| D-Ring Location Instructions for a 14" Diameter Inflatable Tube |
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Before installing the D-Rings, please review the following points:
surface of the boat.
safety gloves and equipment. To attach D-Rings:
ring placement. With the boat deflated, review where you are going to locate your D-rings, then inflate the boat before you begin installing the D-Rings. Find the center point of the boat from bow to stern on each side tube. Place a mark at the top center of each side tube. These marks should divide your boat in half. Looking down at the side tube, picture an imaginary centerline running down each tube lengthwise from bow to stern. The imaginary line divides each side tube in half. Place a mark at the intersection of the imaginary centerline and the mark you created in Step 1. You should now have a cross, marked dead center on each top tube; these are your starting locations. Next, designate which end of the boat is to be the front, or bow, and which end is to be the back, or stern. We generally designated the end with the inflation valves as the front, or bow, because it is the end that you would nose into shore when docking, and allows for easiest access to the inflation valves. At the outboard side of your boat, place a framer’s square on the floor with the long leg vertical. Align it with the cross that you previously marked on the top center of the tube in Step 2. Place another horizontal mark where the framer’s square makes contact with the side tube. This is the outboard side quadrant of the side tube (the three-clock position in a section view of the side tube). Draw a cross (V) at this location. This intersection is the location of your first D-ring. From the outboard side quadrant and from the top center of the tube, measure from the mark you made in Step 4 (this will be 21”) toward the bow (front). Place a line at each location (top center and outboard quadrants of side tube). Place a framer’s square on the floor with the long leg vertical. Align it with the two marks you just measured forward toward the bow. Place another horizontal mark where the square makes contact with the side tube (now creating a +). This intersection is the location of your second D-ring. You have now located two center points for the first two D-rings (at the outboard quadrant). Repeat this process at the inboard and outboard sides of each side tube (8 locations total). Set the Oar Saddle on top of the side tube. The attachment straps extend from each corner of the Oar Saddle at a diagonal to the d-rings. When gluing the D-rings on the boat, angle them towards the center of the Oar Saddle. This angle is critical to maintain the Oar Saddle’s stability. If you deviate from the dimensions noted in these instructions, the performance of your Oar Saddle will be affected. Try to align the Oar Saddle between the D-Rings if possible. The interior straight edge of the Oar Saddle should align with the top centerline of the side tube as shown below. You can deviate from this orientation if you want to gain more adjustment by rolling the Oar Saddle inboard or outboard on the side tube. See the following diagram for verification that you have marked your D-ring locations properly. All dimensions shown in the above diagram are for verification only. They should be taken after you have marked out your boat using the written instructions 1-8. The Hypalon® material your boat is made with stretches when under pressure, so the dimensions listed on the diagram above are to be used when your boat is deflated to verify the approximate final D-ring installation locations. |
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| Reminder: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the glue to use, and how to apply it. Use glues, adhesives and surface preparation chemicals in well-ventilated areas with the proper safety gloves and equipment. |
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