Hobie Float Cat 75 Assembly And Operation Manual

FLOAT CAT 75

EXPEDITION

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATIONS MANUAL

WARNING

Read Operations Guidelines before using.

Always wear USCG approved floatation devices.

Always wear wader safety belt.

Always attach tether while operating.

Do not operate in rapids.

Do not operate in high wind conditions.

ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE.

Maximum capacity:

350 lbs. Float Cat 75

HOBIE FLOAT CAT

OWNER’S MANUAL

Congratulations on your purchase of a Hobie Outback Float Cat! The Hobie reputation for exceptional
design, high quality materials, and professional service will ensure you years of pleasure.

The Float Cat was designed to enhance your fishing experience. The efficient multihull design moves
quickly over the water - a light kick will accelerate you towards your prey. The elevated seat puts you inches
above the water, keeping you warm and dry while improving visibility, accuracy, and ease in casting. The
compact shape and low weight allows you to take your Float Cat anywhere. The drink well, rod holder, and
accessories such as stripping apron with storage bags, backpack, travel bag, cooler, and rowing systems,
to name a few, makes your Float Cat a vacation destination in itself.

Hobie’s attention to detail is found throughout. The pontoons are constructed of a unique high impact,
low maintenance, polyethylene used for kayaks and industrial sanitation bins. All aluminum alloy parts
are anodized or coated to prevent corrosion. Hardware and webbing are the highest grade available. All
components are manufactured to Hobie’s specifications and made in the U.S.A. Best yet, your Float Cat
is backed by our 3 year warranty.*

From assembly to short of bringing in that record rainbow, the friendly folks at Hobie Outback are available
to answer your questions Monday through Friday at: [phone] And they’re always curious to know
how your Float Cat performed.

Be prepared to share your Hobie Outback Float Cat with your family and friends. Or better yet, send
them to your local Outback Dealer.

Good luck fishing...and have a Hobie Day!

WARNING

READ OPERATIONS GUIDELINES BEFORE USING.

ALWAYS WEAR USCG APPROVED FLOATATION DEVICES.

ALWAYS WEAR WADER SAFETY BELT.

ALWAYS ATTACH TETHER WHILE OPERATING.

DO NOT OPERATE IN RAPIDS.

DO NOT OPERATE IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.

ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE.

MAXIMUM CAPACITY:

350 LBS. FLOAT CAT 75

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INDEX

Float Cat Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Cargo Rack Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8

Rod Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Stripping Apron Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Hobie Float Cat 75 Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-14

Full Size Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16

Page

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3

Hobie Float Cat

Assembly

FLOAT CAT 60/75 PARTS LIST

Two pontoons
Two black plastic vent caps
Two aluminum crossbars with snap buttons
One plastic molded seat back
Two 10” aluminum seat posts with plastic C clamps
Two seat post screws 3/4” Phillips
One seat back adjustment system:
One 1”x56” nylon webbing straps with male buckles
Two 6” sewn webbing loops with female buckles
One 3” sewn webbing loop with female buckle (buckle for
cooler accessory)
One black mesh grommeted seat bottom with blue foam
wedge cushion
Three black seat lacings: two short and one long
One safety tether leg strap (Not Shown)

Rowing System Parts List

Four footrest hangers: black plastic piece with 1 1/4” and
7/8” holes at 90 degrees
Two oarlock frames: tripod hinged 7/8” tubing with

receptacle push button inserts
One footrest: two 48” lengths of 7/8” tubing with strut
attachment tabs one 18” length 7/8” tubing with
connectors & stainless steel screws
Two two piece oars with clips and attached oarlocks
Two lynch pins

FLOAT CAT 75 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1- Pontoon Placement

Note: The seat faces the rear or aft of the boat
(sometimes referred to as the "stern"). The front of the boat is referred to as the "bow". Float Cats are paddled
or rowed with your body facing aft (with your back to the direction of travel).

On one side near each end of the pontoons are two indentations.
Assemble with these indentations on the inside, facing each
other. The bottom of the pontoons (the part in the water)
are exactly the same. Forward (bow) and rear (stern) are
established by seat installation: Installation of the second crossbar
through the stern 6" loop (step 3 below) establishes the rear
aft crossbar.

Forward / Front

Bow

4

Aft / Rear

Stern

STEP 2- Vent Caps

Installing vent caps (2) as supplied creates a water and air tight seal. Screw caps onto threaded holes on top of
pontoons.

Caps can be installed to self vent for altitude and temperature changes. To self vent, remove the clear plastic cone inside
each cap by prying out with a small screwdriver. The cap will not completely seal and venting will take place as long as
the cap is not over tightened. The plastic cones may be reinserted. Temperature and air pressure changes may cause
contraction of the air inside the pontoons, possibly resulting in dents in the pontoons. Pontoons may become hard as air
pressure increases inside. In either case, these conditions do not affect the strength or integrity of the boat. Loosen and
tighten caps periodically to equalize the air pressure.

STEP 3- Crossbar Installation

Insert one crossbar from the inside (indentation side) into
molded opening. Depress snap button and continue sliding
crossbar through. As the crossbar enters the outside molded
opening the snap button will pop into the first snap button
hole. When inserting the rear crossbar, make sure that it runs
through the 6” webbing loop with the female buckle. You’ll
want to do the same with the front cross bar, but note that
there is no webbing strap for the bar to go through.

Trough

STEP 4- Footrest and Cargo Hanger Installation

It is important to install the hangers prior to placing the two hulls together. Slide each of the hangers onto the

front and rear cross bars by depressing the snap buttons. There are a total of four hangers that go on the rear crossbar
and two that go on the front (the other three hangers will go on after the seat is installed).

1. Place one hanger on the rear crossbar. You must have the longer off-set part
of the hanger above the crossbar facing the stern of the boat (see diagram to
right).

Stern of Boat

2. The hangers on the front crossbar will go in different directions. The hanger closest to the hull
will have the off-set section above the crossbar facing the bow while the inner hangers will have the
off-set section on the bottom of the crossbar facing the bow (see diagram to right).

Hull

Bow of Boat

STEP 5- Seat Bottom

Locate mesh seat bottom (Item 8). The blue foam wedge inserted in the seat sleeve has a black X on one side.
With the X facing down, and Velcro edges facing up, slide the seat over the rear crossbar (reminder that rear crossbar
has been defined by the bar going through the webbing) by inserting the crossbar into the seat sleeve between the
thick edge of the foam wedge and the mesh. The thick edge of the foam wedge is cut in the shape of a half circle
to ensure a snug fit.

STEP 6- Final Hanger Installation

Slide the remaining cargo rack and footrest holder on the crossbars just past the snap buttons. Be sure to follow the
same pattern as shown in Step 4 in their relation to the hull. Remember that two hangers will be installed on the
front crossbar and one on the rear bar.

STEP 7- Final Framing

Insert exposed ends of crossbars into molded openings in second pontoon just far enough to expose crossbar in trough.
Place second 6” webbing loop in trough and slide the rear crossbar through the loop. Depress snap buttons and slide
crossbars until snap buttons pop into place.

5

STEP 7- Seat Bottom Lacing

Locate the two short and one long black lacings (Item 9). Flip
pontoons over, vent caps facing down. Using the two short
lacings, tie a double half hitch at each outer grommet of the short
flap. Pass lacing over crossbar and up through opposite outside
grommet located on the long flap. Pass lacing back and down
through the opposite grommet. Tie a double half hitch around all
lacing. Using the long lacing, start at one end with a half hitch
and lace grommets together as diagrammed. NOTE: Center

grommet on flap is for the backpack system and should not
be laced.

STEP 8- Seat Back Preparation

Locate black plastic molded seat back (Item 4), 10” aluminum posts with
plastic molded C clamps (Item 5), and two 3/4” Phillips head screws (Item 6).
Insert screws into the recessed holes of seat back. Insert seat back posts
up through holes in flanged bottom edge of seat back and thread posts onto
screws. Snap molded C clamps onto forward crossbar where cutaways in
seat bottom reveal crossbar.

STEP 9- Seat Adjustment System

Locate 3” loop with buckle and the 56” strap with two
male buckles. Flatten the 3” loop and pass upwards
through outside slot located on the top flange of the
seatback. Pull snugly until stopped by buckle.

DOUBLE HALF HITCH

Insert flattened loop down through inside slot. Remove male
buckle off end of 56” strap. Locate slots on sides of seatback
adjacent to white nylon fittings. Insert webbing from the front
through slot. Pass webbing between seat back and seat
posts, up through 3” webbing loop, and out through opposite
slot. Replace buckle on end of strap. Snap male buckles into
female buckles located on 6” loops previously installed around
crossbars. Adjust length for comfort.

STEP 10- Safety Tether

Locate safety tether. Pass looped lacing end around rear crossbar on either side. Pass Velcro end through loop and
pull to secure tether onto crossbar.

STEP 11- Footrest Installation

1. Locate 18” and two 48” lengths of tubing. Remove screws from the 18” tubing and insert plastic end into 1/2” hole
in 48” lengths. Secure with 1 1/2” screw through 1/4” hole, making sure half round seat is completely seated against
48” tubing. When footrest is not inserted into foot rest hangers it should be disassembled; the horseshoe shape allows
for substantial leverage and can break.

2. Insert footrest evenly into 7/8” opening on hangers until all four hangers are supporting the footrest. Adjust footrest
to desired length. Secure by inserting lynch pins through holes in footrest and hanger. Snug strut attachment tabs
up against footrest hanger.

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