GETTING STARTED
- Assembling Your Boat
- Your First Sail
Assembling Your Boat
CAUTION : When you unpack your new boat you will see that there are two rubber bands to restrain movement of the two control mechanisms (rudder and boom outhall) during shipping. Be sure to remove these rubber bands before assembling and powering up the boat.
STEP 1 : Assemble rig (mast, boom and sail) by connecting mast tubes and sliding assembled mast into sail pocket. Slide boom into gooseneck fitting on the mast. Connect sail downhaul by passing end of loop through outer boom slider and pull loop over tang of middle boom slider until loop is held by the slider ring.
STEP 2 : Insert keel into slot at bottom of hull and slide into place (bulb end to the front/pointy end to the rear).
STEP 3 : Insert rudder stud into hole in bottom of hull while inserting top of rudder into deck bracket. Snap rudder into bracket.
STEP 4 : Place 4 ?AA? batteries into the battery holder. Place battery holder into hull and close hatch cover. Remove back of transmitter and install 8 ?AA? batteries.
STEP 5 : Insert antenna tube into antenna mount.
STEP 6 : Slide mast into hole on deck.
STEP 7 : Connect sheet line to slider by pulling loop at end of sheet line over slider tang until loop hangs from slider ring
STEP 8 : Turn transmitter on, then turn boat on by sliding power switch forward.
You are ready to sail!
Your First Sail
These are some tips to help make your first day on the water great fun.
NB: You might like to print this checklist off before you head off down to the water. We have printed and laminated it & keep it in the boat bag ? it is great to have on hand for when a friend wants to have a first sail;
1 : Switch on the power on your transmitter before switching on the boat.
2 : Switch off the power on the boat before switching off the transmitter.
3 : The most important tip is to avoid water in the cockpit as this leads to ongoing electrical problems. The boat is very well designed for keeping the water out but there are some simple precautions you should always take;
- make sure that the plastic lid on the cockpit is properly secured before launching.
- give the electrics an occasional spray with an aerosol de-watering agent.
- insert a couple of scrunched up tissues into the hatch to collect moisture.
4 : Always have spare batteries on hand.
5 : Don’t drop or launch your boat from waist height into the water; you will have noticed how heavy the keel is ? it will keep going to the bottom.
6 : Spray the steel pin on top of the keel with CRC/WD 40 to stop it from rusting. This can cause the plastic to expand and eventually crack.
7 : Normal alkaline batteries are 1.5 Volt ? the boat is set up to take these batteries. Most rechargeable batteries (NiCad & NiMh) are 1.2 Volt. These will work OK in the transmitter (handpiece) but if you wish to use 1.2 Volt rechargeables in the boat you will need to change the 4 battery holder to a 5 holder.
8 : The range of the boat will vary with prevailing conditions and in particular with the strength of the batteries. To familiarize yourself with the workings of the controls (yes, the co-ordination skills can challenge the new user!) first have a play around with it on dry land ? walk away from the boat & observe the range.
9 : The keel must be inserted into the boat with the rounded part of the bulb facing the bow of the boat and the sharp pointed end to the stern of the boat.
10 : When installing the rudder, hold the tiller down with one hand as you force the rudder snaps up into the hole. Make sure that both of the rudder snaps click into place.