Alpacka Raft THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND Installation guide

Brand: Alpacka Raft

Model: THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND

Type: Installation guide

THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Safety Warning: Thigh straps are inherently dangerous and the use of thigh straps can result in

serious injury or death. You are responsible for your own actions and decisions. Before using

thigh straps in any water, get proper training and practice for the type of water you will be

boating and learn to properly and safely wet exit the boat. Always wear a helmet when using

thigh straps. Always double check the condition and function of your thigh straps and backband

before every use and discontinue use and replace any worn or non-functioning parts. Always

follow Alpacka Raft’s Safety Warning (http://www.alpackaraft.com/buyers-safety-warning-

release-of-liability/) and the National Paddle Sports Association's Safety Standards (available on

our website). Thigh straps are not recommended for use when a bicycle, backpack, or other

large items are strapped to the bow of your packraft.

Your thigh strap and backband kit will include:

1. Inflatable Footrest (this is half the size of

the foot pillow that was included with

your self bailer to allow your heels to

drop, which gives more control and

comfort with the thigh straps).

2. Two Thigh Straps

3. Backband with 4 straps and two

attachment cords.

Figure 1

Attaching the Backband

The Backband is designed to be left either

permanently in the boat, or removable by

unthreading the four attachment straps from the

tri-glide buckles. Each strap can remain in the

boat for travel.

Step 1 - Attach the Rear Support Straps to the

Boat

Remove the two rear support straps from the

backband and thread each one through the strap

plate in the stern of the boat (if you have a back

rest pillow that came with your boat, remove this

as it uses the same strap plates). The straps

should be threaded so that the loose end faces

the stern (Figure 1).

Figure 2

Loop the loose end back through the nylon

common loop as shown in Figure 2 so that the

loose end now faces the bow of the boat.

Figure 3

Step 2 – Attach the main backband straps to the

top loop of the main strap plate.

A 12” length of cord is included for this purpose.

Use a square knot or a double fisherman’s knot

for the attachment knot and tie the two loops as

close together as possible (Figure 3).

A hardware store quick link can also be used.

Non-locking carabiners should be avoided as it is

possible to accidentally clip yourself or your life

vest to the boat. Remember that if you do

substitute another attachment mechanism, there

will be a lot of force on the backband in rolling

situations.

Figure 4

Step 3 – Connect the Backband

Thread the four webbing straps through the tri-

glides attached to the backband. Once you have

set the backband position (after fitting thigh

straps below), you can tension the back support

straps to keep the backband in position as shown

in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 5

Figure 6

Attaching the Inflatable Foot Brace

Attach the inflatable foot brace to the red tab in

the front of the floor of the boat with the

inflation valve and the metal attachment hook

facing up. Inflate the foot brace so that it is

wedged snugly in the bow of the boat (Figure 6).

Figure 7

Attaching and Fitting the Thigh Straps

Step 1 – Start by sitting in the boat with a nice

deep but comfortable knee bend and your feet

resting against the foot brace. Your knees should

be ~1-4 inches above the top of the tubes. Do not

tighten the backband at this point. Place a loose

thigh strap so that the top attachment points are

centered around the knee (Figure 7). Eyeball the

distance from the end of the strap to the front

(bow) attachment point and adjust the webbing

so that it is approximately 1” shorter than that.

Step 2 – Use the metal hook to connect the thigh

strap to the front (bow) attachment point. The

strap should be adjusted so that when it is pulled

tight, the top attachment points remain roughly

centered around the knee (Figure 8). Loosen or

tighten the front strap accordingly before setting

the top attachment points.

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Step 3 – With your knee in position, eyeball the

location of the attachment points on the strap

plates on the top of the tubes. There are 4

attachment slots on each plate. We recommend

that the straps wrap around the knee, so place

the forward (towards the bow) strap one position

towards the stern and the rear strap one position

towards the bow (Figures 9 and 10).

Both attachments can be adjusted in length, but

this has to be done with the strap loose as the

setup is designed so that it won’t slip while in

use.

Figure 11

Step 4 – Clip the fastex buckle for the rear

attachment point into place. We recommend

that this buckle actually be clipped facing inward

(See Figure 11) as it creates a smoother line and

easier adjustment as the strap curves over the

user’s thigh.

Once setup, the system can be tightened from

the forward (bow/shin) and rear (buckle)

positions, to create a nice tight fit.

Figure 12

Once setup, the system can be tightened from

the forward (bow/shin) and rear (buckle)

positions, to create a nice tight fit. (Figure 12)

Once the thigh straps are fit, the backband can be

tightened to create the whole system. You should

be able to exit and refit the thigh straps with only

minor adjustments at the fastex buckle end.

Happy Boating!

Alpacka Raft THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND Installation guide

Brand: Alpacka Raft

Model: THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND

Type: Installation guide

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Alpacka Raft THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND Installation guide

Alpacka Raft THIGH STRAP AND BACKBAND Installation guide

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