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BOAT ASSEMBLY
Illustrations in APPENDIX page A-8
Assemble the boat on a smooth clean surface.
If the boat is stored in a temperature inferior to 32°F (0°C), before
unfolding, let it warm up for 12 hours at room temperature, 72°F (about
20°C).
FLOORBOARD ASSEMBLY
Put potato starch at the corner reinforcements (c) (strips between the buoyancy and the
bottom), to make it easier to place the floorboard elements.
ATTENTION: NEVER USE TALCUM POWDER
Inspect each element to understand how it will be mounted:
−
The floorboard (Fig. 1) is composed of 4 or 5 elements (alu) and 2 bow floorboard
sections (wood).
−
The order of assembly of each element is indicated on a label in the upper right hand
corner.
−
The bow floorboard sections have an upside and a down side. The upside is identifiable
by a label with the sun (9). If the label is lost, use the lines on the aluminum junction
profiles to guide you, they are apparent when assembling.
Lightly inflate the buoyancy tube (this helps the elements to take their place).
Place the bow floorboard (1)(Fig. 4) into the corner reinforcement (c).
Place the aft element (7) against the transom (6).
Fit in the remaining floorboards elements (1) and (2).
Place elements (4) and (5) in a pointed “roof” position.
Make sure the elements are lined up straight.
Flatten the “point” by getting into the boat and pulling UP on the grab lines (this prevents the
fabric from getting pinched (Fig. 2).
Make sure the floorboard (a) is correctly positioned in the corner reinforcement (c).
Position the stringers as indicated below.
PLACING THE STRINGERS
The stringers (6) (Fig. 3) are essential to the seaworthiness of the boat. They lock in the
floorboards and assure the rigidity of the entire structure.
After having flattened out the floorboard to position the stringers (6) more easily, when the
ground is not level, slide the paddles under the boat bottom lengthwise, at about 20 cm (7.8
in.) on either side of the center. (Fig. 3).
Never place paddles on the bottom of the boat before having flattened
out the floorboard. It could damage them.
Place the stringers (6) along the outside of the floorboard, the indicators (9) always on the
top (Fig.3).
Make sure the stringers are correctly positioned between the stoppers on the floorboard
elements (Fig. 1).
The entire thickness of the floorboard must enter the stringer cavity. To do this, pivot the
stringer back and forth to adjust. Do the same to make the stringers fit into the space in the
transom corner reinforcement (Fig. 3 and 4).
When the boat is inflated, the interlocking construction of the floorboard facilitates final
positioning of the stringers.