Operating your sea eagle – Sea Eagle RazorLite Kayaks (393RL RazorLite, 473RL RazorLite) User Manual

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The World’s 1st Kayak Made Entirely Of Drop Stitch Material!

The patent pending Sea Eagle RazorLite™ high performance ultra-light kayak is the world's first inflatable kayak made en-

tirely with Drop Stitch Technology throughout. The RL is constructed of 3" Drop Stitch material for the floor and 4" Drop

Stitch material for the side walls. Drop Stitch material has thousands of high tensile strength threads connecting the top

and bottom fabric layers, creating thousands of I-beam supports. This enables the RazorLite™ to keep the board-like

shape of the floor and sides so that when it is inflated to 10 psi it is very rigid. The unique Drop Stitch construction makes

the RazorLite™ as fast as any 12' rigid kayak and provides the added benefit of being able to pack in its own backpack.

Due to it’s straight line design, the entire length of the boat is in the water. This is important because the maximum speed

of a boat is related to it’s length at the waterline. The longer a boat is at the waterline the greater the theoretical hull

speed.

Operating Your Sea Eagle

There are a few basic things to consider before venturing out in your Sea Eagle RazorLite. Do not drag your Sea Eagle.

BALANCE: The Sea Eagle 393RL and 473RL RazorLite high performance kayaks are narrower and faster than other in-

flatable kayaks and have the handling and performance characteristics of hard shell kayaks their size. Take a minute while

close to shore to find your balance in the kayak. Hold the paddle out in front of you for balance and keep your eyes on the

horizon. Feel the balance of the boat as you begin to gently paddle. Have each paddler try the 473RL solo then add the

second paddler. Paddle in unison, the rear paddler should match strokes with the paddler in the front. If the boat begins to

roll back and forth, move your eyes to the horizon while holding the paddle out in front you. This can take practice, and is

especially difficult in the heat of the moment. Looking down and side to side will increase the rolling action. Make sure all

the items you bring like bags, coolers, water bottles are secured so they won’t float away. To avoid capsizing, paddle di-

rectly into oncoming boat wake.

YAW: Yaw is the side to side motion produced by paddling which causes the boat to zig-zag. To minimize yaw, install the

skeg into its base on the bottom of the boat. The skeg will improve tracking and is ideal for use in flat water areas like

bays, lakes and rivers. In narrow areas like streams, you may need to remove the skeg so you can make the tight turns

required. RAZORLITE KAYAKS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR WHITEWATER USE.

FLOOR DRAINS: The floor drains are a convenient way to drain accumulated rainwater or water that has splashed into

the boat. Open the drains while on shore. The drains are not intended for use while on the water.

Leaving the drains open while paddling will allow water to partially fill the boat which will make it heavy and sluggish to

maneuver.

PADDLING: For the most effective paddling, sit up straight and hold the paddle out in front of you with hands out wide

enough that the forearms are perpendicular to the shaft (like a push-up position). Most of the power should come from

your torso.

Your arms contribute, but too much reliance on your arms will cause you to tire quickly. For good balance, especially in

heavy seas, keep your head up and eyes focused on the horizon.

Start paddling gently and smoothly. As the kayak picks up speed it will maintain a truer heading. If you dig in hard at first

you will create more yaw. Course corrections can be made by easing up or bearing down on one side or the other.

Gentle turns can be made by sweeping water behind the boat. Sharp turns can be made by using the paddle as a brake

on one side. Braking will allow you to maneuver sharp bends in a stream, for example, but kills forward speed.

OPERATING YOUR SEA EAGLE