NRS Freestone Drifter User manual

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
FREESTONE
Tools needed:
You’ll need a 7/16" socket and a 7/16" end wrench. We’ve included a 1/4" drive ratchet, 1/2" socket, and #4 Phillips socket. Two
people working together will make the assembly much easier.
Frame hardware included (additional hardware is included with the Foot Pegs, Seat Mounts, and Flip Seat Mount):
56 ea. – 5/16" washers
12 ea. – 5/16" - 18 x 3/4"
screws
2 ea. – 5/16" - 18 x 1-3/4" bolts
1 ea. – 5/16" - 18 x 2-1/2" bolts
2 ea. – 5/16" fender washers
55 ea. – 5/16" nylon lock nuts
25 ea. – 5/16"
NRS standard frame U-bolts
1. Lay the Drifter Hull out on a level surface, with room to move around it. Below, when referring to the left and right sides, look
from the stern to the bow. Completely unpack the frame, unwrap parts and arrange similar items together.
2. Fully inflate the floor to 8-9 psi. Inflate the sidewalls until fully formed, but still soft. Install the black plastic battens in the loops
on the inside of the hull.
3. Install them with the grooves to the inside of the hull and the end with the shortest distance to the threaded insert downward.
The end of the batten should touch the floor.
4. Attach ClampITs to all three battens. Place the aluminum ClampIT Insert into the ClampIT. Tighten securely with the 3/4"
screws, using the included #4 Phillips Socket. Orient the hinge side of the bow and stern ClampITs toward the center of the
boat. Orientation of the center ClampIT hinges can be either way.
5. We’ll refer to the three cross members that attach to the battens as “Thwarts.” The Thwart, with ClampITs already installed,
attaches to the center battens. The wider of the two remaining thwarts attaches to the bow battens. The narrower thwart
attaches to the stern battens.
6. Place the center thwart in the boat, with the bends touching the floor, and engage the ClampITs. On all the ClampITs, put the
wire bail in the center notch.
7. Now, assemble the front and back Casting Platforms, outside the boat. The front one has one notch in the decking and the
rear one has two notches. We recommend treating the raw wood edges of the platforms with a waterproofing stain or sealer.
1 ea. – 5/16"
NRS oversized frame U-bolt
12 ea. – ClampIT inserts
12 ea. NRS ClampIT
Accessory Mounts

8. We’ll start with the front Platform. Attach the Platform to the wider Thwarts with U-bolts. Each U-bolt will use two washers and
two nuts. Don’t tighten completely at this time.
9. Attach the Front Thigh Hook Support (the bent one) with a U-bolt, making sure to attach the end with two bolts securing the
LoPro. Start with the Support laid out flat. Tighten the inboard nut (the one toward the platform at this point) until the threads
just pass through the nut’s nylock insert. Rotate the Support vertical and tighten the other nut.
10. Now set the assembly inside the boat and secure the lower ClampITs to the Thwart. Leave the upper ClampITs loose until
you install the Side Rails.
11. Attach the Front Seat Support (the U-shaped one) to the Thwart with U-bolts. Attach a Universal Seat Mount to the Seat
Support (instructions come with the USM). Make sure the Seat Support is vertical and the USM is level. Add Swivel Seat
using the four bolts, washers and nylock nuts included with the seat. You’ll need the 7/16" socket and 7/16" end wrench here.
Add the curved Thigh Hook to the Thigh Hook Support. Adjust the Thigh Hook to a comfortable position and tighten all the
U-bolts.
12. Now assemble the rear Casting Platform, again outside the boat, following Steps 8-11 above. The rear Seat Bar is also
U-shaped, but with a “dog-leg bend”. Follow the same directions for attaching the Seat Bar LoPros to the Platform as you did
the front Platform Thigh Hook Support: Tighten the inboard legs of the U-bolts only until the threads come through the nut’s
nylock insert. Then raise the Support and fully tighten the other nut.
13. Attach the end of the rear Thigh Hook Support, the end that has two bolts securing the LoPro, to the rear Thwart.
14. Now attach the Side Rails. Orient the ends of the rails with double bends toward the stern. Slide U-bolts between the batten
tops and pipe on the bow and stern Thwarts. Slide Side Rail LoPro ends over the U-bolts, making sure the Rail fits in the
center thwart ClampIT, then add washers and nuts. Leave the nuts loose until the Cross Bar and Foot Bar are attached.
15. Attach the Cross Bar and Foot Bar, leaving the U-bolts loose enough for adjusting them fore and aft. On the right end of the
Cross Bar, use the oversized U-bolt, and before adding washers and nuts place the Anchor System Intermediate Pulley on
the LoPro.. Allow the Cross Bar and Foot Bar to determine the Side Rail height. Now tighten U-bolts on the ends of the Side
Rails and tighten the center ClampIT.
16. Attach the Flip Seat Mount to the center of the center Thwart.
17. Insert the Dry Box between the center Thwart and Cross Bar. Complete tightening of the Cross Bar U-bolts.
18. Install High-Back Seat to the Flip Seat Mount. We’ve found it works best to bolt to the first and third set of holes from the front
of the Mount.
19. Attach Foot Pegs to the Foot Bar. Place Oar Mounts on the Side Rails, approximately 12"-14" in front of the center thwart. Add
U-bolts and tighten. Add Cobra Oarlocks.
20. Move Foot Bar where needed for good support for the rower and tighten the U-bolts.
21. Now install the rest of the Anchor System. Install the Remote Bracket with Jam Cleat and Pulley on the Foot Bar. Remove 2"
LoPro bolt on right side of Foot Bar. Replace that bolt with the 2-1/2" bolt, flat washer on both ends, and nylock nut. Tighten
bolt.
22. Install the Anchor Mast. Use two 1-3/4" bolts, with large fender washers on inside of transom, and with flat washers and nylock
nuts on the outside. Tighten bolts.
23. Make sure all the U-bolts are now tight.
24. Attach Stripping Baskets to Thigh Hooks.
25. Finish inflating sidewalls to operating pressure (8-9 psi).
26. If you have any questions, give us a call at 800.635.5202.
48123 Ver. 3
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