Sea Eagle SE330 Instructions And Owner's Manual

Brand: Sea Eagle

Model: SE330

Type: Instructions And Owner's Manual

Sea Eagle SE330 is a great choice for lake and stream paddling as well as play in the ocean and up to class 3 whitewater. It features three main air compartments, inflatable bow and stern spray skirts and two seats. The self bailing drain valve should be opened for ocean surf or mild whitewater. The hull material and working pressure is designed to have a moderate working pressure of approximately .75 PSI. The SE330 performs well in lakes and streams. Remember to close the drain valves when paddling on open water. This will allow you to have a totally dry trip.

Inflatable Sport Kayak

Instructions and Owner’s Manual

Sea Eagle 330 & 370

September 2009

19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 (631) 473 7308

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing our Sea Eagle Sport Kayak! We

have been selling inflatable boats for over 40 years, and your

boat is the beneficiary of this experience.

It is rugged, safe and secure, and will serve you well.

Packing list

If you have ordered your boat directly from SeaEagle.com, your

packing list will be included with your order. Please verify everything

is correct and contact us right away at 1-800-748-8066 if you have

any questions. Our office is open 9-5 Monday- Friday, EST.

If you have ordered from one of our dealers or resellers, please call

them if there are any items missing from your order.

SE330 & SE370

Our Go Anywhere SE330 & SE370 are great for lake and

stream paddling as well as play in the ocean and up to class

3 whitewater. They feature three main air compartments,

inflatable bow and stern spray skirts and two seats.

Pipe Valve on Spray Skirts:

Sea Eagle pipe valves are simple,

reliable and compact. Insert the large

cone-shaped nozzle on your pump to

inflate.

To close, tightly pinch the pipe sec tion

of the valve with your forefinger and

thumb while you remove the pump

nozzle from the valve. Squeeze tightly,

and hold the valve at the very bottom

so little air seeps out while you plug

the valve.

Once the valve is plugged it can be

pushed down into the chamber and

out of the way. Getting this right might

take a few attempts, but it becomes

second nature quickly.

Deluxe One-Way Valve

This one-way valve makes inflation

easier. The outer cap of the one-way

valves makes the permanent seal, and

must be fastened firmly. Be sure the

threads are not crossed when

tightening the cap or screwing the

valve base. Also check to make sure

there is no sand or dirt that could break the seal.

To inflate your boat simply place the

large round nozzle into the valve.

To deflate, unscrew the inner valve

and remove. Most of the air will rush

out in a minute or two, and any

remaining air will be forced out when

the boat is rolled up for storage.

Pumps

A-41 Bellows Pump - This pump is

used for all our products and is one of

the best on the market today. Attach

the hose to the valve on the right side

of the pump (as shown in the picture)

to inflate. The nozzle adapters allow

you to either inflate our small pipe

valves on our SEC seats and spray

skirts or our deluxe one-way valves on our main chambers

and deluxe inflatable seats. We firmly recommend you always

carry your A-41 on board for safety.

MB-50 Electric Pump - The MB-50

electric pump works with a 12-Volt

power outlet off your automobile to

inflate your Sea Eagle.

Make sure your pump is off, and insert

the adapter into your car’s 12-Volt

power outlet. If your battery is weak

you might want to keep your engine

running.

The MB-50 needs no extra nozzles to

inflate the main air chambers of your

SE330 & SE370. Just insert the pump

into the valve and switch it on. Use the

plastic extender tube and the large

nozzle to inflate the seats. Do not drop

your pump or move it suddenly while it

is on.

Self Bailing Drain Valves

The SE330 & SE370 have one drain

valve at the stern. It should be left

closed for dry paddling on open water

or opened for ocean surf or mild

whitewater (up to class 3).

Deluxe Inflatable Seat

Equipped with two one-way valves, this seat should be

inflated so it is rigid and reasonably hard. You should be able

to push your finger about 1/2” into a well inflated deluxe seat,

which will make it firm enough for good back support. If

overinflated the seat will bulge out in the center of both

pillows and will not be comfortable to sit on. Please also note

that you can change the center of gravity by the hardness or

lack of hardness in the bottom seat compartment - i.e. a

softer bottom compartment lowers your seating position.

For use in the SE330 &

SE370, attach the straps

to the D-rings on the

seat (as shown in the

picture to the left) and

place the seat in the

boat. The tubes of the

SE330 & SE370 will hold

the seat in place.

SEC Seat

This seat is equipped with

small pipe valves, and should

be inflated with the small

nozzle. (See Valves for

details).

For use in the SE330 &

SE370, place the seat in the

boat. The tubes of the SE330

& SE370 will hold the seat in

place.

Paddles

Our AB-30 7' 10” (4 Part)

Double End Asymmetric

Paddles feature anodized

aluminum shafts with

Fibrylon blades. It has a 65

degree feather capability. It

is durable and lightweight

(enough to float on water).

The blades of all our paddles can be either parallel or

feathered, in which case one blade is positioned 90 degrees

to the other. This can be a big help when paddling into a stiff

breeze because the blade not in the water will slice through

the wind with little resistance.

Feathering the blades complicates the motion of the stroke,

so it’s not recommended for new kayakers right away.

There are 6 parts to each AB30 Paddles:

2 straight middle sections, 2 blade sections & 2 drip guards.

To assemble, first join the 2

straight sections with the 3

holes (used for feathering)

in the center and slide a drip

guard over each open end

of the shaft.

Next, attach a blade section

to each end and complete

your AB30 Paddle.

SE330 & SE370 Inflation Monitor

The SE330 & SE370 feature

an inflation monitor diagram

to help you gauge the

correct pressure.

As you inflate your SE330 &

SE370, the hull material will

stretch so that the printed diagram will expand to match the

clear plastic strip included with your kayak.

Inflate the main chambers

so that the pattern on your

hull matches the pattern on

the clear plastic inflation

gauge.

Most customers become

familiar with the feel of a

properly inflated boat

quickly, and do not need to

check every time. It is a

good idea to use the inflation monitor for the first several

times you inflate your kayak.

Please note, the inflation monitor is on the inside of the

starboard (right, facing foward) compartment. Other air

compartments should be inflated so they are “tennis ball hard”

(firm) and you should be able to indent your thumb on the air

compartment about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

Inflation

Hull material and working pressure: The Sea Eagle 330 &

370, as well as spray skirts and seats are designed to have a

moderate working pressure of approximately .75 PSI.

Using an air compressor designed for tires at 50 PSI can

harm a boat designed to work at a far lower working

pressure, so we recommend only using Sea Eagle pumps.

The 2 main pontoon compartments of Sea Eagle 330 & 370

should be inflated with inflation monitor. (please refer to the

Inflation Monitor section for details).

Before starting, locate a relatively flat, clean space to unpack

your boat. Unroll the kayak so it is laid out flat, and locate

your pump. You are now ready to inflate your kayak. It will be

helpful to use the photos displayed on page 2 showing the

different types of valves and fittings we use.

The three main valves are located at the stern of the kayak.

Screw the three valves into the three valve bases. Insert the

base plug fitting into the yellow hose. Then insert the plug

fitting on the hose into the deluxe valve as shown on page 2.

Inflate each main compartment until the plastic pressure

gauge matches with the printed pressure gauge on the hull.

Please note you can safely inflate up to 1 centimeter beyond

the printed gauge without damaging the boat. You can use

the same plug fitting to inflate the floor of the kayak.

Use the same plug fitting to inflate our deluxe inflatable seats.

Please note you do not need to use the pressure gauge.

Simply stop inflating when your seat is reasonably rigid.

Using the larger of the two nozzle fittings attached to the plug

fitting, insert the nozzle fitting into the pipe valve on the front

spray skirt and then you can inflate until reasonably rigid

(i.e. wrinkle free and “tennis ball hard”). Repeat process for

rear spray skirt.

Moderate Whitewater Kayaking

Our Sea Eagle 330

& 370 kayaks can

be used for running

rapids up to class 3

whitewater. Please

note, these are

recreational kayaks

and they are not

designed for heavy

white water rapids.

They are rough,

capable boats, but

the challenges of

powerful hydraulics

and sharp rocks

can be more than

they are designed for. We recommend that you carefully

research any river you wish to run and be sure it does not

have conditions that are too great for this kind of kayak.

Whitewater kayaking is extremely challenging and rewarding,

but can also be very dangerous to those that disrespect the

power of moving water and the danger that sharp objects can

present.

It is not possible to adequately discuss the topic of whitewater

kayaking in the context of this owner’s manual. Cecil Kuhne’s

“Inflatable Kayaking” (ISBN 0-8117-2810-2) is a great source

of background information on paddling technique.

Lake and stream paddling

The Sea Eagle 330 & 370

perform well in lakes and

streams. Remember to

close the drain valves when

paddling on open water.

This will allow you to have a

totally dry trip.

One thing you might notice

if you are accustomed to

hardhull kayaks or canoes is the natural yaw (side to side

motion) of an inflatable kayak. This is a huge benefit in

whitewater or ocean paddling, but it is not always appropriate

for flatwater kayaking.

The Sea Eagle 330 & 370 have 2 skegs under the rear of the

inflatable floor. This helps control the yaw and improves your

paddling speed.

Big Paddling Hint: When you begin to paddle, paddle slowly

at first, building speed with each stroke. This will control the

natural yaw further and allow you to paddle straight and fast.

When paddling with a partner, try to co-ordinate your strokes

and paddle in unison. If you start paddling out of unison,

simply stop and start again. With practice you will learn to

paddle straight, reasonably fast and comfortably for as long

as you wish. Happy paddling!

Ocean Kayaking

The Sea Eagle 330 & 370 kayaks are a great pleasure on the

ocean. Those not familiar with the ocean should take

appropriate care, and always kayak within range of a

lifeguard station.

You should never go into ocean waves rougher than you can

handle. Never lose sight of the oncoming waves, and never,

never exhaust yourself in the ocean. It’s always better to end

the day early and safe than push your luck when you are

tired.

Deflation and Rollup

If you plan on storing your

kayak for more than a few

days, it is best to towel it off

or let the kayak dry in the

sun to remove any excess

moisture which might cause

unsightly mildew.

1. First open all the valves

and let the kayak deflate for

a minute or two. (See

Valves for details)

2. Fold one side of the

kayak toward the center.

3. Next fold the other side

over the first. The kayak will

still have a bit of air as

shown at left.

4. Starting from the bow, roll

the kayak up like a sleeping

bag (towards the 3 deluxe

valves). For the most

compact storage it is

important to roll the boat

tightly in the beginning and

keep it tight.

5. Once the boat is rolled up

it is ready to be stored or

carried. For additional

security place the inflatable

skeg protectors over skegs.

Care and Maintenance

There is very little that you have to do to keep your kayak in almost

new condition for many years. You may store it inflated or deflated.

If you leave it outside, you should raise it up off the ground and cover

it with a tarp if it is going to be in direct sunlight or exposed to leaves,

berries or rain.

We do not recommend using your boat below 30 degrees fahrenheit.

PVC material can become brittle in extremely cold temperatures.

This will not harm a boat stored in cold conditions as long as it is not

dropped or subjected to a sudden impact in the extreme cold.

If you store it in a closet, basement or

garage, we rec om mend picking a cool, dry

spot, making sure the boat is clean and

dry before you pack it up - otherwise mold

can ac cu mu late while it is stored.

Periodic use of 303 Protectant, available

in the Accessories section of

SeaEagle.com, will improve the UV

resistance of your Sea Eagle.

For stain removal, we recommend the use

of 3M Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer, also

available at SeaEagle.com to remove the

toughest stains.

Life Jackets

Sea Eagle recommends the use of

Coast Guard approved Personal

Flotation Devices (PFD’s) when on

the water. The Sea Eagle Life Jacket

features adjustable closures & nylon

straps for a comfortable, secure fit.

Three sizes are available at

seaeagle.com.

Troubleshooting

Leakage of air: If your boat appears a bit soft, it might not be

because of a leak. If the boat was inflated late in the day with

90 degree air, that air might cool 20 degrees overnight. The

cooler air exerts less pressure on the hull, so it could appear

soft the next morning.

If there has been no temperature variation, you need to start

looking for a leak. Below are the three best methods.

1) Visual inspection. Get a good look at your boat from just a

few feet away. Flip it over and closely check over the outside.

Any large leaks should be clearly visible.

2) Listening. If you have a rough idea where your leak is, you

can sometimes hear it in a quiet room.

3) Soapy water. Use a mix of dishwashing liquid and water in

a bucket and spread the soapy water over the boat using a

wash cloth. A small leak will produce bubbles that will pinpoint

the location of the leak. For large punctures, listen for

sputtering or whistling.

Check your valves: Look, listen, and if necessary, spray

soapy water around your valve and the valve base. Leaky

valves have several causes:

1) Check the O-Ring at the base

of the valve opening for dents.

Denting can occur when the

valve body lies accross the O-

Ring during storage. Heat the O-

Ring with a hairdryer until the

dent eases itself out. This should

not take more than a few

minutes.

2) Crossed threads. Make sure that both the inner valve and

the outer cap are firmly screwed together. If threads are

crossed on either item a slow leak could result. A good way to

avoid this is to first turn the outer cap back 1/4 turn.

3) Grains in Diaphragm, threads, or O-ring. Check the black

diaphragm at the bottom of the inner valve for grains between

the diaphragm and the inner valve. Also check the threads on

the inner valve, boat hull, and outer cap for any dirt or sand

which might break the seal. Check the O-ring on the inside of

the outer cap for any sand or contaminants which might break

the seal.

Repairs

Through use you may occasionally puncture your boat. Most

leaks only take a few min utes to repair. Your boat comes with

a repair kit, and additional repair supplies can be ordered

from our website.

Small Repairs: Deflate your boat. Thoroughly clean and dry

area to be repaired. For a small puncture (less than 1/8th")

apply a small drop of glue. Let dry 12 hours. If you need to

get on the water sooner, let dry 30 minutes and then inflate

the boat, inflating the compartment with the repair only 3/4

full. Be sure to make a permanent repair later.

Patches: Leaks larger than a pinhole can be patched. Most

patches can be done in a few minutes, but we do offer a

repair service for more complex jobs out of warranty. Our

minimum repair fee is $75. and you will be responsible for

freight expenses to our facility in Port Jefferson and return

freight to your destination.

First locate the leak by the

methods above. Soapy water will

bubble out from the source of the

leak.

Thoroughly clean the area

surrounding the leak to remove

any dirt or grime.

Cut a piece of repair material

large enough to over lap the

damaged area by approximately

1/2". Round off the edges, and

place over the leaking area.

Using a ball point pen, trace the

outline of the patch. Angle the

pen inward a bit so that the ink

will be covered by the patch later.

Ap ply ad he sive to the dull side of

the patch and around the area to

be repaired. Coat the affected

area lightly but completely with

glue.

Let the glue sit for 2-4 minutes

until it appears tacky. If glue does

not hold, heat patch with a hair

dryer and press firmly until cool. Note: Do not use hair dryer

on an inflated boat.

Place the patch on the damaged

area and press down firmly. Use

a hair dryer to heat the patched

area. A temperature of

approximately 160 degrees will

activate the adhesive. The boat

must be deflated when using a

hair dryer or the material may

bulge as a result. Allow 24 hours

to cure before inflating your kayak after the repair.

Skeg Installation

Older Sport Kayak models did not have skegs equipped but

can easily be installed following these directions. The skeg kit

can be purchased online at SeaEagle.com.

If you are gluing your skegs to your old Sport Kayak we

suggest that you glue the skegs at a distance of about 24”

from the drain valve in the stern of the boat. The floor is

divided into 5 tubes. Skegs are glued on the second tube

from either side under the boat.

Before gluing the skegs, fully

inflate your kayak and turn it

upside down. Place the skegs

lengthwise on the tubes and then

trace the outline with a pencil on

the tubes. Please bear in mind

that the skeg should have the

lower curved section facing the

bow and the higher pointed end

facing the stern of the kayak.

Smear a thin layer of glue inside

of the traced outlines on the

pontoons and on the base of the

skegs. Allow the glue to get tacky

for about 2-5 minutes and then

place the skegs down on the

traced outlines.

Press the skegs hard against the

pontoons to make sure that the

two surfaces are joined properly.

It is helpful to use a small putty

knife to press down on the flat

flange area of the skeg against

the pontoon.

Allow it to try for at least 12 hours.Your skegs should now be

permanently attached to your kayak.

Skeg Straightening

. If a skeg does become bent (this

can happen from folding the boat

up without the skeg protectors

on them) there is a simple

solution.

First, make sure that the boat is

inflated & turn it upside down so

that the skegs are facing upward.

Then using a hair dryer, heat the

skegs up until they become soft.

It should only take a few minutes

for the skeg to become soft and

then the skeg can be

straightened by hand. Place skeg

protector over skeg until it cools. Store boat with skeg

protectors in place to prevent bending of the skeg.

Please feel free to check out SeaEagle.com for new accessories,

spare & replacement parts for your new (or older) Sea Eagle Sport Kayak!

Sea Eagle Boats. Inc.

19 N. Columbia St., Suite 1

Port Jefferson NY, 11777

1-800-748-8066 or e-mail us at [email protected]

Sea Eagle SE330 Instructions And Owner's Manual

Sea Eagle SE330 Instructions And Owner's Manual

Sea Eagle SE330 Instructions And Owner's Manual

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