GRABNER Happy Cat Hurricane Sailboat Owner’s Manual

GRABNER Happy Cat Hurricane Sailboat

Introduction

DEAR FRIEND OF WATER SPORTS!
Congratulation on the purchase of your new boat! May you have many hours of enjoyment with it during your time of leisure and holiday! This information brochure is aimed to assist your correct assembly and maintenance efforts.
Read all chapters carefully. That saves annoyance and prolongs the life of your boat.
We trust the boat will give you great satisfaction. Your recommendation to friends and acquaintances will be appreciated.
So that you may get on the water soon, we shall delay your “studies” no longer.

ATTENTION!
Please carefully read chapter 1 and 2 of the instructions prior to first use of your boat and take due notice of all the important hints.
So as to preserve your entitlement to guarantee cover, fill out the online form – warranty card.

www.grabner.com

Information Hints

ATTENTION!
Ignoring instructions may inhibit performance and safety aspects!

WARNING!
Ignoring instructions may cause damage to material and risk life!

TYPE SIGN

WARNING!
Data specified on specification labels must under no circumstances be exceeded!

1. Boat type
2. CE -identification
3. Serial number
4. Norm
5. Category of norm
6. Category of EU regulation
7. Manufacturer and country of manufacture
8. Maximum engine output
9. Maximum engine weight
10. Maximum load capacity (Persons + luggage + engine)
11. Maximum people carrying capacity
12. Recommended operating pressure
13. Maximum admissible sail area
    

EU REGULATION CATEGORIES

C – Costal-inshore waters :
For operation in coastal-inshore waters, large lagoons, estuaries, lakes, on rivers where weather conditions up to wind force 6 inclusive and waves to a height of up to 2m inclusive may occur.

D – Sheltered costal inshore waters :
Sheltered coastal inshore waters, small lagoons, small lakes, small rivers and canals, where weather conditions to wind force 4 inclusive and waves to a height of up to 0.3 m or 0.5 m may occur occasionally, i.e. From the wash of passing ships.

VALVE – INFLATION

VALVE ACTIVATION

Opening or closing valve
Press and twist green button clock- or anti clockwise by a quarter turn.
The valve remains in position closed or opened.

valve open
Green button in pressed down position.

valve closed
Green button in up position.

fastening or removing valve cap
Place valve cap onto the valve, screw clock- and respectively anti-clockwise.

INFLATING THE BOAT

Close the valves.

Boats without built-in pressure relief valve

Put the fitting adapter on the hose of your pump.

Put the hose with adapter on the pressure relief adapter.

Lock the pressure relief adapter with the bayonet connection on the air valve (place on the valve, push and turn to the right).

Boats with built-in pressure relief valve

Put the bayonet adapter on the hose of your pump.

Lock the bayonet adapter on the air valve (place on the valve, push and turn to the right).

Now inflate the side tubes and bottom as far, so that the final shape becomes apparent.
Thereafter only proceed inflating to the operating pressure (0.3 bar) until the pressure relief valve releases air (sibilant sound).
Remove pressure relief adapter/bayonet adapter and tube from the valve.

Cover the valve with the valve cap (bayonet cap).

ATTENTION!
To avoid escape of air, the valve cap retention-line must not get caught in the screw-thread.

ATTENTION!
Valve cup must firmly close! Prerequisite that the valve remains 100% tight.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
It is possible, that after the first few inflations, the flush fitting air valve (or pressure relief valve) may somewhat slacken and loose some air. (by expansion and retraction of the boat-skin).

Should that occur with your boat, proceed as following:
Boot Inflate the boat to operating pressure.
Place valve key onto the valve.
Turn the valve key clockwise until resistance becomes too strong.

RELEASE THE AIR

Unscrew valve cap.
Open the valve.

EXCHANGE OR CLEAN THE VALVE

If the valve should be defective or contaminated, you can easily remove it and clean or replace it.

Replace the top section of the valve only; the interior part will be re-used.

• Inflate the bottom and side tubes as far that the final shape becomes apparent.
• Place the valve key onto the valve.
• Unwind the valve by a few turns.
• Extract air completely.
• Keep a firm hold on the interior part of the valve, via the boat-skin with one hand, and unscrew the valve altogether.

Make sure, that the interior part does not slip away. That part of the valve remains inside the tube.

• Clean the valve under running water and check the seal for possible damage.
• Clean the boat-skin around the valve opening.
• You may apply a little silicone spray around the thread of the valve.
• Screw the new or cleaned valve into place.
• Inflate the boat.
• Now tighten the valve.

BUILT-IN PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES

Some models have built in pressure relief valves as standard. These prevent that by sunlight (heating the air in the tube), the pressure is too high, and the boat is damaged.
Relief valves are set to 0.3 bar, if the pressure is higher the valve opens automatically an deflate the tube. If the air in the tubes cools down, the pressure fall and the boat needs to be repumped on operating pressure 0.3 bar.

EXCHANGE OR CLEAN THE VALVE

If the pressure relief valve should be defective, leaking or contaminated, you can easily remove it and clean or replace it.

Replace the top section of the valve only; the interior part will be re-used.

• Remove the cover cap, e.g. with a small screwdriver.
• Proceed as described for the inflation valve on page 8.
• Press the cover cap back onto the pressure relief valve.
  

PRESSURE RELIEF ADAPTER

To inflate GRABNER boats, without built-in pressure relief valve, use only the pressure relief adapter. The pressure relief valve in the adapter opens at 0.3 bar. Thus, the boat can never be too much pumped up.

remove air with the pressure relief adapter

To remove air, you have to pull off the check valve.

Replace the check valve to inflate.

If the pressure relief adapter deflate too early, the spring may have got stuck inside.

• Remove the check valve and press the spring, or tighten the nut.
• The nut must be screwed in so far that it is level with the bolt.
  

Reattach the check valve.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

• Prior to packing, the boat is given a thorough gloss-polish boat care treatment. It is possible, that some excess polish cream residue shows on the boat-skin. In such case just use a soft dry cloth to wipe it off.

• On bonding sections of bottom-, side tubes and decking, creases may form at folding and bending points, and on the inside adhesive residue may be found.

• Since the boats are handcrafted and made of rubber, which is a natural product, small blemishes and points of impression can not entirely be avoided. That though does not diminish the quality of the boat in any kind or form, nor does it affect safety of operation and durability.

• As the boats are hand-crafted, material may during the process of vulcanization shrink a little along the bonded seams and corrugations. From that small creases and a slight asymmetric shape may develop. That though does not diminish the quality of the boat in any kind of form, nor does it affect safety of operation.

• Boats with seat boards (XR-TREKKING, OUTSIDE, ADVENTURE, SPEED, MUSTANG, MUSTANG S, MUSTANG GT) where seat-boards touch the tubes, bonded re-enforcement patches have been placed. These patches serve to protect the tube against wear that has been caused by the movement of the boat. When seat boards leave traces of chafe, that does not constitute a fault. That is the reason why re-enforcement patches are bonded in place.

• A 20 % loss of operating pressure within a 24 hour period, at constant remaining outdoor temperature and atmospheric pressure is within norm and constitutes no reason for a claim!
  Operating air pressure 0,30 bar
  – loss of pressure (20 %) 0,06 bar
  = Norm pressure 0,24 bar
  A change of temperature by 1° alters the operating pressure by appr. 0.004 bar.

• Also stainless steel can rust. When metal particles that are in the air or the water, sit down on the surface, they start to rust and can attack also the stainless steel. Remove rust always as quickly as possible. Remove it with a non-metallic brush and water and the rest with stainless steel polishing.

• No water must get inside the tubes. Should that occur however, the tubes should be emptied and dried out as soon as possible. Water on the inside may damage the interior rubber lining and may lead to corrugations becoming defective.

• On land reduce the air pressure at least 0,15 bar, to avoid damage from heat and overpressure.

CARE AND STORAGE

Correct care and storage helps to preserve the value and durability of your boat. Your boat is very resilient and easy to maintain. So as to enjoy your boat for many years to come, please observe the following points.

AFTER USE

• Clean your boat and accessories after ever use, do avoid damage caused by sand stones….
• After every operation in salt water, always rinse with fresh water.
• Dry your boat and accessories prior to packing.

CLEANING AND CARE OF THE BOAT-SKIN

• Clean your boat with lukewarm soap water.

• Lime deposits my be removed with diluted citric acid.
  Do not use aggressive cleaning agents or thinners!

• Fill the GRABNER-boat care agent (special accessories) into a spray bottle.

• Spray the boat care agent on the dry boat-skin.

• After a short waiting time (approx. 1 minute), spread the care product with a soft cloth.

The care should be made especially after operation in salt water, prior to winter storage, and after frequent use.

CLEANING AND CARE OF THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS

• Cleanse the plastic components with warm water (max. 70° C) and domestic detergents.
• Do not use scouring agents, caloric agents or those cleaners containing ammonia.
• Plastic components must not come into contact with stain removers, iodine, nail varnish, nail remover and acetone.
• Major soiling may be removed with methylated spirit.
• Lime deposits my be removed with diluted vinegar essence.

CLEANING AND CARE OF THE METAL COMPONENTS

• Cleanse metal components with warm water and domestic detergents.
• Use silicon spray or -grease only (special accessories) to lubricate connectors, floor rails, paddle pushin connections, valves etc.
• Remove rust an stainless steel with a non-metallic brush and water and the rest with stainless steel polishing.

STORAGE

• Repair any defects prior to winter storage.
• The boat should be stored slightly inflated. For lack of adequate space you my store the boat loosely rolled up but under no circumstances leave it lashed up.
• During storage the boat should not be weighted upon!
• Store the boat at a dry place, protected from sunlight.
• The boat must not be exposed to major changes of temperature.
• Best storage-temperature is between 5°C and 20 °C. The temperature must not under – 20 °C and over + 40 °C.
• Ensure that the place of storage is free from mice and other rodents.

HOW TO AVOID DAMAGE

So as to protect your boat against damage, take due note of the following:

• Assemble your boat always in the correct sequence as stated under “ASSEMBLY”

• At all times adhere to this instruction manual.

• Never pump your boat above operating pressure 0.3 bar.

• On land reduce the air pressure at least 0,15 bar, to avoid damage from heat and overpressure.

• Protect your boat against unnecessary excessive sunlight.

• When laid up on land, always endeavour a shaded place, or cover the boat with a tarpaulin or a cloth.
  By direct sun, which automatically raises the pressure! (a 1° rise of temperature = appr. 0.004 bar pressure rise)

• Never use compressed air to inflate.

• Protect your boat from sharp and spiky objects.

• Never drag your boat over sand, stones …, but carry it, using the carrying handles provide.

• Whilst under way avoid unnecessary grounding.

• Only carry the boat by the carrying handles.

• After use remove any salt residues from your boat

• Never use aggressive cleaning agents for cleansing.

• Never use high pressure cleaners or steam cleaners for cleansing your boat.

• Use GRABNER-boat care agents only.

• Use silicon spray or silicon grease for lubrication only.

• When under engine power, avoid spillage of oil, grease or battery acid onto the boat-skin.
  WARNING!
  Petrol, oil, greases and battery acid may dissolve the rubber.

• Avoid sun cream, sun oil, insect repellent to get in contact with the boat-skin.
  WARNING!
  Sun cream, sun oil, insect repellent may affect and dissolve the rubber.

REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

So as to enable you to carry out minor repairs yourself, there is a repair set specially provided for that purpose.
The repair set comprises a tube of adhesive, repair patches, abrasive paper, repair guide, valve key, bayonet adapter, all in a plastic container.

IN THAT MANNER SMALL CUTS OR TEARS CAN BE MENDED

• Carry out repairs in well ventilated rooms and protected from direct sun light.
• Best suited bonding temperature is between 15° and 25° C.
• Deflate the boat.
• Look for a suitable repair patch (Patch must be 3-5 cm longer and wider than the defect area).

Always round the corners!

• Mark the repair patch on the boat-skin.
• Roughen the reverse side of the repair patch and the defect area by using the abrasive paper.

Do not scratch the webbing layer!

• Clean the roughened repair patch and repair area, using GRABNER-thinner alcohol, or medic alcohol (not included in supply).

The roughened spaces must be absolute free from dust and grease!

• Apply a thin film of adhesive on both the repair patch and repair area.

It is important that the layer of adhesive is thin, for too much adhesive may not completely harden and fail to bond satisfactory!

• Leave the adhesive to dry 5 – 10 minutes, until the film becomes dull.
• Apply a 2nd layer of adhesive thinly.
• Repeat drying process for appr. 5 – 10 minutes.

Do not touch adhesive covered areas with your hand!
Close tube immediately after use!

• Place the repair patches over the repair area and apply firm pressure.
• Remove any adhesive residues using GRABNER-thinner (not included in supply) and again apply firm pressure on the repair patch.

Thinner must not run into the bonded area – for risk that bonding will not hold.

• Wait two hours at least before using your boat again. Better still, leave the boat over night in a deflated state.

WARNING!

• Do not use the adhesive in strong sunlight.
• Ensure good ventilation of closed rooms!
• Keep the adhesive out of reach for children!
• Do not use the adhesive close to open fire – RISK OF FIRE!

IMPORTANT NOTICE
For major repairs, refer to your dealer or the GRABNER-repair shop Always have repairs carried out at the end of the boating season, so that you do not have to endure longer waiting cues either before or during the boating season.

COMMISSIONING GUIDE LINES

FUNCTION CHECK OF THE MATERIAL

• Check for correct operating pressure. (too little pressure may strongly inhibit performance)
• Check valves.
• Check the boat-skin for damages.

SAFETY NOTICE

• Safety comes 1st. Learn to avoid accidents!
• Check for rules and legal regulations of the country and region of your operation.
• Respect and adhere to local regulations.
• Always remain responsible and aware.- Never neglect safety regulations. You would endanger your life and the life of others.
• Learn to master your boat at all times.
• Check for weather reports, local currents, tides and wind conditions.

WARNING!

• Watch for offshore winds and currents.

• Always tie up your boat securely when ashore.

• Inform a person on land about your intended destination, and your estimated arrival there and your return.

• Ensure that in the event of emergency one of your crew will be able to take control of your boat.

• Take protective precautions during hot weather and sun.

• Take plenty of drinking water with you on your trip.

• Wear adequate protective clothing during cold weather.

• Stow your luggage in waterproof bags, dry-bags, or plastic containers.

• Secure luggage carried aboard against loss by lashing it down with lines or straps.
  Have no lines or objects hang over the side of the boat. That is dangerous. They may get caught up along rocks or overhanging branches.

• Never hook or tie yourself onto the boat by means of a line or cowtail – in the event of capsize this will ENDANGER LIFE!

• When coming ashore, make sure that all passengers and crew have their arms and legs inside the boat perimeter – risk of injury!

• Never handle a boat when under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine. Also ensure to keep passengers and crew sober.

GUIDE LINES FOR ENGINE OPERATION

• Observe the rules, regulations that apply by law in the country or region of your operation. (License requirements, registration and restrictions)
• Take note of the operating instructions for your engine.
• Check firm fit of engine clamping screws.
• Secure your outboard engine to the boat with a line or chain.
• Refill fuel and oil.
• Learn to estimate the distance you can cover with one tank filling of fuel.
• Ensure that you always carry an adequate tank filling of fuel to reach a harbour.
• When proceeding close to shore, make sure you are moving in waters that are marked as approved, and keep a look-out at all times.
• Keep clear of diving operations and of swimmers. Should you come close to divers and swimmers, turn your engine off.
• Never use an engine with a higher output or weigh than specified at the manufacturer’s specification label or owners manual. You would contravene law and you could loose control over your boat, and thus suffer loss of your boat and endanger human life.
• Do not use open fire or smoke near fuel containers. DANGER OF EXPLOSION.

BOAT TRIM

• The weight on the boat, (persons and equipment should be spread lengthwise, in a manner, that the craft becomes slightly stern heavy – hence the centre of lengthwise gravity to be slightly aft of midships, whereas the centre of crossbeam gravity shall be midships precisely.

WARNING!
Poor trim can dangerously destabilise the boat and lead to loss of control or capsize.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Check rules and regulations that apply by law in the country or region of your operation.

• You, your passengers and crew shall always wear life jackets conforming
  to [EN 393 (ISO EN 12402 Teil 5),
  EN 395 (ISO EN 12402 Teil 4) oder
  EN 396 (ISO EN 12402 Teil 3)] – That
  applies in particular to white-water operation.

• Proceeding on white-water, a helmet conforming to (EN 1385) shall be worn.

• Wear a neoprene suit, -boots, and -jacket during cold weather and when engaged in white-water sport.

• Carry an air pump, spare paddle, repair set and tools.

• 1-2 boat lines

• Emergency equipment prescribed by law.

• Boat papers, certificate of proficiency /licence and ID Card.

IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

• Respect flora and fauna
• Avoid unnecessary noise
• Do not leave your garbage behind
• Do not pour oil or other fuels into the water
• Use environmentally friendly detergents only
• Avoid creating excessive wash

We all bear responsibility for a clean and healthy environment. If everyone follows these rules, we can contribute to the earth remaining intact for future generations.

WARRANTY

• GRABNER inflatable boats are quality products covered by warranty.
• During production all boats undergo nu-merous checks: Laboratory examination of the boat-skin, bondingand vulcanisation sampling checks, rigidity- visual- and measuring checks, 24 hour checks on air tight and pressure-keeping properties, check list and final control check.
• Should a deficiency occur in spit of these many checks, the GRABNER Company grants a

2 years new-boat-warranty
7 years boat-skin-warranty

CONDITIONAL TO WARRANTY CLAIMS

• Fill out the – warranty online registration – , within 3 weeks from purchase:
• The warranty is valid and assigned to the first purchaser only.
  www.grabner.com

2 YEARS NEW-BOAT-WARRANTY

A warranty claim is any defect in the boat that is due to a manufacturing or material defect.

7 YEARS BOAT-SKIN-WARRANTY

The boat-skin-warranty relates directly to the boat material, e.g. rubber coming away from the base fabric or porosity of the rubber.
Any processing- or gluing errors are not covered by the boat-skin-warranty.

NOT ACCEPTED AS WARRANTY CLAIMS ARE

• Over-inflation of the tubes (can be detected precisely at the factory)
• Damage caused by using compressors to inflate
• Damages due to pressure gauges showing incorrect pressure
• Mechanical damage to the boat
• Normal wear and tear
• Damages caused by normal wear and tear
• Other manipulation and effects there from caused by force
• Damage resulting from transport, from the dealer to yourself
• If service and/or repair is carried out by third party, other than authorised service and repair centres, during the guarantee period
• When repair materials and/or original parts other than those specified by GRABNER have been applied
• When the use has been of commercial kind
• Loss of pressure within the norm. – as per norm, the boat may loose up to 20 % of pressure within a 24 hour period
• Small blemishes and pressure marks in the rubber
• Damage caused to the interior rubber by water inside the tubes
• Damage caused by petrol, oil, or battery acid
• Damage caused by sun cream, sun oil, or pesticide
• Damage caused by high pressureand steam cleaners
• Damage caused by aggressive cleaning- or care agents
• Damage caused by incorrect assembly and dismantling
• Damage caused by not following operating instructions
• Damage caused by incorrect storage
• Damage caused by insufficient cleansing, care and servicing.
• Damage caused by excessive heat and thus increased air pressure
• Damage caused by a capsize
• Damage due to excessive engine power or engine weight
• Damage caused by sailing over the permissible wind force
• Worn out weare parts
• Damages caused by being tied to a buoy, a jetty, …
• Design and realisation

DEALING WITH CLAIMS UNDER WARRANTY

In the event of claim, you should proceed as following:

• Deliver your boat or the damaged part to your dealer (place of sale).
• Submit the ORIGINAL PURCHACE INVOICE to your boat-dealer.
• Explain to the dealer in writing and pictures exact details of the damage on your boat or accessory. The dealer will then arrange for the rest.
• If you return your boat to the GRABNER-Company direct, attach a copy of the PURCHASE INVOICE, and an exact description and pictures of the damage.
• If the claim is accepted, the GRABNER-Company shall bear the costs of delivery and return from and the dealer to the factory, and the return, but not the transport cost arising between consumer and dealer.
• The sender shall opt for the most economic means of transport.
• The GRABNER-Company reserves the right not to accept unreasonable extra transport and to debit claiming reimbursement.
• In the event that the defective boat or part has not been returned, the GRABNER-Company will supply replacement against prepayment only.

CLAIMS RECOGNISED AS JUSTIFIED SHALL BE TREATED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER

• Repair of the boat and/or the defective part.
• If flawless repair is not possible – the boat or the affected part will be subject to exchange on par.
• Should your boat be left with an optical deficiency and disadvantage against the original state of the craft as a result of the repair under guarantee, a price reduction relative to the quality grade will be effected.
• Return of the boat for credit-note and credit is NOT POSSIBLE.

It is at the GRABNER GmbH’s discretion whether the boat shall be repaired, exchanged, or a price reduction be granted. Claims for refund are excluded.
Exchanged parts are property of the GRABNER-Company. Guarantee entitlement is not transferable from buyer to other persons.

Is a boat or accessory submitted under claim of warranty, where conclusion is come to after examination, that the claim is not justified, an estimate of cost will be made in writing for the chargeable repair.

Activated warranty does not extend the warranty.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Compliance with, and abidance to all chapters and directions of the instruction and operating manual, as well usage, method of treatment and maintenance, can not be monitored by the GRABNER-Company.
For that reason the GRABMER-Company can not accept responsibility for loss, damage and costs arising what-soever direct or consequential from incorrect handling and operation.

Customer Support

Weistracherstraße 11
3350 HAAG, Österreich
Tel: +43(0)7434/42251
Fax: +43(0)7434/42251-66
Mail: [email protected]
www.grabner.com

References

• Grabner Boote - Aufblasbare Kajaks, Kanus, Segelkatamarane

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>