Hatches:
The oval bow and stern hatches provide a water-tight seal in the bow and stern compartments, but it is
necessary that the hatches are put on correctly. Start by lining up the ends of the hatch and then push
one end down and work your way up towards the other until the hatch is fully engaged. The rim of the
hatch should not bump out anywhere along the outside.
Each season it is good to use a silicone or a UV protecting spray on the inside of the hatch cover to keep
the surface lubricated. If this area dries out, it can become tougher to remove and replace the hatch, so a
yearly application can be helpful
The hatches have stiff Plastic in the middle, but if you store or transport the boat on the middle of the
hatch when it is hot out, the hatch can dent. If possible, store or transport the boat on the composite
decking or hull. If the hatch does dent, remove the hatch and place the hatch on the ground with the lip
on the ground in full sun. After a couple hours, the plastic should rebound to the original shape.
Deck Fittings:
All the deck fittings are screwed into a recession on the deck where a nut is bonded to the underside of
the laminate. Overtime these fittings can become loose and by using a Philips-head screw driver, can be
retightened.
If a particular screw loosens frequently, use a thread locking liquid from the hardware store on the
threads of the screw to keep it in place.
Footbrace:
All Stellar Kayaks use the Smart Track footbraces, which are attached to the hull with bonded stud plates.
To adjust the footbrace fore and aft, simply grab the stern end of the adjustment arm, lift and either pull
or push to adjust the footbrace peg to the desired position. Once at the correct spot, lightly push the
handle back down to engage the teeth on the plastic arm.
