INSTALLING STEERING SYSTEM
3
6
1
FOOTRAIL
Step 4-1 / 4-3
Step 4-6
stowed (on deck) position and secure in a centered position
under the rudder rest bungee or in V-block.
2
Unroll the cord attached to the rudder assembly and route it
forward along the right side of the hull. Straighten cord so
that both halves of loop run parallel to each other without
twists or tangles. Locate the pad eye on starboard (right) side
of hull just behind the cockpit. Loosen the stern most screw
halfway (do not remove fully). Remove the forward screw
completely and pass the end of the up haul loop under the
center of the pad eye. Make sure that there is one “turtle”
above the pad eye and one below. Retighten both pad eye
screws fully.
3
Locate any fi ller screws along the starboard (right) of the
kayak between the cockpit and the stern.
Tarpon 120:
does not have inserts. Measure 31” forward
from stern along angled side panel on starboard side of hull.
Mark location in line and about 3” aft of the “Tarpon 120”
logo. Drill 5/32” hole at mark.
Tarpon 140: will have two, located 8” and 24” in front of
stern.
Tarpon 160i:
will have two, located 20” and 48” from
stern.
Tarpon 160:
does not have inserts. Mark location
approximately 2 ½” below the center stern hatch strap in
line with up haul line. Mark second location 54” forward of
stern, again in line with up haul line. Drill both marks with
5/32” bit.
4
INSERTS: Remove fi ller screws and discard. Position a
round pad eye over the up haul cord above insert. Insert
10-32 x ¾” Phillips fl at head screw through hole in center
of round pad eye and thread into insert. Make sure the up
haul cord runs parallel through cut-outs in base of pad eye.
Repeat the process at each insert, making sure to keep the
cords running parallel.
Tarpon 120, 160:
Use 8-32 x 3/4” Phillips pan head screw
secured by neoprene faced washer and lock nut to secure
round pad eye as described above. (Refer to illustration 3-4
– shows Tarpon 120 installation)
5. There will likely be some slack in the uphaul line, particularly
with shorter boats. This should be removed. The uphaul line
should run fair with no or minimal drape or sag. To adjust
tension:
a. Position the rudder in the stowed position and make sure
it is centered. Take the top most of the two “turtles” in the
up haul line and slide it all the way forward and up against
the forward most uphaul line anchor nearest cockpit.
b. Pull the knot in the up haul line out of the top “turtle”
and pull line until desired tension is achieved without
repositioning the turtle. Tie off a new stopper knot at this
point.
c. Remove the slack in the “turtle” in the lower up haul line
following the same process.
d. Release the rudder from the rest and test the up haul
line’s functionality by pulling the lower turtle forward and
then top turtle forward causing rudder to deploy and then
raise to stowed position. There should be a slight amount of
tension in the line and the rudder should fully deploy and
fully stow on the deck. Pull the new knot out of the turtle
and cut the excess of the up haul line off just beyond the
knot. Slightly melt the knot with a lighter or match. The
knot will disappear into the fastener when released.
STEP 1: INSTALLING THE STEERING SYSTEM
The rudder steering system consists of a pair of cables running
from the rudder up to and connecting with the foot pedals. The
cables are routed inside the hull of the kayak below the deck and
on each side of the seat.
1
Locate the stern rudder steering cable ports (the raised “frog
eyes” approximately 6” forward from the stern). (Illustration
4-1)
2
Remove the rudder assembly from the rudder bracket to
provide drilling access to frog eyes and set it aside.
3
Take great care in drilling! These steps are diffi cult to
correct! Angling the drill bit slightly in towards the center
keel line so you do not drill through the tapered forward
surface of the frog eye, drill a 5/32” hole through the fl at
stern face. Reinstall the rudder unit after these holes are
drilled and install the split ring on the bottom of the rudder
assembly post. (Illustration 4-3)
REVISION
1.0
4/20/05
DATE
