Reel Yaks Radar 10ft Propeller Drive Pedal Fishing Kayak Assembly Instructions

Kayak Overview

The Reel Yaks Radar is a 10ft modular propeller drive pedal fishing kayak with a 430lbs capacity and a 2-piece design.

Key Components for Assembly:

• 2 x Kayak halves
• Pedal drive
• Rudder
• Stadium seat
• Paddle
• Fishing rod holder

Upon receiving your kayak, you will find it packed in two boxes. The kayak parts will be covered in bubble wrap, with some components like the pedal drive in cardboard boxes. Please ensure safe disposal of all packaging materials, especially plastic.

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 Propeller pedal drive unit
• 2 x Pedals
• 1 x Stadium chair
• 1 x Fishing rod holder

Larger items such as the pedal drive unit, pedals, paddle, and stadium chair are secured in the main cockpit area. Smaller items like the fishing rod holder are located inside the cockpit hatch.

Kayak Assembly

Ensure the two kayak halves are facing each other.

1. Flip the kayak over so its bottom is facing up and bring the two halves together.
2. Close the three underside latches.
3. Flip the kayak upright and close the top two latches.

The latches should engage smoothly. If you need to force a latch, adjust the nut (indicated by an orange arrow in the visual) to achieve a firm but not forced closure. Forcing a latch can damage the screws.

Propeller Drive Assembly

The propeller drive requires assembly of several pieces. Begin by identifying the two screws with black tops, which secure the pedals to the drive. Note that the screws thread in opposite directions. Carefully check each screw to determine its correct side, ensuring not to strip the threads. The screws will only fit into one side.

Once you've identified the correct sides, select the pedals, which are labeled 'L' for left and 'R' for right. Attach the right pedal to the right side of the drive, ensuring the propeller shaft pin points towards you. Repeat for the left pedal, making sure it is positioned at the top when the right pedal is at the bottom, creating opposite orientations (indicated by orange arrows in the visual).

Next, secure the propeller to the drive. Insert the propeller shaft pin into the propeller drive (indicated by an orange arrow). The pin has two marks to help center the shaft (indicated by blue arrows in the visual).

Place the propeller onto the drive and rotate it gently until it locks into place over the shaft pin. To test the connection, pedal the drive; the propeller should spin. Secure the propeller with the provided screw and lock washer. Place the lock washer onto the screw and then screw it into place.

Attach the 4 long screws with nuts to the 2 plastic curved arms. Push the nuts into the hexagonal-shaped slots on the arms with the blue side facing up, securing them with a hammer if necessary.

Secure the arms to the drive shaft with the curve pointing towards the propeller (indicated by blue arrows in the visual) by screwing the 4 screws into the nuts through the drive shaft.

Some kayak models may include additional locking brackets (indicated by green arrows in the visual) for increased stability. These can be attached to either side of the shaft if space allows. If these brackets prevent the drive from fitting into the recess, they can be removed, and the drive can still be used without them.

The drive is locked into place when the propeller points towards the seating area. Ensure the front and back knobs (indicated by red arrows in the visual) are screwed all the way up before inserting the drive. Insert the drive and twist the locking handles on the left and right (indicated by green arrows in the visual). Gently and evenly twist the front and back knobs (red arrows) until they are firm, preventing the drive from rocking. Avoid overtightening.

Once the drive is secure, there should be no side-to-side or forward-and-back motion. Attach the splash guards around the drive by gently pushing them into place until they are flush with the deck.

Rudder Assembly

The rudder handle may be located in the front compartment. Secure it using the provided screw (indicated by an orange arrow in the visual). Ensure the handle is in the neutral position, parallel to the kayak's centerline (indicated by a blue arrow in the visual) after securing.

Ensure your rudder lines are untangled and run freely. Insert the rudder pin through the rear hole in the kayak. Check that the rudder raises and lowers smoothly. Secure the rudder with the rudder security pin (indicated by an orange arrow in the visual) through the hole at the bottom of the rudder pin.

Unwind the butterfly nuts and thread them through the plastic holes on either side of the rudder, then retighten them.

Grasp the rudder steering handle on the left side of the kayak. Pull the handle fully left, then fully right, to check rudder tracking. Adjust the butterfly nuts as needed. Leave the steering in a central position. The steering wires should have slight slack for ease of turning and to minimize wear where they enter the kayak.

The rudder's lowering and raising cable is typically attached for transport (indicated by a green arrow in the visual). If not, thread the rudder rope through the center line of the rudder and attach it:

1. Thread through the main hole at the start of the rudder (indicated by a yellow arrow in the visual).
2. Pass over the wheel and under the crossbar.
3. Thread down through the gap (indicated by a purple arrow in the visual).
4. Thread through the hole (indicated by a blue arrow in the visual) and tie a knot.

Test the rudder by pulling the raising/lowering cable on the right side of the cockpit. Position 1 shows the rudder deployed and down in the water; Position 2 shows the rudder pulled up and locked.

Stadium Chair Assembly

For stadium chair assembly, you will need 2 long screws, black seat brackets, and an allen wrench. Each seat rail has two slider receivers. Position one slider receiver at the back of the kayak for each rail and secure the black bracket using the screws.

Place the back bar of the seat on top of the brackets, but do not secure it yet. Screw the front of the seat into the two front slider receivers.

Push the back bar down into the back seat brackets to secure it.

Finally, connect and secure the two side straps that hold the back of the seat upright. The seat should be in a slightly off-90-degree upright position, which can be further adjusted on the water. Keep your allen wrench handy for future adjustments.

Paddle Assembly

Paddle assembly is straightforward. Depress the button and insert the paddle into the desired hole (3 locations available) to set the blade orientation. Use the paddle stretch cord to secure it. Do not leave the paddle attached in this manner when transporting the kayak on a car or truck.

Fishing Rod Holder Assembly

The rod holder assembly requires the rod holder, the rod holder bracket (3 pieces), 2 screws, and the allen wrench.

Combine the three black round pieces for the base, middle, and top as indicated in the visual.

Select the desired rail in the cockpit for mounting. Adjust the slider receivers to match the width of the screw holes and insert the screws.

Insert the fishing rod holder into the secured base by 'opening' the base (indicated by an orange arrow in the visual). Close the slider to lock the rod holder in place (indicated by a green arrow in the visual).

Final Steps and Accessories

You are now ready to enjoy your kayak!

Remember to fill out the warranty form on the Reel Yaks website at www.reelyaks.com/pages/warranty-registration.

For any questions or concerns, please email Reel Yaks at info@reelyaks.com or call 855 202 5035. Assembly videos are also available on the Reel Yaks website and YouTube.

Explore Reel Yaks accessories and spare parts at www.reelyaks.com, including items like trolling mounts, biminis, kayak trolleys, pedal drive covers, UV waterproof covers, motor mount bars, stabilizer pontoons, spare pedal drive fins, accessory rail slider mounts, anchor trolley kits, UV shade biminis, kayak sails, kites, pedal drive motors, and 360 fishing rod holders.

Additionally, check out Reel Yaks Kayak Fishing shirts with SPF50 Protection.

Kayak Maintenance

After each use, rinse all parts with fresh water. Apply WD40 to moving parts, screws, and cables once a month as a preventative measure.