Let's Answer Your Questions!
We are happy to answer any questions that you might have about our products. Here are some FAQ's, but if you still have questions, click the Chat With Us button at the bottom of the page.
Benefits
What makes the FS Ultralight serries unique
The FS Ultralight series was specifically designed to be compact, lightweight, and easy to deploy. Its integrated floor enables fast inflation and quick access to any waterway. The floor structure provides stability similar to that of our Classic line without the added weight of the aluminum floor.
What advantages do inflatable boats have over aluminum or fiberglass boats?
People buy inflatable boats for good reasons. They are versatile, portable, take up almost no space, and will do just about everything as well as their non-inflatable counterparts. In some cases, they even outperform other types of boats!
They are very portable and can be packed up, put in the back of a car, and once arrived, set up in short order! They are super safe because, depending on size, they have 3 or 5 air chambers. Those chambers make it virtually impossible to sink the boats and super stable; have you ever tried submerging a balloon? Even a medium-sized Classic 390 (12'10") can easily support three adults, all standing on the same side.
What type of fabric is the FS Ultra light made from?
All of our boats are made from High-Quality German PVC Fabric. PVC is the acronym for Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC is the third most common plastic after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC itself is used for everything from sewage pipe to house siding; from clothing to furniture; and even vinyl lettering to toys! PVC Fabric is lighter than other boat fabrics which makes them much more portable.
The base structure of the boat is 0.9 mm fabric that has reinforcement in any high wear areas. The Hull is made of 1.2 mm material for added durability. As well, all of our seams are Thermal Welded rather than glued. This process is more labor-intensive but fuses the seams together and will not de-laminate over time.
What is the life expectancy of PVC inflatable boats?
As with everything, the life expectancy of an inflatable boat depends on how well you take care of it and if you use it every day of the year. Our boats are made using German PVC Fabric as we found it to best suit our needs. With any rubber or plastic, Ultra-Violet light is the main enemy. The German PVC fabric we use today has additives and surface finishes to better protect them from damage caused by UV.
Even in rough and tough environmental conditions, these boats will last for years; but if you take care of them well, they can last for 10 years and even more! We say that if you're in Florida or the tropics, CSM/Hypalon fabrics are still your best bet! Most non-tropical customers won't notice any difference in life expectancy between the two types of fabrics.
Safety
How Safe are inflatable boats?
Inflatable boats of this design are often used by the coastguard, search and rescue, military or even as a lifeboat on larger ships. The simple reason is it is hard to sink a balloon!
What happens if you have a puncture in the tube?
The Classic line has multiple chambers inside the tube. In the event that one of the chamber has sufferd a punction the boat wont lose its structure. In most cases you will be able to hold up the tube to keep the water out of the boat and make your way back to shore.
Technical
How do I set up The FS Ultralight?
When setting up the FS Ultralight, you will notice only minor differences compared to our FS Classic line. The main variation lies in the floor installation process. On the stern side of the floor, you will find two sliding tabs that resemble the ones used for our seats. Prior to inflating the tubes, slide both tabs into the tab holder present on the transom. You may use soapy water on the tabs to ease the process.
What do i inflate the FS Ultralight to?
If you are using the foot pump, you cannot over inflate the boat. Just pump it up until you can't pump it up any more (or at least it is struggle).
If you are using an electric pump, set the pump to 3.6 PSI, this is for the tubes and the kerl.
What's the warranty?
We are very proud to offer the most straightforward and in-depth warranty in the industry. Simply put, all Classics come with a 4-year all-inclusive warranty. As long as it is a manufacturing defect on any part of the boat, it is covered. What do we not cover? Intentional damage, misuse of the boat and damage due to neglect.
Still have questions?
We are glad that you are considering our boats and still have questions. If you don't find all the information you are looking for on the website, please reach out to us! We are always glad to help. You can call us at 604-484-4800 or email us at reachus@swellfish.co.