Your AB inflatable boat can be used in many ways and can give you endless satisfaction. Nevertheless, its maintenance and its performance depend on a number of factors that are important to you, the owner, and which are respectively:

1. Correct & Balanced Inflation

Properly balanced inflation is the principal factor controlling the correct operation of the boat. It is important to know that:

a. The buoyancy chamber  should be inflated to a pressure of about 0.2 bar (3 psi).

b. The inflatable keel reaches a critical pressure very quickly, because of its very small volume. The recommended pressure is 0.25 - 0.25 bar (3 -3.75 psi).

c. The inflation varies with the temperature: one degree more or less will cause the pressure to vary by about 0.003 bar (0.045 psi). This pressure variation takes place as a result of temperature changes, without the air tightness of the buoyancy chambers being at fault. Furthermore, the pressure will drop when the boat is launched. It is therefore advisable to reinstate the correct pressure with the foot or hand pump after the boat has been launched or after it has been used for a few minutes.

2. Load Distribution

As a general rule, the load of a boat should be distributed along the centre line and rather towards the rear of the boat. Remember this in connection with fuel tanks, diving bottles and other heavy items.

Small items and light equipment will normally be stowed towards the aft. In the case of a rigid hull inflatable, within the bow hatch.

Water skis or spearguns should be placed against the buoyancy chambers or fixed to them. Once again if your inflatable is a R.I.B. then stow these items in any of the compartments designed for storage. Remember to protect the material from sharp objects, roughness or rubbing (sand is an excellent abrasive).

In heavy seas and brisk winds the load should be moved forward. In calm waters the load should be moved further aft.

With certain loads and with certain types of engines the boat may remain bow high and movement of the aft floorboard of your foldable inflatable may become apparent. This is a result of a critical speed of the outboard engine which should be overcome by accelerating smoothly and evenly in order to avoid excessive strain on the floorboards, the stringers and the transom. The driver and/or passenger may also move forward, in order to get the boat on plane, then return to their original seating position. Once the boat is planing, the speed can be reduced slowly.

Beware of overloading in the bow of the boat which will result in loss of speed. In rough weather a slight overloading at the bow will ease the motion of the craft.

Please check the load capacity of your inflatable either on the capacity plate located on the transom of your boat or on page or turn to the chapter on Specifications.

3. Outboard Engine Powering (Maximum)

It is your responsibility to decide on the proposed use of the boat before selecting the size of the outboard for your AB. Whilst it is admitted that it may be necessary to install an outboard motor of a particular horse power in order to retain manoeuvrability under bad sea conditions, it is dangerous to install an engine which horse power exceeds the recommended limits. For more details on recommended and maximum horsepower, please turn to chapter on Specifications.

The boat will become unnecessarily fatigued by the weight of an outboard engine larger than recommended resulting in excessive vibration, without the performance improving measurably.

We would therefore make the following recommendations with regard to the use of an outboard engine with your AB:

1.  Always read the engine owner’s manual carefully before installing and/or operating.

2.  In the case of the smaller dinghies: The clamps securing your outboard engine should be thoroughly tightened by hand. This clamping must be checked after 15 minutes underway.

3.  The motor should be in the centre of the boat that is to say in the middle of the transom.

4.  So as to prevent an accident and the loss of the engine, should it fall off the transom, attach an engine securing line (cable or rope) connecting the engine to the boat. You may use an existing stern eye or lifting ring as an attachment point near the stern.

5. Before tilting your motor, or before drawing the boat out of the water, disconnect the fuel line and allow the engine to run until the carburettor is dry, so that when the engine is tilted no fuel is discharged into the boat.

4. Proper Adjustment of the Outboard Engine

a) The adjustment of the angle of the outboard motor in relation to the transom is vital in order to ensure the correct performance of your boat.

As a general rule, the axis of your propeller should be parallel to the surface of the water when the boat is on plane.

If the outboard engine is too far away from the transom, the boat will tend to depress the stern when you start off.

If the motor is too close to the transom, the boat will have a tendency to ride nose down.

This adjustment can vary for the same outboard motor depending on the weight and position of the load and the condition of the sea. In order to use the boat under normal conditions, place the regulation index of the outboard motor on the 1st hole from the transom.

b) The height of the outboard engine will equally affect the performance of the boat in the following aspects:

            1. Water thrown up in the form of spray behind the transom.

            2. Alteration of the centre of thrust.

            3. Speed.

Most outboard motors can be mounted directly onto the transom engine mounting plate. When used for certain purposes (speed, heavy loads, etc.) a wooden batten of a thickness of between 0.5cms and 2cms (3/16" and 7/8") may be placed on top of the transom in order to raise the engine in relation to the transom.

There are many adjustments that may be made to the outboard engines and you will discover the best position for your outboard engine as a result of trials. For more information consult your marine dealer and the engine operator’s manual.