FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. You pretend that PEDAYAK is a concentrate of innovations, but what are these innovations compared to the Hobie Mirage or other hands-free kayaks that have recently arrived on the market?

Indeed, PEDAYAK has several major innovations compared to its competitors:

• The propeller propulsion combined with a direct shaft line drive with maximum efficiency.
• The 2 side keels under the hull protect the propeller and rudder perfectly and allow PEDAYAK to beach. They also add stability and potentially opposes drift.

• The change from forward to reverse is done directly by retropedalling.       

• The easy, precise and efficient steering system combining: 
    	o A rudder located just behind the propeller that "picks up" the water nets propelled on the rear,
        o A helm, tiller
        o A control stick located just under the hand, which can be installed on the right or left according to your preferences.
  
  The possibility of using a light sail with good performance under all wind directions thanks to its keels.
  
  The side tubes are used as handles to ensure a good fit for the user, but also to fix a lot of accessories: fishing rod holders, 
  bags and pockets, sounder. See the accessories list.

• Modularity: Thanks to the addition of an intermediate structure solidly bolted to the hull, it can become a catamaran 
  (PEDAYAK DUO), a trimaran (PEDAYAK TRIO) or a prao (PEDAYAK PRAO).
  This assembly is done in 15 minutes.
  The PEDAYAK exists in an electric version (PEDAYAK Electric) and can be equipped with a rigging. The PEDAYAK range 
  includes a total of 16 versions.

2.      What is the advantage of a propeller propulsion over other hands-free systems such as flaps or oscillating planes? 

The current propellers are designed with a very elaborate specific profile, like aircraft wings. They have a high efficiency and therefore allow higher performance than other propulsion systems. In addition, they also allow you to immediatly reverse by back-pedalling. In addition, a propeller has a continuous rotation motion which is much more efficient than a back and forth motion suffering loss at the limits of the motion. In shipbuilding in general, no boats are equipped with flaps, all with propellers.

3. Why is PEDAYAK 50% faster than an ordinary kayak ?

Because:
- The propeller is much more efficient than the paddle.
- The thigh muscle is much more powerful than the arm muscle.

Without going into complicated technical explanations, an ordinary kayak moves forward on the reaction to a stroke of paddle sending a certain volume of water on the back. PEDAYAK moves forward on the bearing capacity of the propeller blade profile, like an aircraft wing, much more than on the reward propulsion of a water mass.

4. On the photos, the seat is fixed at an obtuse angle. Can the seat position be adjusted to a right angle for fishing?

This seat inclination corresponds to an optimal and ergonomic pedaling position efficiency. The one that allows the greatest comfort and speed. For fishing, if you want a more upright position, for example, you can change the position of the back by adjusting the backrest.

5. Can the seat position be adjusted according to the user's size?

The seat as such is not adjustable: We think it doesn't need to be. However, the distance between the seat and pedals can be adjusted in several ways:

• Sliding more or less into the seat (from the "buttock to bottom" on the rear position to "buttock on forward").
• By using the adjustable backrest.
• By slipping a mere boat cushion in the back, available to all shipchandlers. Thus, all the tests confirmed a comfortable pedaling position for people with a size between 1.45 and 1.95m.

6. Other kayaks with current pedal propulsion cannot "beach" because they risk breaking the propeller or rudder. On PEDAYAK how does it work? Can the propeller or rudder be broken?

A striking innovation of PEDAYAK is that it is equipped with 2 side keels to protect the propeller and rudder perfectly. You can get to the beach at full speed without damaging anything. You can drag PEDAYAK on the beach pulling only its front handle without any damage. It's designed for that.

7. If the propeller breaks or is damaged, is it possible to change it?

Simply unscrew a bolt to change the propeller. The company supplies replacement propellers, like all other spare parts.

8. Can we go backwards?

Reverse-pedaling, or pedaling in the opposite direction to the "normal" direction of pedaling, activates the propeller directly in the opposite direction and immediatly allows to go back. When reverse pedaling, the "propeller pitch effect" also allows precise and efficient manoeuvring, especially when reverse pedaling and rudder orientation are combined. That being said, the propeller is designed to be efficient in forward course, PEDAYAK is much faster when going forward than in reverse.

9. Is it heavy or cumbersome ?

PEDAYAK weighs 40 kg. This is about the weight of a normal kayak of equivalent size.
PEDAYAK measures 3.60 m and can easily be placed on a car roof rack by two people.
PEDAYAK TRIO, PRAO or DUO, disassembled, goes on a SUV type roof rack. 

10. How to transport the PEDAYAK with a car ?

- For short trips, let's say a few dozen km: It is placed inside the car arranged as a station wagon, lying on its side, the 
front of the PEDAYAK between the two front seats. The rear protrudes from the trunk, whose door remains partially open. 
This can be done alone.
- For long journeys: It is placed on roof racks, usually the rear of the PEDAYAK, towards the front of the car. Or on the 
edge with carrying hoops attached to the roof racks. It needs two persons to put it on the roof.

11. Is PEDAYAK approved?

PEDAYAK is certified in accordance with the European Recreational Craft Directive 2013-53-EU of 20/11/2013, the European regulation governing small boats. The manufacturer (L'Aquaphile sarl) has a manufacturer registration from the French Administration. PEDAYAK is CE marked.

12. What are the navigation limitations, including the maximum distance from a shelter?

PEDAYAK falls within the scope of the European Directive n° 2013/53/UE of 20/11/13. Consequently its use is not limited by the distance to a shelter, but by a wind force and sea state. We have chosen category D for the PEDAYAK: Wind up to force 4 Beaufort (up to 16 knots of wind) and 0.3 meter of wave.

So: no limit of distance from a shelter for the PEDAYAK.

That said, even if it is not imperative, we recommend that our users comply with the safety rules of the French rule "240 division", especially for the mandatory equipment for the 2 and 6 MN.

13. Can the algae and seaweeds prevent the propeller from rotating?

The weeds or water meadows generally pass through the propeller without hanging on it. Any anomaly on the propeller feels through the sensations of pedaling, and performance. If an unidentified object is still attached to the propeller, stop pedaling, let it go few seconds on its speed and then reverse pedaling. It will generally be driven out.

14. Can disabled people, especially paraplegics, use PEDAYAK ?

Yes. People with disabilities have kindly participated in various trials. A small adaptation may be necessary: By attaching a neoprene boot to the pedal, allowing the foot to remain attached to the pedal, they can use the device perfectly, even if they cannot pedal on a suitable road bike. PEDAYAK does not require any balance or minimum speed, and the pedaling is soft. The particularly stable PEDAYAK TRIO Electric has been adapted for people with disabilities under the name PEDAYAK HANDI.

15. How to use the PEDAYAK sail?

The whole PEDAYAK range is designed for sailing: PEDAYAK, PEDAYAK TRIO, PEDAYAK PRAO and PEDAYAK DUO (with 1 or 2 rigs).

PEDAYAK is a small 3.6 meters boat, but it has been designed to allow easy and safe navigation in open seas with moderate swell and wind, with a maximum of 27km/h (15 knots) for an experienced user. Of course this limit depends on the level of the practitioner and his weight. Its practice must remain an easy and accessible pleasure for all, not an extreme sport!

It is very stable thanks to its keels, which allow it to sail under all wind directions and notably to sail well upwind. The top of its sail opens in gusty winds. If you turn over it is easy to turn it upright and go back up again (see the " Use & operation " video online).

Perfect stability is provided by the PEDAYAK TRIO, DUO and PRAO, wich sails flat in all conditions, with up to 37 km/h (20 knots) of wind.

The action of the pedals and propeller always allows you to go back to shore if the wind becomes stronger or drops, it is a great safety. If the wind is really strong, the rig can easily be pulled out of its base and, as it floats, towed to shore.

Let's notice that the sitting position facing the direction of travel is comfortable and practical, no change of position at the tack change .

PEDAYAK and its sail has been designed and tested by sailors, who have all been pleasantly surprised by its performance at sea.

16. Can we surf the waves with PEDAYAK ?

Yes. Its relatively flat hull, its speed and manoeuvrability allow it to position itself right on the wave and give the impulse to take it. That said, PEDAYAK is not a surf, it is not recommended to use it on big wave spots and in places where surfers are numerous. The goal is rather to gently surf small waves away from the concentration of surfers.

17. What are the main characteristics of the PEDAYAK range ?