Otter Outdoors Kayak User manual

KAYAK OWNERS MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Kayak Safety
2. Fitting Into Your Kayak ( Foot Rests, Backrest & Seat , Beverage Holder)
3. Storage Compartment
4. Carrying Your Kayak
5. Storage, Maintenance, & Repair

1. KAYAK SAFETY_______________________________Otter Outdoors Owner’s Manual
Safety must be the foremost consideration in any water sport activity. A boat owner is obligated
to understand that the risk involved in paddle sports can never be eliminated. Appropriate
equipment, including clothing suitable for the conditions, and wearing a life jacket
is imperative to safe paddling.
At the novice stage, a kayaker can be particularly vulnerable to adverse weather,
and water conditions. Kayaks, because of their limited speed, can be especially sensitive to
wind, waves, and currents. In many regions, cold water is the greatest danger to the kayaker.
Cold water is
very debilitating and will quickly cause you to lose the strength needed to re-enter your kayak.
We strongly encourage you to always paddle with at least one other person so that there is
someone available to assist in the event of a capsize.
The user of any Cool Otter Kayak is personally responsible for his/her own safety and assumes
all risks of and responsibility for any injury or death which might occur while using an Cool
Otter Kayak.
2. FITTING INTO YOUR KAYAK___________________Otter Outdoors Owner’s Manual
One of the most important considerations in using your Cool Otter Kayak is the way it feels to
you – specifically, how comfortably you fit into it, how easy it is for you to get in and out of it.
By knowing and understanding your kayak and its different parts, you will be able to use it more
efficiently, and your kayaking experience will be more rewarding.
Foot Rests – The balls of your feet should press evenly against the footrests with
your knees
slightly bent. You should not be seated so tightly that you cannot relax your legs.
Backrest & Seat – For back support, the backrest can be adjusted to your back size with the web
straps which run through the seat back. It is best to adjust your backrest and seat before setting
out to paddle. When you are sitting properly, you will have support on the balls of your feet as
they rest on the foot pedals.
Beverage Holder – The beverage holder is conveniently located between your legs as you
paddle. A 12 ounce can, and a thin can cooler fit perfectly in the holder. We do not recommend
paddling with hot beverages as this can lead to unexpected spills and burns.
3. STORAGE COMPARTMENT ___________________Otter Outdoors Owner’s Manual
The water tight storage compartment is equipped with a removable custom contoured cover and
bungee straps. Simply unhook the bungee straps to access the compartment. The
contoured cover is designed to hold a small cooler, securable with the bungee
straps.

4. CARRYING YOUR KAYAK____ _____ __Otter Outdoors Owner’s Manual
If you are going to carry the kayak by yourself, be careful not to lift with your back.
Turn the kayak hull toward you and against one thigh, while gripping the molded-in
finger grips with both hands. You can also drag the kayak across grass or sand while
gripping one of the molded-in handles on the front or back of the kayak.
Two people may carry the kayak by simply gripping a molded-in handle on each end.
5. TRANSPORTATION & LOADING ____ ____ _ _Otter Outdoors Owner’s Manual
Improper transportation of your kayak can easily cause damage. A quality roof rack
with specialized kayak carriers, is a small price to pay for protecting your boat and
vehicle.
Specialized straps are recommended as a positive securing system (Do not use bungee cords
to fasten your boat to your roof rack!)
Cool Otter Kayaks can also be easily transported in a truck box. Up to 4 kayaks (loaded
sideways) can be transported with this method, but again they must be secured with a
positive strapping system.
6. STORAGE, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR _Otter Outdoors Owner’s Manual
Storage - Cool Otter Kayaks are made from 100% polyethylene plastic.
This material is strong, rigid, and highly impact resistant, but due to the nature of the
plastic in general, it is important that you take steps to store the boat properly. It is
always best to store your kayak indoors, out of direct sunlight and protected from inclement
weather. Preferably, you should stand your boat on end or hang it suspending the hull with
slings (hanging your kayak by the molded-in handles increases the likelihood that your kayak
will experience warpage). You can also store your boat on the floor, upside down, but only as a
last resort.
Maintenance – Clean polyethylene with mild detergent and water. Use a plastic
protectant to guard against UV rays and to help your boat shine.

Hull Distortion – Improper storage or transportation of a plastic boat can potentially
distort the shape of the hull on your boat. If your kayak does become the victim of
slight distortion, correction is a simple process. Brief exposure to the heat of the sun
is often all it takes to restore the hull to its original shape. If that doesn’t work, the hull
can usually be restored by applying heat to the outside of the boat with a hair dryer or
other low-heat source such as a 75-watt light bulb.
When the hull is pliable enough, it can be pushed back in shape by hand. Be careful not to
Overheat the hull as you might get burned or damage the hull. A weight can be placed inside the
boat against the warped area to help maintain the shape of the hull as it cools. Although cooling
normally occurs quickly, we recommend that you allow up to 24 hours to ensure that the process
is completed.
Scratches - A kayak this is used in normal conditions will receive scratches,
especially the bottom of the hull. Scratches do not alter the boat’s structural integrity
or navigational capabilities and should be of no concern.
Repair options & procedures – Although it is unlikely that your Cool Otter Kayak
will need repair during its lifetime, it is possible that a hull crack or puncture might
occur due to extreme impact or contact with a sharp object. If this happens, first
contact Otter Outdoors, or your Otter Dealer to determine if the damage falls under the boat’s
warranty. We will need the identification number of your kayak (located on the rear right,
outside edge, and/or inside the storage compartment), and a description of the incident during
which the damage occurred. All of this information will help us to determine the best course of
action.
As an owner of a boat made from plastic, one repair option which may be available to you
is plastic welding. Polyethylene is recyclable and repairable, unlike many other plastics.
Incidents necessitating welding happen to less than 1% of Cool Otter Kayaks, but if for some
reason you should get a crack or hole in your boat, call Otter Outdoors and we will provide you
with the information necessary to return your boat to peak condition.
Otter Outdoors / 411 West Congress St. / Maple Lake, MN 55358 /
Toll Free 1-877-466-8837 / www.otteroutdoors.com