Minicat Guppy User manual

Caution !
Introduction
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's 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 cannot bear the
responsibility for any unapproved changes.
Always keep your MiniCat 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 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.
Please pay special attention to the selection
of your life jacket. It must be equipped with
a label containing the information about the
carrying capacity and reference to the
certificate of safety.
Please keep this User's Guide and the
accompanying flash disk in a safe place
and give it to the new owner when selling
the boat.
Manufacturer's name and address: Martin Horák - Design
Václava Kulíška 1174
686 05 Uherské Hradištì
Czech Republic
HOC
Name of the model: MINICAT Guppy
Design category of the boat: “D“ - Wind max. 4 Beaufort !
Empty weight of the boat: 29 kg (65 lbs)
Maximum permitted load: 240 kg (530 lbs) (see the
carrying capacity)
Maximum weight of the loaded boat: 269 kg (593 lbs)
Drive: By sails
Sails: Main sail
Main sail area: 3.9 sq.m (42 sq.ft)
Length of the boat: 3.0 m (9,8 ft)
Width of the boat: 1.5 m (4,9 ft)
Height of the mast: 3.95 m (13 ft)
Floats operation pressure: 0.025 MPa (3.6 psi)
Manufacturer's code:
1

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 the boat
- Carefully remove the individual parts from the
bag on a flat surface.
- Unfold the floats with the trampoline.
Carrying capacity
240 kg
The maximum permitted load includes the
weight of all persons onboard and any personal
items, equipment or baggage.
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.
Sit only on the seats.
Never exceed the maximum permitted load
when loading the boat. Always 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.
2
Warning !
Warning !
Maximum number of occupants
2 adults - not exceeding 240 kg (Total weight
269 kg).
Serial number
Norm
Permitted loading capacity
(Persons + luggage )
Max. wind force
Permitted motor output
EU design category
Suggested operational pressure
1
3
4
2
5
6
Warning !
Maximum wind force
4 Beaufort =
20–28 km/h
13–17 mph
11–15 kn
5.5–7.9 m/s
CE-declaration
Permitted human capacity
8
9
7
9

3
- Push the keel fins into the pockets on the
bottom of the floats.
- Push the aluminium tubes 25 mm in the float
tunnel so that the stainless steel eyelet on the
pipe protrudes into the tunnel window.
- Inflate the floats at the prescribed pressure.
-Attach the black central part of the frame to the
rear of the trampoline with the 4 pins so that the
rudder attachment piece is at the rear.
- Secure the pins with circular safety clasps.
- Push the green extension tube (bowsprit) into
the centre of the frame and secure it with the
rubber band.
- Unpack the sail and push it onto the
assembled 3 - piece mast.
- The individual parts of the mast fit together by
sliding into each other.
-Attach wire stays to the mast.
- Lay the mast and place it onto the spike at the
front of the frame.
- Fasten the wire stays on the floats by means
of snaps and to the front centre tube (bowsprit)
using a carbine.
- Tighten the front rope, causing all ropes to be
tightened off evenly.

4
- Attach the rudder at the rear of the frame with
the safely clasp.
-Attach the drawbar rope to the sail.
Your boat is now ready.
Warning !
- 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 normal and no reason for a
complaint to the manufacturer or a warranty
claim!
- There is a possibility that the flat valve can
become a little lose after the first few pumpings,
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
sufficient to turn the valve with the valve key by
about one quarter to one half a turn until the
resistance becomes too great.
- 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.
- 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.
- MiniCat is not intended to be towed behind
a motorised craft. It must not be towed, slide
moved, or otherwise extensively loaded.
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5
- Valuable items and personal effects must be
placed in a waterproof package and placed in
the pockets on the trampoline.
- Bright sunlight will eventually have
a deteriorating effect 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.
- When sailing on large open water (sea, lake)
pay close attention to the wind directly from the
coast. It is possible to be blown offshore.
- MiniCat must not be used in bad conditions,
for example, low visibility, night, fog, rain.
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 it in salt water
it is necessary to wash the boat 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, paraffin and similar
solvents and chemicals disagree with the
rubber layer on the surface of the boat and must
be avoided.
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.
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 can
increase the life of your MiniCat.
Righting a capsized boat (Turning Turtle)
In case of overturning the MiniCat follow these
instructions:
1. Release the main sail to the maximum to
assure the least possible resistance of the sails
when righting the boat.
2. Stand on 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.
After righting the boat use the handles on both
sides of the floats to get back on board.
It is recommended after each sailing, to
treat the connections of the mast and of
the longitudinal central tube using
silicone oil.

5
6
Repair of your MiniCat
Damage to the MiniCat floats can be easily
repaired using the supplied 'MINICAT Repair
Kit'.
Repair procedure:
- Mark the damaged area on the boat
and select the patch according to the
size of the damage.
- The surface of the patch and of the
damaged area must be dry, clean,
dust-free and without trace of
previous adhesive.
- De-grease both the patch and the
damaged area using acetone or
petrol.
- Apply a thin layer of adhesive to both
surfaces.
- When the adhesive is dry to touch
attach the patch to the damaged area
and apply pressure.
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
increase the service 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:
Martin Horák - design
Václava Kulíška 1174
686 05 Uherské Hradištì
Czech Republic
E-mail: [email protected]
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:
- Get well acquainted with the
operation of this design of boat.
- Ensure that you have first aid training
with certification and have
emergency/first aid equipment with
you when you sail.
- Always use a quality certified life
jacket.
- Before each time you sail check your
equipment for functionality and that it
does not show any signs of damage.
- Do not overestimate your abilities on
the water; take care of yourself.
- Ensure your state of health with
a doctor before you go sailing.
- Always observe the manufacturer's
recommendations regarding the use
of this product.
- Never use this product after taking
alcohol, drugs or medication.
- Before using this product read the
User's Guide carefully.
- Always pay attention to sea winds
and currents.
- The user of this product must be
familiar with the basic sailing skills
and must be aware of the risks
attached to this sport.
Warning !

7
Calm Flat. Calm. Smoke rises
vertically.
< 1 km/h
< 1 mph
< 1 kn
< 0.3 m/s
0 m
0 ft
Light air 1.1–5.5 km/h
1–3 mph
1–2 kn
0.3–1.5 m/s
0–0.2 m
0–1 ft
Ripples without
crests.
Smoke drift indicates
wind direction, still
wind vanes.
Light breeze 5.6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
3–6 kn
1.6–3.4 m/s
0.2–0.5 m
1–2 ft
Small wavelets.
Crests of glassy
appearance, not
breaking
Wind felt on exposed
skin. Leaves rustle,
vanes begin to move.
Gentle breeze 12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 kn
3.4–5.4 m/s
0.5–1 m
2–3.5 ft
Large wavelets.
Crests begin to break;
scattered whitecaps
Leaves and small twigs
constantly moving, light
flags extended.
Moderate breeze 20–28 km/h
13–17 mph
11–15 kn
5.5–7.9 m/s
1–2 m
3.5–6 ft
Small waves with
breaking crests.
Fairly frequent
whitecaps.
Dust and loose paper
raised. Small branches
begin to move.
Fresh breeze 29–38 km/h
18–24 mph
16–20 kn
8.0–10.7 m/s
2–3 m
6–9 ft
Moderate waves of
some length. Many
whitecaps. Small
amounts of spray
Branches of a moderate
size move. Small trees
in leaf begin to sway.
0 1 2 3 4 5
Beauf. Description Wind speed Wave height Sea conditions Land conditions
no.
Beaufort scale

Manufacturer:
Martin Horák - design
Václava Kulíška 1174
686 05 Uherské Hradištì
Company Registration Number: 66787441
Registered MIC (Manufacturer's Identity Code)
according to ÈSN EN ISO 10087, Art. 42 - "HOC"
declares and certifies on its axclusive responsibility that the product:
Recreational Craft - MINICAT Guppy
determined for sailing in protected offshore waters, large lakes, river mouths,
bays, etc., is designed and produced in conformity with the requirements of
ÈSN EN ISO 6185, issued by the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN) on 10 November 2001 and is safe under the conditions of the above -
stated use.
The manufacturer declares that all the products put on the market conform to
the technical documentation and to the basic requirements.
Conformity assessment has been conducted according to:
ÈSN EN ISO 6185
ÈSN EN ISO 10240
ÈSN EN ISO 14945
ÈSN EN ISO 10087
Directive 94/25/ES
The product meets all the requested values and parameters and all the
required tests have been successfully carried out.
In Uherské Hradištì on 3.4.2018
No. 04 - 2018
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