Defender Inflatables – Operation, Maintenance & Warranty Manual
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bolt your engine to the transom (consult your
engine supplier).
At all speeds, it is advised to keep the boat
LEVEL. Prevent the bow from rearing upwards and
prevent the bow from pointing DOWN towards the
water.
Use the weight of the people on board to
achieve the level position.
Adjust your engine angle (see below).
REMEMBER:
An outboard tilted too far from the transom
will drive the boat with a bow up attitude,
which is both very dangerous and inefficient.
An outboard tilted too close to the transom will
drive the bow section too deep into the water,
which ends up in loss of speed and/or
cavitation.
1. Occasional checks should be made of motor
attachment screws. Loose screws will cause erratic
boat operation and possible loss of engine
overboard.
2. Make a thorough review of the motor’s
operator’s manual before operation.
3. On board loads should be monitored to avoid
chaffing or puncturing of boat skin.
Turning the boat
When taking a sharp turn, reduce the speed of your
boat. The boat will tilt considerably in the direction
of the turn.
3.3 Hazards
Water hazards
1. Wrecks, reefs, rocky shores, sand bars, and
shallows should be avoided or approached with
caution.
2. When boating in unfamiliar waters, obtain
information on local water hazards before
launching.
3. BEWARE OF OFFSHORE WINDS AND
CURRENTS.
Air chamber failure
Your Defender Inflatable boat is designed with
more than one air chamber. In the event of a
puncture in one chamber, the boat will retain at
least 50% of its buoyancy. Shift the load in the
craft to the opposite side. Secure the leaking
chamber as necessary (by tying-up or holding-up)
and immediately proceed to the nearest shore or
mother ship, whichever is nearest.
However, be careful about shallows or reefs
because they can scratch or further damage your
boat.
Beaching
It is recommended that the boat NOT be powered
onto the beach, dragged across rocks, sand, gravel
or pavement as damage to the boat skin may result.
This damage is not covered by your warranty.
Davits
If the boat is suspended on davits, open the drain
plug so that no water can accumulate in the boat.
Drain plug (RIB Models)
The RIB is equipped with a hull drain plug, which
should be in place when launching. The deck drain
plug or slide bailer should be removed/opened only
when the boat is under power in forward motion or
when the boat is stored out of the water on davits or
boat storage racks exposed to rain and water.
Sunlight
Avoid extended exposure to sunshine. The
changing air pressure inside the tubes might cause
damage to your boat. Extreme sunshine (ultra-
violet rays) over a longer period may accelerate
aging of the materials.
Routinely clean the fabric and then apply UV
protectant products to extend the life of your boat.
Cover the boat to block direct sunlight exposure if
the boat is to be stored for extended periods of
time. Do not use products containing petroleum or
silicone.
Defender Inflatables – Operation, Maintenance & Warranty Manual
Page 13 of 16
Smoking
Do not smoke while operating your craft.
Especially while refueling. In fact, just quit.
Portable fuel tanks should be placed on a
cushioned pad and should be strongly secured to
the craft by means of straps to avoid bumps and
risk of breaking during navigation.
- When refueling, always stick to the following
recommendations:
- If possible, remove portable tanks from the craft
to refuel.
- Refuel the tanks in the open air, far from heat
sources, sparks or flames.
- Do not fill the tanks to the brim. The fuel
increases volume with a rise in temperature and
there is a possibility of the tank overflowing or
even breaking.
- If fuel is spilled on the boat, clean or remove
immediately or damage may occur to the fabric
High altitude use
Normal full inflation pressure–is 3.6 psi (.25 bar).
If boat is inflated at sea level (low altitude) and
transported to a high altitude (i.e., for use in a
mountain lake) the air pressure must be reduced at
the higher altitude to prevent over inflation.
Swimming
DANGER
Stop the propeller of your outboard engine when
people are swimming close to your boat. The
propeller can be extremely dangerous to anyone
or anything in the water.
Stop the outboard motor immediately if you
spot swimmers in the vicinity of your boat.
4. Maintenance
4.0
General maintenance
Cleaning agents.
Household cleaners should be used sparingly and
not discharged into waterways. Never mix cleaners
and be sure to use plenty of ventilation in enclosed
area. DO NOT use strong detergents, solvents or
products, which contain phosphates, chlorine,
solvents, non-biodegradable or petroleum-based
products. Cleaning your Defender Inflatable boat
can best be done with inflatable boat cleaner.
Always rinse well and follow with a UV protectant.
DO NOT pressure wash tubes.
Paints.
If your boat is kept in water where marine growth
is a problem, the use of anti-fouling paint may
reduce the growth rate. Be aware of environmental
regulations that may govern your paint choice.
Contact your local boating authorities for
information.
Fiberglass hulls should be regularly washed to
remove dirt and polished with wax to protect the
gelcoat surface.
NOTE
IMPORTANT:
Waxes or cleaners containing
alcohol or hydrocarbons SHOULD NOT BE USED
on the boat fabric. These products will prematurely
dry out or damage the boat fabric.
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