Zodiac CLASSIC MARK 1 User manual

1 /10
E
N
G
L
I
S
H
NOTE:
THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS IN TWO VOLUMES:
- VOLUME 1
DEALS WITH OPERATING PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT MUST BE OBSERVED.
- VOLUME 2
DEALS WITH TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND ASSEMBLY
PROCEDURE OF THE BOAT AND ITS EQUIPMENT.
VOLUME 2
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
ZODIAC
CLASSIC
MARK 1 - MARK 2C - MARK 2
CONTENTS
Page
Page
Assembly procedure
2
Pressure
8
Check on unpacking
2
Deflation - folding the boat
9
Assembly
3-4
APPENDIX
Inflation system
5-6
Table of technical specifications
I - II
General description
III –IV
Inflating the boat
7
Assembly of bench (option)
V
Assembly of bow bag
VI

2 / 10
ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
The boat assembly procedure follows an order you must respect. Proceed step by step,
referring each time to the pages indicated for explanations.
PROCEDURE
PAGE
SECTION
1. Make an inventory of the parts of the boat and get to
know them.
2
CHECK ON UNPACKING
I - IV
DESCRIPTION
2. Activate the valves in inflating position
5
INFLATION SYSTEM
3. Slightly inflate the main buoyancy tube
7
INFLATING THE BOAT
4. Assemble the floorboard (according to chosen
option)
3 - 4
ASSEMBLY
5. Finish inflation of the boat to the correct pressure
7
INFLATING THE BOAT
8
PRESSION
6. Install equipment
V - VI
ASSEMBLY OF EQUIPMENT
CHECK ON UNPACKING
ATTENTION
DO NOT USE A SHARP TOOL
(CUTTER, KNIFE, ETC.)
The pack must contain: 1 buoyancy tube +
ZODIAC CLASSIC
MARK 1
MARK 2C
MARK 2
Owner’s manual (2 volumes)
✓
✓
✓
Repair kit
✓
✓
✓
Standard equipment
Paddles
2
2
2
Pressure gauje
1
1
1
Foot-pump
✓
✓
✓
Mast and pennant
1
1
1
Bow bag
✓
✓
✓
Carrying bag
2
2
2
You can equip your boat with many optional accessories (transportation wheels, ladder, lifting
rings etc.). Ask your dealer to advise you.
NOTE:
IF YOU WISH TO ADD LIFTING RINGS (FOR PLACING ON THE DAVIT),
YOU MUST FIX THEM ON THE BUOYANCY TUBE, NEVER ON THE
FLOOR.

3 /10
E
N
G
L
I
S
H
ASSEMBLY
Choose a smooth and clean surface.
IF THE BUOYANCY TUBE WAS STORED AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW
0°C / 32°F, LEAVE IT AT 20°C / 68°F FOR 12 HOURS BEFORE
UNFOLDING.
FLOORBOARD ASSEMBLY - INSTALLATION OF THE RIGID FLOORBOARD:
•Sprinkle some starch in the angle (joint of the buoyancy tubes to the bottom –see figure 1.B) to
facilitate fitting. CAUTION, NEVER USE TALCUM POWDER.
•Make sure you identify the parts and direction in which they fit:
- The floorboard consists of 3 main sections and 2 sections in the bow [fig 1].
- You can identify the good position of sections by the stickers located on the right
corner of each section.
- The bow sections have an upside and a downside. The upside is identified by a label
representing the sun (8). Should the label be missing, see the stripes on the aluminum junction
sections. The scratches should be visible once the elements are assembled.
1. Slightly inflate the buoyancy tube (this will make it easier to install the floorboard items).
2. Insert the bow section (1) into the bow angle.
3. Insert the rear section (5) against the transom (6) as show on fig 1.
4. Fit all sections together [fig.1].
5. Position sections 3 and 4 as an apex (in a tent-like position) [fig 1 and 2].
6. Check that all sections are correctly aligned [fig 4].
7. Flatten the apex by standing on it (in the boat) and pulling the lifelines to prevent the fabric from
being pinched [fig. 2].
8. Check that the floorboard is correctly fitted in the angles.
9. Assemble the stringers (see instructions bellow).
ASSEMBLY OF THE STRINGERS
The stringers are essential for correct operation of the boat: they lock the floorboard together and
rigidify its structure.
1. To facilitate the fitting of the stringers (7) if the ground is not a flat surface, slide the paddles under
the boat, about 20 cm on either sides of the boat centreline [fig. 3-a].
DO NOT PUT THE PADDLES IN POSITION UNDER THE BOAT UNTIL
THE FLOOR IS FLATTENED:
THEY COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE SHOCK.
2. Position the stringers on the edge of the floorboard. The reference mark on the stringer (8) must
remain on top [fig. 3].
3. Fit correctly the stringers between the two buffers (9) of sections 3 and 5 [fig. 4].
4. Rotate the stringers so that they press against the floorboard and fit correctly in the angle [fig. 3
and 4].
5. Because of the self-locking system of the floorboard, the stingers will fit into place once the
buoyancy tube is inflated.

4 / 10
ASSEMBLY
fig 1-A
fig 1-B
a- floorboard b- buoyancy
tube
c- angle d- bottom
fig 2
154
23 6
fig 3
fig 4
7
8
12 3 4 579
a
b
c
d

5 /10
E
N
G
L
I
S
H
INFLATION SYSTEM
THE FOOT PUMP
a. connecting tip
b. hose end piece
c. hose base
d. outlet for inflation
a
b
cd
THE STANDARD VALVES
(1) cap (2) valve insert (3) base
To activate the standard valves into INFLATION
position:
•Free the valve insert from its protection.
•Unscrew the valve cap.
•Screw the valve insert onto its base (screw it tight
but without exaggeration, not to deteriorate the
screw thread) and check that the valve cap
remains accessible.
To deflate:
Unscrew the valve insert from its base
1
2
3
SEMI BUILT-IN VALVES
To activate the semi built-in valves:
in inflating position
in deflating position
Push and turn the knob one-
quarter of a turn
The membrane is closed, the knob
is up
The membrane is open, the knob is
down
NOTE:
NEVER TIGHTEN TOO MUCH: YOU COULD
UNSCREW THE ENTIRE INTERNAL INFLATION
SYSTEM OF THE VALVE

6 / 10
INFLATION SYSTEM
PRESSURE INDICATOR

7 /10
E
N
G
L
I
S
H
INFLATING THE BOAT
Activate all valves in inflating position
Fix the hose base in the inflator inflating orifice
To inflate your boat properly, the inflator should be
correctly placed on the ground.
The boat inflates rapidly if the inflator is used
smoothly and without haste.
ATTENTION
DO NOT USE A COMPRESSOR OR COMPRESSED AIR CYLINDER
NEVER OVER INFLATE THE BUOYANCY MECHANISM OR THE KEEL:
BURSTING HAZARD.
You can us the electrical air pump ACCESS (ask your Dealer).
1-INFLATING THE BUOYANCY MECHANISM
•Place the adapter corresponding to the diameter of the semi-built in valve at the inflator pipe
nozzle.
•Inflate the buoyancy mechanism, balancing the pressure between the different compartments
until the partitions (a) are no longer visible (pressure = 240 mb)
NEVER PRESSURISE A
COMPARTMENT WHEN
THE OTHERS ARE
COMPLETELY DEFLATED
a
100 % 0 % 0 %
1
50 % 50 % 50 %
2
100 % 100 % 100 %
2-INFLATING THE KEEL
•Once the floor is assembled, start inflation (pressure = 240 mb, see "PRESSURE" section)
Inflating is complete: fit the inflation valve caps tight.
NOTE:
A slight air leak is normal before the valve cap is screwed on
ONLY THE VALVE CAPS CAN ENSURE FINAL AIR TIGHTNESS.

8 / 10
PRESSURE
The correct pressure for the buoyancy tube and the keel is 240 mb/3,48 PSI (middle of the
green area of the pressure indicator).
If your boat is not equipped with an ACCESS pressure indicator, we recommend that you
purchase one from your Dealer. This will permit a quick and efficient control of the pressure
during inflation. Without a pressure indicator, stop inflating when buoyancy tube is sufficiently
hard so that the cones on the rear section of the buoyancy tube cannot be bent manually.
The ambient temperature of the air or
water proportionately influences the
level of internal pressure in the
buoyancy mechanism
Ambient Temperature
Internal buoyancy
mechanism pressure
+1°C
+4 mb / 0.06 PSI
-1 °C
-4 mb / 0.06 PSI
Thus, it is important to anticipate:
Because of temperature variations (especially when this variation is important between the
beginning and the end of the day, in hot areas) check and adjust the pressure in the inflated
compartments by inflating or deflating. Be sure that pressure remains within the
recommended zone, between 220 mb and 270 mb (green area).
RISK OF UNDERPRESSURE:
EXAMPLE: Your boat is exposed on a beach in the sun (temperature=50 °C) at the
recommended pressure (240 mb/3.48 PSI). When you launch it (temperature=20 °C), the
temperature and internal pressure of the inflatable compartments will drop simultaneously (up
to 120 mb) and YOU WILL THEN NEED TO REFLATE until you regain the millibars lost due to
the difference between the ambient air and water temperatures. A drop in pressure at the end
of the day, when the outside temperature is dropping, is normal.
NOTE:
Proper inflation is critical to the performance of the boat. It is the pressure
in the tubes that gives your boat the necessary rigidity to perform well.
Under-inflation causes improper flexing of the tubes which will cause
early aging.
RISK OF OVERPRESSURE
EXAMPLE: Your boat is inflated to its recommended pressure (240 mb/3.48 PSI) at the
beginning or end of the day (low outside temperature = 10 °C). Later in the day, your boat is
exposed in the sun on the beach or on a yacht deck (temperature = 50 °C). The temperature
inside the inflatable compartments may rise to 70 °C (particularly for dark buoyancy units),
doubling the initial pressure (480 mb). YOU WILL THEN NEED TO DEFLATE the boat to return to
the recommended pressure.
ATTENTION
IF YOUR BOAT IS OVERINFLATED, THERE WILL BE UNDUE PRESSURE
ON THE INFLATABLE STRUCTURE THAT MAY RUPTURE IT.
IN CASE OF OVERPRESSURE
STANDARD VALVE (A):
Free some air by pushing on
the diaphragm (1) with a blunt
object (like a pencil). Beware
not to fold down the
diaphragm.
SEMI-RECESSED VALVE (B):
Release some air by pressing
the valve knob.
A
1
B

9 /10
E
N
G
L
I
S
H

10 / 10
DEFLATING / FOLDING THE BOAT
1. Deflate the boat.
2. Put the valve protections back in position for storage.
3. Remove the various equipment items.
4. Remove the floorboard (apply the assembly procedure in the reverse order).
5. Empty the boat of all water and sand by opening the self-bailers (dry the boat thoroughly in
case of long storage).
6. Fold in the 2 sides of the main buoyancy tube (A), fold the cones onto the transom, then roll
up the boat around the transom (C). Start again if you feel there is still some air left in the
tubes.
A
B
buoyancy tube floor
tube deflated
C
Stow the boat in its bags as follows (D):
.In the first bag, stow the floorboard sections and stringers, in the second the buoyancy
tube.
. Close the bag and fasten the two front straps.
. Tighten the side ropes (make sure that all equipment stays inside).
. To finish, store the foot-pump in the front pocket.
D