FAQ

Designed, developed and tested by founder Greg Sowden in Auckland, New Zealand. Our designs continually evolve. Our versatile inflatable catamaran boats are built to ISO6105, CE tested and approved. Each Takacat is custom-built at our factory based in China using quality components from around the world.

Yes, all Takacat series have been CE tested and are CE marked to the latest CE standards 2013/53/EU. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to e-mail us at sales@takacat.co.nz

Regularly checks: Inflation and over-pressure valves are in good working order Bolts and nuts are tightened correctly (be careful not to over tighten) Both of the above can be maintained by CRC, Inox lubricant, Lanonlin etc. The inflatable tubes are more alive than a plastic/alloy hull and their constant movement can cause fatigue damage. It is important to keep the tubes and floor are sufficiently inflated. Under-inflation will cause more water resistance and thus slower speeds. Check the transom sockets to the transom /deck and other joints in the tubes. Regularly remove your air deck floor and wash away any grit or sand, it is important to keep areas clean from dirt and debris that could rub and wear down the Tubes. Every six months check the tightness of your filler and relief valves with the valve spanner provided. Cleaning basically requires no more than a soapy cleanser, a brush and a sponge for managing the cleaning and maintenance of the boats floor and tubes. Soap: Mix a natural soap (dish washing liquid) or our Takacat Boat Wash with water according to instructions on the package. Scrub the tubes with a sponge. Rinse off with water. Never use high pressure when cleaning the boat, it can damage the stitches or fabric of the pontoons, etc. Never use anything caustic or solvent. The stainless transom rails and wheels brackets can be lightly sprayed and wiped with a marine grade lubricant or lanolin.

The difference is in the bow design and it comes down to personal preference. The Takacat LX has an open bow design like a sledge or landing craft. The Takacat Sport looks more conventional with a full bow tube, which in this case is tapered. Below the waterline, the Takacat Sport and LX feature a very similar catamaran hull design and share very similar characteristics: Incredibly stable, row superbly and provide quick, level and efficient planning. The LX tube design has 50% less seam work than that of the Sport Series and other similar conventional inflatables.

Takacat inflatable boats are available under the umbrella of regionally owned Takacat distributors and distributed via key partners. Takacat New Zealand, www.takacat.co.nz Takacat Europe, www.takacat.eu Takacat North America, www.takacatamericas.com Takacat Australia, www.takacat.com.au Takacat Southeast Asia, www.takacatasia.com The benefits for our customers include more competitive prices and excellent back up support with stock on hand. Not to mention peace of mind dealing with a local company in your region. Avoid non delivery or excessive air freight costs, tax and duty in today's fast changing environment and buy a Takacat Original direct from a Takacat partner listed above. If in doubt please feel free to contact us. We can then advise it's authenticity to insure you are buying an original Takacat as there is nothing like the real thing.

If you think you have a warranty claim simply get in touch with whom you have first purchased your Takacat from. Please supply your details, the boat HiN plate details along with a description and photo of the fault. Once received this information will be reviewed and a decision on the best way to fix or replace the fault while causing you the least possible hassle. This could involve Takacat working with a local repair shop to solve any fault that may have occurred. Since you are dealing direct with the company that designs and produces the Takacat inflatables, we will be able to assist you in getting back on the water as quickly as possible.

Unlike conventional ribs or inflatable boats Takacats can now be re-tubed simply and cost effectively due to our revolutionary transom design. Our fully removable high pressure air deck floor system, and tubes are not fixed or glued to a hull or transom. There for there is no hassle or costly process to have your aged of damaged tubes re-made and replaced. You just simply order a set of new tubes from Takacat.

The Takacat LX and Sport Series offer true portability. They can be fully deflated and will fit into most cars, SUVs, etc. They can be transported either inflated or deflated on roof racks. They can be stored easily on boat decks and duckboards because of their shape and lightness; they also take up little space when stowed away for storage. For boats of their size and performance, they are hard to beat.

There are a few key questions to ask you when it comes to making the decision of buying a PVC, TPU or Hypalon inflatable boat. From a price point, PVC is hard to beat. If your usage of the boat is only a few months of the year and/or you look after it and don’t leave it uncovered in the elements then the extra price of the Hypalon is hard to justify. You can expect to get between 5 - 10 years out of your PVC tubes depending on your usage. For customers in extreme conditions and climates such as in the tropics, Hypalon or TPU is recommended and will provide you with a longer working life. Hypalon (Neoprene fabric) and TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) offers the best UV and abrasion resistance (also resistant against chemicals as well as high temperatures), colour stability and air-tightness in addition to great suppleness and high adhesion values in order to enhance workmanship. For Hypalon The fabric is sanded and prepared prior to a cold gluing technique being used. This creates a very strong bond that will last as long as the fabric itself. TPU and PVC can be Thermally Bonded or "Welded" PVC offers a cost-effective entry into the benefits of inflatable technologies and design. The bonding methods of Hypalon and TPU or PVC differ with TPU and PVC having the ability to be heat-welded or glued. Due to problems associated with heat-welding such as cracked, brittle and hard to repair seams we have chosen to use a gluing system (chemical/molecular bond) for most the air deck inflatable floors and Takadocks. Tubes can only be glued to their hulls or transom. PVC and TPU is very easy and cost-effective to repair compared to Hypalon and in general we find is the best all round choice for the Takacat range and designed use. We have been using a combination of the above fabrics in production for over 16 years but the vast majority of models sold have been PVC

Takacat inflatables can be stored either inflated or in a storage case. When stored in a bag, the bag must be dry. Take this opportunity to give your Takacat a good clean. If being left inflated it's best to cover your Takacat. In high temperatures you will need to let some air out of the tubes to avoid over expansion. In the heat of the day you don't want your main tubes not to exceed 3psi or 10psi for the air deck floor.

Our products proudly carry the Takacat.com Logo and are only sold via our Takacat.com website and a limited number of international distributors. If in doubt whether a boat is genuine, be sure to contact us at sales@takacat.co.nz.

Our Takacats are designed for quick and easy assembly. No mucking around with heavy and complicated floorboard systems. Inflation with the supplied manual pump takes 8 - 15minutes depending on the Takacat size and your fitness level. Inflation by our speedy electric pump takes 5 - 10 minutes, depending on the size of Takacat you are inflating. 1. Inflate main tubes to 3psi / 22.5kpa 2. Insert Tube Transom bars. Tip - rub down Tube Transom with soapy water as this will make sliding the transom bars in much easier. 3. Fit motor mount transom boards with supplied eye bolt 4. Insert and inflate floor to 8-10psi / 65kpa 5. Use webbing straps to connect bow D rings 6. Attach oars 7. Fit outboard motor 8. Check required safety equipment, bylaws and weather conditions prior to departure.

Takacat's new quick release wheel system makes launching and retrieval easier than ever before. This opens up a wide range of launching locations where it is not possible with other types of boats. Takacats are light in weight for their size and are well balanced both on and off the water. You can now leave the busy and sometimes dangerous boat ramps behind. We do suggest you research your launch area, prepare yourself and your crew, and take your time to get ready. For surf conditions, try to keep the bow pointing into breaking waves when going out, and when coming back in, sit on the back of a wave for a safe passage. The Takacat Quick Release Wheels are designed for launching and retrieving your Takacat "Un-Loaded" they have a maximum working load of 80kgs.

Takacat distribution network is made up of key independent international Takacat partners. They own the IP, manufacturing rights and designs and are responsible for the manufacturing and support of the Takacat product range in the respective region. Many have an umbrella of regional stockists and dealers. Takacat New Zealand, www.takacat.co.nz Takacat Europe, www.takacat.eu Takacat North America, www.takacatamericas.com Takacat Australia, www.takacat.com.au Takacat Southeast Asia, www.takacatasia.com Takacat NZ Ltd is the Authorised master distributor for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Interested in becoming a Dealer in the Pacific? Please contact the Distributor Principal at sales@takacat.co.nz. We are also looking for dealers in South Africa so if this is of interest and you're willing to make an investment into the Takacat Brand then we would love to hear from you.

Our innovative, fully removable transom enables the Takacat to be rolled-up smaller, easier and lighter than traditional inflatable boats that have a fixed transom. A big advantage when it comes to handling, transportation and/or storage. Ideal for the caravan, motor home and foldaway tender markets.

Our standard production uses a combination of Glued and Thermally bonded (welded) systems depending on the material and application. The following models feature Welded Seams (PVC and TPU Fabric Materials): LX Series Sport Series GO Series LX-R Series Glued Seams: TakaDocks Paddle Boards Kayaks Air Deck Floors Any product model made in Hypalon We utilise a glued seam on the air deck floors as they are folded and rolled up often very tight and thus a more supple, easier to repair, seam if required. Like most if not all other manufactures, the floor, air deck floor, plus all fittings including handles, D rings, rubbing strips, oar locks, transoms can only be glued. With over 16 years of Takacat R&D and production, we strive for continuous improvement in design and manufacturing.