HO SPORTS COMPANY 1356914 BEACON KAYAK User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- HO SPORTS COMPANY
Table of Contents
HO SPORTS COMPANY 1356914 BEACON KAYAK
Congratulations on purchasing your HO Sports Beacon! We’re confident you will love your easy-to-use iKayak.
HO SPORTS WARRANTY
HO Sports iKayaks come standard with a 1-year warranty against manu-facturing defects. The warranty begins the date that you purchase your iKayak and is transferrable. AUSTRALIA: Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure. See complete warranty details at www.hosports.com/warranty iKayaks are not rated for use with motors. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOUNT A MOTOR TO YOUR iKAYAK. Doing so will void your warranty and could ruin your iKayak.
CONTACT US
At HO Sports, we pride ourselves on offering the best customer service
available. If you have any problems with your iKayak, give us a chance to help
you solve it. Call us at 1-800-938-4646
and we will be happy to help. Our business hours are Monday to Friday from
8:00am to 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time. You can also email
[email protected] anytime and we will respond during normal
business hours.
HO SPORTS COMPANY, INC.
7926 Bracken Place SE Snoqualmie, WA 98065
1-800-938-4646
SAFETY
Outlined in this section are some basic safety tips. It is impossible to cover all topics of water safety in this manual. For further information on boating safety, visit USCGboating.org or enroll in a water safety course in your area. As with any water sports product, using general common sense will increase your chances of a fun and safe experience. We recommend wearing a USCG approved life jacket at all times while using this iKayak. Additionally, we suggest that users have the ability to swim reasonably well in the event of a tip over. When possible, plan your trip so you go upwind on the way out and downwind on the way back. The sport of boating is inherently dangerous. Do not paddle in conditions beyond your ability such as white water or strong currents. Beginners are recommended to paddle in a calm pond or lake while they are learn-ing how to operate the kayak. Users should be physically fit enough to meet the challenges, prepared for any weather conditions that might be anticipated, and follow the safety basics. A waterproof bag is recom-mended to preserve any items that you would not want to get wet such as cell phone, car keys, electronics, etc.
BOATING SAFETY TIPS:
- Always wear a USCG approved PFD (life vest) while on the water.
- Be aware of your local boating laws and regulations and abide by them.
- Check inflation levels each time before you go out and inflate your boat for a full 24 hours before undertaking long trips.
- DO NOT allow children to use your iKayak unsupervised.
- DO NOT consume alcohol or drugs while boating.
- DO NOT exceed the recommended capacity of 450lbs under any circumstance.
- DO NOT go paddling alone.
- DO NOT use compressors, CO2, or compressed air for inflation, only use the HO SPORTS pump that comes included with your iKayak.
- DO NOT use your iKayak as a personal flotation device.
- DO NOT sleep inside of your iKayak while on the water.
- ALWAYS bring a charged cell phone or other emergency device in a waterproof bag.
- ALWAYS tell someone of your boating plans.
Safety Equipment & Important Safety Items:
Water conditions will determine the type of safety equipment needed for that
day. At a minimum have a PFD (personal flotation device) and a whistle for
each passenger. PFD’s are required by law in most states. NEVER TAKE AN
INFLATABLE INTO WHITE WATER CONDITIONS.
Drinking Water and Snacks:
Paddling is a physical activity that can deplete your reserves. Have enough
water and snacks to prevent dehydration and loss of stamina. Bring enough
water for all passengers. Know the warning signs of dehydration and heat
sickness such as dizziness and shaking.
Extra Clothes/Layers:
Avoid deadly hypothermia. Water conducts heat faster than air, so go prepared
with weather proof clothing especially if the water is cold. Use a “dry bag”
to store extra clothing in case you need a dry change of clothes. Wear a
wetsuit or drysuit when conditions warrant it.
First Aid Kit:
It is recommended to carry a first aid kit that contains items that might be
needed to match the hazards you are likely to encounter. A waterproof
container is recommended.
Manual Pump/Repair Kit:
Although our boats are both durable and rugged, it’s possible that you may
need to make a repair while on the water in which case you’ll need the repair
kit and hand pump to re-inflate the boat. If this is your first time doing a
repair, you may want to bring this instruction manual with you.
Sun/Rain Protection:
A hat can protect both your face and head from the rain or sun. When used
correctly, sunscreen can prevent serious damage to your skin from the sun and
the sun’s reflection from the water. Wear sunscreen.
Whistle:
Having a whistle readily available to you in case of emergency is a great way
to attract the attention of others if assistance is needed. Many paddle
jackets, including HO’s Paddle Jacket, are equipped with a whistle.
Float Plan:
Similar to a pilot’s flight plan, consider having a float plan. Always tell
someone where you are going to be boating and what time you plan to return.
Keep a cell phone in a waterproof container that will float if it falls in the
water. Never paddle alone. More information about float plans can be found at
www.floatplancentral.org.
OPERATING YOUR iKAYAK
There are a few basic things to consider before venturing out in your iKayak.
Balance:
The Beacon iKayak is wider than many other inflatable kayaks. Even so, you
should familiarize yourself with them in calm, shallow water before embarking
on a long journey. Take a minute while close to shore to find your balance in
the kayak. Hold the paddle in front of you for balance and keep your eyes on
the horizon. Gently rock the boat side to side while floating near shore to
get a feel for the stability of the kayak before you begin paddling. Feel the
balance of the boat as you begin to gently paddle forward. At any time, if the
boat begins to roll to one side or the other, move your eyes to the horizon
while holding the paddle out in front of you. 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 in case of a tip
over. To avoid capsizing, paddle directly (perpendicular) into oncom-ing boat
wakes.
Yaw:
Yaw is the side to side motion produced by paddling which causes the boat to
zig-zag. To minimize yaw, install the Tool-Less fin into its base on the
bottom of the boat. The fin will improve tracking and is ideal for use in flat
water areas like bays, lakes and rivers. HO Sports recom-mends to always use
the fin while paddling the iKayak for best results. If you decide to paddle in
shallow areas, the fin may prevent you from moving. NOTE- if you decide to
remove the fin while paddling, you will be much more susceptible to yaw. THE
BEACON iKayak IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN WHITEWATER OR FAST MOVING CURENTS.
Bottom Drains:
The bottom drains are a convenient way to drain accumulated rainwa-ter 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 iKayak which will make
it heavy and sluggish to maneuver. Addi-tionally, water inside the iKayak
could result in wet gear.
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 rougher conditions, keep your
head up and your eyes focused on the horizon. Start paddling gently and
smoothly. Alternate paddling on the right and left side of the boat. As the
iKayak 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. Wind direction can also affect your
course and correc-tions can be made the same way. 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.
Setting up your iKayak – Valves and Pumps
VALVE IDENTIFICATION
ATTACHING PUMP HOSE TO VALVE
The Beacon has a Recessed 2-Way valve for the rigid Dropstitch Floor
- The Side chambers have a traditional tube valve known as a 2-Way Boston Valve
- The hand pump that comes with your iKayak includes attachments to both styles of valve.
OPERATING FLOOR VALVE
Press the button so it can pop UP. When the stem is up, the valve is closed. Air will be able to enter the valve but no air will escape. To let air escape for deflation, press the stem until locked in the DOWN or open position.
OPERATING 2-WAY BOSTON VALVES
Making sure base of valve is threaded straight and screwed in properly, remove
top cap of valve and insert hose from pump into the valve. You can now pump
air into the iKayak sides.
To let air escape for deflation, remove the base of the valve.
DO NOT USE AIR COMPRESSOR
Air compressors that are designed for other uses like tire inflation can easily over-inflate and cause harm to your Beacon iKayak. HO Sports highly recommends only using the included pump for inflation of your iKayak.
HAND PUMP
This dual-action hand pump was designed for and is ideal to inflate your Beacon iKayak. Simply select the correct adaptor to fit your valve, attach the hose to the valve, and inflate.
Setting up your iKayak – Assembly and Inflation
INFLATION LOCATION
Locate an area large and flat enough to unfold the Beacon iKayak avoiding hazards that could damage the kayak or injure you.
INFLATING KAYAK
Inflate the sides of the kayak first using the included hand pump.
- Make sure you are using the correct adaptor and that the base of the valve is threaded tightly into place, insert the end of the hose into top of 2-way valve and inflate manually until side chambers have taken shape but are not firm to the touch.
- Adjust the floor bladder to ensure it is centered inside the cover. (This step is important and will ensure the floor is in the proper position after inflation)
- Inflate the floor fully. (see instructions on next page)
- Continue to inflate the sides of kayak until they are firm to the touch. It’s better to have more air than not enough.
INFLATING DROP-STITCH FLOOR
Inflate the floor using the included hand pump. Insert the hose into the valve (make sure valve is in the UP position) and turn hose clockwise until it locks into place. Inflate manually using the PSI pressure gauge on the pump to confirm the desired PSI of 8-10 PSI. Once you have reached the desired PSI twist hose counter-clockwise to remove. Replace valve cap.
SEAT INSTALLATION.
Place the seat on the floor of the kayak facing forward with the cushion on the floor (in the center of the Hook and loop strips). Attach the clips from the ends of the webbing straps on front and on back to the D-Rings in front of and behind the seat. Sit in the seat and find a position that is comfortable for you. The recline of the seat can easily be adjusted forward or backward by tightening or loosening the web-bing straps. The location of the seat cushion can be adjusted by picking up the seat and moving it forward or backward. Hook and loop on the floor will lock the seat cushion into position.
STORAGE OVERVIEW
The Beacon iKayak has plenty of storage; both inside and on top as well as in the seat. The bungee storage zones on top are a great place to put your PFD, dry bag, etc. Additional storage is located in the back of the seat.
TOOL-LESS FIN
After the boat is inflated, it’s time to insert the tool-less fin. Insert the tabs of the fin into the opening on the fin box. Slide the tab-end of the fin into the back of the fin box then insert the rest of the fin base in to the fin box. Secure the fin by pushing down on the locking lever (see photos). Remember: HO Sports recommends always using the fin while pad-dling, but if you decide to paddle in extremely shallow water, note that the fin could be damaged.
PADDLE ASSEMBLY AND FEATURES
Start by attaching the fin blades into the ends of the paddle shaft by depressing the button on the blade. Next, slide the 2 pieces of the paddle together by depressing the button on the shaft, allowing the 2 pieces of the shaft to lock together. The elliptical shaped grip on the right side of the paddle is designed so you can locate the ideal paddle position easier while paddling. The paddle can be adjusted to 3 differ-ent positions by pushing the button at the joint and spinning the paddle right or left until the pin locks into place in either of the designated positions. We recommend the center position.
DRAINS
The bottom drains are a convenient way to drain accumulated rainwa-ter 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 iKayak which will make it heavy and sluggish to maneuver. Additionally, water inside the iKayak could result in wet gear.
Setting up your iKayak – Deflation and Storage DEFLATION LOCATION & CONDITION
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE USING YOUR iKAYAK AGAIN SOON, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO LET IT DRY BEFORE FOLDING UP AND STORING. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD
RESULT IN MILDEW OR MOLD. MAKE SURE TO LET IT DRY COMPLETELY BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO STORE FOR LONG PERIODS.
Locate an area large and flat enough to fold the Beacon iKayak avoid-ing
hazards that could damage the kayak or injure you. Let the air out of the
kayak by unscrewing the 2-way Boston valves on the outside chambers and by
removing the cap and depressing the button on the floor valve.
CAUTION
the floor valve has a lot of pressure. Air will escape quickly once the
button is depressed. Do not place face directly over valve while deflating.
Once the valves are removed, wait a few minutes for the air to drain from the
iKayak. Once most of the air has drained from the iKayak’s chambers you can
fold the iKayak. It is recommended to fold the tip and the tail toward the
center, then fold each of the ends in, toward each other. As you are folding,
wipe off any debris from the ground/-floor. The iKayak comes with a backpack
for storage and transport.
STORAGE
If you’re planning on leaving your iKayak outside, keep it raised off the
ground and covered so it is not exposed to sunlight, rain, leaves, yard
debris, insects, rhodents, etc.
The best way to extend the life of your Beacon is to store it in a location
away from direct sunlight such as a garage or storage shed.
Other factors to avoid are areas where rodents are present and areas of
excessive high or low temperatures such as attics or steel buildings.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If your Beacon iKayak has lost pressure, it does not necessarily mean there is
a leak. If it is inflated during the heat of the day and the tem-perature
drops during the night it will be softer in the morning. Or, if launching in
very cold water, the air inside may condense and cause a loss of pressure. In
either of these cases, use the included hand pump to add air to all chambers
that aren’t firm. If temperature is not a factor and your boat is losing air
pressure, it’s time to look for a leak.
First, visually inspect the boat and look for any damage that could have
caused a puncture and may help you locate the leak. Look on the bottom and the
top of the boat. While you are inspecting, listen for any air leaks. Make sure
your valves are screwed in properly. The valve in the floor comes with a valve
wrench (included in your repair kit). If the floor is losing air, try
tightening the valve with the valve wrench (see below), then add air and
listen for leaks. The 2-way valves on the side cham-bers need to be threaded
correctly and screwed in reasonably tight. Do not over tighten! Once they are
properly seated, add air and listen for air leaks. If your boat is still
leaking, the next step is to use soapy water to locate the leak. We recommend
finding a clean, flat location where you can remove the leaky chamber and find
the location of the leak. The floor of the iKayak is easy to remove without
too much work. If your leak is in the floor, remove the floor from the boat,
re-inflate and apply soapy water. Once you see bubbles, you have found your
leak. It is not likely that your boat will develop a leak in the side chambers
as they are protected by the durable cover. If one of your side chambers does
develop a leak, access the side chamber from the zipper in the cover and
remove it from the cover. Inflate and insert the valve, then apply soapy water
and look for the bubbles. If you have a leak in the side chamber of your
iKayak contact HO Sports Customer Service department using the provided
contact info.
REPAIRS/REPAIR KIT
Your Beacon comes with a repair kit to repair any leaks that may develop in the floor of the iKayak. The repair kit comes with special glue and a piece of material used to do the patch and a wrench for the floor valve. Most punctures will be pin hole sized or small cuts. For these sized repairs, a penny sized patch should work. Ensure your patch has adequate distance between the puncture and the edge of the patch. With the air out of the floor, apply glue to the puncture area as well as the patch and apply the patch. (for best results, lightly scuff area where patch will be applied to give glue some texture to bond to). Allow patch to dry for at least 15 minutes before adding air. Allow glue to cure for 24 hours to increase chances of the patch bonding.
Additional patching tips:
- The chamber must be deflated while applying patch
- Keep patch size to a minimum. The larger the patch, the harder to seal.
- For repairs larger than a puncture, overlap the damage area by about 1.2 cm / .5 in on each side.
- Do not apply the patch while the glue is wet. Allow glue to partially set before applying patch.
- Covering a leaking patch with another patch rarely works. To remove a patch, heat it with a hair dryer and peel it off.
- For field repairs, allow at least an hour to cure. If possible, allow to cure for 24 hours.
- NEVER use a heat gun on your iKayak. Hair dryers can be used to remove a patch.
If your iKayak develops a leak in one of the side chambers contact HO Sports Customer Service department to discuss possible solutions.
References
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