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OPERATING YOUR SEA EAGLE
BEFORE & DURING USE: Avoid damage. Do not drag your Sea Eagle over abrasive surfaces like asphalt parking lots, gravel or
concrete boat ramps, whether the board is in its bag or inflated. Carry or wheel your Sea Eagle from the car to the setup point, and
then to the water when assembled.
Rocks and sticks usually will not damage a Sea Eagle but be alert for partially hidden or submerged hazards like metal signs,
shopping carts and other debris especially during periods of low water. Be careful of docks which may have exposed nails or
screws.
FISH SPINES: Many species of fish spines have sharp spines than can cause small punctures in the FS126. Do not allow fighting
fish to bump the board. Land fish into the EVA pad.
BALANCE: The simplest way to stand up is from a crouching position. With hands and one knee on the board, push off from the
shore bringing the other foot up. Stand up with feet apart approximately shoulder width. Start paddling immediately. Paddling
acts like the third leg of a stool to help keep your balance.
Take a minute while close to shore to find your balance. Feel the balance of the board as you begin to gently paddle. If the board
begins to roll back and forth, move your eyes to the horizon while holding the paddle out in front you until things settle down.
Looking down and side to side can cause you to lose your balance.
In a crosswind, paddle more on the downwind (leeward) side of the board to keep on a straight course. Paddling on the upwind
side will cause the board to turn down wind.
The FS126 is rugged and durable enough to be used in surf but is not intended to be used in the surf as a fishing craft.
To avoid being capsized by large boat wake, paddle directly into the oncoming waves. In moving water situations, avoid being
swept into low branches or fallen trees and do not hold onto low branches over moving water because both can capsize the
board. Make sure bags, coolers, water bottles and other gear are secure so it won’t float away if you capsize.
YAW: Yaw is the side to side motion produced by paddling causing the board to zig-zag. To minimize, install the skegs into the
base on the bottom of the board. The skegs will improve tracking and are ideal for use in flat water areas like bays, lakes and rivers.
In narrow areas like streams, you may need to remove the skegs to make the tight turns required. Remove skegs to cross shallow
sections, too.
PADDLING: 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, keep your head up and eyes focused on the horizon. Start paddling gently and
smoothly. As the board 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 board. 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.
Motor and Battery Selection and Safet
y
The FS126 can take a small electric trolling motor. A large electric motor will not appreciably raise the speed of the board. Do not
use the FS126 with a gas motor.
A 12v deep cycle marine battery, lithium ion battery, personal watercraft battery or electric vehicle battery is acceptable. The
important parameter is the battery’s ampere hour (Ah) rating. A Group 24 battery or smaller is recommended.
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To determine the approximate battery life, divide the amp hour rating by the motor amperage. For example, a 60 Ah battery
connected to a 30 amp motor will last two hours at full speed.
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Charge battery after each use. Lead acid batteries like to be kept charged.
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Running the battery all the way down will shorten its life.
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Exposure to excessive heat will shorten battery life.
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Cranking amps (CCA) are not a consideration.
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12v automobile, lawn tractor and motorcycle batteries can be used but will work but are not designed for deep
discharge so will wear out more quickly.
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A battery box is recommended especially around aluminum paddle shafts which could cause an electrical short.
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A circuit breaker or fuse is recommended to prevent damage in the event the motor wires are placed on the wrong terminals.
Reversing the polarity can cause the wires to heat up, melt the insulation, and cut through the board.
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A 12v battery charger will be needed. Chargers are widely available.
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Choose gel cell over wet cell. Wet cell batteries have liquid acid inside them.
