Reel Yaks Rapido Kayak Assembly Instructions

Our Commitment

Reel Yaks is dedicated to ensuring you love your kayak. For any questions regarding assembly, please email hello@reelyaks.com or call 855 202 5035. Assembly videos are available on the Reel Yaks website (WWW.REELYAKS.COM) and YouTube. If you encounter any issues, Reel Yaks is ready to assist.

Remember to complete the warranty form on our website.

For accessories like trolling mounts or biminis, visit WWW.REELYAKS.COM.

Kayak Maintenance: After each use, wash all parts with fresh water. Spray moving parts, screws, and cables with WD40 monthly as a preventative measure.

Unboxing Your Kayak

The kayak halves will arrive in a storage cover, with some parts in boxes or plastic bags. Please dispose of packing materials, especially plastic, responsibly.

Package Contents:

• 1 x Kayak (in two sections)
• 1 x Rudder
• 1 x Rudder security (cotter) pin
• 1 x Paddle (in two sections)
• 1 x Fin pedal drive unit
• 1 x Set of pedals (2)
• 1 x Set of spare fins (2)
• 1 x Stadium chair
• 1 x Fishing rod holder
• 2 x Side carry handles (attached to accessory rails)
• 4 x Accessory rail sliders

Larger items like the pedal drive unit, pedals, spare fins, paddle, and stadium chair will be secured in the main cockpit area. Other items, such as the fishing rod holder, will be inside the cockpit hatch.

Key Assembly Pieces:

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

1. Kayak Assembly

1. Align the two kayak halves, ensuring the lip of the rear section overlaps the front section's lip. Push down firmly on both sides for even alignment.
2. Close the latches on both sides at the top of the kayak. Gently roll the kayak onto its side and close the two latches underneath. The latches should close easily.
3. If latches are too loose or tight, adjust the screw with a flathead screwdriver for a secure fit. Avoid forcing latches, as this can damage the adjoining catch.

2. Rudder Assembly

Steering Part

1. The rudder steering mechanism base is located to the left of the seat. Mount and align the rudder handle with the base before tightening the provided screw.
2. Ensure the rudder steering handle is in a neutral position, parallel to the kayak's centerline.
3. Insert the rudder pin through the rear hole in the kayak.
4. Thread the security ring through the hole at the bottom of the rudder pin.
5. Unwind the butterfly nuts, place them through the plastic holes on either side of the rudder, and retighten the nuts.
6. Check rudder centering and adjust wing nuts as needed.

Lifting Part

1. Grasp the rudder steering handle on the left side of the kayak. Move the handle fully left and right to confirm correct rudder tracking. Adjust butterfly nuts if necessary. Leave the steering in a centered position with slight slack in the steering wires for smooth turning and reduced wear.
2. The red ball and string on the right of the seat control rudder raising and lowering. Release the ball from the cleat. Untie the rudder rope at the kayak's rear. Thread the rope through the main hole at the rudder's start (orange arrow), down through the gap (blue arrow), around the right side of the rudder, and through the hole at the top (yellow arrows). Tie a knot.
3. To test rudder lowering, unlock the rudder string and pull the red ball to the right of the seat. Lock the string in the cleat's 'V' shape to keep the rudder down.

3. Fishing Rod Holder Assembly

1. The rod holder assembly includes the rod holder, bracket (3 pieces), 2 screws, and an allen key. Combine the two black round pieces with the bottom piece as shown.
2. Align two accessory rail sliders under the rod base holder. Mount the rod base holder to the sliders using the 2 screws. Insert the fishing rod holder into the base by opening it (orange arrow) and then closing the slider to secure it (blue arrow).

4. Paddle Assembly

1. The paddle assembly is simple. Depress the button and insert the paddle into the desired hole (3 locations available) to set the blade orientation.

5. Stadium Chair Assembly

1. For stadium chair assembly, you need 2 long screws, black seat brackets, and an allen wrench. Each seat rail has two slider receivers. Move one slider to the front of the kayak for each rail and screw the front knobs into each slider. The chair back rests on the rails.

6. Pedal Drive Assembly

1. Ensure the pedal drive has flaps (x1) attached and the pedals (x2).
2. Note the numbering on the top of the pedal drive unit. '1' is for shorter people (closest to the seat), and '7' is for taller people. This numbering helps set correct leg length later.
3. Insert each pedal (orange arrow) with the main bolt unscrewed (mint arrow), holding the red handle depressed. Aim for insertion around '3' on the unit so each pedal is at the same locked location. The insertion should be snug. Once the spring-loaded pin pops in, secure the main bolt. Check all nuts are tight before first use. Loctite is recommended as a preventative measure.

Complete steps 4-7 once in the kayak on the water:

1. Place the pedal drive into the locks with '1' facing you.
2. Turn the locks 90 degrees to secure.
3. Close the lock on the other side.
4. Push in the red handles to adjust leg length.

Note: When beaching the kayak, either remove the fins or push forward on a pedal to flare the flaps. Be careful when dragging the kayak up the beach.

Kayak Accessories

Explore Reel Yaks accessories and spare parts at WWW.REELYAKS.COM.

• Foldable Cart: Features no-flat airless wheels and 2 ratchet straps.
• Pedal Drive Fin Shaft Socket Replacement: A replacement part for the pedal drive.
• Stabilizers: Easy to inflate and deflate in seconds.
• Fin Pedal Drive Cables: Replacement cables for the fin pedal drive.
• Bixpy Trolling Motor & Battery: Adds clean electric power to your kayak without drilling.
• Trolling Motor Mount Bar: Corrosion-resistant stainless steel for rigidity and durability, securely attached to the gunwales.
• Rail Slider Mounts: Made with Nylon Copper M6 nut inserts for high strength, anti-rust, and corrosion resistance.
• Pedal Drive Cover: Protects the pedal drive and can be used for Raptor, Radar, Rapido, Rubicon, and Ranger models.
• Seat Raisers: Offer 3 levels of incremental lifts to your seat (1", 4", or 7").
• Pedal Drive Locks: Non-spring loaded cam locks.