How do Hurricane kayaks hold up compared to roto-molded?
As long as you stick to Class I and II waters (meaning flat-water, NOT whitewater) your Hurricane will be as durable as a roto-molded kayak. Our Trylon is just as abrasion resistant won't fade in sunlight, and (best of all) won't oil can on your car rack and warp like polyethylene boats can. Our kayaks have been used by outfitters and in instructional schools with great success, so we know they're tough.
How hard is it to repair Trylon?
It's not hard at all! There are many plastic welding adhesives that bond with Trylon for spot repairs, but we recommend the Devcon brand of waterproof bonds. You can use them around bulkheads and cockpit coamings in lieu of caulking or use the adhesive with pieces of ABS plastic for structural repairs.
Are there cockpit covers and spray skirts for your kayaks?
Yes, we offer both through our dealer network, and there are several aftermarket brands that fit our boats well. Hurricane dealers offer a full range of spray skirts and cockpit covers from various brands that will work well on your Hurricane model. If you are unsure of the cockpit size of your boat, you can visit our web site at www.hurricaneaquasports.com to view the specification on the model and sizing of the cockpit.
I love the wonderful shine my Hurricane has and want to maintain it. What should I do?
Trylon will usually wipe clean with a light solution of streak free dish soap and water. For deeper cleaning, try a light application of 3M Fiberglass cleaner/Polish with a soft cloth. Don't use solvent based cleaners like acetone, as they will soften Trylon and dull its finish, but denatured alcohol can be used to remove scuff marks. Use 303 Protectant and/or Armor All to protect your hatch covers and a cockpit cover to protect seat fabrics from UV rays.
The Tracer is really cool but felt tippy the first time I paddled it. Will it settle down as I get better?
Provided you are the right size for the Tracer, you will be delighted with the boat after a few days of paddling. That tippiness you feel is due to having less kayak behind your hips than you're probably used to, which may cause you to exaggerate your movements. As you learn the boat, this feeling should go away, but make sure your forward stroke doesn't clock too far back behind your hips. Spend a little time in a Tracer and you'll be shocked at the speed and stability this kayak affords.
My Santee 116 is faster than my husband's 14-foot poly kayak. Why?
First of all, your Hurricane is a lot lighter, and that means you're pulling less weight on each and every stroke. Second, the Santee family of boats have superior glide due to a Swede-form hull design. While the 116 has 28 inches of beam just behind the hips for stability, it narrows dramatically as the hull stretches forward past the knee area which significantly reduces drag. In addition, Trylon is more slippery than polyethylene, so have sympathy for the poor guy and offer to carry the snacks.
Why is the front hatch so small on my Santee 100LT/ 116/ 116 Sport/ 126 & 135
The 5 1/2 bow hatch mounted on the bulkhead was actually designed as an air exchange to keep the pressure equalized in your front bulkhead, and the bow bulkhead with the mounted hatch is mainly designed as a safety feature to provide bow flotation. Safety is our number one priority, and this is the reason that Hurricane has sealed hatches and bulkheads. While you can put a few items in the hatch on a tether, it's best not to overweight the front as it will make the boat plow. You'll find there's plenty of storage in the rear hatch and under the deck rigging for day tripping.
How should I store my Hurricane off-season?
Off season? What's that? Well, if you must put your kayak up for awhile, keep it off the ground and on its side on foam pads or put it upside down on a paddled rack. Do NOT hang it from the grab handles. Also, if you need to secure your kayak while in storage, tie it loosely and do NOT use truck bed ratchet straps. Trylon is tough, but too much pressure over a long period of time (especially in changing temps) can damage your kayak. Additionally, a cockpit cover is recommended to keep critters from nesting in your kayak . . . unless of course you like the feeling of something crawling up your leg as you paddle into the sunset:)
Happy Paddling!
The HK Team