permalaunch®
Owner’s Manual
and
Installation Instructions
5/18/2016
Page 1
1.
Read all instructions and owner’s manual before using this product. Failure to
follow instructions and warnings could result in serious injury.
2.
This product must be properly installed, attached and located in accordance with
these instructions before it is used.
3.
Permalaunch and any accessories and parts thereto (“product”) is intended for
launching Kayaks/Canoes (“vessels”). This product shall not be used for other than its
intended purpose. Users of this product must exercise caution and common sense at all
times.
4,
This product shall not be used as a swim platform or ladder. Do not stand on,
jump off, sit on, or pull yourself up swimming onto any component of the product
including the out rigger or any of the cross sections.
5.
This product is not a lifesaving device. Never leave children unattended. Use
only under competent supervision. Do not use this product under the influence of drugs
and/or alcohol.
6.
Do not attempt to jump from one side of the product to the other.
7.
Always board and exit vessels in the center of the product between the provided
stand-up hand rails.
8.
Multi-person vessels: Only one person at a time should be on the product. When
boarding or exiting a multi-person vessel, board and exit one person at a time through
the center of the launch between the provided stand-up hand rails. Make sure the
vessel is securely centered on the product before boarding or exiting.
9.
The launch area of the product is not a storage device. Do not leave vessel
unattended in launch area without securely tying it up. Improperly tied and/or
unattended vessels may float free due to wind, waves, current or otherwise.
10.
The walking surface of the product may become hot due to sitting in the sun. If
the surface is hot, splash or rinse down with cool water prior to use. Product may be
slippery when wet.
11.
Fully follow all product attachment directions in this manual. Attaching
installations/docks must be sturdy with the structural integrity to handle the product in all
weather and water conditions, including but not limited to, boat wake and boat traffic. All
efforts should be made to install the product in the calmest wind and wake conditions
possible.
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5/18/2016
12.
It is the owner’s responsibility that the installation and usage of the product does
not hinder or endanger any other property or boating traffic.
13.
The use of accessory attachments not recommended for this product by the
manufacture resulting in damage or injury, in the sole discretion of the manufacturer,
may void any and all warranties provided.
14.
Do not attach this product to dilapidated installations/docks or installations/ docks
that do not fully comply with any and all electrical and applicable Federal, state and
local regulations and requirements.
15.
Do not tow this product.
16.
For vessels with removable propulsion units, always lift out propulsion unit prior
to use.
17.
It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain this product. If the product is damaged,
unstable, or in any way incapacitated, immediately remove the product from usage and
service.
5/18/2016
Page 3
Tools required for installation (not included)
Electric Drill with 5/16” drill bit capability
Screw drivers (flat head and Phillips head)
Rubber Mallet
Additional materials required
Screws to attach dock brackets (will vary depending on type of
dock construction).
Certain unusual applications make require the purchase of additional Schedule 40
pipe, either PVC or Galvanized depending on installation type and conditions,
(available from DIY stores)
Installation instructions
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List of components included with the
.
Main Dock Float complete with Rollers (Qty 1)
Stabilizing Outrigger
(Qty 1)
Guide Rails
(Qty 4)
60 inch Bronze colored 1 ½”Dia. horizontal Pipes
(Qty 5)
30 inch Bronze colored 1 ½” Dia. vertical hand rails with foam sleeves (Qty 2)
Pipe clamps
(Qty 12)
3/8” Button caps screws and washers
(Qty 24)
Binding post barrels and screws
(Qty 2)
Dock brackets
(Qty 2)
40 inch Bronze colored 2” Dia support Pipes with caps
Allen Wrench
5/18/2016
(Qty 2)
(Qty 1)
Page 5
Step #1 Dock Bracket Installation
Decide if your Dock is a fixed dock or a floating dock, i.e. does the dock float on the water or is it
permanently attached to the lake bed? The Instructions are different for each type; follow the
instructions for your type of dock.
Floating Dock
With this type of installation the water level below the surface of the dock remains constant.
Check the water level below the top surface of the dock.
If the dimension is 15” or MORE then the dock bracket
can be attached directly to and level with the face of the
dock. (see fig 1). If there is any possibility of rough water
increase the dimension to 20”
Figure 1
If the Water Level is less than 15” provision must be made to
raise the dock bracket so that the top is at least 15” above the
water level (see fig. 2). If there is any possibility of rough water
increase the dimension to 20”
Figure 2
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Note: Screws for attaching the dock bracket are not included due to the various
types and thickness of dock materials in use
Fixed Dock
With this type of installation the water level below the surface of the dock varies as the level of the
water rises or descends.
Determine the Maximum Height that the water can reach on your dock
If the maximum height of the water is 15” or MORE below the
top of the dock then the dock bracket can be attached directly
to and level with the face of the dock (see figure 3). If there is
any possibility of rough water, increase this required dimension
to 20”
Figure 3
If the Maximum height of the water is less than 15” from the top of
the dock provision must be made to raise the dock bracket so that
the top is at least 15” above the water level (see figure 4). If there is
any possibility of rough water, increase this required dimension to
20”
Figure 4
Note: Screws for attaching the dock bracket are not included due to the various
types and thickness of dock materials in use
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Attaching the Brackets
The brackets need to be attached to the dock and must align with the rollers on the main float. The
“Center to Center” dimension between the rollers is approximately 55.75”Due to manufacturing
tolerances the actual dimension needs to be verified. The easiest way to check the dimension is to
measure between two identical points between the roller brackets as shown below.
Attach the brackets to the dock using your preferred fasteners. Use the same “Center to Center”
dimension as measured on the roller brackets for locating the dock brackets. Measuring between the
dock brackets as shown below.
Select the Support Pipes
Vertical pipes are required to secure the
to the dock, these pipes (Bronze colored 2”
Diameter x 40” supplied) allow for the rise and fall with the water level changes. The pipes need to reach
to at least 24” below the water level (in the case of a fixed dock it is 24” below the LOWEST water level).
If the vertical pipes need to be longer than 40”, or if there is the possibility of rough water conditions
then upgrade to 2” Inside Dia. galvanized pipe. We recommend that when used with a fixed dock that
Galvanized steel pipe be used and that it extends to the lake bed if practical to avoid the situation where
the water could drop below the bottom of the pipes in extreme circumstances.
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Assembly of the
.
The assembly requires the attachment of the five Bronze colored 1 ½” diameter x 60” high grade PVC
tubes on the bottom of the two float modules using the ten Stainless steel clamps, and 20 stainless steel
screw and washer assemblies (supplied)
Lay both Modules upside down on a flat surface, if on a hard surface lay a protective sheet on the
ground to prevent marring of the top face of the
Main Dock Float
Stabilizing Outrigger
Widest Kayak plus 2”
Figure 5
Figure 6
Lay the five 1 ½” Dia. X 60” long bronze pipes provided across the two Modules as shown allowing the
inside opening between the main dock float and the stabilizing outrigger to be approximately 2” wider
than the widest Kayak you wish to dock (see fig 5). These pipes must always be aligned with the outside
edge on the stabilizing outrigger and must extend past the clip by a minimum of 6” on the main dock
float as shown (figure 6). This will give an opening of 36”. Openings larger than 36” can be
accommodated by using longer pipes (not supplied). If using longer pipes it is recommended that 1.5”
schedule 80 PVC pipe be used or preferably 1.5” galvanized pipe.
Lay the Clips across the pipes as shown and insert screws with washers and Lock washers into the
threaded inserts in all 10 Brackets using the Hex Wrench Provided.
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Vertical Hand Rails
Attach two pipe clamps for the vertical hand rails in the position shown, again using 2 caps screws,
washers and lock washers on each clamp supplied, ensuring that the clamp is on the foam sleeve. These
screws can be accessed after assembly of the side rails if necessary.
Foam Sleeve
Guide Rail Assembly
The four guide rails lock together without the use of screws, they are designed to stay on the two
modules and cannot be easily removed after assembly.
Line up the rail with sockets where it is to be fixed
And press into position,
Using a rubber mallet if necessary.
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Final Positioning of the Dock
The
is supplied with two Bronze colored 2” Dia. x 40” PVC pipes suitable for installation to
the dock in the majority of situations (see pipe selection page 7). The
can now be floated
in the water and moved to the position where it is to be installed. Line the assembled permalaunch up
under the Dock Brackets and slide the pipes down through the dock bracket and through the rollers
mounted to the Main Dock Float (figure 7). The supplied pipes come complete with caps, if you are
substituting pipes in an alternative material (see page 7 “select the support pipes”) we strongly advise a
cap is installed on one end, It prevents sharp edges from causing injury and additionally prevents the
pipes from sliding completely through the bracket and into the water during assembly. Drill into the pipe
with a 5/16” drill bit on both sides of the pipe using the holes in the bracket as a guide. Insert one
binding post and screw into each Dock Bracket to secure the pipes (figure 8).
Figure 7
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Figure 8
Page 11
.
Instructions for use
Caution: The surface of the
may be slippery when wet and
suitable footwear should be worn at all times to prevent slipping.
Carry the Kayak to the dock Edge (figure 9).
Figure 9
Carefully stand on the
, taking care not to slip, like any floating object, it is partially
unstable in the water and care must be taken not to lose your footing (figure 10).
Figure 10
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Slide one end of the Kayak through the vertical hand rails and
onto the support tubes in the water (figure 11)
Figure 11
Lower the other end of the Kayak into the water so it sits on top of the tubes (figure 12). At this
point the Kayak will be floating in the water, ensure the cockpit of the Kayak remains centered
on permalaunch between the two vertical hand rails. At the point when the Kayaker’s weight is
transferred from the
to the kayak the Kayak will be supported on the tubes and
will afford adequate stability.
Figure 12
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Enter the Kayak holding onto the vertical hand rails for additional stability. Place your paddle
across the specially formed Notches on the guide rails to pull the Kayak into open water (figure
13).
Figure 13
Use the same notches to pull yourself back into the
(figure 14). The
will afford adequate stability to be able to exit the Kayak safely. Using the vertical Hand Rails
(figure 15)
Figure 14
Figure 15
It is not advisable to leave the kayak unattended on the
is a possibility wave or wind action will separate it from the
Page 14
without securing it, there
.
5/18/2016