Raft Inflation
Inflate the raft using a hand, foot or an electric pump designed for inflatable boats. If using an electric pump for initial inflation, a hand pump must be used to top off the raft.

1. Remove the dust cap from the valve.
2. Push and turn the valve stem 1/4 turn to the right. This positions the valve stem in the up or closed position. Having the valve stem in the closed position allows air to be pumped into the chamber and will prevent the air from escaping.
3. Connect clear vinyl tubing adapter to the pump hose.
4. Insert vinyl tubing adapter into the valve on the boat.
5. Inflate the chamber to a soft pressure.
6. Repeat procedure for all chambers.
7. Once all chambers are softly inflated, top off all chambers to 2.5 psi.

If the boat starts to look disfigured when inflating, stop and release the air from the raft. Carefully unzip the boat and adjust the interior AIREcell so that it fills the disfigured area. Once the adjustment is completed, carefully close the zipper, replace the split ring and re-inflate the raft following the steps above. Do not over inflate.

Inflation Pressure:
A good rule for gauging the proper pressure is to push down with your thumb at the center of the tube. If you can deflect about a half an inch from the top plane of the tube, it will be close to 2.5 psi.

To Deflate:
Depress the valve stem and turn it 1/4 turn to the left (counter-clockwise). This positions the valve stem in the down or open position and will allow air to escape freely from the chamber. Changes in air temperature and elevation could cause the air inside the boat to expand which could cause the raft to burst. Always release some air when these conditions occur. Never leave your boat sitting in direct sunlight when it is out of the water.

Thwart Installation and Inflation
Items needed:
1 - Deflated thwart
2 - Hinge pins
1 - Vinyl tubing adapter
1 - Pump (not included)

1. Fully engage the knuckles from the thwart to the raft collar, align the holes and insert a hinge pin. Make sure not to skip any knuckles. Repeat procedure for opposite end of thwart.
2. Using the pump and vinyl tubing adapter, inflate the thwarts to 2.5 psi.

Floor Installation
The ends of the lacing ropes need to be heated enough to stiffen about 3-4 inches of rope for ease of threading the rope through the lacing loops. This can be accomplished by using a butane torch, stove, matches, or a lighter. The ropes should be soaked in soapy water for at least 5 minutes before lacing to reduce friction. The boat should be upside down and inflated to soft pressure, just enough to hold shape. The thwarts can be inflated and placed between the collar to support the floor while lacing. Determine which end of the boat to locate the floor valve (the E series rafts will have the floor valve in the bow) then, center the floor pocket on the partially inflated collar.

The starting point for the lacing is optional, but it is paramount that the floor pocket is correctly aligned with the collar. This can be checked by matching the angle changes of the floor pocket perimeter with the welded seams of the collar at the bow and stern of the raft. Pick a starting point on either side of the raft.

Begin by tying a knot in the center of one of the ropes, this prevents the rope from being pulled completely through the initial lace loop when snugging up the rope. Alternate threading the rope through floor and collar lace loops. The pattern should be every other lace loop on both the floor and the collar. Snug the rope up every 4 or 5 lace loops. WHEN PULLING THE SLACK TIGHT, ONLY PULL PARALLEL WITH THE LACE LOOPS, NEVER AT AN ANGLE!! THE ROPE MAY CUT AND DAMAGE THE LACE LOOP. The rope should be laced half of the distance around the collar. Now remove the knot where the lacing was started and continue the same alternating pattern in the opposite direction. Pull all of the slack out of the ropes and tie a series of half hitches to secure the ropes. The ends of the rope can be melted together to secure the knot. Stuff the knotted end back through the lacing so it will not be exposed on the bottom of the raft.

The complete process is then repeated for the remaining rope and lace loops. Depending on the amount of use, it is recommended to tighten the lacing periodically.