FAQ   FIREFLY™ and DRAGONFLY™

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of valves does the AdvancedFrame have? (Click here for info)
The main chambers use high-end military style, plunger valves (Push in and twist 90 degrees to activate the spring-loaded check valve for inflating, or push-in and twist to lock open for deflating). You will notice the stem of the valve move outward, or lock inward. When inflating the stem should be in the outward position (or valve closed position). The pump pressure will bypass the the closed valve then when you stop pumping and remove the adaptor no air will come out. If using a standard foot or hand pump, you will need to use the hose adaptor included with the AdvancedFrame kayak. (located in the black nylon "repair kit" bag) Inflate the first chamber until it starts to fill out. Then close that valve, and proceed to the second gray valve. Inflate the second valve until the tube body fills out and feels firm. The other chambers are twisting style valves. Simply hold the pump hose on the end of the blue nozzle and pump. When the chamber is full twist shut.

How does the bow and stern improve the performance of the kayak?
The unique bow and stern improve performance by doing the following. The bow is narrow and sharp as well as raised (Greenlander style). This reduces the resistance through the water and keeps the waves from breaking on the deck. The Stern closes the water behind the boat and acts like a skeg to keep the kayak traveling straight.

Rigid Bow and Stern Internal View

Do I need to make a plywood floor for my kayak.?
NO, absolutely not. When the AdvancedFrame is inflated properly the skin is tight, and the air chambers are firm. The AdvancedFrame requires no additional stiffener. The only reason that a board would be needed would be if the kayak was not inflated properly. You must use a foot pump or hand pump to inflate to the needed pressure, an electric mattress inflator will not generate enough pressure.

What is the deflated and packed size of the AdvancedFrame kayak?
The dimensions of the deflated AdvancedFrame kayak are 33 x 17 x 8 inches.

How much does the kayak weigh?
It weights 34 lbs.

Does it come with a carry case?
Yes, The AdvancedFrame kayak comes complete with a very heavy-duty duffel bag for transporting your kayak to your favorite destination.

What is the best way to pack the boat back into the duffle bag?
The key to repacking the kayak is to get all the air out of it. Do this by reversing your pump and sucking the remaining air out of each chamber. Then follow the folding instructions in the owner's manual.

Is there a way to increase the foot room?
Yes, if you need more space for your feet, simply let the air out of the floor chamber, then fold the rear of the floor over on itself (by 6" or 8") and slide the floor toward the rear of the boat. Then re-inflate the floor. This adds about 4" of toe room.

Can I fit a spray skirt on the seating compartment coaming?
Yes, the coaming around the seating area can be used to attach a spray skirt, however it is not a rigid coaming so it would not be sufficient for Eskimo rolls, but it will keep excess water out of the boat and keep the warmth in on winter day. We have one specially designed for it. It is now available for purchase on our website or through our toll free number, and a various retailers in Spring 2003.

What other accessories do you recommend?
These are a few other accessories that we would suggest if you don't already have them.

    a. Bellows style foot pump (to take with you).
    b. A good quality paddling PFD (lifejacket) designed for kayaking.
    c. Roll-top dry bag 1 or 2 (for stowing gear on deck or behind your seat).
    d. A 4-part take-down paddle (so it will fit in your kayak duffel bag).
    e. A paddling jacket is a nice thing to have on cold wet days.
    f. Safety whistle and strobe light. Always play it safe.
    g. An external frame pack for packing your kayak into a back country lake.

How do you clean the kayak?
Hose it down with freshwater, and let it air dry before packing away for extended periods. Use a sponge to soak up any excess water and grit that may have made its way into the boat.

How long does it take to set up?
On average it takes about 5 minutes when inflating with a foot pump. It will obviously take longer than that the first time you setup as you will want to get familiar with the components and assembly described in the owner's manual.

Is there storage room inside the kayak for additional gear?
Yes, one of the nice features about this kayak is that there is actually room behind the seat to bring extra gear along on your adventure. There is also deck space to lash down any safety gear (spare paddle, etc.).

How easily can the boat be punctured?
We use top quality reinforced PVC, and Hi-density fabrics. In order to puncture the main chamber from the bottom you would need to pierce through (3) three layers of material.

Do I need a UV fabric protector?
If you would like to use a spray protector, we would recommend 303 protector (available at REI) this is the best on the market, and their tests do show that it extends the life of fabrics that are used in sunlight for extended periods.

How should I store my boat?
When storing for an extended period of time, we recommend storing your kayak deflated in a cool dry area, out of direct sunlight.

How well does the AdvancedFrame track in a straight line?
The AdvancedFrame kayak is designed to move thru the water like rigid and folding boats, instead of on top of the water like most inflatables. This greatly enhances the tracking, especially on powerful strokes.

What type of conditions you can expect to use the AdvancedFrame kayak in?
The AdvancedFrame is designed to be a day touring type boat, for flat or open water. The bow and stern have a rigid semi-frame that gives it a hard edge. This greatly improves the tracking over traditional inflatables. The AdvancedFrame is fine for class 1 and 2 rivers, and durable enough for class 3, however it is really designed to paddle in a straight line, and therefore not recommended for rivers above class 3. When choosing a kayak for class 3 whitewater or greater, you really want a boat with a very rounded hull that will not grip on to the current, especially in eddys. Unfortunately kayaks with very rounded hulls will not paddle very straight on flat water.

FAQ STRAITEDGE™

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of valves does the StraitEdge Kayak have?
The main chambers use high-end military style, plunger valves (Push in and twist 90 degrees to activate the spring-loaded check valve for inflating, or push-in and twist to lock open for deflating). You will notice the stem of the valve move outward, or lock inward. When inflating the stem should be in the outward position (or valve closed position). The pump pressure will bypass the closed valve then when you stop pumping and remove the adaptor no air will come out.

How does the bow and stern improve the performance of the kayak?
The unique bow and stern improve performance by doing the following. The bow is narrow and sharp as well as raised. This reduces the resistance through the water and keeps the waves from breaking on the deck. The Stern closes the water behind the boat and acts like a skeg to keep the kayak traveling straight.

What is the deflated and packed size of the StraitEdge kayak?
The dimensions of the deflated StraitEdge kayak are 39 x 18 x 9.5 inches.

How much does the kayak weigh?
It weights 34 lbs.

Does it come with a carry case?
Yes, The StraitEdge kayak comes complete with a very heavy-duty duffel bag for transporting your kayak to your favorite destination.

What is the best way to pack the boat back into the duffle bag?
The key to repacking the kayak is to get all the air out of it. Do this by reversing your pump and sucking the remaining air out of each chamber. Then follow the folding instructions in the owner's manual for folding.

Is this a whitewater kayak?
The StraitEdge kayak is designed to be a sit-on-top type kayak for open water use. It can be used in rivers, but is designed to paddle straight, whereas most whitewater kayaks are designed with excess rocker (raised bow and stern) to allow easy turning. The StraitEdge kayak is designed to paddle just like a sit-on-top hardshell kayak. It has a rigid bow and stern that lengthens the waterline and dramatically improves the tracking performance. For fishing this is the ultimate craft, as it is very stable, durable, and allows easy access to gear.

What other accessories do you recommend?
These are a few other accessories that we would suggest if you don't already have them.

      a. Bellows style foot pump (to take with you)
      b. A good quality paddling PFD (lifejacket) designed for canoeing
      c. Roll-top dry bag 1 or 2 (for stowing gear on deck or behind your seat).
      d. A 4-part take-down paddle (so it will fit in your canoe duffel bag)
      e. A paddling jacket is a nice thing to have on cold wet days.
      f. Safety whistle and strobe light. Always play it safe.
      g. An external frame pack for packing your canoe into a back country lake.

How do you clean the kayak?
Hose it down with freshwater, and let it air dry before packing away for extended periods. Use a sponge or towel to soak up any excess water and grit that may have made its way into the boat.

How long does it take to set up?
On average it takes about 5 minutes when inflating with a foot pump. It will obviously take longer than that the first time you setup as you will want to get familiar with the components and assembly described in the owner's manual.

Is there storage room inside the kayak for additional gear?
Yes, there is extra space behind the seat.

How easily can the boat be punctured?
We use top quality reinforced PVC, and Hi-density fabrics. In order to puncture the main chamber from the bottom you would need to pierce through (2) two layers of material.

How should I store my boat?
When storing for an extended period of time, we recommend storing your kayak deflated in a cool dry area, out of direct sunlight.

How well does the StraitEdge track in a straight line?
The StraitEdge kayak is designed to move thru the water like rigid sit-on-top boats, instead of on top of the water like most inflatables. This greatly enhances the tracking, especially on powerful strokes.

What type of conditions you can expect to use the StraitEdge kayak in?
The StraitEdge is designed for flat or open water. The bow and stern have a rigid semi-frame that gives it a hard edge. This greatly improves the tracking over traditional inflatables.

Is this kayak self-bailing?
The StraitEdge Kayak can be set up as self-bailing or a standard (non-bailing) floor. This allows the paddler to set the boat to their desired paddling conditions. If you plan to get wet in the waves (ocean or river) then we suggest opening the ports on the floor so the kayak is self-bailing. Water that comes in will drain out through the bottom. On the other hand, if you planning to go out for a paddle on flat water and don’t plan to take on waves then close the ports and you have a standard floor kayak.

OWNER'S MANUAL

Please select desired model below to download manuals. (PDF)

SAFETY WARNING

Paddle sports can be very dangerous and physically demanding. The user of this product should understand that participation in paddle sports may involve serious injury or death. Observe the following safety standards whenever using this product. The user of this product acknowledges both an understanding and an assumption of the risk involved in paddle sports.

After you have inflated your kayak and before you put it in the water, inspect your equipment for obvious signs of wear or failure. Review local rules and regulations and read again the “CAUTION” statement. Most areas have local laws and regulations about the use and equipment of small boats.

Usually a phone call to the local authorities will provide you with the needed information. Some areas may require that you register and display a registration number on the front of your kayak. Once you have been issued a number, it is best to affix it to the kayak by printing it on the material with a permanent ink marker. If you are required to display a sticker or vinyl letters, an inflatable boat ID kit can be purchased at most marine stores.

Your kayak is designed to be paddled with a double bladed kayak paddle. Paddle with short and even strokes. Keep the blade close to the kayak and the paddle almost vertical. Pull with your lower hand and push with your upper hand. To reduce the amount of swaying at the front of the kayak, ease off on the force of your stroke. Paddling with a backward stroke can sometimes offer quick maneuverability.

Always practice safety and take the time to learn about the area where you are paddling. Get official information about the local tides and currents before paddling there. Be careful that you do not over estimate your strength, your endurance or your skill. Be careful never to under estimate weather conditions. Be aware of the dangers before you begin. Be aware of your skill level. Be sure you understand and accept the risk of these dangers. There are many paddling clubs all over the world. These can be a great source of information on places to paddle, people to paddle with and most importantly, continued safety practices.

INNOVATION

 

PERFORMANCE