OWNER’S MANUAL WELCOME TO THE FAMILY CONTENTS As a Dagger kayak owner, you’re in good company with some 2 KAYAK ANATOMY: WHITEWATER of the world’s most passionate and well-known paddlers. Dagger’s reputation is for being at the cutting-edge of 3 KAYAK ANATOMY: RECREATIONAL/TOURING performance, comfort, and value. Your Dagger kayak will 4 SAFETY provide years of adventure wherever you want to go; and to 5 RECREATIONAL & TOURING OUTFITTING places you haven’t yet thought of going. 6 SKEGS/FOOT BRACES Back in 1988, four buddies created the first of what would 7 STOWING YOUR GEAR become the industry standard in paddlesports. Today, every 8 STORAGE/TRANSPORT Dagger kayak is built with over two decades of the latest 9 CARE/MAINTENANCE material and design innovations. They’ve been team tested and paddler proven to handle water anywhere it moves. 10 ACCESSORIES A lot has changed over the years but true to the very 12 LIMITED WARRANTY beginning, one thing remains the same. Our kayaks still run 13 SERVICE & SUPPORT on excitement. Thanks for choosing Dagger. BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY! As a Dagger owner, you’ve joined the ranks of one of the largest and most active groups of paddlers on the planet. Get the most out of your experience by connecting with them using our online communities. Visit Dagger.com or TeamDagger.com to connect with fans, owners, and Dagger Pro Staff. This owner’s manual and additional resources are available at www.dagger.com. KAYAK ANATOMY: WHITEWATER KAYAK ANATOMY: RECREATIONAL/TOURING GRAB SECURITY BACKBAND SEAT THIGH COCKPIT BACKBAND STERN STERN SECURITY SEAT/ HANDLE BAR BRACE ADJUSTER HATCH BAR SEATBACK COCKPIT THIGH DECK COCKPIT COAMING BRACES BUNGEE DECK DECK RIGGING STERN/TAIL GRAB BOW HATCH HANDLE DRAIN COMPASS RECESS PLUG BOW/NOSE RETRACTABLE CARRY SKEG HANDLE BOW RAIL SIDEWALL COCKPIT COAMING RAIL HULL SAFETY PERIMETER HULL FOOT BRACE CHINE SIDEWALL CHINE LINE BOLTS FOOT BRACE BOLTS FEATURES IN DETAIL FEATURES IN DETAIL BOW / NOSE: The front of the kayak. COCKPIT: The area where you sit - surrounded by the SECURITY BAR: A bar fixed to the kayak which can be BOW: The front of the kayak. THIGH BRACES: Shaped, padded braces under which COMPASS RECESS: Some touring kayaks feature a STERN / TAIL: The back of the kayak. cockpit coaming. used to lock your kayak to prevent theft. STERN: The back of the kayak. your thighs and knees are placed to help control the roll position for a deck-mounted compass. DECK: The top of the kayak above the waterline. FOOT BRACE / ADJUSTABLE BULKHEAD: Adjustable GRAB HANDLE: Handles at both ends used to carry the DECK: The top of the kayak. of the kayak. HATCHES: Rubber covers allow access to the sealed foam pads or bulkhead plates used to brace your feet kayak and rescue. compartments below deck. Provides dry storage as well HULL: The bottom of the kayak below the waterline. HULL: The bottom of the kayak. SEAT & SEATBACK: The seat includes an integral seatback against. DRAIN PLUG: Plastic plug that screws into a threaded or adjustable backband to provide lumbar support. as secure buoyancy. SIDEWALL: The side of the kayak. SIDEWALL: The side of the kayak. THIGH BRACES: Shaped, padded braces under which insert at the stern - Used to easily empty water that has SECURITY BAR: A bar fixed to the kayak which can be BUNGEE DECK RIGGING: Useful pattern of CHINE: The edge where the hull meets the sidewall - CHINE: The edge where the hull meets the sidewall. your thighs and knees are placed to help control the roll accumulated in the kayak. used to lock your kayak to prevent theft. elasticised rope on the deck of the kayak, used to store Below the waterline. of the kayak. RAIL: The edge where the sidewall meets the deck - RETRACTABLE SKEG: A blade at the stern of the kayak additional items. RAIL: The edge where the sidewall meets the deck - SEAT & SEATBACK: The seat includes an adjustable Above the waterline. which can be lowered to help the boat to track. SAFETY PERIMETER LINES: Used for rescue; reflective Above the waterline. backband to provide lumbar support. COCKPIT: The area where you sit. CARRY HANDLE: Padded plastic handles at both ends for better visability. FOOT BRACE: Adjustable pedals to brace your foot against. of the boat used to carry and secure the boat. * Your model features may differ from diagram. 2 3 SAFETY RECREATIONAL & TOURING OUTFITTING DO : DON’T : SEAT ADJUSTMENT BACKREST ADJUSTMENT Any person using kayaks built and/or sold by • Wear a Coast Guard approved personal • Never exceed your ability and assess how far Dagger Recreational and Touring seating systems are Most Dagger kayaks have adjustable back rests to Dagger is personally responsible for determining flotation device (PFD). and how long you can paddle or swim. designed for use by the majority of people without ensure the best fit and provide lumbar support. that their abilities are equal or superior to the • Wear a helmet when paddling whitewater • Never paddle alone. any adjustment required. The backrest should be adjusted enough that you conditions encountered and exercising proper or in the ocean. feel secure while remaining comfortable. Do not • Never consume alcohol, drugs, or any other For full information on Dagger Whitewater outfitting, judgment in choice of where and when to paddle. • Get paddlesports instruction from a licensed substance that may affect your coordination, overtighten as this could impair your exit or cause please reference the Contour Ergo adjustment back injury. Any person using Dagger kayaks assumes all or certified instructor. judgment, or ability when paddling. manual included with your Dagger Whitewater kayak. • Dress appropriately for weather conditions; • Never paddle in flood conditions. risks and takes complete responsibility for any HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE BACKREST and all damages, or injuries, including death, cold water and/or weather can result in hypothermia. • Never allow minors to use the boat without For more step-by-step instructions, The height of the seatback can be raised or lowered adult supervision. which may result from use of or participation in visit Dagger.com using the toggle located at the front of the seat Dagger kayaks. • Check your equipment prior to each use for signs of wear or failure. • Avoid bracing yourself in the kayak in such a base. To raise the backrest, pull the nylon strap Backrest way that you have to release any outfitting to forward and it will lock into place. To lower the Consult your physician prior to beginning your • Scout unfamiliar waters. If necessary, paddle escape. paddlesport training. to shore and carry your boat past uncertain backrest, push down on the plastic tab to release areas. • Do not impair entry or exit access to the kayak the nylon strap (Contour Surround Excluded). when installing additional outfitting • Stay aware of appropriate river water levels, tidal changes, dangerous currents, and THIGH BRACE ADJUSTMENT BACKBAND weather changes. Some Dagger kayaks are outfitted with adjustable Use the sliders on the back of the backband to • Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for thigh braces. Thigh braces hold your knees adjust the tension further up or backwards. use and outfitting of your kayak. against the inside of the kayak increasing your • Leave your paddling location and agenda control over the boat’s pitch and roll. LEGLIFTER with someone at home before departing. 1 1 While seated in the kayak, locate the straps on Loosen the bolts holding the thigh braces to the Backband • Obtain certified first aid and rescue training kayak using a philips head screwdriver. You each side of the front of the seat. Pull the straps and carry first aid and rescue equipment. need to completely remove the front bolt only. upwards until the leglifter is raised to your desired • Always use supplemental flotation. comfort level. Do not over tighten the leglifter 2 Move each thigh brace forwards or backwards system. Do not restrict exit from the kayak. until comfortable and re-tighten the retaining bolts. 2 To lower the leglifter, lift and push on the web locking buckle tabs located on each leglifter IMPORTANT: strap. WARNING: One of the most important considerations in using Kayaking can be hazardous with potential risk of your kayak is the way it feels to you – how comfortably serious injury and even death. it fits and how easy it is to get in and out of. Contour Surround 4 5 SKEGS / FOOT BRACES STOWING YOUR GEAR RETRACTABLE SKEG SLIDELOCK FOOT BRACES STOWING DECK RIGGING Some Dagger kayaks have a retractable skeg to help First, sit in an upright position to begin adjusting There is stowage space behind the seat and in Dagger recreation/touring kayaks feature deck aid in boat control in certain wind and sea conditions. the footpegs. There is a gray plastic rod front of the footbraces in many Dagger kayaks. rigging for stowing useful items: A spare take-apart The deployment of the skeg helps balance the boat extending from the footpeg to your knee that To stow gear in other areas of a Dagger touring/ paddle, bilge pump, dry bag, first aid kit, etc. to the specific conditions by adding more tracking at adjusts the position. Lift the rod slightly to release recreational kayak, simply open one of the Valuable items should be tied to the rigging to the stern of the boat. Experiment with different skeg the peg and then either slide the peg forward or hatches and slide it in. positions to find the best balance point. back to find the correct position. prevent loss. Check the security of stashed gear Heavier items should be placed towards the periodically and remember that heavy items Releasing the rod will lock it in place.