marmoom logo

al marmoom marine
One shop for all marine needs...

Tips and tricks about our inflatable boats

Thank you for deciding to buy a new Transom Boat. You will get many years of use and pleasure out of this boat. These boats can be inflated and assembled in about half an hour, making trips from the car to the water practical without a trailer.

The Transom Boats have several unique features which make them solid, reliable boats. The Transom Boats are composed of 1000 denier inflatable hull with attached transom and several types of floorboard system. Below is a brief overview of the structure of the boat. Detailed assembly instructions are on the following pages.

You can download OWNER MANUAL by clicking here

Owner's Manual for inflatable transom boats

Top
1. Standard Equipment
Neplus Seabon Armada (350A, 380A)
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull and slat floorboard packed in boat bag
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Wooden bench
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull packed in boat bag
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Wooden bench
  • Floorboard no. 1,2,3,4 packed in floorboard bag
  • Stringer 500mm (4pcs)
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull packed in boat bag
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Wooden bench
  • Floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4 packed in floorboard bag
  • Stringer 500mm (2pcs)
  • Stringer 700mm (2pcs)
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
Armada
(420A, 450A)
Armada Rescue
(420AR, 450AR)
Armada Rescue
(480AR, 500AR)
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull packed in boat bag
    Box 2 ;
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Wooden bench
  • floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4,5 packed in floorboard bag
  • stringer 500mm (2pcs)
  • Stringer 700mm (4pcs)
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull packed in boat bag
    Box 2 :
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4,5 packed in floorboard bag
  • Stringer 500mm (2pcs)
  • Stringer 700mm (4pcs)
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
    Box 1 ;
  • Boat hull packed in boat bag
    Box 2 :
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Floorboard no. 0,1,2,3,4,5 packed in floorbaord bag
  • Stringer 700mm (6pcs)
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
Neplus Armada (350A, 380A)
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull and air-deck floor packed in boat bag
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Wooden bench
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories
    Box 1 :
  • Boat hull packed in boat bag
    Box 2 :
  • Repair kit
  • Towing rope (4m)
  • Oars
  • Foot pump
  • Wooden bench
  • Plastic floorboard packed in floorboard bag
  • SE290N  : FB-1, FB-3L and FB-4

    SE320S  : FB-1, FB-2L, FB-3S and FB-4

    SE380A  : FB-1, FB-2L, FB-3S and FB-4

    SE420AR : FB-1, FB-2L, FB-3L, FB-3S and FB-4

  • Stringer (4pcs) per each model
  • Uplitf connector bars (2pcs)
  • Owners manual
  • Other optional accessories

2. The 1000 Denier Hull Material

The 1000 denier hull material is a rugged, solid material which operates with a 3.6 PSI working pressure. This high working pressure gives the Transom Boats a solid, rugged hull which allows them to operate with larger engines and run in rougher conditions.

3. The Hull Air Compartmentation

All Transom Boats have more than three air chambers in the main hull. Some models have an air chamber in the inflatable keel, and air-deck models have an air chamber in the air-deck floor. These air chambers are totally separate and ensure buoyancy in the event of a single chamber failure.

4. The One-Way Valve

The Transom Boats use the One-Way Valve, a proven design that has been used for 20 years. This simple, rugged one-way valve makes inflation easy. The inner valve design allows air to flow into the hull but not out, and outer valve cap makes the seal permanent. The plastic stem on the inner valve allows the boat to be deflated. Push in and turn to release the air. Make sure the plastic stem is in the out position for inflation.

5. Rear Drain Valve

All Transom Boats have a rear drain valve to drain water from the inside of the hull. This has a plug to keep it totally watertight when not in use. To use the drain valve, remove the plug and gently accelerate to get your boat in a bow-high attitude. Water will rush to the rear of the boat and drain out the valve. Replace plug when finished. Another option is to pull the boat up on a beach or boat ramp and drain on land

6. Foot Pump

Foot Pump can deliver the air pressure needed to fully inflate your boat. To inflate, insert the blue hose into the fitting one the pump marked "outlet". We firmly recommend you always carry your foot pump on board for safety. But for more pressure or easier inflating, you can order our brand new "hand piston pump" at a little more cost.

Top

Assymbly of floorboard

Bellow is the step by step instruction for assymblying your new boat

1. Unfold the Hull

Clear a flat space (making sure it is clean and free of sharp objects) and unfold your boat. Remove the hull from its box and take it out of the boat bag. Unroll the hull so it laid out flat.

2. Inflate slightly

The Transom Boats can be inflated either with our high pressure foot pump or with other Electric pump. The Electric pump can inflate the boats to a moderate pressure and save a lot of time, but all of these boats will need to be finished off with the high pressure foot pump. Inflate the three hull chambers to approximately 30% full in order to make floorboard insertion easier.

Note : Use only our pumps to inflate your boat. Do not use an air compressor. Damage to your boat caused by over inflation from an air compressor is not covered by your warranty.

3. Floorboard Assymbly
a. Seabon model

a-1. Place floorboard No.1 at bow part, No.4 at transom part, and No.2 + No.3

     Make sure that keel valve is located at the center of No.1 board's hole.

a-2. Press down No.2 + No.3 at the same time to be jointed well and flatly.

b. Armada & Rescue model :

b-1. Place floorboard as follows :

- 5 Floorboards : Bow board, No.1, No.4, and No.2 + No.3.

- 6 Floorboards : Bow board, No.1, 2, 5  and No.3 + No.4.

Make sure that keel valve is located at the center of No.2 board's hole.

b-2. Press down No.2 + No.3 at the same time for 5 floorboards boat and No.3 + No.4 at the same time for 6 floorboards boat to be jointed well and flatly.

c. Stringers

Insert stringers into side edges of floorboards.

     For easy fitting of stringers, place oar under boat hull.

  Note : Somewhat hard to assemble at the first time, but after two or three times of using a boat, it will be easier to assemble.

  Note : Don't do this with bare feet, and keep your fingers and toes out of the way so that you don't get pinched.

d. SE model (Plastic floorboard)
All the SE models have four plastic floorboards, numbered FB-1 through FB-4.

d-1. FB-1 and FB-2 :

Locate the FB-1 and FB-2 floorboards as well as the Uplift Connector bars (see diagram below) FB-1 and FB-2 join at a slight up angle. The Uplift Connectors Bar keep the two floorboards at this angle.

Slide FB-1 and FB-2 together as shown above. Hook the Uplift Connector Bar into the FB-2 floorboard, and use a moderate pressure on the FB-1 to pull it into position so that the Uplift connector Bar will hold both boards snugly together. Repeat with the other Uplift Connector Bar. Slide the assembled boards into the bow of the boat.

The SE290N does not have a FB-2 floorboard or Uplift Connector Bars. Simply insert the FB-1 into the bow of the boat.

d-2. FB-4 Rear Floorboard


The FB-4 is the rearmost floorboard which has a smooth rear edge and interlocking grooves on the front edge. Place FB-4 at the rear of the hull and slide under the transom lip. Sit in the hull and force the FB-4 under the transom lip with your feet.

d-3. FB-3 -

Please note, FB-3 comes small & large sizes (FB-3S & FB-3L).

The last floorboard to be inserted is FB-3. Insert FB-3 so it meshes with FB-4 at the stern of the boat and overlaps FB-2(or, in the case of the SE290N, the FB-1). Lift the ends of FB-2 (or FB-1) and FB-3 and connect the floorboards forming an inverted "V".

Step down on the joint. (see above diagram) The boards will snap into place.

d-4. Stringers

All the SE models have two side stringers on each side for a total of 4.

These sturdy aluminum parts serve to strengthen the structure of the boat and keep the floorboards tight.

Insert the smaller of the two side stringers first at the bow of the boat. Use a rolling motion to put the stringers in place.

Top
3a. Assymbly of Air-deck floor
  • Put and flat the air-deck floor in the boat. Especially pay your attention to insert the edge of air-deck floor into between the floor and inside of the tube.
  • Place the keel valve fit to the hole of the air-deck floor.
  • Firstly, inflate the air-deck floor tightly up to 6psi.
  • And inflate the keel until the air-deck floor is straightened out well. You may need to step on the air-deck floor to make it straight.  

4. Wooden Seat

Inflate the rear chambers to 90% of their inflated size and hook the metal flanges at the bottom of the wooden seat into the nylon straps on your Transom Boat.

5. Finish inflation

Inflate all hull chambers to 100%, or 3.6psi. Using our high pressure pump, this air pressure will be generated by applying about 130lbs. of force to the pump. For the model having inflatable keel, inflate the keel to 80% of max pressure.

Note : The model having inflatable keel will plane better when the keel is 80% inflated.

6. Deflation

Remove the outer valve caps to expose the yellow plastic stem on the inner valve. Pressing the yellow stem into release air pressure, and turn it to lock the valve in the open position. Deflate each hull chamber to 50-75% before completely deflating any of the air chambers. Remove the floorboards by first removing the side stringers. Remove and disassemble floorboards next.

Note : Do not deflate one chamber fully while others are fully inflated. This could damage the bulkheads of your boat.

Top

Accessories

1. Seat Bag

The optional Seat Bag fits neatly under the wooden seat. Peel off the velcro flap on top of the bag and wrap around the wooden seat. Secure the velcro flap on the other side of the wooden seat so that the bag rests on the floor below the wooden seat.

2. Bow Bag

The optional Bow Bag fits in the bow of your boat and is secured by strings.

Top
3. Sun/Rain Canopy

The optional Sun/Rain Canopy is easily installed. The canopy has two support tubes on each side which form a V and anchor near the center of the boat. The canopy is held in place by a bow line, two center brackets, and two stern lines.

a. Canopy Parts List
  • Canopy Fabric with cutout on underside of bow
  • V-Brace with stern strap (2pcs)
  • Hardware Bag
  • Large Metal Clip (3pcs)
  • Bow strap
  • Bow tube (with male plugs on each end)
  • Stern tube (with female plugs on each end)

b. Attach mounting bracket to hull
  • The first step in fastening the canopy to your boat is to make a small hole with a sharp awl in the flange of material on top of the tubes on each side of the boat (see inset 1). Measure 50" forward of the transom and make a small puncture half way up the flange.
  • Remove the hardware bag from your canopy box and attach bracket to the hull as shown above.

Note : You will be attaching your canopy later to this bracket. For now just attach the mounting bracketwithout the canopy to make assembly easier.

c. Insert curved tubes in canopy fabric
  • Remove the two 48" curved tubes from your canopy box, and note that the bow tube has a male plug on each end while the stern tube has two female plugs. Remove the canopy fabric from it's plastic container.
  • Note that the bow side of the fabric has a U-shaped cutout in the sleeve to accommodate the bow strap.
  • The bow tube needs to be inserted in the canopy fabric so that the U-shaped cutout in the canopy is facing down, and the snap-lock buttons are facing forward. Insert the bow tube through the bow sleeve of the canopy material up to the cutout. Locate the black bow strap, and slide the bow tube through the loop in the bow strap and then through the other half of the canopy fabric. Insert the stern tube at the stern side of the canopy so that the drilled holes for the snap-lock buttons are facing aft.
d. Snap V-braces into curved tubes and attach canopy
  • Snap the V-braces into the curved tubes which you have just inserted into the canopy. Now place your canopy on top of your inflated Transom Boat so the small bow line is forward and the stern lines are aft.
  • Clip the bow line with the one of the large metal clips to the bow rope. Clip the stern clips to the first loop in the rope lacing, also with the attached large metal clips.
Top

Installing motor (outboard engine) on boat

The maximum rated horsepower for our Transom Boats are:
SERIES:   Neplus Fishing Boat  Yacht Tender Armada Armada Rescue Armada Armada Rescue
MODEL: Unit  230N  240T  YT265  YT310  SE380A  420AR 450A  520AR
Max. engine hp 4 4 8 15 25 35 40 50
Recommended engine hp 3.3 3.3 6 10 20 30 35 40
Max. engine weight kg 16 16 30 40 55 65 85 100

Note : If you install a motor larger than the maximum rated horsepower for your boat, you might have control poblems and risk serious injury. Never exceed the maximum rated horsepower.

Read the instruction manual supplied by the outboard motor manufacturer. All outboards are slightly different, and some require special installation procedures.

    Below is a general outline:
  • Set the motor on tilt and tilt the mounting bracket.
  • Place the motor in the center of the transom.
  • Screw the mounting brackets securely to the transom.

Note : If the mounting brackets are not tightly secured to the transom, the motor could loosen in use or even fall from your boat. Make sure they are tight.

Top

Troubleshooting

1. Leaks

If you are losing air pressure, and it isn't colder temperatures, check the boat over for leaks, starting with the valves. The best tool to find leaks is soapy water in a spray bottle.

A leaking valve is rare, but if you do find a leak we can send you a replacement valve. We recommend mixing soap and water in a spray bottle. Spray around the valve. If you see bubbles forming, check your valve seating and base and be sure the valve insert is screwed tight.

If you continue to have problems it's probably time to order new valves. Replacement of the whole valve can be done with a simple tool that comes with the replacement valve.

2. Finding punctures

If the boat is losing air, and all the valves are good you probably have a small puncture. Small punctures can be repaired easily and permanently. Spray around inside and outside of the hull until air bubbles mark the position of the leak.

If you have no luck finding a slow leak with air bubbles, inflate the boat to maximum air pressure and try to listen to find the leak. If you can narrow the area down, return with a spray bottle to identify the source of the leak. Making small repairs. Punctures less than 1/8"in size can be repaired simply without a patch.

Deflate your boat, then clean and dry area to be repaired. Apply a small drop of glue to cover the puncture, and let dry 12 hours. If you need to get on the water sooner, let dry 30 minutes and then inflate the boat, inflating the compartment with the repair only 3/4 full. This repair might not be permanent so add a drop again at a late date to make it permanent.

3. Rips or Tears

Your Transom Boats come with a repair kit as standard equipment. If you no longer have your repair kit, you can order a new one from your dealer. Cut a piece of repair material large enough to overlap the damaged area by approximately 1/2", and round off the edges.

Apply our glue to the under side of patch and around the area to be repaired. Too much glue will interfere with a proper repair.

Allow adhesive to become tacky for 2-4 minutes, and then place patch on the damaged area. Use a weight to apply 3-5 lbs. of pressure for 12 hours. After patch has dried, apply glue around the edges for a complete seal (dry 4 hours).

4. Large and Difficult Repairs

If you have a difficult repair, give our office a call and we will advise you on the best way to fix your boat.

Top

Using your Transom Boat

1. Rowing

The Transom Boats are designed as motorboats, but they can be rowed if the engine fails. Take some time to practice rowing so you will be prepared in the unlikely event of an engine failure.

The oars are attached to swivelling oarlocks / oarclasps which allow for easy rowing. Snap the rear section of the oar out of the oarclasp and use the forward oarlock to help row. You can also remove the oar from the forward oarlock by unscrewing the blue plastic nut on the oar.

2. Motoring & Safety

The Transom Boats are responsive and quick under power, yet turn and track very well. All boats have their unique handling characteristics, so take time to familiarize yourself with how your maneuvers in various conditions.

Basic seamanship is beyond the scope of this owner's manual, but we would like to go over a few fundamentals. It is your responsibility to be aware of and comply with all relevant safety regulations.

In all water sports you should have reasonable swimming ability. Although your Transom Boats have been used in ocean expeditions, we don't recommend using the Transom Boats out of sight of land.

If you are going out in open waters, you should stay reasonably close to other boats and always carry flares and a good supply of fresh water. A marine band transceiver and a GPS receiver will provide added security on your journey.

Always respect the sea and the weather, as both can change rapidly and have surprised even the most seasoned mariner.

Always carry enough Personal Flotation Devices. Not only is it the law, but from our point of view, it is just plain foolish not to have PFD's for everyone aboard.

Please use U.S. Coast Guard or C.E. approved life jackets, as this is your assurance that the life jackets can provide sufficient buoyancy in the water.

We strongly suggest that all boaters enroll in one of the excellent water safety courses offered by the Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary in your area.

Some Other points To Remember
  • After 2 or 3 days there may be a small decrease of pressure due to temperature change. If so, add a few pumps of air to each chamber.
  • Before undertaking a long trip, inflate the boat for a full 24 hours to be sure all chambers are completely airtight.
  • Do not allow children to drive the boat unsupervised by adults.
  • Avoid sharp objects when coming to dock or shore.
  • Always bring your oars along snapped in place.

When you see water have come into the boat, check the following:

① Is the drain valve open?

② Is the diaphragm in the drain valve working properly?

③ Has it rained recently?

④ Is there a hole in the floor?

Regarding cleaning & storage:

① Hose off sand and dirt and let dry before packing away.

② Do not use harsh chemical cleaners.

③ Do not store in extreme temperatures(i.e. over 150F/below - 10F).

④ Store in a clean and dry place.

Top

Materials and construction of inflatable boats

Inflatable boats (sometimes called Rubber boat or Plastic boat) are actually made from mix of several layers of PVC and cloth and other chemicals.

Bellow are the details of the construction and material used in our our inflatable boats, water banana and flyfish

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION Fabric

We use the best available materials for our Plastomer fabric, which is well-known for its special Polymer coating. Immensely strong, wear resistant and waterproof, our fabrics are virtually unaffected by weather ( excesses of heat, cold or humidity ), fuel, oil, sunlight, or everyday abrasion. When combined with our high quality adhesives, woodwork, inflation valves, and other best ofv class components, our boats set the industry standard for quality and durability.

Using our varied experience working with inflatable products, we improved our line by adding semi - sol coated fabric. This fabric is made by laminating two layers of PVC on the woven polyester fabric with rollers. We use every means to insure that our fabric is high quality so we can make the most durable inflatable products.

Physical Properties of Fabrics

All our inflatable boats use a high pressure material to give extra rigidity and the tear strength necessary to handle motors, run whitewater rivers, or paddle on the open seas. Because this material is highly resistant to stretching, it allows a working pressure of 3.2 PSI, making the inflatable tubes a sold, rigid structure.

Our inflatable boat fabrics have been used exclusively for inflatable goods. The basic properties of the fabrics are as follows:

  • The physical properties tolerate air pressure (3.4∼4.2 lbs/square inch)
  • Good adhesion strength
  • Good straight thread
  • Good dimensional stability
  • Good for hot air welding


VALVE CONSTRUCTION Valve

SEAM CONSTRUCTION seam

CHAMBER CONSTRUCTION chember

TRANSOM CONSTRUCTION transom

DRAIN VALVE CONSTRUCTION drain valve

FLOORBOARD CONSTRUCTION floorboard

DROP STITCH CONSTRUCTION
Top