OWNER’S MANUAL

Kayak and sit-on-top features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Outfitting and adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Care and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Off the water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

On the water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Warranty & service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Islander kayaks are made for adventure; whether you plan

to catch a few waves at the beach, explore hidden harbours

and inlets, or pack up and head out to camp under the stars .

Your ticket to a fun, safe and comfortable time on the water .

Our award winning range of designs are British made with

the peace of mind of a lifetime warranty .

Welcome toyour Islander adventure

4

Kayak 1 Drain bung – used to empty

the kayak of water when on land

2 Skeg – a retractable blade at the stern of the kayak which helps to keep direction

3 Skeg line – used to deploy and retract the skeg

4 Stern – the rear of the kayak, behind the cockpit

5 Hatch – a place to store gear inside the kayak – a moulded rubber hatch cover keeps water out

6 Bulkhead – closed cell foam fitted to seal a storage compartment and to provide buoyancy

7 Buoyancy foam – closed cell foam fitted to provide buoyancy

8 Security bar – an aluminium bar fixed with tamper proof bolts to help secure your kayak from theft

9 Backrest – attached to the seat

10 Seat – a shaped, padded seat

11 Cockpit – where you sit, surrounded by the cockpit rim

12 Thighbrace – padded section on the cockpit rim to rest your legs against and grip with

13 Hull – the bottom of the kayak, the shape of which gives the kayak its paddling characteristics

14 Sidewall – the section of kayak between the hull and deck – provides lift and stability

15 Rail – the edge where the sidewall meets the deck

16 Chine – the edge where the hull meets the sidewall, helps with direction and turning

17 Deck – the top of the kayak

18 Deck elastics – pattern of elasticated rigging, useful for storing items on the move

19 Footbrace – adjustable pedals to brace your feet against

20 Bow – the front of the kayak, forward of the seat

21 Carry handles – at each end of the kayak for lifting and carrying

9 Backrest

7 Buoyancy foam

12 Thighbrace

20 Bow

6 Bulkhead + 16 Chine

11 Cockpit

18 Deck elastics 17 Deck

5 Hatch1 Drain bung

14 Sidewall

19 Footbrace 13 Hull 15 Rail

2

Skeg

3 Skeg line

21 Carry handle

4 Stern

7 Buoyancy foam

8 Security bar 10 Seat

5

Sit-on-top 1 Keel – a deep V feature in the

hull of the kayak which keeps the kayak travelling in a straight line

2 Drain bung – used to empty of any water trapped inside

3 Stern – the rear of the kayak, behind the seat

4 Tankwell – an open storage space behind the seat to place items to carry for the trip

5 Rod holder – standard on Islander fishing models, flush mount rear or adjustable front rod holders

6 Backrest – attached to the seat

7 Seat – a shaped seat pan; some models have seat padding

8 D-rings – stainless steel fixings for attaching accessories such as seats

9 Hull – the bottom of the kayak, the shape of which gives the kayak its paddling characteristics

10 Sidewall – the section of kayak between the hull and deck – provides lift and stability

11 Rail – the edge where the sidewall meets the deck

1 2 Chine – the edge where the hull meets the sidewall, assists direction and turning

13 Scupper holes – drainage holes in the floor of the kayak to allow water to drain away whilst paddling

14 Footbrace – fixed or adjustable pedals for you to brace your feet against

15 Deck elastics – pattern of elasticated rigging, useful for storing items on the move

16 Deck – the top of the kayak

17 Hatch – a place to store gear inside the kayak – a moulded rubber hatch cover keeps water out

18 Bow – the front of the kayak, forward of the seat

1 9 Carry handles – at each end of the kayak for lifting and carrying

6 Backrest

18 Bow 19 Carry

handle

12 Chine

16 Deck

15 Deck elastics

2 Drain bung

8 D-rings

14 Footbrace

17 Hatch

9 Hull

11 Rail

5 Rod holder

13 Scupper holes

7 Seat

1 Keel

4 Tankwell

3 Stern

10 Sidewall

6

OUTFITTING

Kayak backrestYour strongest muscles are in your back, posterior and legs .

Sitting upright with your back against the backrest and with

your upper body leaning slightly forward will help you use those

muscles when paddling . With a kayak cockpit, you can rest your

legs against the side or put them underneath the cockpit rim if

you want a little more control .

To tighten or loosen the backrest

1 Release the centre buckle

2 Slacken the straps that attach to the cockpit rim and seat base

3 Adjust the tension by sliding the centre strap webbing, adjust evenly each side

4 Re-fasten the centre buckle (note if tightened this may require some effort)

5 Re-tension the retaining straps so the backrest is held up securely

Universal backrest

2

3 5

1 4 +

7

OUTFITTING

Sit-on-top backrestYour sit-on-top backrest comes ready fitted . Just fold it

back upright and adjust the side strap tensioners to get your

preferred position . The backrest should help keep an upright

sitting position, the bottom of the backrest should align with

the back of the seat and the top sit straight up .

To reposition the backrest

1 Slacken the two side straps using the slider buckles

2 Use the lower back slider buckles to tension the base of the backrest

3 Use the upper back slider buckles to tighten, the backrest should now sit upright

4 Re-tension the side straps . Try sitting in the boat whilst doing this

5 To remove the backrest for transport or storage: loosen the side straps, undo the brass clips from the D-ring attachments and remove .

Deluxe backrestSurf backrest

1 4 +

3

2

8

OUTFITTING

FootbraceFootbraces allow you to push with your feet, so you can really

use your leg and back muscles too, making paddling easier and

helping stability . Your legs should be bent at the knee and your

feet should sit heels inward and toes out towards the side .

SlideLock footbrace

SlideLock footbraces are quick and easy to adjust from inside the boat . To adjust the pedal position, locate the adjusting lever below the pedal track and lift so that it slides . To increase your leg room, push the lever forward . To shorten, pull the lever back towards you . Once in position, drop the lever and push with your toes .

Moulded-in footbrace

Moulded-in footbraces allow you to quickly choose the most comfortable position . Simply sit on the seat and extend your legs forward, with your knees bent, to find the right foot position for you .

SkegSome Islander kayaks are fitted with a skeg . A skeg acts like fin

in the water and helps to keep you tracking in a straight line if

you are fighting wind or current .

Retractable skeg

To drop the skeg, release the line and ball from its cleat . The ball is to the right of the cockpit at the end of the skeg line . To raise the skeg back up, pull on the ball and line and re-hook the line into the cleat .

9

OUTFITTING

Storage spacesFor better balance, store heavier items towards the centre and

bottom of the kayak, with lighter items on the top . It is a good

idea to place your items in a waterproof drybag and keep items

like your keys or phone on your person .

Rubber hatches

Rubber hatches feature an internal foam bulkhead inside the kayak to create a dry area . To access, peel back the rubber cover and access the storage area . To replace, lift and press the rubber lip back onto the hatch rim from one end to the other .

Screw hatches

Screw hatches screw open and close on a thread . Make sure that any retaining cords are out of the way when re-fastening .

Tankwells

Sit-on-top tankwells are open areas, with securing elastics or straps to keep your stuff in place . Keep your kit in a crate or bag and attach them to the kayak with a lanyard or karabiner to help secure them in the event of a capsize .

Deck elastics

Elasticated deck rigging is a good place to temporarily stow or secure items like your paddle or water bottle for quick access when you’re on the water .

10

OUTFITTING

Rod holdersOur fishing sit-on-tops are fitted with rear flush mount rod

holders and a front adjustable mount rod holder .

Rod holders

The pair of rear mounted flush rod holders will take a rod handle each for trolling or storing your rods out of the way while you paddle .The removable front mounted holder will hold a spinning rod and reel in various positions, easily retrievable from in-front of you .

ScuppersWith all the hatches in place, your sit-on-top kayak is a sealed

unit and, if capsized, can be easily righted without filling with

water . In order to clear your deck of water, drainage holes

(scuppers) are moulded through the boat .

Scupper plugs

The self bailing drainage holes in the floor of your sit-on-top can be closed off for a drier ride with a set of scupper plugs .

Drain plug

You can drain away any water that might get into the hull of your sit-on-top whilst on dry land using the drain plug .

11

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

ConstructionWe make kayaks to the highest standard at our UK factory .

Throughout the manufacturing process, we check the boats’

shape and colour . Each boat is tested for wall thickness and

material hardness using an ultrasonic gauge . The outfitting is

fitted and checked by experts, and the boats must pass a final

quality control approval before being packaged .

The plastic we use is Super Linear High Density Polyethylene,

which has excellent stiffness and UV resistance to retain its

shape and withstand wear .

CleaningUsually, a quick rinse of fresh water is all that is necessary to

keep your kayak clean and in good order . This is very important

after paddling in salt water, particularly for moving parts .

RepairSuper Linear High Density Polyethylene is repairable, should you

damage your kayak . Arrange to take it back to your local dealer

or contact Islander kayaks directly . Make a note of the serial

number of your boat, and a detailed description of the damage .

For a warranty repair a photograph of the damage is required

and a description of the incident during which the damage

occurred .

Distortion

Your plastic kayak will become more flexible on a hot, sunny

day . Through improper storage or when strapped tightly to a

roofrack, your boat can be bent out of shape . Leaving the boat

uncompressed in the warm sun is often all it takes for the plastic

to restore its shape .

To prolong the life and appearance of your kayak, avoid

dragging it across the ground . The best way to transport a

kayak is by lifting and carrying it between two people, using the

handles at each end .

12

OFF THE WATER

Storing your kayakIdeally you should store your kayak indoors and out of direct

sunlight . To avoid distorting your hull It is best to keep the kayak

flat, upside down (with the deck down) and avoid points of

pressure – do not hang it from the end handles, stack anything

on top of it or rest it across an edge .

TransportYour kayak is easily transported using a suitable roofrack

system (eg Thule) designed to carry kayaks . Kayaks can be

transported flat, with the hull down or on their side using upright

bars . Fasten your kayak securely using appropriate strapping .

Applying roof rack pads to the bars will help secure and protect

the kayak . For longer kayaks, tether the front and back to your

vehicle’s tow eyes to help stabilize the load and prevent lift .

Avoid keeping the kayaks tied on roofracks for prolonged

periods as this can distort the shape .

Padded upright bars Cam straps For kayaks longer than 3 .5m, attach the bow and stern too .

Carrying a single kayak hull down

Carrying two or more kayaks with upright roof bars

13

Spraydeck

This keeps rain, splashes or spray out of your kayak . Spraydecks are easy to get on and (more importantly) off, but you should seek advice on size and test it in a safe place before use .

Outerwear and thermal layers

As conditions can change, having waterproof and windproof clothing such as a paddling jacket, dry trousers or a neoprene longjohn can make the experience far more enjoyable .

Accessories

Drybags keep your personal items dry and make transferring between land and water quick and easy . They can also be used to keepwet and dry gear separate .A paddle leash secures your paddle to the boat, or you, so it can’t blow away or drift off if you let it go .

ON THE WATER

EquipmentHopefully you’ll enjoy some great weather when out paddling,

but conditions can change . To stay comfortable and safe you

might need:

Paddle

Having a correctly sized paddle, can make quite a difference to your experience . Most sit-on-top and recreational kayakers fi nd lengths between 210 and 220 cm are most comfortable and effi cient .

PFD

Always wear a personal fl oatation device (PFD), or buoyancy aid . It can be a life saver and should be worn whenever you’re out on the water . Modern designs are comfortable and have useful features like pockets and refl ective details for visibility .

Footwear

Your feet will get wet and the water’s edge can be slippery . A water shoe or boot will improve your grip and protect your feet from sharp rocks or other debris .

Spraydeck

This keeps rain, splashes or spray out of your

size and test it in a safe place before use .

14

ON THE WATER

SafetyKayaks are great for exploring and having fun on the water and

can be enjoyed by all ages . Being buoyant and easily seen, they

are also safe watercraft . To make sure your experience is fun,

there are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

Do arrange some paddlesports instruction from an

approved provider

Do check the water conditions – especially tides,

currents or prevailing winds . Check for lifeguard flags if

you’re on a beach

Do tell someone where you are going and how long

you are likely to be

Do dress appropriately for the weather and conditions

Do check your kayak before each use for signs of

failure or wear

Do make sure you can safely exit your kayak in an

emergency

Don’t exceed your ability – assess how far and long you

can paddle, or swim

Don’t paddle alone

Don’t consume drugs or alcohol prior to paddling

Don’t paddle in stormy or flood conditions

Don’t allow children to use your kayak without

supervision

Don’t hinder your entry and exit to the kayak with

additional outfitting or attachments

DISCLAIMER: safety must be the foremost consideration in

any watersport activity . Any person using an Islander kayak

assumes all risks and takes complete responsibility for any

and all damages, or injuries, including death, which may

result from use of Islander kayaks .

15

WARRANTY & SERVICE

Lifetime warrantyThe materials and craftsmanship that goes into each Islander

kayak are second to none . That is why we are confi dent to back

our products with a lifetime warranty .

Of course, from time to time issues can arise and our customer

service and sales departments are effi cient in dealing with

claims, repairs or replacement of parts .

For your records we suggest you keep a copy alongside your

original receipt of purchase .

Islander Kayaks limited lifetime warranty:

The Seller warrants in favour of the original retail purchaser (‘Consumer’) a lifetime warranty against material or manufacturing defects in the hull and deck . Parts, accessories, and outfi tting are warranted for a period of one year against material or manufacturing defects from the date of purchase . For Islander kayaks sold as ‘Graded’ as indicated on the Manufacturer’s Statement the Seller provides a limited warranty for two years for the hull and deck and one year for parts, accessories, and outfi tting . This warranty is non-transferable .The Seller shall not be liable to the Consumer in respect to:

a Normal wear and tear and aging of product

b Kayaks damaged by extreme weather or environmental conditions

c Kayaks damaged while in possession of a freight carrier, a dealer, Consumer, or any party other than Islander Kayaks

d Kayaks damaged by accident, neglect, improper useor handling

e Kayaks that have been towed by power or sail boats

f Kayaks designated as Prototypes

g Kayaks sold as ‘demos’ or in ‘as is’ condition

h Kayaks determined to have been used for any activity other than an activity which is customary for the product

i Kayaks that have been structurally or dimensionally altered or modifi ed

j Kayaks used for commercial or rental purposes

This limited warranty excludes all other warranties, expressed or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability and fi tness for a particular purpose, with regard to islander Kayaks . Some state, country, or provincial laws do not allow the exclusion of certain implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you .This limited warranty excludes any incidental or consequential damages or expenses resulting from any defects . Palm’s aggregate liability shall be limited to an amount equal to Consumer’s original purchase price paid for the defective product .

16

WARRANTY & SERVICE

Service & supportIf you have a problem with your kayak that you believe is

covered under warranty contact your nearest Islander kayaks

stockist . You can find a list of stockists at islanderkayaks .com

Finding your serial number

The serial number is usually located near the stern (rear) of the

boat, just below the line where the deck and sidewall meet . On

most kayaks it is a number engraved in an indentation .

Contact customer service:

Tel : +44 (0) 1275 798100

Fax : +44 (0) 1275 798110

E-mail : customerservice@islanderkayaks .com

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 GMT

Islander Kayaks

Kenn Business Park, Kenn Road

Clevedon, Somerset

BS21 6TH

United Kingdom

www .islanderkayaks .com

WARRANTY & SERVICE

Notes

My serial number _________________________________________

Kayak model name _______________________________________

Kayak colour ______________________________________________

Bought from ______________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Telephone _________________________________________________

Affix your

receipt here for

safe-keeping

Islander Kayaks

Kenn Business Park, Kenn Road

Clevedon, Somerset

BS21 6TH

United Kingdom

islanderkayaks .com

11508© 2014 Islander Kayaks