Mirage Sea Kayaks - Warranty
Mirage Sea Kayaks Warranty
Our Warranty Philosophy
Since 1988, Mirage Sea Kayaks has built premium Australian-made sea kayaks designed for adventure, exploration and long-term ownership.
We take enormous pride in the quality of our materials, craftsmanship and manufacturing processes. Every Mirage is built to provide many years of reliable service and we regularly see Mirage kayaks more than twenty years old still being paddled and enjoyed by their owners.
Our warranty philosophy is simple:
We stand behind our workmanship. We do not stand behind damage caused by wear, misuse, neglect, poor maintenance, improper storage, improper transportation or uses beyond the intended purpose of the kayak.
Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty
For all Mirage Sea Kayaks manufactured after 1 May 2013, Mirage Sea Kayaks provides the original purchaser with a Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship relating to:
• Composite hull.
• Composite deck.
• Hull-to-deck join-line.
For the purposes of this warranty, "lifetime" refers to the reasonable service life of the kayak while owned by the original purchaser and used, maintained, stored and transported in accordance with Mirage Sea Kayaks recommendations.
This warranty applies only to the original purchaser.
Proof of purchase may be required.
Owner Responsibilities
A Mirage Sea Kayak is a high-performance composite craft that requires appropriate care and maintenance.
To maintain the performance, longevity and value of your kayak, owners are expected to:
• Rinse the kayak thoroughly with fresh water after use.
• Inspect the kayak regularly.
• Maintain rudder systems and moving components.
• Repair damage promptly.
• Store the kayak correctly.
• Protect the kayak from prolonged UV exposure.
• Transport the kayak appropriately.
• Follow the recommendations contained within the Mirage Owner's Manual.
The long-term lifespan of any composite kayak is heavily influenced by the care provided by its owner.
Damage resulting from neglect, improper maintenance, improper storage or improper transportation is not covered under this warranty.
One-Year Warranty on Fixtures & Components
The following factory-installed components are covered against manufacturing defects for one year from the original purchase date:
• Rudder.
• Rudder pedal system.
• Rudder cables or steering lines.
• Hatch covers.
• Deck lines.
• Shock cord / bungee cord.
• Cockpit rims.
• Knee brace rims.
• Factory-installed accessories.
This warranty covers manufacturing defects only.
Normal wear, UV deterioration, corrosion, abrasion and accidental damage are not covered.
Commercial Use
This warranty has been developed for privately owned recreational kayaks.
Warranty coverage does not apply to kayaks used for commercial purposes, including:
• Kayak tours.
• Kayak rental operations.
• Professional instruction.
• Outdoor education programs.
• Commercial guiding.
• Any other income-generating activity.
Commercial operations subject kayaks to significantly higher levels of use, wear and loading than typical recreational paddling and therefore require separate assessment.
Rescue Training, Club Activities & Repetitive Loading
Mirage Sea Kayaks are designed and built for recreational paddling, sea kayak touring and expedition use.
Activities involving repetitive rescue drills, club training sessions, instructional programs and frequent assisted rescue practice can place significantly higher loads on cockpit rims, rear decks, deck fittings and surrounding laminate structures than would normally occur during recreational paddling.
Over time, these concentrated and repetitive loads may accelerate wear, fatigue and deterioration of components and laminate structures.
The resulting wear, fatigue and deterioration may differ significantly from that experienced during normal recreational paddling and will be assessed accordingly when considering any warranty claim.
>>> If you intend to use your Mirage regularly for rescue training, instructor training, sea kayak club activities or other repetitive training exercises, we strongly encourage you to discuss these requirements with Mirage Sea Kayaks at the time of purchase.
In many cases, additional reinforcement can be incorporated into specific areas of the kayak during manufacture to better accommodate these specialised uses.
Particular consideration should be given to lightweight performance layups, including the Mirage 532 Feather Light build. These lightweight constructions are designed to achieve exceptional paddling performance and low weight and may not be suitable for frequent rescue training or repetitive loading applications without additional reinforcement.
Mirage Sea Kayaks is committed to building kayaks that are fit for their intended purpose. The more information we have about your intended use, the better we can tailor your kayak to meet your long-term needs.
Modifications & Alterations
Mirage Sea Kayaks are carefully engineered and manufactured as complete systems.
Warranty coverage does not apply to damage arising from structural modifications, unauthorised alterations or the installation of non-factory accessories after manufacture.
Examples include:
• Drilling holes into the hull or deck.
• Installation of non-factory fittings.
• Structural modifications.
• Unauthorised repairs.
• Modifications to the rudder system.
Factory-installed options fitted by Mirage Sea Kayaks at the time of manufacture remain covered under the applicable warranty terms.
If you are considering modifying your kayak, we encourage you to contact Mirage Sea Kayaks before proceeding.
What This Warranty Does Not Cover
This warranty does not cover:
• Normal wear and tear.
• Cosmetic scratches, scuffs and chips.
• Abrasion from launching, landing or dragging.
• Impact damage.
• Collision damage.
• Neglect or poor maintenance.
• Improper storage.
• Improper transportation.
• Damage caused by roof racks, kayak cradles or tie-down systems.
• Heat distortion caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight while restrained on roof racks or cradles.
• UV fading, chalking or weathering.
• Corrosion of components.
• Damage resulting from modifications.
• Damage resulting from misuse.
• Damage resulting from use beyond the intended design purpose of the kayak.
• Consequential loss or damage.
• Personal injury or property damage.
Osmosis & Gelcoat Blistering
This warranty does not cover osmosis or gelcoat blistering.
Osmosis is the formation of small blisters beneath the gelcoat surface caused by prolonged moisture exposure.
The most common cause of osmosis in sea kayaks is improper storage, particularly when kayaks are stored under tarpaulins or waterproof covers that trap moisture and condensation against the gelcoat surface.
To minimise the risk of osmosis:
• Store the kayak in a dry, well-ventilated location.
• Store the kayak upside down when outdoors.
• Remove hatch covers during long-term storage.
• Avoid covers that touch the kayak surface.
• Promote airflow around the kayak at all times.
Osmosis is considered a storage and environmental issue rather than a manufacturing defect and is therefore not covered by warranty.
Deck Lines & Bungee Cord
Deck lines and bungee cord are designed for safety, rescue support and securing light equipment.
They are not designed for lifting, carrying or suspending the kayak.
Damage resulting from lifting the kayak by deck lines, deck fittings or bungee cord is not covered by warranty.
Mirage recommends carrying the kayak by the bow and stern or by appropriately fitted carry toggles.
Third-Party Accessories
Some accessories fitted to Mirage kayaks may be manufactured by third-party suppliers.
These products are covered by their respective manufacturers' warranties.
Mirage Sea Kayaks will assist owners in managing warranty claims with these suppliers where appropriate.
Third-party accessories supplied by Mirage are covered for one year from the original purchase date unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
Transfer of Warranty
This warranty applies only to the original purchaser.
A warranty transfer may be considered where a kayak undergoes a complete Mirage Care inspection and refurbishment prior to sale.
Any warranty transfer must be approved in writing by Mirage Sea Kayaks.
Warranty Claims
If you believe your kayak has developed a defect covered by this warranty, please contact Mirage Sea Kayaks directly.
Owners may be required to provide:
• Proof of purchase.
• Photographs of the issue.
• The kayak serial number.
• Details regarding storage, transport and usage history.
If further assessment is required, the kayak must be returned to Mirage Sea Kayaks or a Mirage-approved repairer at the owner's expense.
If the claim is accepted as a valid warranty claim, Mirage Sea Kayaks will repair or replace the kayak or affected component at its discretion.
Following an approved warranty repair, Mirage Sea Kayaks will return the kayak to the owner at Mirage Sea Kayaks' expense.
Australian Consumer Law
Mirage Sea Kayaks is committed to building high-quality products and standing behind its workmanship.
This warranty is provided in addition to any rights and remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law.
Nothing in this warranty is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot be excluded under Australian law.
A Final Word from Mirage
At Mirage Sea Kayaks, we don't simply build kayaks — we build craft designed to accompany paddlers on adventures, challenges and journeys that create lifelong memories.
Since 1988, thousands of Mirage owners have explored coastlines, crossed open water, undertaken expeditions and discovered places that can only be reached by kayak. We are proud to have played a small part in those adventures.
By caring for your Mirage and following the recommendations outlined in this manual, you will maximise the performance, reliability and lifespan of your kayak for many years to come.
If you ever have questions about your kayak, require technical advice or need assistance with repairs, maintenance or outfitting, please contact the Mirage team. We are always happy to help.
Thank you for choosing Mirage Sea Kayaks.
Australian Designed. Expedition Proven.