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Deflate craft and remove floorboard assembly, clean floorboards with soapy water, then allow to dry standing up on rear edge. If the floorboard yellow anti skid, is oil soaked don’t clean with petrol as it will dissolve the glue holding it on, try sugar soap.

Reinflate craft, first checking the inflation valves still have attached rubber caps, if not replace with new valve insert using long nose pliers. Do this carefully or the middle of the valve may break off. Inflate rear Hull sections to 24kpa then bow and keelson also to 24kpa, fit caps. Remove any shells small stones and other matter trapped under the floor and keelson. Any oil or grease on the hulls fabric must also be removed, first with detergent then mineral turps or petrol if persistent (Don’t try this in a confined area.)

If you have had to use petrol to clean the hull go over it again with detergent and before you hose it all off with fresh water check for any small bubbles appearing. If you find any bubbles mark them for repair later – air leaks will need to be done with the craft clean dry and deflated. Areas of abrasion or patches lifting can be repaired at working pressure

If leaks are found, a basic 24hour leak check must be carried out to be certain of your craft’s air tightness

Method

Allow at least half an hour from having first inflated the boats air chambers to 24kpa, then again top up all chambers to 24kpa (this will allow the fabric hull to expand a little under pressure which results in a drop of internal pressure, hence the need to top it up). Note the air temperature and time. Afternoons are best around 3pm as the temperature is dropping. Recheck the pressures approximately 24hrs later, preferably when the air temperature is the same as at the start. Maximum air loss in any one chamber 3.5Kpa (1/2psi) at same air temperature i.e. no chamber to be less than 20.5Kpa. If the end test temperature is more than 1º out from the start temperature you will need to carry this check out again in more controlled environment.

If no leaks are present carry on with checking the Hull.

Go over all fittings and fixtures, ropes, safety lines, plastic auto bailers, paddles, knife, engine strop, urethane lifting handles, end cones, roll over pouch/rope and transom engine bracket, also for correct height – 430mm from top of bracket to underside of transom rear. Anything coming unglued torn unstitched frayed broken or is missing must be replaced or repaired ASAP.

For optimum boat performance (speed) check also that the transom batten (holds the floorboard down) is at the correct distance below the self-draining ports (3-5mm) or is not severely worn on its underside. Rectification work in this area has been covered in earlier publications. For a copy please contact us. Deflate boat when dry and sprinkle a little talc on it, to make fitting the floorboards easier.

Floorboards

Before refitting floorboards go over the whole assembly for wear abrasion and look for possible fiberglass cracks if very heavy impacts have occurred. There are a fabric wear strips protecting all wear areas but the rear edge (transom) is subject to excessive wear if the craft is not regularly flushed out with water. NOTE. Any cracks or rear edge fiberglass abrasion wear must be repaired immediately and a wear strip added.

Also check the weight if accurate scales are available (24 – 27kg). An over weight floor may be due to the floor having absorbed water through a small crack or wear at the transom rear edge. To rectify leave the floor standing on it’s rear edge for as long as it takes for this water to drip out, and then have the fiberglass repaired. This is not the ideal situation for a pre season check but a broken floor could set you back $1800.00. Check floor hinges, fuel tank ties and foot strap webbing screws for tightness. Fit one size bigger screw if these screws will not tighten up. New surf grip anti skid can be supplied if required but be warned, it’s a time consuming pain to replace. Now your floor is OK fit it into your ARANCIA, inflate to 24kpa then add water and a little sun and you’re away. Take care.

If it’s the end of the season and you wish to store the boat, add talcum powder, roll it up and put it in its canvas bag will have it smelling sweet for next season. If it is to be stored assembled fit floor and inflate to approximately 10Kpa and store horizontally in your secure gear shed under a cover. (Don’t forget to remove the knife)

Note if the boat is not washed off in fresh water and dried before storage, mould can form, and this is one of the few things that can affect the Hypalon fabric. It will go blotchy and grey and this cannot be removed as it forms underneath the coatings – behind the rescue tube is a favourite spot as it traps the moisture in and it stays like that for months.

We hope you have a safe and rewarding season.

♡ John and Chris