Feathercraft Wisper User manual

THE LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE OF
YOUR ADVENTURE UNFOLDS
TM
Feathercraft Products Ltd. 4-1244 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3R8
Toll Free: 1-888-681-8437 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.feathercraft.com [e-mail]
Wisper
FOLDING KAYAKS
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Contents
Wisper Folding Kayak ...........................................................Page 2
Specifications ........................................................................Page 3
Wisper Frame ........................................................................Page 4
Care and Maintenance ..........................................................Page 5
Wisper Assembly Instructions ...............................................Page 7
The Feathercraft Sea Sock......................................................Page 19
Using Strap on Skeg ..............................................................Page 20
Disassembly ..........................................................................Page 21
Feathercraft Wisper 1
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Built in coaming Optional bow hatch
Feathercraft Wisper 2
Comfortable sling seat
Removeable air sponsons inside
skin along gunwales
Hull reinforced on outside over
keel and chine bars
Strap-on skeg
Wisper Folding Kayak
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Feathercraft Wisper 3
Seat: 420 denier rip-stop nylon with inflatable
air back and air bottom
Accessories: Included in every kayak:
Nylon Spray Skirt
Sea Sock
Adjustable Foot Brace
Medium Stern Hatch
Repair Kit
Pack Bag
Assembly Video
Illustrated Instructions
Strap-on Skeg
Options: Small Bow Hatch
Neo-nylon spray skirt
Calf plates
Specifications
Length: 4.75 m (15'7")
Beam: 57 cm (23.5")
Weight:
Standard Skin 17 kg (37.5 lbs)
Light Skin 15 kg (33 lbs)
Pack size: 95 x 47 x 25 cm (37.5 x 18.5 x 10")
Storage Volume: Medium
Frame: 5/8" Round
6063 - T832 Extruded Aluminum
Magnesium Tubing with clear
Anodized Coating
Crossribs: 1/2" High Density Polyethylene
Skin Material: Welded Urethane
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Feathercraft Wisper 4
Wisper Frame
stern deck bar/lever bar chines, gunwales and deckbars
through-bolted permanently
to keel plate (same for bow
and stern)
crossribs are 1/2" high
density polythylene
5 extension bars: chines, gunwales, keel
bracing bars
shockcorded tubing
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Care and Maintenance
The Frame
The tubular frame is very strong and corrosion resistant. We
recommend that the frame be disassembled after extensive use
(2 – 3 months). The inside and outside of the tubes should be
washed with fresh water. Try to keep the inserts and extension
bars free of sand and grit.
Included in your repair kit is a small dropper tube of Bo-Shield T-9.
This product is made by Boeing and is an excellent lubricant
and protectant for aluminum.
Aerosal containers of Bo-Shield can be found at marine hard-
ware stores. We also have available 4 oz bottles of Bo-Shield.
However, please note, that the lid closure is not suitable for
shipping after the bottle has been opened. This container
would be good for your “at home” clean-up. We also have
available Super Lube. This is a teflon lubricant in gel form. This
product is also available from bike shops.
Apply the Bo-Shield lubricant to frame tube inserts, spring but-
tons and sliding pieces prior to assembly. If you should leave
your boat assembled for a maximum of two months, this will
assist in preventing tubes seizing.
Other maintenance “musts”:
• every two months completely disassemble the kayak.
• wash the frame completely with fresh water.
• reapply lubricant and/or wipe down tubes with Bo-Shield T-9.
• after paddling, sponge out the inside of the kayak.
Do not allow water to pool along keel bar.
The Skin
The surfaces of the skin will not rot. They are stable in sunlight and
are very tear-resistant. On the hull, areas likely to be exposed
to abrasion have been reinforced. However, we recommend
care when approaching shore. Sharp rocks, and barnacles can
penetrate the skin. Avoid pulling a loaded boat over rocks
whenever possible.
For patching and repairs, a patch kit is included. For quick field
repair, duct tape works very well, and is a good addition to
your repair kit.
Feathercraft Wisper 5
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Welded Sealskin
The Polytech deck and Duratek hull are urethane. Seams are
permanently sealed.
A patch kit is provided for deck, hull or sponson punctures.
The urethane glue will work for repairs to all of these fabrics.
For preparation and application, follow the instructions on the
adhesive container.
Sponsons
Due to the tight fit of the skin, the sponsons are under
considerable pressure and some seepage of air may occur. It is
advisable to periodically reinflate the sponsons. After paddling
on hot days, release air from sponsons.
To Repair/Replace Sponson
The sponsons can be completely removed from the sleeve
sewn to the inside of the skin. Turn the skin inside out. The
sponson chamber is open at bow and stern ends. Tie a long
string through the hole in the tab at the end of sponson. Pull
sponson through the center opening of the chamber (where
sponson hose is attached). To reinstall, pull the cord attached to
the new sponson back through the chamber. Ensure sponson is
not twisted in the chamber. Repeat with the opposite side.
Urethane glue and patches are included in the repair kit. Duct
tape works well on the sponsons.
Feathercraft Wisper 6
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Feathercraft Wisper 7
*Chine and Gunwale bars are a two-piece extension bar,
and have been taken apart to fit into the pack bag.
Bracing bars
#3
Keel extension bar
Skin
Seat Sling with chine and gunwale
extension bars*
#4
#2
Stern deck bar / vertical lever bar
Bow deck bar / horizontal lever bar
Rim inserts
Bow section
Stern deck bar with double band of tape
Stern section
Seat
Foot brace platform
#1
Wisper Frame Parts
Bow deck bar with single band of tape
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1 SET OUT FRAME PARTS AS ILLUSTRATED ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE
2 BOW SECTION
• “Shake” out bow section. Shock corded tubes take shape.
• Attach bow deck bar with single band of black tape.
Feathercraft Wisper 8
Bow deck bar
Keel
Gunwales
Chines
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3 ATTACH SMALL CROSSRIB #1 TO BOW SECTION
• Pin on small crossrib is inserted into hole in plastic block
on keel tube.
• Chine and gunwale tubes snap-fit onto crossrib with white
spacers on “cockpit” side of crossrib.
4 COMPLETE BOW SECTION
5 STERN SECTION
• Shake out stern section as you did the bow.
• Attach stern deck bar with double band of black tape.
6 ATTACH SMALL STERN CROSSRIB #4 AS YOU DID WITH THE BOW
Feathercraft Wisper 9
Pin into block
Bow section complete
Attach stern deck bar
Snap chines, gunwales and deck bar
onto crossrib.
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7 UNFOLD SKIN. INSERT BOW AND STERN FRAME SECTIONS
• Feathercraft logo is located at the bow. There are three
velcro tab closures along the inside keel of the skin. Open
the velcro tabs. Slide the bow and stern sections into
the skin.
Center the frame along the inside keel strip, pushing
sections to the very ends. From the outside of the skin,
check the frame alignment along the keel strip. Secure
velcro closures around the keel tubes.
8 INSTALL KEEL EXTENSION BAR
• Keel extension bar has two bands of black tape on the
stern end, and one band of black tape on the bow end.
• Attach the stern end of the extension bar on to the stern
keel bar. Slide the bar apart, attaching the other end to the
bow keel bar.
Feathercraft Wisper 10
Insert bow frame section
Stern Bow
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9 INSTALL CHINE AND GUNWALE BARS WITH SEAT SLING.
The seat sling will be suspended from the chine and
gunwale extension bars. These extension bars are all
the same. Have the extension bars inserted to the sewn
sleeves of the seat sling. Place the seat sling with the
extension bars into the kayak with the Safety label
towards the bow. Large lever hole in extension bars is
at the stern. Single black block goes towards bow.
(Note: When installing the extension bars, it is easier
to be situated on the opposite side from the part you
are installing.)
The bow and stern frame tubes will have begun to curve
to the shape of the skin. To allow the extension bars to
connect easily onto the tubes in the skin, bring the tubes
into a straight line to join together.
With the seat sling positioned in the cockpit, slide the
chine extension bars apart, connecting to bow and stern
chine bars. Do the same for the gunwale extension bars.
Complete opposite side.
Slide the seat sling towards the stern so you have easy
access to the spring buttons and lever hole.
Feathercraft Wisper 11
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10 EXPAND EXTENSION BARS
• Once all extension bars are in place, using stern deck
bar/vertical lever and bow deck bar/horizontal lever,
expand the keel extension bar until you feel tension.
Spring button appears in hole.
Expand chine and gunwale extension bars with lever bars.
Position is approximately in the center hole and the skin
should feel tight.
Note: When assembled at the factory, the final position of
the spring button on the extension bars is the second hole
from the bow. On the thigh braces, it is the middle hole.
The spring button position can, and probably will, vary
slightly depending on the weight of the skin, as well as
over time. This is normal and acceptable.
(Remember to situate yourself across from the parts you
are installing.)
Feathercraft Wisper 12
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11 INSTALLING LARGE CROSSRIBS
• Angle the crossrib towards the spacers on the keel,
chine, and gunwale tubes. Position the crossrib between
the spacers, pushing the rib onto the tube.
For the bow crossrib, there is a pin at the base of the
rib. Two black blocks are mounted on the keel bar. The
“twister” is mounted with one screw, and should be in
the open position. Insert the pin on the base of the
crossrib into stationary black block (with two rivets).
Close the “twister”.
Bow crossrib
Pin into block
Bow crossrib
Stern crossrib
Feathercraft Wisper 13
pin
twist to close
block
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12 SECURE UNDER DECK BUCKLE WITH WEBBING AROUND
STERN CROSSRIB
13 INSTALL FOOT BRACE / PLATFORM
A: Side-squeeze buckles on the foot brace connect around
gunwale bars of bow frame section.
B: Webbing from #2 crossrib attaches to tension lock.
Adjust distance for leg length with this buckle.
C: This tension lock adjusts the angle of the
bracing platform.
To load the bow of the kayak, unclip one side of the
platform at buckle A for easy access.
Inside of the skin
Gunwale Chine Keel
Feathercraft Wisper 14
A
B
B
CC
A
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14 INSTALL BOW DECK BAR
• Connects to bow deck bar on bow frame section.
15 INSTALL STERN DECK BAR
• Connects to stern deck bar on stern frame section.
Feathercraft Wisper 15
Rotate deck bar to lock
21
Insert deck bar through keyhole
Once connected, rotate deck bar to
lock in crossrib
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16 INSTALL RIM INSERTS
• Slide into pocket on underside of coaming rim.
17 INSTALL THIGH BRACES
• Slide oversleeve on thigh brace towards bow. Insert stern
end of tube (a) through hole in large stern crossrib. Insert
bow end (b) through hole in large bow crossrib. Slide over-
sleeve towards stern till snug and spring button appears.
Feathercraft Wisper 16
Rim insert
Stern
ba
Thigh brace
Bow has white spacer.
Stern has oversleeve.
Gunwale bar
Thigh brace
Thigh brace is
secured with
web strap.
pull tightly
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18 INFLATE SPONSONS
• Turn the top of the valve to open. When inflating sponsons,
alternate sides to ensure the frame remains centered. The air
pressure from the sponsons can shift the frame within the
skin. Keep blowing until the skin is tight. Twist cap to
close. Tuck sponson tubes and valves out of the cockpit
area. Avoid stepping on the hose and valve, and try to
keep the valve free of sand.
Note: After paddling on hot days, release air
from sponsons.
Feathercraft Wisper 17
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Feathercraft Wisper 18
19 INSTALL SEAT
• Inflate air bladders in the seat back and bottom to suit
personal comfort. (Less air in bottom is usually better.)
20 COMPLETE HATCHES
• Attach hatch rim by folding the fabric sleeve sewn to
the deck over the rim. Roll down inner closure and
close with buckle. Place hatch cover over rim and secure
with B-lock.
• During disassembly, don’t forget to take the plastic rims
off. Don’t roll the skin up with the rims still in place.
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Feathercraft Wisper 19
21 THE FEATHERCRAFT SEA SOCK
• Made from high-quality coated nylon, the sea sock is a
great safety item. The top of the sock fits tightly around
the cockpit coaming rim. Contoured to fit along the seat-
back and bottom, the “foot” is loose through the cockpit,
creating a “pod”. The paddler then sits in the sock. Legs
and feet are not constricted. The spray skirt fits as usual. In
the event of a capsize, water will only enter the sock, and
not the whole boat. It’s also great for keeping the inside of
your kayak clean.
Tips on Usage and Installation
• The shiny side of the fabric faces in towards the
kayak frame.
• When facing the bow of the kayak, the Feathercraft label
should be on the right side.
• Center the seam on the rim of the sea sock with the center
point on the bow of the coaming.
• Once the Sea Sock is in place, sit in the sock, and “burp”
it by lifting the edges, releasing trapped air that causes the
sock to billow up.
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