Installing your Mohawk saddle system
THERE ARE 3 STEPS TO OUTFITTING A PLAYBOAT
1. Layout, which is locating and marking the position of each piece.
2. Gluing vinyl to vinyl (side anchors, floor anchors)
3. Gluing foam to vinyl (saddles & knee pads)
LAYOUT: First, draw a centerline on the floor from bow to stern long enough to reach both airbag tie-down pads. The easiest way to do this is to measure down from the gunwale to an approximate center point on the floor.
When this point is the same measurement from both the left and right gunwale, you have the center. Do this at two points on the boat at least 24” either side of center. Draw a line thru each point and you have a center line. See (Fig 1).
Now, using the measurement from (Fig 2), place the saddle on the centerline and outline the entire saddle with a pencil on the floor. Using the measurements from (Fig 3), place side anchors in proper position in relationship to the saddle, then outline with pencil, mark it left or right side then set them aside.
Gluing anchor pads with Vyna Bond. Failure to follow manufacturers directions may cause structural damage to any Royalex hull. Apply a coat of glue to the pad and to the hull surface where pad is to be placed. Be sure glue is dry to the touch. A setting time of 5-10 minutes is usually enough. This is crucial to establishing a good bond and to prevent structural damage to the hull.
If you are using Vyna Bond, follow these instructions:
Prior to gluing, the proper preparation of hull and pad surface is necessary. This is done by wiping down all areas to be glued with rubbing alcohol. This will remove any dirt or oils that would inhibit a good bond.
Once cleaned, apply glue as directed by manufacturer. Failure to do so may cause structural damage to the hull. While laying pads in boat, start contact at center of pad and roll sides down (fig.4). This will minimize air pockets under pads. Squeegee out any trapped air with putty knife or stiff piece of plastic. (Such as a credit card).
INSTALLING FOOTBRACES: We have pre-punched two sets of holes: one set for high footbrace positioning and another set for lower foot braces. The aluminum rods have already been installed in the lower set of holes. If the higher setting is desired, simply remove the rods from the lower holes and reinstall them in the higher set.
To mount plastic washers, use the 1 3/4” bolt packaged with the aluminum thwart dowel. Put the bolt thru the hole in the washer and thread it a couple of turns into the rod. Press the washer against the foam saddle and, with a pencil, outline the washer. Repeat this on the other 3 ends of the aluminum rods.
Put 2 coats of glue, (Weldwood contact cement) on the four outlined areas on the saddle. Apply the second coat only after the 1st coat is dry. Put one coat of glue on the sanded side of the plastic washers. The plastic is non-porous so only one coat is needed. When both surfaces are dry, insert the screw through the hole in the washer. Thread the screw a couple of turns into the rod. This lets you use the screw to center the washer over the rod. Now press firmly into place. Mount with flat screw in the rear counter sunk hole and the panhead in the forward hole as shown in Fig 3.
GLUING SADDLE AND KNEE PADS: Surface preparation is only needed on boat surface - not the foam parts. Sand areas to be glued with 100 grit sandpaper. Clean floor surfaces to be glued with rubbing alcohol.
For gluing, use “Weldwood contact cement” (in the red can). Read and follow directions on the can carefully. Apply a thin coat of glue to saddle, knee pads and boat surface. A second coat of glue is necessary for foam parts. Apply only after first coat is dry.
Install saddle and knee pads in boat only after both surfaces are dry and tack-free. Keep in mind, contact cement bonds instantly. So be extra sure to place them where you want them.
ATTACHING SADDLE TO THWART: Due to the various depths of different boats, the saddle may need a groove cut into it from side to side. Wedge thwart on top of saddle and under gunwale to see if grove is needed. If it does, cut groove with razor knife as shown in diagram.
Mount thwart dowel to thwart by using a 3/8” socket with a 6” extension to bolt both units together as shown in Fig 3. Feed thwart dowel into hole on top of saddle, rotating down and positioning thwart ends under gunwale. Fasten thwart to gunwale.
A NOTE ON ADHESIVES concerning R-84 Royalite. As of now, we have not found an adhesive which, to our satisfaction, bonds vinyl pads to R-84 Royalite type hulls. Mohawk playboats offered in R-84 Royalite are laid up with a special skin on the inner hull which is conducive to vinyl adhesives, so no special precautions are needed. |
