Mohawks' factory installed outfitting not only saves you time and effort but it's a fantastic bargain as well. However, you may prefer to set your boat up to particular specifications. Perhaps you just need to replace a worn out part. In these and other instances following the guides on this page will make your outfitting experience less fraught with frustration and explicatives.
Installing the Mohawk saddle
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There are three steps to outfitting a playboat:
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. (For non-Mohawk boats we recommend that you put the saddle in using duct-tape and test paddle it, moving the saddle around until you find the boat trimmed out correctly. There are various other methods to find this equilibrium but there is no one-size fits all answer. You will have to use your judgment in finding the correct position for the saddle in your boat.) Gluing anchor pads with Vyna Bond, (or ACE Vinyl Mender): Failure to follow manufacturer’s 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. |
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Prior to gluing proper preparation of the 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 the 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: Line the holes in the rails up with the holes in the washers on the saddle and foot-block. You will notice that each rail has a hole drilled for two types of screw. Mount with flat screw in the rear counter sunk hole and the panhead in the forward hole as shown in (Fig 3). Ensure that the rails are both facing the same way up before screwing in. Use a second screw-driver on the screw not being tightened to ensure your rails are firmly secured. 3 - Gluing saddle and kneepads: Surface preparation is only needed on the boat’s 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 your contact cement. 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 the foam parts as they will absorb much of the first application. Apply only after first coat is dry. 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 groove is needed. If it is then cut the groove with razor knife as shown in diagram. Mount thwart dowel onto the 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 by rotating it down and positioning thwart ends under gunwale. Fasten thwart to gunwale.
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