Reel Yaks Recon 10.5ft Assembly Instructions

Our Commitment

Congratulations on buying your Reel Yaks pedal kayak! We want you to love your kayak as much as we do. If you have any questions on your Reel Yaks kayak assembly, then please email us at hello@reelyaks.com or call us on 855 202 5035. Note we also have assembly videos on our website at WWW.REELYAKS.COM and on YouTube. If you run into any other issues, no matter how small, let us know and we'll take care of you.

Don't forget to fill out the warranty form on our website at www.reelyaks.com/pages/warranty-registration.

If you are looking for any accessories to go with your Reel Yaks kayak such as a trolling mount, bimini, etc. then please visit us at WWW.REELYAKS.COM.

Kayak Maintenance: We recommend a fresh water wash of all parts after every use and to spray any moving parts, screws and cables with WD40 once a month as a preventative measure.

Unboxing Your Kayak

Assembly Steps

There are six key pieces of assembly to be done:

1. Kayak halves
2. Stadium Chair
3. Rudder
4. Fishing Rod Holder
5. Paddle
6. Pedal Drive

[Diagram showing the six main components for assembly: kayak halves, stadium chair, rudder, fishing rod holder, paddle, and pedal drive.]

1. Kayak Assembly

Step 1: Joining Halves

For the kayak assembly ensure you have the two halves facing each other. Lift the rear section so that the lip of the rear overlaps the front half lip and then push down firmly on both sides. When this is done your kayak should be evenly aligned on both sides.

[Image: Two halves of a blue kayak being brought together, showing the interlocking lip.]

Step 2: Securing Latches

Next close the latches on both sides. The latches should be set correctly for your kayak, but if you find you're having to force it then stop. The latches have a screw under it that you can adjust with a screwdriver to get a firm lock closure. Do not force the latches closed. If a latch is too loose then adjust it accordingly to get a good firm fit. Forcing the latches closed for an overly tight fit can damage the screws unnecessarily on the adjoining catch.

[Image: Close-up of a kayak latch mechanism.]

2. Stadium Chair Assembly

Step 1: Attaching Seat

For the stadium chair assembly you'll need the 2 long screws, black seat brackets and allen wrench. In each seat rail you will have two slider receivers in which you can secure your seat. Move one to the front of the kayak for each rail and screw the front knobs into each slider. The back of the chair sits on top of the rails.

[Image: The stadium chair seat and brackets, along with an allen wrench and screws.]

3. Rudder Assembly

Step 1: Rudder Control String

The red ball and string to the right of the seat is for raising and lowering the rudder. Release the string from the cleat. Locate the round rudder steering cap on the top of the hull behind the seat and the rope for raising and lowering the rudder.

[Image: Close-up of the red ball and string mechanism for the rudder.]

Step 2: Routing Rudder Rope

Thread the rope through the front hole underneath the rudder steering cap to the underside of the hull.

[Image: The underside of the kayak hull showing the hole for the rudder steering cap.]

Step 3: Attaching Rope to Rudder

Hold the rudder in your hand with the mounting pole at the top and the rudder blade facing you. Insert the rope into the hole at the front of the rudder.

[Image: A hand holding the rudder assembly, showing the mounting pole and blade.]

Step 4: Securing Rope to Rudder Blade

Pull the rope through to the bottom side of the rudder. Then loop the rope up and insert the end of the rope into the hole at the top of the rudder blade.

[Image: The underside of the kayak hull with an orange arrow pointing to the hole where the rudder rope is threaded.]

Step 5: Inserting Rudder Mount

Insert the rudder mount up into the middle large hole on the underside of the kayak. Ensure the rope is taut prior to tying a large knot at the end of the rope.

[Image: The rudder mount being inserted into the kayak hull.]

Step 6: Installing Steering Cap

Place the rudder steering cap over the top of the rudder and insert the mounting pole into the underside of the cap. Insert the screw into the top of the cap and secure it with an allen key.

[Image: Hands installing the rudder steering cap and inserting a screw with an allen key.]

Step 7: Aligning Steering Handle

Prior to installing the rudder handle, ensure the rudder is in a centered position. The base of the rudder steering mechanism is located to the left of the seat. The rudder handle needs to be properly mounted and aligned with the base, before tightening with the single screw provided. Ensure that your rudder steering handle is in a neutral position with the handle parallel to the centre line of the kayak.

[Image: The rudder steering handle being aligned with its base.]

Step 8: Testing and Adjusting Steering

Pull the rudder handle all the way left and then all the way right, to ensure the rudder is tracking correctly. You can adjust the tauntness and responsiveness of the rudder steering by adjusting the length of the steering cables attached to the outside screws on the rudder cap. Use the allen key to loosen the screws before adjusting the cable length and then retighten. In order to test the lowering of the rudder unlock the rudder string and pull the red ball to the right of the seat. You need to lock the string in the V of the cleat to keep the rudder in a down position.

[Image: A hand pulling the rudder handle left and right.]

[Image: Close-up of the cleat mechanism for the rudder string.]

4. Fishing Rod Holder Assembly

Step 1: Mounting Base

You can then choose which side rail to place the rod base holder and how far along the rail you want it mounted. Align two of the accessory rail sliders beneath the rod base holder and then mount in the 2 screws for the rod base holder into the sliders.

[Image: The side rail of the kayak with accessory rail sliders and the rod base holder.]

Step 2: Attaching Rod Holder

Next insert the fishing rod holder into the now secure base by 'opening' the base as indicated below (orange arrow). Next close the slider to lock the fishing rod holder in place (blue arrow).

[Image: The fishing rod holder being inserted into its base, with orange and blue arrows indicating the action.]

5. Paddle Assembly

Step 1: Blade Orientation

The paddle assembly is super simple, just depress the button and pop it into the desired hold (3 locations to choose from) to get the preferred orientation of your blades.

[Image: A hand pressing a button on a kayak paddle shaft to adjust blade orientation.]

Step 2: Securing Paddle

Then use the paddle stretch cord to secure it to the side of the kayak. Remember not to leave it attached like that when the kayak is travelling on your car or truck.

[Image: The kayak with the paddle secured to its side using a stretch cord.]

6. Pedal Drive Assembly

Step 1: Prepare Components

For the pedal drive assembly ensure that you have the main unit with flaps (x1) attached and the pedals (x2).

[Image: The pedal drive unit with fins attached and the two pedals.]

Step 2: Understanding Numbering

Note the numbering on the top of the pedal drive unit, to know which is forward. '1' will be at the bottom (closest to the seat) for shorter people and '7' for taller people. For the time being don't worry about the numbering as this will help you set the correct leg length later on.

[Image: Close-up of the numbering on the top of the pedal drive unit.]

Step 3: Attaching Pedals

Insert each pedal (orange arrow) with the main bolt fully unscrewed (mint arrow), and while holding the red handle depressed. Aim for insertion around '3' on the top of the unit so each pedal is at the same locked location. The insertion will deliver a tight fit and once the spring-loaded pin beneath the red handle pops in then go ahead and secure the main bolt again. It's always worth checking all the nuts on the drive are tight before using if for the first time e.g. brass nuts, etc. Loctite, while not required, is always a good preventative measure if you have any concerns.

[Image: A hand holding a pedal, showing the main bolt and red handle, with orange and mint arrows indicating insertion points.]

Steps 4-7: In-Kayak Installation

Complete steps 4 – 7 once you are in the kayak on the water.

Step 4: Put the pedal drive into the locks with '1' facing you.

[Image: The pedal drive unit being inserted into the kayak locks, with '1' facing forward.]

Step 5: Turn the locks 90 degrees to lock in place.

[Image: A hand turning a lock mechanism 90 degrees.]

Step 6: Complete by closing the lock on the other side.

[Image: The other side of the pedal drive lock being closed.]

Step 7: Push in the red handles to adjust your leg length.

[Image: A hand pushing in the red handles to adjust leg length.]

Note: When beaching the kayak either remove the fins prior or push forward on one of the pedals to ensure the flaps are flared and be careful when dragging the kayak up the beach.

Kayak Accessories

If you are looking for any accessories to go with your Reel Yaks kayak or spare parts please visit us at WWW.REELYAKS.COM.