AeroBOTE boards are designed to be inflated between 10 and 15 PSI.
BOTE Docks are designed to be inflated no greater than 10 PSI.
WARNING: Misprint on Dock valves. Do not inflate above 10 PSI.
Manual pump: Using the included manual pump, the gauge will not register pressure until around 7 PSI. For maximum stability, keep inflating the board until you reach 15 PSI for boards and 10 PSI for Docks.
Electric AeroPump: Set the AeroPump's dial to 15 PSI for boards and 10 PSI for Docks and start inflating. The low-pressure pump will run until about 7 PSI, and then will audibly switch to the high-pressure pump. This pump will run until it reaches the PSI marked with the dial, and will automatically shut off.
The electric AeroPump includes a deflate port, which may be connected to the board and run until the board appears fully flat. Do not leave the pump unattended during deflation as it can overheat when it can no longer extract air. Use the thumbscrew to lock the valve open for final deflation while rolling up the board.
Do not store your board in a sunny location while not in use!
The sun is the most damaging force on the planet, especially for your new BOTE board. Try to keep your board out of the sun as much as possible when not in use.
Solid Board De-lamination - The inside of your BOTE board is foam, which consists mostly of air and other gasses. When these gasses are heated by the sun they expand. As they expand they take up more space and can cause pressure to build on the inside of your BOTE board. If they expand too much, the pressure will push on the hard shell of the BOTE board and may cause the fiberglass shell to detach from the foam core. This is called de-lamination, and can result in air bubbles being trapped between the foam core and fiberglass shell.
To avoid de-lamination:
Follow these simple steps to ensure a long life for your BOTE board:
Inflatable Board Bursting - When an AeroBOTE inflatable is fully inflated to the recommended 15PSI for use, it can burst when left in the sun to expand and contract. This is because the sun both weakens the material and seams, and because the sun's heat increases the pressure inside the board beyond its designed limits. AeroBOTEs that burst from sitting under pressure in the sun are not covered under warranty as this is not a manufacturing defect.
To avoid bursting:
Follow these simple steps to ensure a long life for your BOTE board:
Fading - While your BOTE board is constructed of UV resistant materials, over exposure to the sun can cause the colors to fade. While this will not affect the performance of your BOTE board, it will tarnish the brilliant color finish of your board detracting from its beauty.
To avoid fading…
Always store your BOTE board in a cool dry place or shady area out of reach of direct sunlight.
A ding is a depression or crack in the fiberglass shell. Just like with your automobile, some dings in your board's fiberglass shell are bound to happen with regular use.
Depression Ding - This is typically just a cosmetic problem, unless the ding is located on the bottom of the board in an area that could affect the flow of water across the surface of the board. They are typically caused by rough handling of the board and there isn't really anything you can do about it.
What to do… To avoid dings on the top of your BOTE board, only stand on the board in areas where the deck pad covers the surface. To avoid dings elsewhere, handle your board with care and don't allow it to come into contact with hard surfaces at a high rate of speed.
Crack Ding - A crack ding is a more serious problem. Usually caused when the board comes in contact with a hard surface at a rapid speed. A crack ding may breach the seal between the fiberglass shell and foam core allowing water to enter the foam core. Over time, the water that enters the foam core will damage the foam causing the water-damaged area of the foam to get heavier and softer. This can result in poor performance of your board and may allow the ding to grow in size.
What to do... In the event of a crack ding on your board, remove your board from the water as soon as possible and have it repaired by a fiberglass specialist. You can also attempt to repair the board using a fiberglass repair kit available at some hardware stores or online. Since your BOTE board is made using an EPS foam core, be sure you only use an epoxy resin based repair kit.
If your BOTE board appears to be suffering from water damage to the foam core, inspect the surface of your board for dings or cracks in the fiberglass shell. If you discover a crack or ding in the fiberglass, take appropriate action described in the 'Dings' section above.
If water has already damaged the board, remove/unscrew the vent plug and store the board in a dry place so that the water has a chance to evaporate. Discoloration may occur to waterlogged foam core, but the board will remain functional if the core is allowed to dry sufficiently.
Many types of roof racks are available for transporting your BOTE SUP. Some roof rack attachments are made specifically for carrying Paddle Boards. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using SUP specific roof racks.
Other roof racks may be used to transport your BOTE board. Follow these simple steps to help ensure your board is not damaged during transportation.
Do not use ratchet tie downs to secure your board to your vehicle. The foam/fiberglass construction of the board can only handle so much pressure!
The plastic Gore-Tex® vent plug is used to keep the inside of the board (the core) an air/water-tight environment. It vents the board automatically, please do not loosen or remove to prevent damage to the plug.
Your BOTE board comes equipped with a standard 10’ fin box. The fin box is designed to accept the standard BOTE fin as well as most aftermarket fins. Your fin should fit tightly into the fin box.
To install the fin, remove the aluminum plate and screw from the fin and slide the aluminum plate down into the fin box and into the recessed track. Position the aluminum plate as far forward as possible (for access later). Set the fin into the fin box by sliding the brass pin into the opening until it bottoms out, then slide the fin as far backwards as you would like. Next, push the front of the fin into the box and attach the fin to the aluminum plate with the provided Phillips head screw.
Your fin may be difficult to install the first few times, but don’t worry, this is a good thing. The tighter the fin is in the fin box, the better the board will ride. Your fin box will “open” up over time to allow the fin to slide in and out easier. If the fin is too tight, use light sand paper to sand the inside of the fin box to remove any excess plastic chips or resin that may be present.
