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Setting up a Swellfish Foldable Inflatable Boat is easy. Below is how we teach people how to set up and inflate their boats. Along with these steps we give you tips and tricks to make the setup just that much easier!
If you have other tips or tricks, please let us know! We are always looking to share our knowledge, and to get everyone outside and enjoying themselves!
Try to find as flat of ground as you can. This will make the setup as easy as possible.
Open up your carrying bag, and unroll the Classic Inflatable Boat.
Partially inflate all chambers around 15% to 20%. There should be just enough air in the chambers so you start to see the rough shape of the boat.
Note About The Valves: Our boats use HR Valves (Halkey Roberts Valves). They have 2 modes: Fully Open and One-Way. When inflating, you will want them in one-way mode so air can only go into the chambers. To convert between the two modes, push the center in and twist.
Pro-Tip:The more inflated the boat, the harder it is to install the floorboards.
Next, we will open the floor bag and install the floor.
Pro-Tip #1:When installing the floorboards, try to ensure that each floor has equal spacing on each side between the board and the boat tubes.
Pro-Tip #2:Also, try to line up the outer edge of each floorboard to each other by making sure the joints line up evenly.
Start by installing the floor at the stern - as in the back of the boat.
(On the Classic 350 / 390 it will be marked as #4. On the Classic 430 / 470 it is marked #5)
Install the bow board and make sure the board tucks under the tubes.
(You will verify the alignment in the next step.)
The next board that attaches to the bow board is #1. Install it and verify there is an equal distance between the edges of the board and boat tubes.
Continue installing floorboards until you get to the last board to be installed.
(Verify proper alignments as you go.)
When installing the last board, attach it to the bow side of the boat. Move to the other side of the board, and lift on up both boards to make a tipi.
Slowly push the tipi down until all the boards are flat.
(Make sure value covers have been inserted and everything else is out of the way.)
Install the floorboard runners, widest side down. Try to make half of the runner on either side of the floorboards. There is no runner for the bow board, only the fully aluminum boards.
Pro-Tip #1:Where the edge of the runners meets there are added wear patches. The ends of the runners will sit near the middle of these patches.
Pro-Tip #2:This Photo shows the tubes way too inflated. Make sure that you still only have about 10% - 15% inflation. Air Chambers inflated too much is the number one reason people struggle installing the rails.
Now you are ready to fully inflate the boat.
Safety Tip: The reason we do the inflation sequence below is that there are bladders between each chamber and an over-inflation valve at the bow. We want the bladders to have leeway to push any extra air pressure forward to the bow's over-inflation valve.
Start at the bow of the boat working backward alternating the chambers on each side of the boat as you go. Stopping as the wrinkles in the boat fabric start to disappear.
Starting at the aft chambers, fully inflate them to the proper pressure of 3.6 psi (25 kpa). Alternate sides and work your way to the bow of the boat.
Pro-Tip #1: The last chamber to inflate fully is always the one with the over-inflation valve.
Pro-Tip #2:When topping off your boat's air pressure, always start at the bow chamber (with the inflation valve)
Safety Tip:This procedure ensures that any over inflation that may occur, can be released through the bow.
At the front of the boat, in the center of the black bow board, there is a hole with the keel valve in it. Your last step is to inflate your keel chamber to 3.6 psi (25 kpa).
Congratulations! You have completed the setup of your inflatable boat!
All that is left is to install the outboard, add any additional accessories like Bimini's, and anything else you want to bring with you!
Time to get out on the water and start your adventure!
Make sure you either tag us directly (@swellfishco) or use #swellfishco! Or you can even email us your photos. We love featuring people having fun and loving life in the outdoors.
If you have any questions, reach out to us! Email us or use the online chat below.
