Reassuring stability
The stability of an inflatable boat, thanks to its large buoyancy tubes and resulting low center of gravity, is such that under normal circumstances it is practically impossible to capsize. This quality, which is essential to safe confident navigating, is especially appreciated by divers and fisherman.

Exceptional load capacity
Inflatable boats are capable of carrying more or maneuvering, without taking on water. This is because the buoyancy of an inflatable boat is far greater than that of a traditional boat giving it a higher loading capacity.

Security, buoyancy, unsinkabililty
The buoyancy tubes of an inflatable boats include several compartments sealed one from the other by conical bulkheads. Because of its large air reserve, the boat will stay stable and unsinkable, even with one of the independent air chambers deflated.

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Easy to store
Once deflated and folded the space taken up by an inflatable boat is so compact that transporting it and storing it becomes extremely easy. Have you ever tried shutting the car trunk on a traditional boat? Can you store a traditional boat in a closet or the corner of the garage? Packed away, an inflatable boat goes wherever you want to go.

Almost as light as air
Take a look at an inflatable boat. You see the fabric, a wooden transom, the fittings…..but you forget the air contained in the inflatable keel or in the buoyancy tubes which gives the boat its shape. Looked at this way, it is hardly surprising that a fully inflatable can be up to 3 times lighter than a comparable traditional boat.

What size boat? How heavy?
Inflatable boats come in a range that offers a variety of models adaptable to the most diverse needs. Before choosing an inflatable it is important that you ask yourself the following questions: What size? What weight?

The size
Size determines space on board and carrying capacity. It also directly influences the level of performance: a larger boat is more stable, more comfortable and easier to get planing.

The weight
Below 30 Kg/66 lbs, your inflatable is a feather weight: a primary feature for a tender.  Between 30 Kg/66 lbs and 100 Kg/220 lbs, 2 to 3 people can comfortable carry it by hand.  100 Kg/220 lbs to 150 Kg/330 lbs and a trolley or launching wheels become necessary. Over 150 Kg/330 lbs, a trailer is required. However lighter than a similar rigid traditional boat, towing and launching present few problems.

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• Thanks to their light weight and exceptional lift, inflatables plane with lower power outboards.
• To determine the correct motor HP size for your boat, follow the recommended power output:
• NEVER USE A MOTOR POWER HP HIGHER THAN INDICATED ON THE MANUFACTURER’S I.D. PLATE AS THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL
• Over-powered and your boat can be difficult to control. Under no circumstances should you fit an outboard which exceeds the maximum permitted engine power: you may be breaking the law.
• Under-powered and you may not have that margin of security necessary to go upwind or against the currents.
• For quiet activities you do not need a very powerful engine: 8 hp is sufficient for a 4.20m/13’9″ boat.
• For sportier activities such as water skiing or diving you will need at least 30 hp.
  With smaller outboards, go for tiller control, giving direct control over the boat and allowing for quick maneuvering.
• Above 25 hp, for greater comfort and safety, we recommend that you choose a steering console.
  It is recommended that you choose a motor suitable for your principal boating activities. The recommended and maximum powers are given in the technical specifications.

The weight of the outboard
The weight of the outboard has a direct effect on the handling of your inflatable. For the same power output, choose the lighter outboard Check that the engine’s weight is compatible with the maximum recommended weight for your boat

Shaft length of the motor (short, long or extra-long)
Each model has been designed to accept one length, not all.

Propeller
Your motor may come equipped with a “standard” propeller. Ask your dealer to assist you in choosing the optimum propeller for your principal use.

Installing the motor

• Install the motor along the centerline of the boat, in the middle of the tightening plate (1) (see diagram)
• Fully tighten the brackets (2) by hand and check that they are still properly tightened after 15 minutes of running.
• Secure the motor to the loop (4) on the motor tightening plate (1) with a safety cable (3).

Adjusting the tilt of the motor
To get the best performance and maneuverability, you may have to adjust the tilt (the angle of the motor to the transom) more often in relation to navigation conditions.
In a calm sea, the motor must be positioned so that the axis of the propeller is parallel to the water. But an adjustment of the tilt is recommended under certain other conditions:
The adjustment can be manual or by an electric trim, if supplied with the engine. The trim is a hydraulic control that inclines the motor in navigation.
Usually:

• If the motor is positively trimmed, the boat will porpoise.

• If the boat is negatively trimmed, the boat will nose down.

When to use the positive trim:

• In a following sea: load the stern and if necessary set the tilt pin in the 3rd or 4th hole position (manual trim)
• When you want to increase speed (electric trim)

When to use the negative trim:

• With a head on sea and wind: load the bow and if necessary set the tilt pin in the 1st or 2nd hole position (manual trim)
• When planing to minimize the porpoiseing (electric trim)

NEVER USE A MOTOR POWER HP HIGHER THAN INDICATED ON THE MANUFACTURER’S I.D. PLATE AS THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.

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Enjoying some time on the water is great, but it comes with some responsibility for us all to work to ensure that the world around us remains a strong healthy environment for living and play.

Please, respect your environment by applying the following basic safety rules:

• Avoid creating excessive wash
• Keep out of designated swimming areas
• Respect all animal life. Respect the laws for bag limits and practice catch and release sportsmanship.
• Use non-polluting antifouling paint and non-polluting cleaning agents.
• Don’t make unnecessary noise. Excessive noise should be avoided, particularly around launching ramps and populated areas.
• Don’t discharge oil or fuels into the water. In most areas this is illegal and in all areas it causes pollution and harms plant and animal life.
• Don’t litter. Dispose of garbage and trash properly. if there is no appropriate refuse disposal, bring back your trash.
• Don’t make excessive wake. Remember that the wake your boat trails behind can be destructive to the shore, as well as to other boaters. A boat wake crashing on the shore can cause and accelerate erosion and damage the environment.

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• Reassuring stability: The stability of an inflatable, thanks to its large buoyancy tubes and resulting low center of gravity, is such that under normal circumstances it is practically impossible to capsize. This quality, which is essential to safe confident navigating, is especially appreciated by divers and fisherman.
• Their maintenance is straight forward.
• Boating can be economical. No mooring charges.
• Their resale is relatively easy with good residual value.

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Before purchasing a trailer, you must consider the weights of each of the key elements (your vehicle, complete boat with motor and accessories, trailer) and the adaptability of the trailer to your situation.

Don’t hesitate to purchase a trailer that is slightly more robust than the weight you will be transporting. Be sure the wheels are wide and well adapted to long trips and, of course, a spare tire is a must.

Choose a trailer with numerous rollers on the ramp so that your inflatable is well protected and prefer a tipping hinged shaft that will make launching and recovery easier.

To secure your boat, use the rings on the hull and also have 2 straps that you can slip into the boat handles to for added security. Protect the tubes against chafing with cloth or pieces of carpet.

Get all the necessary information from your local motor vehicle office about the driving regulations concerning trailers (registration, weight and speed limits) and make sure you get insurance for the trailer.

Get used to the additional size before you depart on a trip. You will be handling (length, width, weight, visibility) by practicing simple maneuvers like passing, backing up and parking in your neighborhood or parking lot.

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• Check weather, local currents and wind conditions
• Do not forget to advise someone on land of the time you plan to be back
• Explain basic boat operations to all passengers
• Make sure that one of your passengers can handle the boat in case of emergency.
• Be sure inflation pressure is correct
• Inspect the valve caps. Remove the self-bailer cap
• Retighten the motor clamps. If it is not bolted, make sure you secure your engine with a safety lanyard attached to the bracket and the motor plate
• Be sure safety stop switch lanyard operates correctly
• Top off fuel and oil levels
• If your outboard has a separate oil tank do not forget to fill it up
• Install your fuel tank at the spot provided. Check its fittings.
• Safety equipment (check local regulations) :
• Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) per person
• The foot-pump, the paddles/oars, repair kit and tool kit
• The other mandatory equipment
• The boat papers and your boating license

ENSURE YOUR FUEL SYSTEM IS IN A GOOD ORDER AND MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY TO AVOID THE RISKS OF EXPLOSION OR FIRE HAZARDS.
DON’T OPERATE A BOAT IF HORSEPOWER OF MOTOR EXCEEDS HORSEPOWER RATING.

On the water:
Check that the load is evenly distributed

• In normal conditions, the load must be distributed along the centerline of the boat, preferably at the rear
• For single-handed operation, remain on the starboard side to compensate the torque of the propeller
• In a “head on” sea, load the bow – the tilt pin should be in the 2nd or even in the 1st hole position. In a “following” sea, load the stern – the tilt pin should be in the 3rd or the 4th position.

Under way:
Respect the local regulations and practices. Do not make a sudden change in direction without advising the passengers Inspect the tightness of the engine clamps several minutes after starting the engine. Make your passengers sit on the wooden seat (standard equipment) or inside the boat.

In case of incident:
An inflatable boat is practically unsinkable, even full of water. If after an accident, a compartment deflates, bring it inside the boat and return at reduced speed. In case of a collision or an impact with a floating object, stop to examine the hull, the buoyancy tubes, the motor and its attachments and return to shore at a low speed. Take your boat to your dealer for inspection before using it again.

NEGLECTING INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS COULD REDUCE THE LIFE OF YOUR BOAT AND MAY BE DANGEROUS

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For instance, Zodiac’s fabrics have always been on the leading edge of technology and their willingness to research and experiment has led to some innovative new fabrics. These new fabrics are developed to be the best for their intended use. Fabrics used for a small tender don’t need to be the same as those for a large RIB, because the intended use is not the same. Some manufacturers do not have the means or know-how to employ different fabrics, so they just use one. In these cases the consumer, may end up paying too much or getting too little.

Most fabrics consist of a strong, close-weave mesh of polyester or nylon material which is sandwiched between 2 coatings to provide extreme flexibility, superior air and water tightness, as well as resistance to abrasion and the sun’s UV rays. Zodiac uses a polyurethane fabric called “Strongan” and assembles their inflatable boats by thermobonding the fabric.

Heavy Duty Fabrics
Some inflatable boats are still made from a rubber-based fabric called Hypalon. While this is still a very good material, its major downfall is that it can only be joined by gluing, done manually. Problems including poor bonds, delamination of seams or fabric can still affect these glued fabrics. Today, many inflatables are manufactured from polyurethane fabrics, although larger inflatables (particularly RIBs used for rescue or military purposes) use hypalon because thicker hypalon fabrics are still considered to be stronger and more durable than polyurethane. There are some hypalon fabrics that are “2-ply” or a double unit made up of hypalon/weave/hypalon/weave/hypalon and are used for extreme situations including bumper padding, bow skirts, anti-chafe patches and similar applications.

Seams
Apart from its superior toughness and durability, Zodiac’s Strongan fabric allows the use of Zodiac’s computerized machine-welding process known as “thermobonding”, the welding of fabric using hot air. Two sealing strips are thermally bonded to the butted fabric seams in a continuous electrothermal process. A highly airtight seal is created when the narrow inner strip literally melts into the collar material. The wider exterior strip functions as a overlapping structural connection and a sealer against water penetration. Thermobonding creates seams that are typically stronger than the fabric itself and produces a better seam than any hand-gluing method.

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Hulls

• The Flat Hull
  This hull usually comes with a slatted floor, making for a light, quick to set up tender. Generally reserved for boats which don’t need to plane or cover long distances.

• The V-shaped Hull
  Created by combining a rigid floor with an inflatable or wood keel. This hull design helps planing. Improves navigational stability.

• The Futura Hull
  Exclusive to Zodiac. Reserved for larger inflatable boats. Offers optimum handling, precision and comfort.

Floors – The floor influences total weight, time and ease of assembling

• The H2P Floor
  The fully inflatable boat concept reinvented by Zodiac: the inflatable H2P air-floor is made up of two layers of fabric held together by thousands of polyester cross-stitches; when inflated to high pressure this air cushion becomes as rigid as a traditional floor, but is much lighter and takes up less space. Soft to touch the H2P air-floor absorbs bumps and resists tears.
  Developed by Zodiac, the only manufacturer to master its use on large boats, the H2P is fitted to models from 2.40 m to 4.70 m.

• Roll-up Floor
  If you envision a nomadic style of navigation, choose a boat where the floor can be left in place be it slats or an auto-rolling rigid floor or, the lightest and quickest of all, the H2P air-floor.

• Floorboards
  If you expect to set the boat up only several times a season, the traditional floor with strengthening rails is an excellent alternative. Choose between marine plywood or aluminum, particularly resistant to shocks, or a composite floor with its inherent lightness.

Assembly
Assembly is quick and easy: just simply inflate. The whole boat fits in one bag: no lost fittings. The floor can be removed: easy maintenance.

Navigation
A light boat; easy to launch: easy to pull ashore. Smaller outboards: exceptional performance. Tenders easy to pull on board: less strain on the davits.

Decks

Two Types of Decks:
The fully equipped decks provide seating and maximize storage space, by using the area between the deck and the hull. Flat decks are for those who require free space to carry a maximum number of passengers or equipment, or for creating a customized layout.

The Hull is Fiberglass
Fitted with an inflatable buoyancy tube for added stability and safety. Particularly suited to intensive navigation on choppy water. A deep V ensures an easy ride in heavy seas. A progressive V planes quickly, even with heavy loads.

The Removable Tube System

A clever concept, for most of its semi-rigid models, the tube is equipped with a cuff that slides into a slot on the rigid hull.

To install it, slide the cuff starting from the bow into the built-in slot on each side of the rigid hull. Tightness is secured once the tube is inflated.

Entirely removable the tube can be disassembled and folded for maintenance, repair, storage and transportation.

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High performance
Most of today’s modern inflatable boats easily match conventional runabouts for speed and handling, while some of the more sophisticated rigid-hulled inflatables are clearly superior to ordinary fiberglass or aluminum boats. For instance, the Virage range of sports boats features Zodiac’s patented Futura speed tubes to produce amazing lift and stability. Because the Futura hull merely kisses the water, it creates less drag and thus requires less power to reach incredible speeds while performing with absolute safety. The big rigid-hulled inflatable superboats are equally impressive. With deep V-keels up forward and flat planing sections aft they can produce an astonishingly comfortable ride in tough offshore conditions, yet maneuver with ease in the tightest dock or harbor.

Non-marking features
Inflatable boats are the ideal yacht tender because of all their basic advantages including: lightness, stability and buoyancy. Unlike regular dinghies, they’re easy to lift on board. With special rubstrake glued or thermobonded to their sides, inflatables won’t damage or mark your yacht’s hull or deck. Purchasing an inflatable tender almost guarantees the elimination of scuff marks and scratches on your yacht forever.

Stowability
Inflatable tenders are much easier to store than conventional dinghies. When deflated and folded into its carry bag a typical 8 foot inflatable measures about 3 feet x 2 feet and weighs about 80 lbs. At this size, you can see that an inflatable tender is easily stowed in a locker on board, below decks or in a closet or shed at home. They’re also very convenient to take on picnics or on vacation, even in a small car.

Collar (buoyancy tube) design
A unique feature incorporated into many rigid-hull inflatables is the removable collar. The collar is securely attached to the fiberglass hull using a tongue-and-grove method and can be easily slid off whenever necessary. This system allows for convenient storage, maintenance and repairs.

Lightweight air-floors
Some of the more advanced inflatables, like Zodiac’s Fastroller, feature a special High-Pressure inflatable air floor. Made of two layers of fabric, connected by thousands of tiny “drop stitches”, this floor can be inflated to a high pressure, creating a floor with rigidity equal to sheet of plywood a fraction of the weight. Best of all, they can be completely deflated and stowed in only minutes without removing any parts. This high pressure air floor is softer on knees and backsides too.

Transoms
Given the size, weight and power of outboard engines today, the transoms of inflatable boats must be strong enough to withstand enormous vibration and stress. Many inflatables use multi-layer wood transoms that are glued or “thermobonded” to the collars. The result is a high degree of structural strength that reliably absorbs stresses exerted by outboards.

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