Maintenance And Cleaning; Material Repair; Transport; Storage - NRS PackRaft Manual Del Propietário

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

Proper care and maintenance will improve your PackRaft's appearance and longevity. Clean and inspect the
boat after each use. Usually, soap, water and a scrub brush will remove any soiling from the material.
We recommend you coat your boat with 303 Protectant (available through NRS or your local dealer) every
few months during the season and before long-term storage to protect against UV damage and degradation.
Take care to keep moisture from getting inside the air chambers. Water can enter the chambers during in-
the-field repairs or if the valves are left open during wet weather. If you find that moisture and mildew have
accumulated in your boat's air chambers, the chambers must be aired out. Open the valve of the affected
chamber. Pour out any water and then run the hose of an electric air pump or vacuum exhaust through the
open valve. Allow dry air to circulate into the chamber and out the valve until all the moisture is gone.
PACKRAFT MATERIAL REPAIR
Raft repair adhesives and cleaners are toxic. When repairing your boat, always work in a well-ventilated area
and use a good respirator if possible. Always use proper chemical protection for your skin and eyes.
Your PackRaft comes with tube and floor material patches and a tube of repair adhesive. Measure and cut
a patch to cover the area that requires repair. The patch should be bigger than the repair area, extending at
least 2" past the edge of the tear or abrasion. Round the corners of the patch. Lay the patch over the area to
be repaired and trace the outline onto the boat material. Use rubbing alcohol or comparable solvent to remove
any oils or other contaminants from the boat and patch.
Conduct the repair out of direct sunlight if possible. Avoid doing repairs when the humidity is over 70%, if
possible. Apply a thin, even coat of adhesive to both the back of the patch and the repair area on the boat.
Wait 3 to 5 minutes before bonding the patch to the boat, to allow solvent vapors to evaporate.
Carefully align the patch and press both surfaces together. Remember, this is a contact adhesive, so once the
two surfaces touch you'll have difficulty realigning the patch. Apply pressure to the entire glued surface using
a roller. Roll over the patch in multiple directions, working from the inside to the outside of the patch. This step
is important because it forces air bubbles out and helps the two pieces of material bond.
Allow the repair to cure for as long as possible. In an emergency, you could inflate the boat after only an hour
or so, but this will put stress on the patch, possibly requiring the repair to be done again later. If you must
inflate the raft quickly after the repair, try to limit the air pressure in the patched chamber. Ideally, you should
allow the glue to cure for 8 to 12 hours and full cure can take up to 24 hours, depending on conditions.
A great field repair alternative is Tear-Aid Patch, Type A. It's a durable, flexible and clear polyurethane tape
with an aggressive adhesive backing that sticks to a wide variety of surfaces. A roll of Tear-Aid is an excellent
lightweight carry-along for any outdoor excursion. It's available through NRS or your local dealer.
Please call or email NRS Customer Service for more information about repairs. Our phone number is
800.635.5202 and our email address is service@nrs.com.

TRANSPORT

If you are transporting your boat inflated, remember to slightly deflate the chambers. Temperature and altitude
changes affect the air pressure in the boat, especially in direct sunlight. Whether transporting your boat
inflated or deflated, make sure to inspect the load for any areas that can rub, abrade or puncture the boat's
fabric. Remember that sand or other debris left in the boat can cause wear on the fabric during transport.
Putting your deflated boat in the included boat bag for transport will help prevent wear and damage from other
gear.

STORAGE

If possible, let your boat dry thoroughly before deflating it. Remove the floor insert to dry that area. The ideal
storage position is unfolded in a cool, dry location, with a small amount of air left in the chambers. If space is
limited, store the boat loosely rolled, with the valves open, in the protective storage bag. Keep the boat off dirt
or concrete floors. Rodents have been known to burrow into stored boats, so take precautions to prevent this.
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