INFLATABLE BOAT

 

 

 

OWNER'S MANUAL

(TRANSOM BOAT)

 

 

 

About your new Transom Boat

 

Thank you for deciding to buy a new Transom Boat. You will get many years of use and pleasure out of this boat. These boats can be inflated and assembled in about half an hour, making trips from the car to the water practical without a trailer. The Transom Boats have several unique features, which make them solid, reliable boats. The Transom Boats are composed of 1100 denier inflatable hull with attached transom and several types of floorboard system. Below is a brief overview of the structure of the boat. Detailed assembly instructions are on the following pages.

 

1. Standard Equipment

 

Tender Series	Seward Series	Alaskan (350A, 380A)
Box 1 :   * Boat hull packed in boat bag   * Repair kit · Towing rope (4m) · Oars · Motor mount · Hand piston pump   * Wooden bench w/rope   * Air deck drop stitch floor   * Owners manual * Other optional accessories	Box 1 :   * Boat hull packed in boat bag   * Repair kit   * Towing rope (4m)   * Oars   * Hand piston pump   * Wooden bench w/rope   * Air deck drop stitch floor   * Owners manual * Other optional accessories	Box 1 :   * Boat hull packed in boat bag   * Repair kit   * Towing rope (4m)   * Oars   * Foot pump   * Wooden bench w/rope   * Floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4     Packed in floorboard bag   * Stringer 500mm (2pcs)   * Stringer 700mm (2pcs)   * Owners manual   * Other optional accessories
Alaskan (420A, 450A)	Alaskan Ranger (420AR, 450AR)	Alaskan Ranger (480AR, 500AR 520AR)
Box 1 :   * Boat hull packed in boat bag Box 2 ;   * Repair kit   * Towing rope (4m)   * Oars   * Foot pump   * Wooden bench w/rope   * floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4,5     packed in floorboard bag   * stringer 500mm (2pcs)   * Stringer 700mm (4pcs)   * Owners manual   * Other optional accessories	Box 1 :   * Boat hull packed in boat bag Box 2 :   * Repair kit   * Towing rope (4m)   * Oars * Foot pump * 2 Wooden benches w/rope   * Floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4,5     Packed in floorboard bag   * Stringer 500mm (2pcs)   * Stringer 700mm (4pcs)   * Owners manual * Other optional accessories	Box 1 ;   * Boat hull packed in boat bag Box 2 :   * Repair kit   * Towing rope (4m)   * Oars * Foot pump * Wooden bench w/rope   * Floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4,5     packed in floorboard bag   * Stringer 700mm (6pcs)   * Owners manual * Other optional accessories

 

 

 

 

2. The 1100 Denier Hull Material

The 1100 denier hull material is a rugged, solid material, which operates with a 4.0-PSI working pressure. This high working pressure gives the Transom Boats a solid, rugged hull, which allows them to operate with larger engines and run in rougher conditions.

 

3. The Hull Air Compartmentalization

All Transom Boats have 3 or more air chambers in the main hull. Some models have an air chamber in the inflatable keel, and air-deck models have an air chamber in the air-deck floor. These air chambers are totally separate and ensure buoyancy in the event of a single chamber failure. The air pressure for main tubes and inflatable keel is 3.5 to 4.0 PSI

 

3a. Air Deck drop stitch high-pressure floor.

It is important to fully inflate this floor before inflating the keel. With the hand piston pump inflate the Air Deck drop stitch high-pressure floor to 14 PSI.  It is recommended to use a plastic locking tie raps to secure pump hose to adaptor fittings on both ends of pump hose.

 

 

4. The One-Way Valve

The Transom Boats use the One-Way Valve, a proven design that has been used for 20 years. This simple, rugged one-way valve makes inflation easy. The inner valve design allows air to flow into the hull but not out, and outer valve cap makes the seal permanent. The plastic stem on the inner valve allows the boat to be deflated. Push in and turn to release the air. Make sure the plastic stem is in the out position for inflation. To work the valve push in yellow stem and twist ¼ turn to lock open or to unlock closed.  Yellow stem popped up is closed and  locked down is open.

 

5. Rear Drain Valve

All Transom Boats have a rear drain valve to drain water from the inside of the hull. This has a plug to keep it totally watertight when not in use. To use the drain valve, remove the plug and gently accelerate to get your boat in a bow-high attitude. Water will rush to the rear of the boat and drain out the valve. Replace plug when finished. Another option is to pull the boat up on a beach or boat ramp and drain on land

 

 

 

 

 

6. Foot Pump

Foot Pump can deliver the air pressure needed to fully inflate your boat. To inflate, insert the blue hose into the fitting one the pump marked "outlet". We firmly recommend you always carry your foot pump on board for safety. But for more pressure or easier inflating, you can order our brand new "hand piston pump" at a little more cost.

 

6a. Hand Poston Pump

This pump is supplied with all boats that come with the Air Deck, Drop stitch high-pressure floor. The pump pushes air on both the up and down stroke. In the center of the pump handle there is a place to attach the pump hose. One side is labeled inflate and the other side is labeled deflate connect the hose to the fitting side marked inflate. Attach the other end of the hose to middle Halkey Roberts valve adaptor fitting. This adaptor fitting fits the valves in the boat. 

It is recommended to use a plastic locking tie raps to secure pump hose to adaptor fittings on both ends of pump hose. This keeps the hose from popping off the fittings when pumping over 10 PSI.

This pump is capable of the 14 PSI needed for the Air Deck Drop Stitch high-pressure floor. The hull tubes require 3.5 to 4.0 PSI, be careful not to over inflate the hull or keel tubes using this pump.

 

 

Assembly Instruction

 

1. Unfold the Hull

Clear a flat space (making sure it is clean and free of sharp objects) and unfold your boat. Remove the hull from its box and take it out of the boat bag. Take a special note of how and ware this boat is folded for future reference when it’s time to fold and fit this boat back in the bag. Unroll the hull so it laid out flat.

 

2. Inflate slightly

The Transom Boats can be inflated either with our high-pressure foot pump or with other Electric pump. The Electric pump can inflate the boats to a moderate pressure and save a lot of time, but all of these boats will need to be finished off with the high pressure foot pump. Inflate the three hull chambers to approximately 10% full in order to make floorboard insertion easier.

 

Note : Use only our pumps to inflate your boat. Do not use an air compressor. Damage to your boat caused by over inflation from an air compressor is not covered by your warranty.

 

3. Floorboard Assembly

 

   a. Seward model

      a-1. Inflate hull tubes first. Then inflate Air Deck floor to 14 PSI. Be sure the air deck floor is pressed under transom Lip and into where the hull tubes connect to the hull floor.

      * Make sure that keel valve is located at the center of No.1 board's hole.

      a-2. Inflate Keel last

             Deflate boat in reverse order.

 

 

 

 

   b. Alaskan And Alaskan Ranger models:

             Center Keel and place valve cap in keel valve. Do not inflate keel at this time.

      b-1. Place floorboard as follows :

           - 5 Floorboards : Bow board, No.1, No.4, and No.2 + No.3.

           - 6 Floorboards : Bow board, No.1, 2, 5  and No.3 + No.4.

·         Make sure that keel valve is located at the center of No.2 board's hole.

·         Make sure to center all floor boards between both hull tubes

·         Make sure all floorboards are lined up evenly with one another

·         Make sure the transom floorboard is fitted under the transom Lip

      b-2. Press down No.2 + No.3 at the same time for 5 floorboards boat and press down No.3 + No.4 at The same time for 6 floorboards boat to be jointed well and flatly.

 

   c. Stringers

      Insert stringers into side edges of floorboards.

·         For easy fitting of stringers, place oar under boat hull

·         For Alaska Rangers slot together all stringers so the stringers are one piece before they lock into floor boards

 

  Note : Somewhat hard to assemble at the first time, but after two or three times of using a boat, it will be easier

to assemble.

 

  Note : Don't do this with bare feet, and keep your fingers and toes out of the way so that you don't get pinched.

 

  

 

 

 

The rearmost floorboard which has a smooth rear edge and interlocking grooves on the

Front edge. Place the rear most floorboard at the rear of the hull and slide under the

           Transom lip. Sit in the hull and force the rear most floorboard under the transom lip with your feet.

 

 

   e. Air-deck model:

e-1. Put and flat the air-deck floor in the boat. Especially pay your attention to insert the edge of air-deck

floor into between the floor and inside of the tube.

      e-2. Place the keel valve fit to the hole of the air-deck floor.

      e-3. Firstly, inflate the air-deck floor tightly up to 6psi.

      e-4. And inflate the keel until the air-deck floor is straightened out well. You may need to

           step on the air-deck floor to make it straight.  

 

4. Wooden Seat

Inflate the rear chambers to 90% of their inflated size and with the rope supplied with your boat lace the seats into the seat holder grommets. Tie a square knot to secure the seat into the seat holder’s mountings.

 

 

5. Finish inflation

Inflate all hull chambers to 100%, or 4.0-psi. Using our high-pressure pump, this air pressure will be generated by applying about 130lbs. of force to the foot pump. For Air deck Drop stitch high pressure Floored models inflate the floor to 14 PSI using the hand piston pump. For I-Beam floored models inflate the I-beam floors to 4 PSI. For the model having inflatable keel, the keel should be the last thing inflated and the first thing deflated. Inflate the keel to 80% of max pressure.

 

Note : The model having inflatable keel will plane better when the keel is 80% inflated.

 

6. Bow rope

Tie ends of the bow rope to the to each of the molded D-Rings located on each side of your boat near the bow. The proper knot for this is either a figure-8 on the bite or a bowline knot. Thread the center of the bow rope through the small part of the bow lift handle so that it flows free. Pull bow rope snug then tie a figure-8 knot ahead of the bow lift handle so that the bow rope does not slide back through the bow lift handle       

7. Deflation

The Keel should always be the first air chamber Deflated.

Remove the outer valve caps to expose the yellow plastic stem on the inner valve. Pressing the yellow stem into release air pressure, and turn it to lock the valve in the open position. Deflate each hull chamber to 50-75% before completely deflating any of the air chambers. Remove the floorboards by first removing the side stringers. Remove and disassemble floorboards next.

 

Note : Do not deflate one chamber fully while others are fully inflated. This could damage the bulkheads of your boat.

 

 

 

 

Accessories

 

1. Seat Bag

The optional Seat Bag fits neatly under the wooden seat. Peel off the Velcro flap on top of the bag and wrap around the wooden seat. Secure the Velcro flap on the other side of the wooden seat so that the bag rests on the floor below the wooden seat.

 

2. Bow Bag

The optional Bow Bag fits in the bow of your boat and is secured by strings.

 

Motor installation

 

MODEL		MAX (hp)	MODEL		MAX (hp)	MODEL		MAX(hp)
Tenders	220TDS	4	Alaskan	350A	15
	240TDS	4		380A	25
	270TDS	5		420A	35
	390TDS	6		450A	40
			Alaskan Ranger	420AR	35
Seward	270SDS	10		450AR	40
	290SDS	15		480AR	50
	320SDS	15		500AR	50
				520AR	50

The maximum rated horsepower for our Transom Boats are:

 

* These two models (480AR & 500AR) are for Long Shaft Motor. (Motor Transom Height: 20")

 

Note : If you install a motor larger than the maximum rated horsepower for your boat, you might have control

Problems and risk serious injury. Never exceed the maximum rated horsepower.

 

Read the instruction manual supplied by the outboard motor manufacturer. All outboards are slightly different, and some require special installation procedures. Below is a general outline:

․ Set the motor on tilt and tilt the mounting bracket.

․ Place the motor in the center of the transom.

․ Screw the mounting brackets securely to the transom.

 

Note: If the mounting brackets are not tightly secured to the transom, the motor could loosen in use or even fall from your boat. Make sure they are tight.

             Bolting your motor through the transom is recommended for larger motors.

             Bolting an eyebolt through the transom is recommended to have a secure place to attach a chain, cable or rope to your motor.

 

 

 

 

Troubleshooting

 

1. Leaks

 

If you are losing air pressure, and it isn't colder temperatures, check the boat over for leaks, starting with the valves. The best tool to find leaks is soapy water in a spray bottle. Windex works very well for this.  A leaking valve is rare, but if you do find a leak we can send you a replacement valve. We recommend mixing soap and water in a spray bottle. Spray around the valve. If you see bubbles forming, check your valve seating and base and be sure the valve insert is screwed tight. If you continue to have problems it's probably time to order new valves. Replacement of the whole valve can be done with a simple tool that comes with the replacement valve.

 

2. Finding punctures

 

If the boat is losing air, and all the valves are good you probably have a small puncture. Small punctures can be repaired easily and permanently. Spray around inside and outside of the hull until air bubbles mark the position of the leak. If you have no luck finding a slow leak with air bubbles, inflate the boat to maximum air pressure and try to listen to find the leak. If you can narrow the area down, return with a spray bottle to identify the source of the leak. Making small repairs. Punctures less than 1/8"in size can be repaired simply without a patch. Deflate your

boat, then clean and dry area to be repaired. Apply a small drop of glue to cover the puncture, and let dry 12 hours. If you need to get on the water sooner, let dry 30 minutes and then inflate the boat, inflating the compartment with the repair only 3/4 full. This repair might not be permanent so add a drop again at a late date to make it permanent.

 

3. Rips or Tears

 

Your Transom Boats come with a repair kit as standard equipment. If you no longer have your repair kit, you can order a new one from your dealer. Cut a piece of repair material large enough to overlap the damaged area by approximately 1/2", and round off the edges. Apply our glue to the under side of patch and around the area to be repaired. Too much glue will interfere with a proper repair. Allow adhesive to become tacky for 2-4 minutes, and then place patch on the damaged area. Use a weight to apply 3-5 lbs. of pressure for 12 hours. After patch has

dried, apply glue around the edges for a complete seal (dry 4 hours).

 

4. Large and Difficult Repairs

If you have a difficult repair, give our office a call and we will advise you on the best way to fix your boat.

 

 

Using your Transom Boat

 

1. Rowing

 

The Transom Boats are designed as motorboats, but they can be rowed if the engine fails. Take some time to practice rowing so you will be prepared in the unlikely event of an engine failure. The oars are attached to swiveling oarlocks / oar clasps which allow for easy rowing. Snap the rear section of the oar out of the oar clasp and use the forward oarlock to help row. You can also remove the oar from the forward oarlock by unscrewing the black plastic nut on the oar.

 

2. Motoring & Safety

 

The Transom Boats are responsive and quick under power, yet turn and track very well. All boats have their unique handling characteristics, so take time to familiarize yourself with how your maneuvers in various conditions. Basic seamanship is beyond the scope of this owner's manual, but we would like to go over a few fundamentals. It is your responsibility to be aware of and comply with all relevant safety regulations. In all water sports you should have reasonable swimming ability. Although your Transom Boats have been used in ocean expeditions, we don't recommend using the Transom Boats out of sight of land. If you are going out in open waters, you should stay reasonably close to other boats and always carry flares and a good supply of fresh water. A marine band transceiver and a GPS receiver will provide added security on your journey. Always respect the sea and the weather, as both can change rapidly and have surprised even the most seasoned mariner. Always carry enough Personal Flotation Devices. Not only is it the law, but from our point of view, it is just plain foolish not to have PFD's for everyone aboard. Always wear your PFD that’s the only way they will work.  Please use U.S. Coast Guard or C.E. approved life jackets, as this is your assurance that the life jackets can provide sufficient buoyancy in the water. We strongly suggest that all boaters enroll in one of the excellent water safety courses offered by the Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary in your area.

 

Some Other points To Remember

 

After 2 or 3 days there may be a small decrease of pressure due to temperature change. If so, add a few

pumps of air to each chamber.

Before undertaking a long trip, inflate the boat for a full 24 hours to be sure all chambers are completely airtight.

Do not allow children to drive the boat unsupervised by adults.

Avoid sharp objects when coming to dock or shore.

Always bring your oars along snapped in place.

When you see water have come into the boat, check the following:

  ① Is the drain valve open?

  ② Is the diaphragm in the drain valve working properly?

  ③ Has it rained recently?

④ Is there a hole in the floor?

Regarding cleaning & storage:

  ① Hose off sand and dirt and let dry before packing away.

  ② Do not use harsh chemical cleaners.

  ③ Do not store in extreme temperature (i.e. over 150F/below - 10F).

  ④ Store in a clean and dry place.

 

 

Warranty Registration Card

 

1. General

 

Please fill out and mail in the Warranty Registration Card supplied in your order right away. You will void your warranty by not filing the registration card with us. Be sure to enter the Serial #(HIN code = the 13 digit number). A small patch of serial number are found in each boat. You can find a serial number patch by looking through inside of the tube or stern area.

 

2. Care and Preservation

 

There is very little that you have to do to keep your boat in good condition for many years. You may store it inflated or deflated. If you leave it outside, raise it up off the ground. If it is going to be in direct sunlight or exposed to leaves, berries or rain, cover it with a tarp.(We do not recommend hanging the boat). If you leave it in the water, you will probably have to drain out rainwater at times. If you store it in a closet, basement or garage, we suggest you pick a cool, dry spot, making sure the boat is clean and dry before you pack it up - or mold can accumulate. That is all you need to keep your boat in mint condition for years to come. Most dirt can be removed with a garden hose, a sponge and mild soap. SoftScrub works exceedingly well. Make sure the boat for long periods, Do not sprinkle with powders. Do not store in an area where it is likely to be exposed to extreme temperatures.(above 150℉ or below -10℉)

Guarantee / Warranty

All Alaska Series Inflatable Boats have a 5-year Warrantee that covers the boat from bow to stern. Simply stated with in 5 years from date of purchase, what ever happens to your boat we'll fix it! There will be no charge for parts or labor for 5 years. Just return your damaged Alaska Series boat to us and we'll repair it.

 If the reason for the repair was something that was a defect in material or workman ship we'll pay the return shipping back to you. If the reason for the repair was due to wear and tear you pay the return shipping. 

Return your boat to us after you've washed all major dirt off your boat. There is a $50 charge for cleaning extremely dirty boats. I'm sure you too would rather work on a boat that is reasonably clean opposed to one caked with mud 

We have repair centers in Anchorage, Alaska and Seattle, Washington. Please contacting us before sending any boats. All A

us before sending any

 

Warranty Registration Card

 

This card must be completed and signed, and returned to your dealer within 10 days of date of purchase in order for the warranty on your new transom boat to be valid.

 

Name                                                                   

Address                                                                 

City                           Country                Zip              

Phone                         Purchase Date                           

Dealer Name                                                            

Dealer Address                                                          

City                           Country                Zip              

Model                         Serial #                                 

By signing this warranty card, I acknowledge that I have read and understand all cautions and warnings relating to the use of this product, and I understand that any occupants or users of this product risk injury or death.

 

Signature of Purchaser