Safety Information

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Please see below for further details on safety announcements and bulletins.

Bulletin 1 – Dagger and Wave Sport Bulkheads

Bulletin 2 – Wilderness Systems, Perception Bow Wall Foam

> Bulletin #2 – Bow Foam Wall Flotation  (Wilderness Systems, Perception)

After a review of flotation in (brand) recreational kayaks and comprehensive testing against the American Boat and Yacht Council ABYC H-29 guidelines, a decision was made to remove the standard foam wall from the bow area on select models. Actual in-water testing of flotation validated our calculations showing our boats had up to 8 (eight) times the ABYC recommendation. Our determination was that the front wall does not add flotation value to the paddler in boats designed with a dry storage chamber and could potentially be a hindrance.

Bow wall foam was not designed to be a primary source of flotation and provides a very limited percentage of overall kayak buoyancy. In many cases having bow wall foam in place makes it more difficult to add floatation bags if additional buoyancy is desired by the owner. All models affected by this change feature stern dry storage compartments and performed nearly identical in testing with or without bow foam walls in their ability to keep the passenger(s) head above the waterline if the kayak should capsize and fill with water as outlined in the ABYC H-29 craft flotation guideline.

Recreational kayaks are intended for use in mild or flat water environments and are not designed for solo rescue and re-entry. If more standard flotation capacity is desired, sea kayak or touring grade kayaks are recommended, which generally include at least two flotation compartments.

Here are the key safety considerations for a safe paddling experience:

• The primary safety device while kayaking is a Coast Guard approved PFD, which is legally required in most states and we recommend to be worn at all times when paddling.
• It is not recommended to paddle alone, especially in more turbulent environments or for those with limited experience.
• Many paddlers use optional float bags for extra peace of mind if they are concerned a capsize may occur.

We believe understanding the basics of water and paddling safety is the most important part of getting the most out of your kayak. Please visit our website for more information on safety and for links to other organizations that provide extensive safety training and certifications.

Affected Models

Acadia 11.5 , Acadia II 14.0 , Pacifica 11.0/Montour , Pamlico 100 , Pamlico 120, Pamlico 135T, Patriot, Prodigy 12.0, Manatee 12.0 , Pungo 100, Pungo 120, Rhythm 11, Sundance 12.0, Tribute 10.0 

> Bulletin #1- Whitewater Bulkheads (Dagger, Wave Sport)

Applies to Dagger Whitewater Kayaks and Wave Sport Whitewater Kayaks
For 2010 models featuring the Safety Warning sticker pictured below, please refer to detailed instructions on adjusting whitewater bulkheads to ensure safe operation.

For Dagger Kayaks click here at Dagger.com

For Wave Sport Kayaks click here at WaveSport.com

> End of Bulletin #1.