How to Assemble a MiniCat 420: An In-Depth Demonstration

This video is an in-depth step-by-step guide on how to assemble a MiniCat 420. Watch for tips and tricks from Alex Caslow of Red Beard Sailing who has been sailing MiniCat sailboats for nearly a decade.
To learn more about the MiniCat 420 visit redbeardsailing.com/products/...
Want to speak to Alex or the Red Beard Sailing team directly? Give them a call at [phone] or email at [e-mail]

[@bradwright4515]

If only all assembly videos were this good. Thank you !

[@redbeardsailing]

Thank you! I will be making more videos like this!

[@TheErmerm999]

There are o so many ways I would design this differently. My advice take a half dozen of these down to a sailing school let some teenagers build them without instructions. I used to do this with new tent designs and a scout troop. I do want one though. But the engineer in me wants to get my pencil out start designing. Great video great boat. Great idea.

[@redbeardsailing]

There’s a lot of ways to skin a cat (ha ha) and every boat is a compromise. The MiniCat is a boat you can sail today while you work out building your own dream boat! Thank you for the kind words!

[@minicatmaran]

really good instruction video!!! when you use a electric pump you can set up the boat completely easy in 45 minutes. When the pump inflates you can use the time to make ready the mast meanwhile etc.

[@boejiden]

Why on the website it says 30 minutes then?

[@tatamaran-wypozyczalnia]

perfect user manual for my clients. Thank You for it.

[@redbeardsailing]

Happy to help!

[@cameronschlehuber2678]

Excellent video! We'll be trying several of the ideas in this video with our MiniCat 420 next time we're out on Lake Pleasant, AZ.

[@user-pq8ec4gb3n]

Great Video! I wish I had this the first time I assembled my 420....

[@75emack]

Same. I've lost a keel in the lake (underinflation + bad insertion), had the mast fall (bowsprit turnbuckles shook loose) and threaded the main halyard the wrong way. All while on the water. Hopefully the big mistakes are all behind me. There were a number of good tips here that are new to me (figure 8 knot on the forestay, have forestay half-taut _before_ setting the mast, tying the jib sheets together). I was also unaware of the tiny inflator. Great video.

[@tomknauer7155]

very good assembly video, thank you!! What size of snap shackles do you use?

[@hans-petermann4201]

Super erklärt, vielen Dank!

[@TomNelson-wp1go]

Alex do you guys sell the side attachments for the dolphin striker? My dolphin striker seems to be slight bent to one side. And I am worried about it not being 90 degrees from frame cross beam.

[@user-ih9xh3gp8f]

Anyone know exactly what electric pump he's using ?

[@korhan84]

Thanks for the video. What type of adapter is the nozzle of the pump?

[@redbeardsailing]

The valve adapter to inflate is called a Halkey-Roberts valve.

[@korhan84]

@@redbeardsailing Thank you.

[@annemariekekelders8120]

First class video. What kind of pump is that you are using? Where can you buy it . Thank you, Theo from holland.

[@redbeardsailing]

Hi Theo, Thank you for the kind words! We are using a Takacat Volume Inflator, but you can probably find it locally as a Flextail Gear Max Pump Plus , then pair it with a universal Halkey-Roberts valve adapter.

[@bradwright4515]

Hey Alex, so an hour is reasonable ? 45 minutes would mean a lot of hard work and a chance something goes wrong ? Asking for a old friend(!) who can't see they will ever get to to 45 minutes (!)

[@redbeardsailing]

I think it takes everyone a different amount of time. If I am alone, and have an auto inflator, I can typically do it in 20-30 minutes, especially if I knew I was being timed. I think for the average user 30-60 minutes is achievable by most.

[@bradwright4515]

@@redbeardsailing Well, I will keep trying.

[@redbeardsailing]

@@bradwright4515 the two longest steps (time wise) are the lacing and inflation steps. You could try and get a faster method of lacing (Minicats quick lacing accessory) and a good 2 stage electric pump and one of our TVIs (or air mattress style volume pump) to make inflation a breeze. If these were snap-your-finger-and they’re-done steps, assembly could probably be done in 10-15 minutes of easy work.

[@bradwright4515]

@@redbeardsailing Now you are scaring me ! But I will take all your advice.

[@redbeardsailing]

@@bradwright4515 I have 8 years of experience with the MiniCat 420, I would consider myself advanced in skill with regards to assembly. Some customers have started leaving hulls inflated and attached to the frame and just transport the base boat on the roof of their car. Not sure if that’s an option for you, but one you may consider if you are trying to simplify your steps to going sailing.

[@christianzamarra3917]

Like if u ar watching this video but u didnt get a minicat yet

[@ordi1306]

1 hour???? 😮 🤦🤦🤦

[@redbeardsailing]

If you’re interested in buying a MiniCat 420, then you’d likely watch this video. If you watch this video, you’ll see that it doesn’t take an hour for you to build the boat, just an hour to teach how to build the boat. 😉