Minicat 420 Emotion User manual

MINICAT 420
USER GUIDE

3
USER‘S GUIDE
2
INTRODUCTION
TO YOUR NEW
MINICAT
MINICAT 420
MAST
FRONT ROPE
JIB
JIB FURLER
BOWSPRIT
FLOAT
RUDDER
TRAMPOLINE
KEEL FIN
BOOM
MAIN SAIL
TILLER EXTENSION
USER‘S GUIDE
Thank you for purchasing your MINICAT.
We hope that your new boat will give you many
hours of fun, enjoyment and pleasure on the water.
This guide is for use with MiniCat 420 Emotion,
420 Evoque and 420 Laura Dekker Edition
models. Whilst there are dierences between
these individual models this
guide takes you through the
general assembly procedure
and the model features which
you will recognise.
Please remember
when sailing:
ALWAYS SAFETY FIRST
Your MINICAT Team

54MINICAT 420
This Guide will help you to control your boat easily
and safely. It contains a detailed description of
the boat and information about its assembly,
operation and maintenance. Please, read it
carefully, view the accompanying video and get
fully acquainted with the boat before using it.
This User Guide is neither a training manual of sailing safety, nor
a sailing course. If this is your first boat, to ensure your comfort
and safety familiarise yourself with the operation of the boat
before sailing it for the first time. Either your MINICAT retailer,
the National Sailing Federation, or your local sailing club will be
pleased to recommend you to an appropriate sailing course, or
qualified sailing instructors.
Do not set sail if the expected sailing conditions (wind force,
wave height) do not correspond to the design category of your
boat.
Any changes to your MINICAT which could influence the safety
characteristics of the boat, must be performed, verified and
documented by a competent and authorised person. The
boat manufacturer does not bear the responsibility for any
unapproved changes
Always keep your MINICAT well
maintained and take into account any
deterioration of its condition, which may
occur as a consequence of heavy usage
or misuse. Despite its strength, your
MINICAT may be seriously damaged if it
is not used properly. This will jeopardise
your safety when sailing.
Always ensure that your MINICAT
is assembled precisely according to
the instructions, it may be possible
to assemble the boat with incorrect
positioning, this can result in non-
porformance or even collapse when
sailing.
Always adjust the speed and the heading
of the boat according to the sailing
conditions (wind force, wave height).
All persons using any sailing
craft must wear life jackets.
ALWAYS - SAFETY FIRST
Please pay special
attention to the
selection of your life
jacket. It must be
certified and equipped
with a label containing
the information about
the carrying capacity
and reference to the
certificate of safety.
Please keep this User
Guide in a safe place and
give it to the new owner
when selling the boat.
Manufacturer’s name and adress: MINICAT s.r.o.
Bílovice 43
687 12 Bílovice
Czech Republic
Manufacturer’s code: HOC
Name of the model: MINICAT 420 EMOTION
Design category of the boat: “D“ - Wind max. 4 Beaufort !
Empty weight of the boat: 48 kg (105 lbs)
Maximum permitted load: 450 kg (992 lbs)
(see the carrying capacity)
Maximum weight of the loaded boat: 498 kg (1095 lbs)
Drive: By sails
Sails: Main sail + fore sail
Main sail area: 6.5 sq.m (70 sq.ft)
Foresail area: 3.2 sq.m (34.5 sq.ft)
Length of the boat: 4.2 m (13.8 ft)
Width of the boat: 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
Height of the mast: 5.05 m (16.5 ft)
Floats operation pressure: 0.025 MPa (3.6 psi)
1. Norm
2. Permitted loading capacity
(Persons + luggage )
3. Suggested operational pressure
4. Serial number
5. EU design category
6. Permitted human capacity
7. Max. wind force
8. Permitted motor output
9. CE-declaration
Do not exceed the determined
maximum number of occupants.
Regardless of the number
of occupants on the boat the
total weight of occupants and
equipment must not exceed the
maximum permitted load.
Maximum wind force:
4 Beaufort = 20–28 km/h
3–17 mph
11–15 kn
5.5–7.9 m/s
Maximum number of occupants:
4 adults
Carrying capacity
450 kg
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
1
2
3
4
5 6 7
8 9

6 7
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
Never exceed the maximum permitted load when
loading the boat. Always load the boat carefully and
allocate the individual weight according to the design
of the boat. Avoid the location of heavy objects at the
top. Disregarding these instructions may cause the boat
to capsize and may result in damage and injury. When
sailing always enure that personal items are secured to
the boat.
The maximum permitted load includes the weight of all
persons onboard and any accessories, personal items,
equipment or baggage.
Always check your MINICAT before sailing!
Perform a visual check of all parts of the boat before each
sailing.
Protection against falling overboard and how
to get back on the boat:
Sit only in the places made for sitting. These are the parts
of the frame at the rear half of the floats. The stability of
the boat will be reduced if you sit anywhere else.
It is necessary to protect the trampoline from damage,
especially rupture by sharp objects, or from careless
handling.
For ease of access onto the boat from the water, there are
fabric handles on both sides of the floats.
ASSEMBLY OF
YOUR MINICAT
Carefully remove the individual parts
from the bag/s and place on a flat
surface, ideally on a grass area to
avoid any damage.
Assemble the frame with the tram-
poline as shown in the figure. As-
semble in the upside-down position
(so the frame is on top of the tram-
poline).
Fix the keel fins on the bottom of
the floats (un-inflated).
Push the fins into the pockets on
the floats firmly.
Pass the rope through the lugs
on the bottom of the trampoline
and tighten it firmly. Fix the end
of the rope to the notch. This will
help you stretch the trampoline.
3
4
2
1
CARRYING CAPACITY
frame right
front
frame
frame left
frame
rear
FRONT
REAR

8 9
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
Attach the frame to the un-
inflated floats. Attach the frame
by pushing the metal ‘flags’ into
the pockets on the floats.
Before inflation, check the status
of the valves. Set the valves to
the closed position.
Now inflate the floats to reach
the operating pressure.
Screw the crossbar (‘stay-bold’)
onto the front frame tube and
prepare the longitudinal centre
tube (bowsprit) for mounting.
5
6
7
8
Unwrap the bundle of stainless-
steel ropes and attach them using
the snap hooks to the frame as
shown in the diagram. Slip the
end with a plastic plug onto the
end of the longitudinal centre
tube (bowsprit).
9
Assemble the mast. The individual
components are simply inserted
into one another.
10
ok
ok
no!
no!
STAY - BOLD

10 11
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
Now you can erect the mast. By
tightening the front rope and
locking it in the notch you can
achieve thorough tightening
for all the ropes and the mast
until completely taut. Screw
in the stretchers on the lower
stainless ropes in such a manner
so that these are tightened and
completely taut.
Interlace the lifting ropes
(halyards) with a pulley on the
top of the mast. Before erecting
the mast, fix the lateral fastening
ropes to the upper part of the
mast as well as the front rope.
Attach the other ends of lateral
guy-ropes to the frame using the
shackles. Attach the front rope to
the snap hook on the bowsprit.
11
A
lifting ropes
( holyards)
front rope
B
C
A
B
C
Unpack the jib and fix the lifting
rope (jib holyard) to the top of
the jib. Then pull up the jib and its
bottom corner with the jib furler
fix with a carbine as shown on the
photo below.
Roll out the mainsail and attach to
it the lifting rope (main holyard)
running from the top of the mast.
Insert the sail into the notch in the
mast and pull the main holyard to
raise it up. Then tie up the rope to
the sling on the mast.
Lace the jibsheets through the
grommets on the frame and tie
a knot to prevent them from
pulling out.
12
13
Heave out the sail in a vertical
direction by tightening the rope
between the boom and the mast
(vang).
MAIN
SAIL
JIB

12 13
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
Mount the rudder. Attach the
rudder assembly to the frame
simply by running two spigots
with safety locks to secure.
Attach the stays of the mainsheet
to the sail using a Carabine
15
16
It is recommended after
each sailing, to treat the
connections of the mast
using silicone oil.
When exposed to the
sun, the pressure in floats
increases - let air out
gradually!
If you experience a loss of
pressure of 20% of operating
pressure inside a 24 hour period
when external temperature is
constant it is considered to
be completely normal and no
reason for a complaint to the
manufacturer or a warranty
claim.
Water should never come
inside of the tubes. In case this
happens please empty as soon
as possible and dry throughout
Water inside of the tubes can
cause a damage to the inner
rubber of the tube and this can
cause I-beam damages as well.
If the boat is standing still on
a shore for a longer periods
of time, please dismantle the
keel fins or use the special
stands (see our Spare Parts &
Accessories Catalogue) under
the floats which will prevent
the pressure on the floats. You
will avoid a possible damage
of the keel fins and floats. We
also recommend the purchase
of the boat cover accessory to
protect your boat whilst being
left assembled
If the boat is standing still on
a shore for a longer periods
of time, please dismantle the
keel fins or use the special
stands (see our Spare Parts &
Accessories Catalogue) under
the floats which will prevent the
pressure on the floats. You will
avoid possible damage of the
keel fins and floats..
When sailing on large open
water (sea, lake) pay close
attention to the wind directly
from the coast. It is possible to
be blown oshore.
MINICAT must not be used in
bad conditions, for example,
low visibility, night, fog, rain.
ALWAYS SAFETY FIRST.
MINICAT is not intended to
be towed behind a motorised
craft. It must not be towed,
slide moved, or otherwise
extensively loaded.
Any sharp objects must be
securely packaged.
Valuable items and personal
eects must be placed in
a waterproof package and
placed in the pockets on the
trampoline. We recommedn
your purchase of the additional
front trampoline.
Bright sunlight will eventually
have a deteriorating eect on
the rubber surface of the floats,
therefore wherever possible
when your MINICAT is not in use
it is advisable to leave the boat
out of direct strong sunlight.
We recommend your purchase
of the optional boat cover.
Maximum operating pressure
in the floats (air chambers) is
0.025 MPa (3.6 psi). If there is
an increase of the ambient air
temperature (due to the heat of
the sun) the air pressure inside
the floats can increase. The air
pressure of the floats should
be checked and air released
if necessary to avoid eventual
damage.
Before setting sail it is advisable
to familiarise yourself with any
local regulations or restrictions
for the piece of water in which
you intend to operate.
There is a possibility that the flat
valve can become a little lose
after the first few inflations, and
that can result in a little air escape
around the valve (being a result of
the stretching and contracting of
the boat skin). In case this happens
with your boat, it is sucient to
turn the valve with the valve key
by about one quarter to one half a
turn until the resistance becomes
too great.

14 15
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR DRYING,
STORAGE,
CLEANING AND
MAINTENANCE
OF YOUR MINICAT
After sailing and before storing your MINICAT it
is necessary to rinse the boat using water and a
mild soap or detergent, and then allow the boat
to dry out thoroughly. After sailing in salt water
it is necessary to wash the boat thoroughly
with fresh water. It is recommended to clean all
parts from dirt, sand and other impurities using
an absorbent cloth. Please note that oil, petrol,
acetone, kerosene, paran and similar solvents
and chemicals are not compatible with the rubber
layer on the surface of the boat and must be
avoided to prevent damage.
Before storing your MINICAT and from time to time, we
recommend that you clean the boat thoroughly and treat the
surface of the rubber floats. The ‘MINICAT Maintenance Kit’
includes everything you need for the care of your MINICAT
including cleaning and preserving fluid, lubricant and silicone
oil.
Carefully pack the dry, deflated floats, cleaned from sand and
dust, so that the number of folds will be as few as possible.
The folds especially at the edges of the packed float have to
be protected to prevent unnecessary wear. Care should also
be taken of the cover of the inflation valve, and to avoid any
damage to the floats during packaging.
We recommend that you do not leave your boat packed for
long periods of time. To prevent detioration to the floats we it
is necessary to inflate them periodically.
Pay particular attention when putting single parts into the bag
to prevent any damage.
Store the packed boat in a dry space protected
from direct sunlight and adverse temperatures
(rec: 10-25 °C). Avoid any load or strain being
placed on the boat during storage (putting any
heavy objects on top of it, etc.)
Careful treatment and good maintenance will
extend the life of your MINICAT.
Righting a capsized boat (Turning Turtle)
In case of overturning the MINICAT follow these instructions:
1. Release the jib and the main sail to the maximum to assure
the least possible resistance of the sails when righting the boat.
On the MINICAT Instinct - wind in the jib fully.
2. Stand on the underside of one float then and pull on the
mast line and the handle on the other float. Be careful to
prevent damage to the keel fins. For added stability stand with
your legs apart.
After righting the boat use the handles
on both sides of the floats to get back
on board.

16 17
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
REPAIR
OF YOUR MINICAT RECOMMENDED PACKING
Damage to the MINICAT floats can be easily repaired using the
supplied ‘MINICAT Repair Kit’.
After minor repairs (punctures), it is possible to re-inflate
the boat and to continue sailing after just 60 minutes, with
larger repairs it is recommended to wait for 24 hours. With
more complicated repairs you are recommended to return
your MiniCat to your supplier, to the manufacturer, or to an
accredited repair-shop. Careful treatment and maintenance
can extend the life of your MINICAT.
The manufacturer’s warranty period is 24 months from the
date of the sale. All warranty repairs are carried out by a
designated, authorised repairer or by the manufacturer.
Upon purchase of your MINICAT you must return the enclosed
WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM directly to MiniCat
Worldwide to validate and commence the period of your
warranty.
To avoid unnecessary damage while storing or transporting
your boat please follow the instructions on recommended
packing below:
Repair procedure:
1. Mark the damaged area on the boat and select the patch according
to the size of the damage.
2. The surface of the patch and of the damaged area must be dry,
clean, dust-free and without trace of previous adhesive.
3. De-grease both the patch and the damaged area using acetone or petrol.
4. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to both surfaces.
5. When the adhesive is dry to touch attach the patch to the damaged area
and apply pressure.
1. - 1x Frame - rear
2. - 1x Frame - front + Trampoline
3. - 2xFloat
4. - 1x Stainless steel ropes
5. - 1x Shroud
6. - 1x Front rope
7. - 1x Accessories (USB stick,
Repair Kit, User guide...)
1. - 1x Mast
2. - 1x Bowsprit
3. - 1x Staybold
4. - 1x Tiller extension
5. - 2x Keel fin
6. - 2x Frame - side
7. - 1x Sails
8. - 1x Complete rudder
9. - 1x Inflation pump
1. bag 2. bag
The total weight of the assembled
boat is 48 kg
When counted together with the
bags, inflation pump and spare
parts to total weight comes to
52 kg
Worldwide distributor:
Moravian Exports, s.r.o.
Kaly 37
594 55 Dolní Loučky
Czech Republic
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Manufacturer:
MINICAT s.r.o.
Bílovice 43
687 12 Bílovice u Uh. Hradiště
Czech Republic
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

18 19
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
CAUTION!
Sailing can be very dangerous and personally
exhausting. Therefore, the user of this product
must realise, that not following safety precautions
may result in serious injury, or even in death.
Therefore when using this product pay close
attention to following safety precautions:
ALWAYS – SAFETY FIRST
Giving Way in Sailing
All types of vessels on the water
are governed by the International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, frequently abbreviated as
COLREGS. The entire set of rules is
highly complicated, however, when you
start sailing, it is sucient to be familiar
with the basic rules that are listed here.
A vessel that arrives
from the right is
given way in the
same way as on the
road.
The starboard side
vessel alters her
course in order
to sail behind the
stern of the port
side vessel.
The rules for
navigation in
a channel (or
canal)
All vessels must stay
to the right side in
channels or canals,
so that they meet
on their port side.
The port rule: A vessel sailing port side
(with the boom on the port side) has the
pass over a vessel sailing starboard side.
The vessel sailing starboard side must
give way to a vessel sailing port side.
When power-driv-
en vessels meet
head-on, they turn
their course to the
right and meet on
their port side.
The windward ves-
sel shall avoid the
leeward vessel and
navigate in order to
sail behind her.
Overtaking rule
An overtaking ves-
sel must keep out of
the way of the ves-
sel being overtaken,
even in the case of a
sailing vessel over-
taking a power-driv-
en vessel.
1. Get well acquainted with the operation of this design of boat.
2. Ensure that you have first aid training with certification
and have emergency/first aid equipment with you when you sail.
3. Always use a quality certified life jacket.
4. Before each time you sail check your equipment for
functionality and that it does not show any signs of damage.
5. Do not overestimate your abilities on the water; take care of yourself.
6. Ensure your state of health with a doctor before you go sailing.
7. Always observe the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding
the use of this product.
8. Never use this product after taking alcohol, drugs or medication or
when tired.
9. Before using this product read the User’s Guide carefully.
10. Always pay attention to sea winds and currents.
11. The user of this product must be familiar with the basic sailing
skills and must be aware of the risks attached to this sport.
USEFULL
KNOWLEDGE
GOOD TO KNOW!

20 21
MINICAT 420 USER‘S GUIDE
BEAUFORT
SCALE SAILOR KNOTS
Beaufort
no.
0
1
2
3
4
5
Description
Calm
Light air
Light breeze
Gentle
breeze
Moderate
breeze
Fresh
breeze
Wind speed
< 1 km/h
< 1 mph
< 1 kn
< 0.3 m/s
1.1 - 5.5 km/h
1 -3 mph
1 -2 kn
0.3 - 1.5 m/s
5.6 - 11 km/h
4 - 7 mph
3 - 6 kn
1.6 - 3.4 m/s
12 - 19 km/h
8 - 12 mph
7 - 10 kn
3.4 - 5.4 m/s
20 - 28 km/h
13 - 17 mph
11 - 15 kn
5.5 - 7.9 m/s
29 - 38 km/h
18 - 24 mph
16 - 20 kn
8 - 10.7 m/s
Wave height
0 m
0 ft
0 - 0.2 m
0 - 1 ft
0.2 - 0.5 m
1 - 2 ft
0.5 - 1 m
2 - 3.5 ft
1 - 2 m
3.5 - 6 ft
2 - 3 m
6 - 9 ft
Sea condition
Flat
Ripples
without
crests
Small wave-
lets. Crests
of glassy ap-
pearance, not
breaking
Large wave-
lets. Crests
begin to
break;
scattered
whitecaps
Small waves
with breaking
crests. Fairly
frequent
whitecaps.
Moderate
waves of
some length.
Many white-
caps. Small
amounts of
spray
Land condition
Calm. Smoke
rises verticaly
Smoke drift
indicates wind
direction, still
wind vanes.
Wind felt on
exposed skin.
Leaves rustle,
vanes begin
to move.
Leaves and
small twigs
constantly mov-
ing, light flags
extended.
Dust and loose
paper raised.
Small branches
begin to move.
Branches of a
moderate size
move. Small
trees in leaf
begin to sway.
Bowline (also known occasionally as the
Boiling knot)
The bowline creates a fixed loop at
the end of a rope, making it useful for
fastening a mooring line to a post or
ring. It’s also the knot most commonly
used for rescue ropes, as a trapped
person can tie the loop around them
and then be hoisted up with the rope.
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
While a bit of a mouthful, this useful
knot is used to secure a rope to a fixed
object such as a pole. The tail of the
rope is wrapped around an object (this
is the ‘round turn’) and secured to the
standing part with two hitches (the
tail end is passed over and under the
standing part, twice).
Sheet Bend
(also known as becket bend, weaver’s
knot and weaver’s hitch)
The sheet bend is useful for joining
together two dierent ropes. It’s best to
use this knot for ropes which are under
load, as it can work loose on ropes
which are not under any strain. This is
the preferred knot instead of the Reef
Knot.
1.
1.
1.
3.
3.
2.
2.
4.
4.
5.
5.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.

23
USER‘S GUIDE
@minicatamaran
www.minicatamaran.eu
/minicat
@minicatsailing
search: MINICAT
ENJOY YOUR
NEW MINICAT
AND PLEASE
REMEMBER:
ALWAYS
SAFETY
FIRST

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