WHY A “VIKING KAYAK”?
The Team at Viking Kayaks use the kayaks and enjoy the kayaks whether it is just for Cruising around or for serious Kayak Fishing - just ask Stephen and Grant about their successful Profish Fishing Adventures! Viking Kayaks are made in New Zealand and are designed to suit New Zealand conditions and requirements. Viking Kayaks have all been designed with Stability in mind. We offer the best warranty conditions and we care about customer satisfaction.

WHAT ARE VIKING KAYAKS MADE OF?
All Viking Kayaks are manufactured using virgin linear medium-density polyethylene powder. This plastic incorporates Maximum UV Inhibitors and is Colourfast. The fittings on the kayaks are Nylon and Stainless Steel, suitable for use in salt water conditions.

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY?
Viking Kayaks stand by the Quality and Craftmanship of their kayaks to such a degree that they are the only kayak company to offer an Extended Free Optional 30yr *Warranty over their Standard 1yr Kayak Warranty Simply Register your Kayak On-Line with us - It's Easy and it's Free!! *Extended Warranty applies to the original purchaser. *Warranty does not cover intentional or accidental damage to the kayak

HOW DO I STORE MY KAYAK?
The best way to store your kayak is under cover, on its side leaning against a wall or flat on the floor or on wall cradles. Do not leave your kayak lying on its hull with other items stacked on top of it as this will cause the hull to distort. Do not store the kayak on an uneven surface as this will distort the hull, this includes stacking the kayak on top of other kayaks. 

HOW DO I REPAIR MY KAYAK?
Polyethylene is a very strong and durable product but in the event that they need minor repairs, they can be plastic welded. This can be done by an experienced plastic welder or you can bring your kayak to the Viking factory and we can do this for you.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY KAYAK?
Viking Kayaks require minimal maintenance. A Viking Kayak is UV stabilised and colourfast but as with most things, if it can be stored out of the direct sunlight it will look better for longer.
For the correct way to store your kayak please read "HOW DO I STORE MY KAYAK" above.

HOW DO I TRANSPORT MY KAYAK?
Transporting a sit-on top kayak is very easy. You basically place it onto your roof racks upside down and secure with a couple of tie-downs. If the kayak is over 4m in length, some people like to tie the bow to the front of the vehicle to reduce any sideways movement. No special roof racks are required but if you are looking at taking 2 kayaks regularly then it might pay to get wide roof rack bars (1500mm) so that they can lie side by side or you can use Fold-A-Poles whereby the kayaks lie on their sides.

CAN I USE MY KAYAK OUT AT SEA?
Yes, Viking Kayaks are great to use out at Sea, in the Surf, down Rivers and around Lakes.

WHY A SIT-ON TOP KAYAK?
A sit on top kayak is very user friendly and that is why they are becoming so popular. A sit on kayak tends to have a wider hull thus making it more stable. This means most beginners can hop on and paddle off without the fear of falling off. The more you paddle, the more confident you will become and the more adventurous you will be! If you are looking at doing long distance touring or white water kayaking, you might be better suited getting a sit-in kayak that is specifically designed for that purpose.

WHAT ARE THE HOLES FOR?
All sit on top kayaks need to have drainage points. These are called Scuppers. A sit-on kayak is self-bailing so there is no need for a bilge pump. Most water that enters the cockpit area will drain out via the scuppers. Scupper Plugs are available in the cases where you are paddling on a lake and want to restrict any water entering the cockpit. This may occur when the kayak is carrying a heavy load. Scupper Plugs should not be used when going through surf.

HOW WATER-TIGHT IS THE KAYAK?
On calm, flat water your kayak should be water tight but once you start going through waves, playing in the surf and capsizing it often, you may find water will get into the hull. This might be up to one litre. If you feel your kayak is taking on an excessive amount of water, check it for leaks. Viking Kayaks are all fitted with drainage plugs so that you can rinse & drain your kayak. Any electronics like mobile phones or car keys (with remotes), should be stored in watertight dry bags or containers. Ideally, you want your phone to be in a proper watertight bag that you can dial and talk through – this stops your wet hands from touching the phone.

DOES MY KAYAK HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER?
Yes, all Viking Kayaks have their own unique serial number. This can be located at the rear of the kayak on the right hand side. Please fill out the warranty form and quote your hull number to activate your warranty. In the rare case that your kayak is stolen, you will be able to recognize it as yours if you have the hull number recorded.

WHAT CLOTHING DO I NEED?
Firstly, you will need a Buoyancy Vest. These range from $90 to $200. Either way it is money well invested especially if you are parted from your kayak and are stranded waiting for help, for a long period of time. A vest should fit well, not too loose or too tight. It should be Safety Standards Approved. You will need to make sure that there is plenty of room in the armpit for freedom of movement when paddling and you will want it to be a bit shorter in the body so that it doesn’t sit up around your ears when you sit on your kayak. A lot of people find wetsuits are a good option when kayaking. They offer sun protection, warmth and wind protection. They also offer a degree of buoyancy if you capsize. There are other types of waterproof tops and longs available as well – it will depend on what you are intending to do on your kayak i.e. fishing, river trips.

ARE ALL SIT-ON TOP KAYAKS THE SAME?
No. There are different Viking kayaks available for different requirements. If you are looking on doing a 3 day river trip, you will be requiring a kayak with more storage. If you want to just play in the surf, you will find the smaller models much easier to catch waves on and to turn. If you want to go fishing, we have several models that are designed for the sport of kayak fishing. Simply let us know what you want to do on your kayak and we will direct you to the most suitable model.

WHERE CAN I BUY A VIKING KAYAK?
Viking Kayaks have retailers across New Zealand. Please go to our STORES page to find the nearest outlet to you.

KAYAK SAFETY TIPS:
Always wear a buoyancy aid.
Check weather conditions.
Paddle in company
Ensure hatches are securely fastened when on the water and while transporting
Practice re-boarding your kayak from the water in a safe area

Most of all, have fun and enjoy your kayaking experience - every trip will be new and exciting!

Thanks
Team Viking Kayak NZ