4
CONSTRUCTION & WORKING PRESSURE
Working Pressure:
In this instruction manual, we use the term “working pressure” to describe inflation pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI). By
this we mean, the air pressure needed to make a boat rigid enough for use. All three chambers of the FastCat14.4 are drop-stitch
material with a maximum pressure of 15 psi (1 bar). The recommended working pressure is 13 to 14.5 psi. How much pressure is
needed can depend on how much weight is in the boat and environmental factors such as wave height.
Caution:
Do not use the FastCat14.4 below 7 psi. Below this pressure the boat will be too flexible.
Warning:
Over pressurization could lead to catastrophic failure and sudden release of compressed air. Serious
injury to persons nearby could result. Maximum recommended pressure is 15 psi (1 bar).
DO NOT
use air compressors that are
designed for other uses such as tire inflation. They can easily over-inflate & cause harm to you and your Sea Eagle that uses much
lower pressure.
As air is compressed it heats up and expands. Warm air occupies more volume than cool air. If the water is cold, warm air in the
boat will shrink and some rigidity will be lost. Allow a few minutes for the boat to cool off in the water, and if needed, top it off
with enough pump strokes to bring it back up to pressure. The boat could also appear to lose pressure overnight if the nighttime
temperature drops significantly below the daytime temperature.
Air pressure within the boat may increase on a very hot day. It is best to keep the boat in the water to dissipate heat, but the boat
should be able to accept the additional pressure without failure. Refer to the care section of this manual for protection and
storage information.
The FastCat14.4 holds a lot of air! Inflating with the manual pump is very hard work and may take 1 1/2 hours or more with breaks
to inflate the boat. The exercise from inflating the boat may be valuable, but often boating time is limited and it is better to get out
on the water as quickly as possible. An electric pump is recommended for achieving that goal. If the FastCat14.4 is to inflated once
a season or kept on inflated on a trailer, a hand pump may be sufficient to maintain working pressure.
Caution
: Inflating the boat manually is physically demanding. Pace yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, stop and rest, do not
proceed if you are having a health issue.
Drop Stitch Construction:
The boat is made of drop-stitch material. Dozens of threads per square inch hold the top and bottom layers together and keep the
flat-boat shape. Without drop stitch, inflatables are tube shaped.
