O W NER ’ S M A N U A L WELCOME TO DAGGER EUROPE BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY You are in good company. Over the years Dagger From the mountains to the sea, Dagger paddlers has crafted a reputation for being at the cutting are relentless in the pursuit of adventure and play. edge of paddlesport, which is why so many of the Join in at www.daggereurope.com to share your worlds most passionate and well-known paddlers experiences, see what the team have been doing choose to use our boats. Like them, you’ll find and get the latest news. your Dagger kayak will provide years of adventure wherever you want to go, and maybe places you CONTENTS haven’t thought of yet. 4 Kayak Key Features: Recreational/Touring 5 Kayak Key Features: Whitewater Formed in the late 80’s, Dagger has spent over two decades innovating and developing to create 6 Outfitting classic designs that always deliver performance, 12 Storage & Transport comfort and value. This guide will help you get 13 Care & Maintenance the best from your new Dagger kayak and also Additional Equipment ensure it stays in good condition throughout your 14 paddling adventures. 15 Your Safety 16 Warranty Thank you for choosing Dagger kayaks. 17 Service & Support This owner’s manual and additional information is available at www.daggereurope.com KAYAK KEY FEATURES: RECREATIONAL / TOURING Rudder (some models) Stern Seat & seatback Large hatch Backband adjuster Security bar Cockpit Thighbraces Deck Deck rigging Small hatch Grab handle Compass Bow Skeg Rail (some models) Sidewall Skeg/rudder lanyard Hull Foot brace bolts Deck lines, bow and stern Chine FEATURES IN DETAIL BOW/NOSE: The front of the kayak. THIGHBRACES: Shaped, padded braces under which GRAB HANDLE: Moulded plastic handles and both end STERN/TAIL: The back of the kayak. your thighs and knees are placed to help control the used to carry the kayak. DECK: The top of the kayak. roll of the kayak. COMPASS: Some touring kayaks feature a position for a HULL: The bottom of the kayak. SEAT & SEATBACK: The seat includes an integral deck-mounted compass. SIDEWALL: The side of the kayak. seatback or adjustable backband to provide lumbar HATCHES: Allow gear to be stowed inside the kayak – CHINE: The edge where the hull meets the sidewall. support. hatches have a moulded rubber hatch cover to keep RAIL: The edge where the sidewall meets the deck. RUDDER: A movable blade at the stern of the kayak water out and your gear in. COCKPIT: The area where you sit – surrounded by the which helps the boat to turn and track. DECK RIGGING: Useful pattern of elasticised rope on the cockpit rim. SKEG: A fixed blade at the stern of the kayak which deck of the kayak, used to store additional items. FOOT BRACE: Adjustable pedals to rest your feet helps the boat to track. DECK LINES: Additional rigging on bow and stern for against – also used to steer the rudder fitted in some RUDDER LANYARD: Used to deploy and retract attachment and storage. kayaks. the rudder. 4 KAYAK KEY FEATURES: WHITEWATER Security bar Stern/Tail Grab handle Backband adjuster Backband Seat Rudder (some models) Stern Seat & seatback Large hatch Backband adjuster Thighbrace Security bar Cockpit Cockpit Thighbraces Deck Deck Drain plug Grab handle Deck rigging Small hatch Bow/Nose Grab handle Compass Bow Skeg Rail (some models) Rail Sidewall Hull Skeg/rudder lanyard Sidewall Hull Chine Foot brace bolts Footbrace bolts Deck lines, bow and stern Chine FEATURES IN DETAIL BOW/NOSE: The front of the kayak. COCKPIT: The area where you sit – surrounded by the SECURITY BAR: A fixed bar which can be used to lock STERN/TAIL: The back of the kayak. cockpit rim. your kayak to prevent theft. DECK: The top of the kayak above the waterline. FOOTBRACE: Adjustable pedals to rest your feet against GRAB HANDLE: Handles at bow and stern used to carry HULL: The bottom of the kayak below the waterline. – also used to steer the rudder fitted in some kayaks. the kayak. SIDEWALL: The side of the kayak. THIGHBRACES: Shaped, padded braces under which DRAIN PLUG: Plastic plug that screws into a threaded CHINE: The edge where the hull meets the sidewall – your thighs and knees are placed to help control the insert at the stern – used to easily empty whatever below the waterline. roll of the kayak. water has accumulated in the kayak. RAIL: The edge where the sidewall meets the deck – SEAT & SEATBACK: The shaped seat, sometimes adjustable, above the waterline. includes an integral seatback or adjustable backband to provide lumbar support. 5 OUTFITTING: SEAT Most Dagger kayak seats are designed for use One of the most important considerations in by the majority of people without any adjustment. using your kayak is the way it feels to you – However, our seats are easily adjustable to ensure how comfortably it fits and how easy it is maximum performance. to get in and out of. Try paddling the boat with the seat in a neutral position before moving it to any degree. ADJUSTING THE SEAT: REC/TOURING KAYAK 1 To adjust the seat in Dagger touring kayaks, unscrew and remove the plastic thumb nuts from the sides of the seat. Lift the sides of the seat off the retaining bolts. 2 Move the seat forward/backward as desired and test the fit by sitting in the kayak on the water. 3 When the correct position is attained, line up the holes in the side of the seat with the retaining bolts, replace and tighten the plastic thumb nut. ADJUSTING THE SEAT: WHITEWATER KAYAK 1 To adjust the seat in Dagger whitewater kayaks, unscrew and remove the plastic thumb nuts from either the sides or bottom of the seat. Lift seat off remaining bolts. 2 Move the seat forward or backward as desired and test the fit by sitting in the kayak on the water. When the correct position is attained, replace and fully tighten the thumb nuts. 6 OUTFITTING: SEAT CREEK SEAT ADJUSTMENT PLAY SEAT ADJUSTMENT HIP PAD ADJUSTMENT For ultimate strength some Dagger whitewater For lightweight connection some Dagger For increase your contact with the boat, the boats are fitted with the creek seat. whitewater boats are fitted with the play seat. hip pads can be adjusted. 1 Loosen, but DO NOT remove, five seat adjust- 1 Unfasten the upper back band straps. 1 Disconnect two buckles. ment screws. 2 Loosen the seat adjustment knob by turning five 2 Swing hip pad upward. 2 With both hands, slide the seat assembly fore or to six times but DO NOT remove it. 3 Insert foam padding into the pocket on the back aft to the desired location. 3 With both hands positioned as shown, press of the hip pad. 3 Tighten five adjustment screws securely. down on the rear adjustment knob and slide the 4 After you have inserted as much foam padding seat assembly foward or back. as desired, reseal and lower hip pad and Velcro® 4 Tighten the adjustment knob securely. into desired position, FASTEN BOTH BUCKLES, 5 Fasten both upper back band straps. and tighten the straps. 5 Stow the straps by wrapping them back behind the buckles and fastening to the Velcro® tabs. 6 Never allow your outfitting to impair exit in an emergency. Seat adjustment Foam pad screw Seat adjustment screws Hip pad Buckles Seat adjustment screws 7 Thigh brace OUTFITTING: THIGHBRACES / BACKREST set screws THIGH BRACE ADJUSTMENT Some Dagger kayaks are outfitted with adjustable thigh braces, which help to hold your knees against the inside of the kayak. 1 Climb into the cockpit and get comfortable. Thigh brace adjustment screws 2 Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove both thigh brace set screws. 3 Loosen, but DO NOT remove, the thigh brace adjustment screws. 4 Position both thigh braces comfortably against your thighs by sliding fore or aft. 5 Securely tighten all four adjustment screws. 6 Install and securely tighten both set screws. BACKBAND ADJUSTMENT All Dagger Europe kayaks have adjustable backbands to ensure you get the best fit and provide lumbar support. The backband should be adjusted enough that you feel secure while remaining comfortable. Do not overtighten as this could impair your exit or cause back injury. 1 Zone Outfitting: The height of the seat back can be raised or lowered. To raise simply grasp any section of the backrest and slide upwards. To lower, grasp the yellow adjustment lever and rotate it forwards and down. 2 Free standing backband: Use the sliders on the Slide seat back up and down back of the backband to adjust tension. Backbands featuring ratchets on the thighbraces Pull loose strap to tension can be adjusted here whilst sitting in the kayak. 8 OUTFITTING: FOOTBRACES Foam shims FOAM FOOTBRACES Dagger playboats are fitted with foam footbraces. These are lightweight, simple and allow you to get a custom fit. To maximise footroom, be sure to outfit your boat wearing the gear you’ll wear on the water. 1 Loosen strap and add/remove foam shims to achieve desired comfort. 2 Tighten strap, place in boat and check for com- fort and fit. Foam mountain By knowing and understanding your SLIDELOCK FOOTBRACES Hand-adjustable footbraces allow you to reposi- kayak and its different parts, you will tion your foot pedals quickly and easily while be able to use it more efficiently and ashore or underway. To adjust pedal position, your kayaking experience will be locate the adjusting lever below the pedal more rewarding. track and lift so that it slides. To lengthen the pedals, push the lever forward.