts to one side.

A kayak will always head in the direction of your last stroke. If the tube is not aligned inside of the cover, this will also cause drift.

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