Navigator LP240BK User manual
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Contents
Intro, Regulatory 3
Standard Construction Elements 4
Quick Assembly Guide – Flooring. 6
Quick Assembly Guide – Using the Valves. 7
Certification, HIN and Manufacturer’s Identification Code (MIC) 8
Assembly Full Guide: 9
Assembly & hard deck installation for boats with an inflatable keel. 9
Adjusting the pressure in air chambers (including a keel). 11
Configuring the valves: 13
Next steps for boat assembly: 15
Mounting the outboard motor: 15
Disassembly: 16
Cleaning, Maintenance, Repairs 17
Operating the boat: 19
Towing bridle & towing behind: 22
Navigator Inflatable Boats Warranty Terms & Conditions: 23
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Intro, Regulatory
Dear customer, congratulations on becoming a proud Navigator Inflatable Boats
owner. We are confident that you will enjoy using our product for recreation,
adventures, fishing & hunting, or as an auxiliary craft for powerboats and yachts.
This manual has been compiled to help you to operate your Navigator inflatable boat
with safety and pleasure in mind. It contains details about your new inflatable boat; the
equipment supplied or fitted, its systems and information on its operation and
maintenance. Please read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the inflatable boat
before using it.
If this is your first inflatable boat, or you are changing to a type of craft you are not
familiar with, for your comfort and safety, please ensure that you obtain handling and
operation experience before assuming command of the inflatable boat. Your dealer or
national sailing federation of yacht club will be pleased to advise you of the local sea
schools or competent instructors.
Please note that each boat has an identification Hull ID number, which you will find on
a metal plate attached to the transom. Hull ID number starts from letters YNI. You may
need this number to register your inflatable boat if you’ve installed an outboard motor
of 10hp or more (if the specifications allow):
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/vessel-licensing-registration/find-out-if-
you-need-license-register-your-vessel
Additionally, you will need a pleasure-craft operator license to navigate the boat safely
& comply with regulatory requirements. For operators, open the list of accredited
service providers:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/operator-card-pcoc-faq
PLEASE KEEP THIS MANUAL IN A SECURE PLACE AND HAND IT OVER TOTHE
NEW OWNER WHEN YOU SELL THE INFLATABLE BOAT.
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Standard Construction Elements
A) Roll-up Inflatable Boats
B) Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats
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1 - Inflatable boat;
2 - The elastic inner wall;
3 - Inflation valve;
4 - Stationary transom;
5 - Rigid seats;
6 - Oarlocks;
7 - Grab line lock;
8 - Lifeline;
9 - Bearing for seats;
10 - Carrying handle;
11 - Towing rings;
12 - Side joiners;
13 - Slat flooring;
14 - Hinged transom for with motor plate;
15 - Oars holder.
BOAT COMPONENTS
B) «RIB» Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
1 - Inflatable Tube;
2 - Hatch;
3 - Fiberglass hull;
4 - Filling valve;
5 - Lifeline;
6 - Carrying handle;
7 - Oarlock;
8 - Hard seat.
Standard kit Navigator Roll-up Boats:
-2 Oars with oarlocks
-Towing handle under the bow
-2 Movable Seats
-Anchor mount D-ring with a rubber bow protector for the rope
-Book-type wooden floor. Floorboards are connected with PVC strips, easy to install &
store (alternative floors: slatted, hard deck wood or aluminum, inflatable floor).
-Small repair kit (Patch, glue, valve unscrew tool)
-Efficient Foot pump
-2 Bags to carry the boat & the floor
NOTE. Our company is constantly improving the design and reliability of
manufactured products. In this regard (and the presence of components) supplied
subject to change, also subject to structural changes in the product.
BOAT COMPONENTS
A) Roll-Up Inflatable Boat
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You should follow the same process for the Book-type floor with the only difference,
that you settle the bow and transom blocks of the floor first and allow a pyramid to
form from blocks # 2 and #3 naturally, and then you apply some force to let the floor
set it.
Warning: do not drag the boat on a solid scratchy surface (asphalt, rocky surface,
concrete floors, other sharp flooring elements etc.) to extend the lifetime of the PVC.
Quick Assembly Guide – Flooring.
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Quick Assembly Guide – Using the Valves.
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Certification, HIN and Manufacturer’s Identification Code
(MIC)
Navigator Inflatable Boats comply with the North American requirements to have a
unique registered Hull Identification Number (HIN) – our boats are registered with
Transport Canada and due to the bilateral HIN recognition agreement, Canadian HINs
are accepted in the US. The first three characters of the HIN number are the
Manufacturers Identification Code, which is YNI for Navigator Boats (Momentum
International Trading Inc).
The US Coast Guard also maintains a list of MICs. You can review their website to
check any inflatable boat manufacturer or authorized dealer to ensure they are
properly registered. You can see our MIC YNI (or old – YNK to be updated soon) at:
https://uscgboating.org/content/manufacturers-identification.php
Special quality control measures are set at the manufacturing level. Each boat is
inflated and tested at the factory before shipment. Before introducing new lines and
products each is stringently tested against the international regulatory standards.
All Navigator Inflatable Boats are certified and compliant with the EU Requirement
Directive 2013/53/EU PN-EN ISO 6185-(1 to 4 based on length):2005 (EN ISO 6185-
2:2001) CE 1463, which is a standardized quality equivalent to North American ABYC
standards:
https://abycinc.org/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=8972217
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Assembly & hard deck installation for boats with an inflatable keel.
Remove the boat from the packing bag and unfold. Unfold the inflatable keel and
position the boat on a safe level surface without sharp objects. Inflate all pressurized
compartments, except for the keel, to approximately 20-30% of the recommended
pressure. Pumping the tubes a bit will simplify the installation of the flooring of the
boat.
The floorboards are installed with rough surface facing up. The floorboards are made
of water-proof marine-grade plywood and covered with a layer of resistant material.
The floorboards are assembled with aluminium H channels, "locks" just like a
hardwood floor would have.
Slide the front floorboard (No 1) into the bow until it stops. Position the hole opening
over the keel air chamber valve. If the keel valve opening is located on the floorboard
#2, please connect it with the first floorboard and ensure that the air valve of the
inflatable keels meets the center of the hole in the section.
Slide the rear floorboard (No 4 or 5) maximally close to the transom.
Connect the remaining floorboards through the aluminum H channels together. On
models having four floorboards, position boards (No 2 and 3) to form a pyramid V
shape (see diagram "A" above).
Push down on the V joint to lock aluminum H channels to flatten the floorboards. Be
careful not to catch any accessories and/or tubes when applying pressure – ensure
that the flooring is not jamming any PVC/accessories while pushing it down with a
hand or foot if it requires more force.
Align the sections (no. 1, no. 2, no. 3, no. 4, no. 5) so that they are symmetrical with
respect to each other without distortions;
Assembly Full Guide:
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Attach aluminum stringers (C) onto each side of the floor-boards (B) within the
recessed portions 2, 3 and 4 of the floor. You can place an oar (A) under the bottom
of the boat to raise the floorboards and assist yourself while attaching the stringers
(Book-type floors don’t have aluminum stringers on the sides). Stringers do not have
to cover all floorboard length.
Proceed and install the second stringer on the opposite side of the boat the same way.
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Side and Bow/Nose Chambers for all models – 0.22 – 0.25 bar or 3.2 – 3.5 psi
Keel:
LP240BK, LP270BK, LP290BK, LP320BK – 0.15 – 0.2 bar or 2.17 – 2.9 psi
LK330, LK360, LK380, LK400, LK430 – 0.3 – 0.35 bar or 4.35 – 5 psi
Proper Inflation Process:
-Screw the hose with the adapter into the valve you plan to inflate. Then connect
the hose to the foot pump
-Slightly inflate all of the chambers except for the keel to 20-30%, install the floor
(see guide above)
-Inflate the left and right chambers to 60-70%; Please review the pressure chart
as it varies for various models.
-Install the seats, as shown in the photo below, at the moment when the boat's
tubes are inflated to approximately 60-70% of the full recommended pressure
in the compartments.
-Pump the pressurized compartments evenly up to the full recommended
pressure. Then pump up the inflatable keel. Please review the pressure chart
as it varies for various models.
Adjusting the pressure in air chambers (including a keel).
Recommended Pressure Chart for Navigator Inflatable Boats:
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(Assembly scheme for book-type floor installation process)
For models that have three independent pressurized compartments, in addition to the
inflatable keel, the pressure in the left and right cylinders must be brought to 60-70%
of the nominal (recommended) pressure, then pump the nose area to the full
recommended pressure. Afterwards, inflate the left and right cylinders to full pressure.
For models that have four independent pressurized compartments, except for the
inflatable keels. It is necessary to bring the pressure in all cylinders to approximately
60-70% of the nominal, then the cylinders will expand, and then bring the pressure in
all compartments to the full recommended pressure, gradually inflating the cylinders,
alternately moving in the direction from aft to the bow to 100% of the pressure. Inflate
the keel in the very end! You will know that the boat is well inflated when it’s really
tough to push down the foot pump or if the pressure meter would indicate a specific
value matching the recommendation (for electric pumps).
As our boats have a pressure-control valve to prevent over-pressurizing, an inflated
boat might lose some pressure over a few days of operation and it would require
additional pumping to achieve optimal performance. This is a typical situation and
means that the valve is actually working and protecting the tubes of your boat from
damage.
Don’t use a compressed air source not compatible with the pressure recommended (if
you can’t adjust the pressure on it). Over-inflating the boat may result in structural
damage if the pressure valve is overwhelmed with the pressurized stream, which will
void the warranty.
Configuring the valves:
The valve has a special pushpin inside – USE FINGERS to adjust its position. It has
two positions: up or down. When it is pressed in the lower position, air will be released
from the tube. If you turn the pushpin in the clockwise direction, it will pop up into the
upper position. This will lock air inside and will prevent it from escaping through the
valve. Before inserting the air pump adaptor into the valve, please ensure that the
pushpin is in the UPPER, popped up position. Once the pin is in the "popped-up"
position, insert the air pump adaptor into the valve, rotate to lock, and inflate the
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chamber up to working air pressure. Once you remove the air pump adaptor from the
valve, the pushpin will seal the valve, and the air will not leak.
If you want to deflate the boat, press
down on the pushpin and turn it in the
clockwise direction until it locks in the
pressed down position. Air will
immediately escape from the tubes
through the valve.
Don’t forget to screw in the Valve cap (1)
to minimize any leakage possible and
ensure that the synthetic thread
connected to it is not jammed in the
process.
When inflating the Air deck or any other inflatable floor, ensure that you inflate the side
and nose chambers and attach the seats first, then inflate the floor and inflate the keel
in the very end.
WARNING:
When inflating the chambers, try to level out the pressure across them all (except for
the keel,which has to be inflated the last). Use a sequenced step by step approach –
inflate all of the side and nose chambers to 15-30% > install the floor > inflate all of
the chambers to 60-70% > install the seats > inflate to 100% > install the oars > inflate
the keel in the very end.
Over-inflating the boat can cause structural damage. Do not leave your boat to stand
in direct sunlight when out of the water, as this may cause the expansion to the point
of damage or bursting. Optimally leave the boat in the shade or cover it with a special
tent and release a bit of pressure (15-20%) if standing in the sun.
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Next steps for boat assembly:
Afterwards, close all air valves with the caps until they stop while making sure that the
valve fastening cord does not get into the threads, as this can lead to air leaking from
the tubes during operation.
Assemble the oars with oarlocks and insert the oar rods into the sockets, fixing the
blades in the clips located on the cylinders at the stern of the boat. Make sure to screw
the cap of the oarlocks with extra attention as they are made of plastic and are screwed
on top of metal rods holding the oar; if screwed without care you may damage the
cap’s plastic thread. Install the outboard transom (for models with outboard transom).
After assembling the boat, you can install the engine. Before attaching it, carefully read
the instructions for its use and its correct installation on the watercraft.
Launching the boat into the water. When the boat is launched into the water, the
pressure in the cylinders may be released. We ask you always to take this into
account, monitor the pressure level, regularly check it, and, if necessary, pump up the
boat's cylinders.
Mounting the outboard motor:
Selecting the best fitting outboard motor is critical to the marine performance and the
time the boat would serve. Always check the recommended and max allowed hp or
kW for your specific model. Although the boats with smaller detachable transoms are
rated for up to 2-3 hp for most of the models, we recommend having a lighter electric
or trolling motor used with a detachable transom to avoid damage to the PVC due to
the weight of the engine.
Prepare the motor to be attached to the transom. Ensure that it is centred and that the
motor is installed on the reinforced elements of the transom. Secure the clamps and
make sure it is thoroughly tightened. Adjust the motor angle if needed. It may be
hazardous to operate a powerful outboard motor with an underinflated boat, as the
tubes and keel may cause the motor to cavitate while operating. If the keel is
underinflated, it may reduce the marine performance of the boat and make the book-
type floor play a little bit. Choose a correct propeller pitch to avoid additional cavitation.
For proper installation, fastening and usage, refer to the motor manufacturer’s
documentation.
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Disassembly:
Ensure to thoroughly wash and dry the boat before deflation, especially if you’re fishing
and have some fish grease on the boat. This would help with:
-Rodents that adore chewing on PVC that has a fishy smell
-Mold that loves turning your white dinghy into an old slice of bread.
The boat is disassembled in exactly the reverse order from the recommended
assembly procedure (remove and disassemble the oars and oarlocks, deflate the keel,
remove the seats, deflate the tubes, remove the floor, fully deflate the leftover air in
the tubes to fit in the bag.
Do not completely deflate one chamber of the boat while the rest are filled with air.
This can damage the partitions in the boat between the cylinders. As such, try deflating
the tubes in stages, slightly pressing on the valve controller to release some air. After
20-30% of the air is released, push the valve controller down and rotate it to lock in
the deflation mode. As the Tubes are deflating, pull up on the life-line (rope) closer to
the bow (when the bow chamber is deflated) and then the side life-line (rope) when
deflating the sides. It would simplify rolling up the boat at the next stage.
When the air is fully released, drag the sides of the boat inside as close as possible,
then place the end cones on the transom (if you have transom wheels installed, place
a piece of a PVC or some cardboard to protect the cones from scratching with the
metal mechanism), then roll the boat towards the nose. If the boat doesn’t fit, try to
make a single fold of the bow section towards the transom, fold the transom part a few
folds toward the bow and fold the boat as a book. In cases it’s really hard to fit the boat
in the bag, use the foot pump in the inverse mode to suck the excess air out, this would
simplify the process.
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Cleaning, Maintenance, Repairs
To ensure a longer lifetime for the inflatable boat, you have to take proper care of it:
-Avoid the air chambers to be overinflated, especially when in direct sunlight;
-After the operation, it is necessary to clean the dirt and sand from the boat surface
and
dry it thoroughly, if necessary, using soap and a not very rough cloth; Sand and dirt
may scratch the areas where the tubes connect with the bottom of the floor, thus work
like sandpaper and result in leaks and damaged PVC. Do not use harsh chemicals to
wash or clean your boat, wax, petrol, detergents containing alcohol, vinyl, solvents,
including paint solvents MEK, Toluene, bleach, ammonia, highly alkaline cleaners,
abrasive scrubs, steel wool. These products will weaken, damage, and discolor your
dinghy’s coating and fabric.
-For stubborn stains, try using a citrus hand cleaner with pumice. It might take a lot of
hard work to do so, but it’s effective, and it doesn’t contain any harmful and harsh
chemicals.
-Although we are using the highest quality PVC for the boats, UV-Radiation is
damaging to the PVC material overall. Cover your boat when it will not be in use for
extended periods of time to maintain the color. You may also use special UV
Protectors for Inflatable boats, just as you use sunscreen for yourself.
-Avoid water getting into the air chambers.
-If fuel or oil spills on the boat surface, thoroughly clean it with soap and water, and
dry it; fuel spills are damaging to the fabric.
-At the end of the season, the boat should be prepared for winter storage. Clean the
surface from sand and dirt, and dry it thoroughly. All water remaining, if frozen, might
damage the seams and the boat, so properly dry the boat.
-Damages, if any, need to be repaired. If circumstances allow, the boat is better to be
stored unfolded. The room should be dry with the air temperature -5 to + 25°C. The
boat should be protected from direct sunlight. The boat should be stored in a dry, clean
and cool place, in an inflated, semi-inflated or fully deflated state. It is not
recommended to suspend the boat.
-The best way to store a boat is in the bag suspended in the air to avoid rodents from
making nests in it.
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Repairs:
-Easiest way to detect punctures and leaks is to use hand soap or a dish detergent
mixed with water in a spray bottle. Checking the valves first by spraying around the
valve. If you see that bubbles appear, grow and circulate due to the leak, check your
valve fitting and base and ensure the valve cap is screwed on tight and the pushpin is
in the correct position. If the leak is not in the valve, then spray the rest of the boat to
find the leak. When you find the leak, prepare a PVC patch big enough to overlap the
area around half an inch on all sides.
-Center the patch over the damaged area and, with a pencil, trace the patch's outline.
Apply masking tape around the perimeter of the outlined patch area to ensure a tight
and clean glue line. Clean the patch area on the boat as well as the backside of the
patch.
-For minor repairs, clean the fabric around the area to be repaired using M.E.K or
acetone, then re-clean. Apply a coat of glue to the damaged part and to the patch
material, allow it to dry for a few minutes. Repeat the process at least three times,
giving some time to dry between each application. After applying the third layer on the
boat, apply a layer of adhesive to the patch, put the patch to the prepared area, and
press down firmly.Using a smooth object (a back of a tablespoon works well), working
from the center of the patch to the outside, force out any air bubbles that may have
been trapped under the patch. Important: It is recommended to do repairs in dry
weather. Humidity will decrease the glue bond. Do not glue in cold temperatures.
-It is strongly recommended that all patchwork be allowed to cure at least 24 hours
before re-inflating the boat.
-Small tears and punctures of the air chambers or the bottom can be repaired, using
the PVC patch and glue from the repair kit. Complex repair as considerable side
damage, joints/seams, larger areas, or if the patch will overlap a seam, should be done
by a professional repair technician at an inflatable repair station. In this case, you
should contact your dealer for additional assistance or repair with a reputable service
provider.
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Operating the boat:
IT IS PROHIBITED TO:
-Operate the boat while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs and without life-
saving vests;
-Overload the boat above the maximum number of passengers or load capacity;
-Use the outboard engine exceeding its power rating;
-Use the boat at night, as your boat is not equipped with additional lighting as standard
(you may attach navigational lights to make yourself visible at night).
-Navigate the boat if the wave height is over 0,3 m, the wind force is stronger than
Beaufort number 3 and not further than 1 km offshore;
-Exceed the nominal pressure in the tubes (chambers);
-Drag the boat across a rigid surface. Do not allow sand to get into the valves and
oarlock mounts, as the sand that gets there will make these mechanisms less
functional.
-Approaching swimming people or animals when moving on the water with the engine
running. Do not allow people and animals to come near the stern of your boat when
the engine is on!
-Let children operate the boat without adult supervision;
-Walk around the boat while it’s moving
To prevent accidents, every inflatable boat must be equipped with an engine not
exceeding its power rating. You will find the information for the engine power rating
and its model on the manufacturer's info sheet or in the user manual. Besides, you
should choose the engine power so that you can get ashore despite the wind and up
the current safely. Know and obey all nautical local rules and laws of the waterways.
The information about the rules can be received at the water transport and boat traffic
directorate, local municipalities, or transport ministries.
Watch out for the fuel or the electrolyte not to be spilled onto the inflatable boat from
the accumulator battery. It is necessary to wash the boat surface well with fresh water
and dry thoroughly if it happens.
Do not place all passengers and all gear on one side of the boat. Distribute the load
evenly in the boat (including front and back); everything must be fastened firmly on the
boat's bottom.
Inflatable boats are designed in such a way that if one air chamber is fully damaged,
other chambers provide sufficient stability, so you could manage to reach the nearest
shore safely. To avoid water getting into the boat, pull the material of the damaged air
chamber up. Based on regulations, you must have life vests at all times while in the
boat. For long trips, you need to have a flashlight and a first aid kit.
Warning and Caution!
Do not use pumps and compressors not designed for boats to inflate your boat. Do
not fill the boat with air from the car's exhaust pipe, as this can damage the cylinders
of the boat.
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Do not pump pressurized compartments in the boat above the recommended
pressure, as this leads to a reduction in the service life and can lead to damage
(rupture) of the internal partitions or cylinders and then the manufacturer will not be
obliged to carry out warranty repairs of your boat.
Based on the availability of equipment, supplies and tourist equipment, with a weight
of 75 kg per person, the following passenger capacity and deadweight components
are accepted: passenger capacity (number of people), outboard engine, fuel tank, fuel
supply ~ 20 kg and rescue equipment. The weight in the boat must be evenly
distributed along its length.
When purchasing an engine for your boat, try to select its power so that you can safely
reach the shore, moving against the wind and against the currents. Carefully read the
instruction manual for your outboard motor. Never install an engine on the boat that
exceeds the maximum power rating for your boat. When installing the engine, make
sure that it is securely fastened (pressed) to the boat. Remember, if the mounting
clamps are not properly secured (screwed) to the transom, the engine may loosen
during operation and even fall off the boat.
Do not allow solvents, acids, alkalis and other aggressive substances to come into
contact with the boat surface. If this happens, then the contaminated areas must be
thoroughly rinsed with water. Also, beware of exposure to the boat, any sharp objects.
It is unacceptable for water to enter the inside of the cylinders.
It is always necessary to have vests on board for all passengers (those passengers
who do not know how to swim should always be on board in a life jacket). For remote
sailing routes, take on board a flashlight, first aid kit, anchor, and safety line. Always
inform someone on the shore about the place of departure, the proposed route and
the time of the expected return;
If you operate an outboard motor, do not suddenly increase the speed; accelerate
smoothly and try to drop speed when turning – this is safer for the passengers and
would extend the lifetime of the boat & PVC. Be extra cautious at high speeds.
Oars or paddles and a repair parts kit should always be carried with the boat for
emergencies. Signalling devices, such as a whistle or air horn, must be carried on
board.
Refrain from smoking when you are on the boat or refuelling.
Be very careful about "shallows" or "unknown reefs". Reduce speed and proceed with
caution whenever you drive a boat in shallow water areas or in areas where you
suspect underwater obstacles may exist. These obstacles could be struck by the
bottom leg of the outboard or the boat bottom and cause severe damage to the boat
and or motor. Travel these areas with extreme caution to reduce injury or impact
damage from striking a floating or submerged object and reduce your boat speed.
Always check local navigational maps where the boat will be operated.
This manual suits for next models
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