Inflation / Deflation:

 

   To get the best performance and life out of your raft you need to properly inflate and maintain the correct pressure. Always gradually warm up your raft before inflating especially if the temperature is below 0 degree Fahrenheit.  As a general rule fully inflated hard tubes perform better.  However, Inflatable floors and tubes can take more abuse if they are not inflated to be completely stiff.  Discuss this issue with a competent experienced rafter for the river you are goint to float to determine how much pressure you should use in a given situation.

 

   Select an area free of sharp objects such as rocks, sticks or debris. Unroll the boat and lay it out flat. Use a tarp to protect your boat against any dirt or small sharp objects. Avoid standing on the boat before and during inflation to prevent scratching and possible pinhole leaks. We use C7 Leafield boat valves; to open the valves unscrewthe cap, which covers the entire exposed valve, by turning counterclockwise. The stem will stick upin the middle of the valve, to deflate the tube you need to push the stem in and turn it counterclockwise to lock it in the open position. You do not need to open the valve in order to inflate your tubes. The air pressure from the pump will push the stem/plunger in and allow the air to go into the tubes. You can use a foot pump, electric pump or other low-pressure device to inflate your tubes. However, you should not use high-pressure devices such as aircompressors to inflate your boat.

 

   The boat is divided into separate air chambers using a baffle system. Start by inflating one end of the boat, then a side section, then the other side section, the other end, floor and then the thwarts.

It is important not to over-inflate an air chamber as you can blow out the baffle. We recommend that you put about 2 lbs. of pressure in each chamber and then go around the boat again and top it off. You want between 2.5 to 3 lbs of pressure in the boat when topped off. 

 

    To deflate your raft, remove the cap, push the stem down and twist it to the left. This will lock the valve open. Try to do all of the valves at the same time (this will require two people), or push on each of the stems to release a little pressure, and then open them all as quickly as possible to avoid putting pressure on the inner baffles. It is important to close the valves by turning the valve stem to the right until it pops up and closes the valve, and replace the cap when the boat is not in use and prior to rolling. This will proect the stem of your valve and also prevent water and dirt from getting inside your boat. Dirt or debris can keep the plunger inside from sealing and cause a slow continuous leak. We also recommend the valves be checked every 6 months or so to see if they need to be tightened, cleaned or changed. This is your responsibility.

 

 

How to Carry or Dock:

 

 

   Do not beach your raft where wave action causes wear on rocks. Never beach on sharp rocks.  Be aware of changing river conditions caused by dam fluctuations, rain, and flooding.  When beaching and exiting your raft; it is best to carry your raft onto shore to avoid any unecessary wear due to wave action or dragging against sharp objects.

 

 

Care and Folding:

   

 

   

   Proper care and folding are important in extending your boats life. Your boat comes with a boat bag and  we recommend that if it is rolled up, you keep it in the supplied bag or another wrap such as canvas, heavy duty  plastic or other protective material. This will not only help keep it clean, but will protect it from accidental  minor damage. Even when the boat is wrapped, we cannot stress enough the importance of not dragging  your boat while it is deflated. Our boats are the toughest around when inflated, but the folded corners are  very susceptible to abrasion when the boat is rolled and dragged on surfaces such as cement and gravel.

 

 

After deflating all chambers of your boat, you will need to take one side of the raft and fold it over to where the floor meets the tubes on the opposite side (Diagram 1).

 

Then take the other side and fold it over the top so that it is in thirds (Diagram 2).

 

Then you want to roll it up like a cinnamon roll starting at the valve end of the raft (Diagram 3).

  

Use your boat strap to secure it and then wrap it in the boat bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Cleaning:

 

   

   Use a mild dish soap and water to clean off any dirt or sand on your boat. If you get rub marks or frame marks on your tubes, we recommend Inflatable Boat Cleaner, or RAM cleaner.  You can also use 303 Protectant.  303 Protectent oils give your boat a shiny new appearance and act as a sunscreen to help protect against UV rays.  However, these same oils soak into the material and will make it difficult to add  any accessories such as chafe, wrap, d-rings or foot cups later or do any needed repair work. If you want to use  303 Protectant on your boat, we recommend you only use it once a year. Use caution after applying 303 Protectant. All surfaces will be very slick for a period of time after application.  NEVER USE ARMORALL OR A SILICON BASE PROTECTANT.

 

 

 

Storage:

 

   

    It is recommended that you keep your boat partially inflated in a clean, dry place. If it is stored outside, be sure to keep a tarp or other form of protection over it to keep it out of the elements.

 

You may also store your boat fully deflated and rolled (as we do here at Supermoon). It is very important that you make sure that your boat is clean and dry prior to rolling it up for storage. You should also wrap it in the provided raft bag or tarp to help protect it, keeping in mind the edges on a rolled boat are more susceptible to abrasion and extra caution should be used in moving the boat around.

 

If stored in a garage or shed you may want to put out bait for mice and rats as they will chew and nest in rafts. We have seen some considerable damage done to rafts in storage by rodents.

 

 

Basic Repairs:

 

 

   Each boat comes with a patch kit. Inside your patch kit you will find square patches, and tubes of glue. Your boat must be deflated in order to properly patch your boat.

 

For minor repairs, clean the surface to be patched and the patch itself until all dirt and oxidation is removed. (The shiny material should show through). Apply the first coat of adhesive immediately, brushing it evenly on each surface. Allow it to dry for 20 minutes before applying the second coat. When the second coat is dry, reactivate both surfaces. When aggressively tacky (like duct tape), assemble and apply pressure using a smooth hard object. Rub thoroughly for superior bonding. If you are repairing a rip of over five inches we suggest that you patch both inside and outside. The size of the patch should be at least two inches larger than the rip in all directions.

 

Most importantly, keep the surfaces dry at all times. We recommend that you let the patch dry 1 hour for on river repairs and for a permanent patch you will need to let it set 24 hours.

 

Your patch kit Glue will need to be checked every season as the glue can harden usually after 1-2 seasons. You can get fresh Glue from Supermoon. Also, if you notice any pinhole leaks or scratches on your boat, Liquid Urethane can be used to seal them up with no need to patch.  These prodcucts can be purchased on the web from "manofrubber".

 

 

Transportation:

 

  

   Do not stack gear on top of a raft when traveling.  Always place a raft on top of all gear to avoid unnecessary rubbing and abrasions that can create holes.  When in doubt, pad possible wear points to minimize rubbing.  Only use straps NOT ROPE to avoid unnecessary abrasions to the surface of your raft. Make certain that the raft will not come into contact with any sharp or rough surfaces during transport. Take the time to brief everyone helping unload on how to properly unload and handle the raft.  Take care to pull dry straps slowly and methodically when unloading.  If you pull a dry strap to quickly against the raft surface it can heat up due to friction and damage the fabric of your raft.   

 

For air transportation, we recommend using clear plastic sheeting a minimum of  6mm thick to separate folded material.  Use a sturdy case that can withstand the rigors of airline baggage handlers.  Pack your raft with care to avoid damage from rubbing and puncture.

 

 

 

   **If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at    (870) 243-3383 or rich@supermoonrafts.com.**