Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl Instruction & Owner's Manual page 4

OPERATING YOUR SEA EAGLE
The World's 1st Kayak Made Entirely Of Drop Stitch Material!
The patented Sea Eagle RazorLite™ high performance ultra-light kayak is the world's first inflatable kayak made entirely with Drop
Stitch Technology throughout. The RL is constructed of 3" Drop Stitch material for the floor and 4" Drop Stitch material for the
side walls. Drop Stitch material has thousands of high tensile strength threads connecting the top and bottom fabric layers,
creating thousands of I-beam supports. This enables the RazorLite™ to keep the board-like shape of the floor and sides so that
when it is inflated to 10 psi it is very rigid. The unique Drop Stitch construction makes the
RazorLite™ as fast as any 12' rigid kayak and provides the added benefit of being able to pack in its own backpack.
Due to it's straight line design, the entire length of the boat is in the water. This is important because the maximum speed of a
boat is related to it's length at the waterline. The longer a boat is at the waterline the greater the theoretical hull speed.
Operating Your Sea Eagle
There are a few basic things to consider before venturing out in your Sea Eagle RazorLite. Do not drag your Sea Eagle.
BALANCE: The Sea Eagle 393RL and 473RL RazorLite high performance kayaks are narrower and faster than other inflatable
kayaks and have the handling and performance characteristics of hard shell kayaks their size. Take a minute while close to shore to
find your balance in the kayak. Hold the paddle out in front of you for balance and keep your eyes on the horizon. Feel the balance
of the boat as you begin to gently paddle. Have each paddler try the 473RL solo then add the second paddler. Paddle in unison,
the rear paddler should match strokes with the paddler in the front. If the boat begins to roll back and forth, move your eyes to
the horizon while holding the paddle out in front you. This can take
practice, and is especially difficult in the heat of the moment. Looking down and side to side will increase the rolling action. Make
sure all the items you bring like bags, coolers, water bottles are secured so they won't float away. To avoid
capsizing, paddle directly into oncoming boat wake.
YAW: Yaw is the side to side motion produced by paddling which causes the boat to zig-zag. To minimize yaw, install the skeg
into its base on the bottom of the boat. The skeg will improve tracking and is ideal for use in flat water areas like bays, lakes and
rivers. In narrow areas like streams, you may need to remove the skeg so you can make the tight turns required. RAZORLITE
KAYAKS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR WHITEWATER USE.
SIDE DRAINS: The side drains are a convenient way to drain accumulated rainwater or water that has splashed into the boat.
Open the drains while on shore. The drains are not intended for use while on the water.
Leaving the drains open while paddling will allow water to partially fill the kayak which will make it heavy and sluggish to
maneuver.
PADDLING: For the most effective paddling, sit up straight and hold the paddle out in front of you with hands out wide enough
that the forearms are perpendicular to the shaft (like a push-up position). Most of the power should come from your torso.
Your arms contribute, but too much reliance on your arms will cause you to tire quickly. For good balance, especially in heavy
seas, keep your head up and eyes focused on the horizon.
Start paddling gently and smoothly. As the kayak picks up speed it will maintain a truer heading. If you dig in hard at first you will
create more yaw. Course corrections can be made by easing up or bearing down on one side or the other.
Gentle turns can be made by sweeping water behind the boat. Sharp turns can be made by using the paddle as a brake on one
side. Braking will allow you to maneuver sharp bends in a stream, for example, but kills forward speed.
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Sea Eagle Boats Inc. 19 N. Columbia Street, Ste1, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 • 1-800-748-8066 • Staff@SeaEagle.com