WARRANTY
Because we’re kayakers too, we understand how frustrating it can be to miss a trip or have it cut short due to a broken boat, which is why we’re committed to continually reviewing our production and quality control processes to ensure you can rely on your Pyranha kayak.
We’re still only human though, and mistakes are possible; for this reason, a comprehensive, 2 year warranty on materials and workmanship is supplied as standard with all new Pyranha Kayaks purchased through an authorised Pyranha Dealer*, and this can be activated by simply registering your kayak within 30 days of purchase.
*valid to the original owner only.
On the rare occurrence that a warranty claim is necessary, we will always do our best to provide a speedy resolution and help you get back on the water with as little effort on your part as possible; all we ask, is that before you submit a warranty claim (or better still, as soon as you have purchased your Pyranha Kayak), you consider the following:
Plastic is softer than rock
Even though we’ve been rotomoulding polyethylene kayaks since 1979, trialled many different plastic compositions, amassed a wealth of experience, and developed uniquely advanced techniques of ensuring our kayaks are as resilient as possible, the fact still remains that significant or repeated impacts and abrasion will break boats.
Plastic kayaks have opened up lines, moves, and sometimes whole rivers that were previously considered impassable, but it is these same things that can lead to the early demise of many kayaks; rock spins, flares, seal launches, and low-water scrapes are all actions which will significantly reduce the life of your kayak.
It only takes one large impact on any particular scratch line to cause a split, and if you’re unlucky this can just as easily occur on your first outing, particularly if you scrape over a razor sharp piece of slate at the lip of a waterfall and then land flat in green water below; it sucks, but it isn’t the fault of the kayak, even if you were too absorbed in the moment to notice the damage occurring at the time.
Due to our strict quality control procedures, it’s highly unlikely that a defective kayak shell would ever leave the factory, but if this did happen for any reason, the defect would quickly become evident in the kayak’s usage; if your kayak has broken after a reasonable amount of usage (whether this usage is concentrated over a few months, or spread out over the course of a year), it is unlikely that this will be the result of any warranty issue.
Look after your kayak, and it will look after you.
Much the same as with a car, regular maintenance of your kayak is essential; this includes tightening any loose bolts, checking the integrity of the outfitting, removing any grit or stones from the inside of the boat, and transporting and storing the kayak correctly.
Outfitting Maintenance
Loose or weakened outfitting can lead to poor control over the kayak, which in itself can increase the likelihood of damage, and in addition can cause the force from any impact to be unevenly distributed and therefore more likely to lead to a breakage.
When checking the tightness of any bolts (particularly after long drives where road vibrations can cause them to loosen), be careful they are not overtightened, as this can break the seal of any rubber O-rings or gaskets and cause leaks, as well as applying excessive force to the shell and outfitting components which may lead to damage.
The moulded, plastic washers around the bolt heads of most fittings are designed to deform when overtightened; if this occurs, simply back the bolt off slightly. For any fittings which you do not plan to adjust regularly, we recommend the application of threadlock to reduce the need for regular tightening of bolts.
If you notice any other issues with your outfitting, refrain from using the kayak and contact your local dealer for advice and to order any necessary replacement parts; any damage caused by the use of a kayak with excessively worn or broken outfitting is not covered under warranty.
Periodical Rinsing of the Kayak's Interior
Due to the mode of flex during an impact and through general use, you may be surprised to learn that in actual fact it is internal scratches to the kayak’s shell which are most likely to lead to a split; these are most commonly caused by the abrasion of grit or stones between your feet and the inside of the kayak, and as such we strongly recommend rinsing your shoes before entering the kayak where possible, and regularly rinsing the kayak out with fresh water.
It's also important to avoid scratching the inside of the kayak with any tools when outfitting, or with any kit that you may load in to the boat.
Transport & Storage
Transport and storage are also important considerations in prolonging the life of your kayak; where possible, storing your kayak off the ground, upside down on a padded rack and out of direct sunlight is strongly recommended, as this will protect it from both frost and UV rays; we use unique additives to significantly reduce the damage caused to the plastic by UV light, but in areas of strong UV concentration and after prolonged exposure, the structure of the kayak may still be affected.
When transporting your kayak, NEVER strap it with the hull flat against the horizontal bars; the kayak is not designed to withstand such forces, and this can lead to flexing the area of the kayak which is most likely to be affected by scratches; instead, strap the kayak either on its side with the hull against a set of padded uprights, or upside down with the bars evenly spaced fore and aft of the cockpit – in either case, the kayak should be strapped down so that it is secure, but not excessively tight.
Airbags are a must
No matter how good at kayaking you are, there’s always a chance that you might swim; in fact the better you are, the greater the chance that when you do swim, it’ll be on some serious whitewater! Anyone that has to rescue your kayak in that situation (even if that’s you) is going to have a hard time if it doesn’t have airbags, or they aren’t inflated.
As well as preventing your kayak taking an extended beating by making it easier and therefore quicker to rescue, inflated and properly secured airbags ensure there is less empty volume in your kayak that can fill with water (an averaged sized creek boat can hold a whopping 250l, or quarter of a tonne of water!), reducing its momentum and therefore the potential damage a collision could cause, as well as minimising the kayak’s chances of becoming severely pinned.
Warranty does not equal Insurance
Please note that a warranty will only cover breakage as a result of a defect in materials or workmanship; kayaking can be both unpredictable and unforgiving, particularly where kit is concerned, and as such we strongly recommend ensuring you have an appropriate insurance policy in place to cover accidental loss or damage to your kayak, as well as the rest of your kit.
For UK residents, we recommend taking a look at the Boat Insurance policies available with British Canoeing Membership.
If you’ve just been unlucky and your boat has split through usage; don't worry, in most cases you can weld the split
(take a look at our kayak welding guidance sheet, or contact your local dealer to ask if they offer a repair service)
and at the very least make it suitable for resale as a flat water boat. In some cases it is possible for us to supply
a replacement shell, although this option is not available in all regions due to shipping limitations; please contact your
local dealer to see if this option is available in your area.
If you remain confident that you have a genuine warranty claim; please contact the dealer from which the kayak was purchased in the first instance,
detailing the nature of the claim, the circumstances in which the fault became evident,
and providing supporting evidence including a copy of your proof of purchase and clear photos of the fault as well as of the whole kayak.
