Adrian Durrant takes us through a Pyranha Thighbrace Install upgrade.

Lots of people lately have been purchasing Pyranha club spec boats and asking about upgrading the boat with thigh braces, this is a really simple job to do and will take about 10 minutes to complete.

Pyranha Thighbrace Install [8]

By adding thigh braces will give you much better control of the boat especially in moving water whilst edging the boat, it also allows you to upgrade to a ratchet backrest with the thigh braces pre drilled to take a ratchet.

Here’s a quick step by step guide to fitting Connect thigh braces into a club spec Z-One.

Pyranha Thighbrace Install [1]

Pyranha Thighbrace Install [1]

Collect together the tools needed.

1 x Drill with 6mm bit

1 x Marker pen

1 x Philips Screwdriver

1 x Thighbrace kit from Pyranha containing

2 x Connect Thigh braces 4 x bolts 4 x plates 4 x washers and 2 x O-Rings

Pyranha Thighbrace Install [1]

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The boat is premarked during moulding for the thigh brace positions, take the pen and clearly mark the four imprints. This will make them easier to identify when it comes to drilling.

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Carefully drill the four holes with the 6mm drill bit. A variable speed drill will help with this. You don’t need much pressure to drill the holes. Try an keep the drill perpendicular to the surface of the boat. This make lining everything up much easier once the job has been done.

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Two of the holes are on the top of the cockpit rim the other two come in from the sides and sit below the rim.

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Place the bolts through the drilled holes, Long bolts come in from the side and shorter bolts from the top. Use the red washers on the outside with the rubber O-ring on the longer bolt between the washer and hull. You may even want to add a little bit of silicone sealant.

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Lift the thigh brace into place, lining up the bolts.

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Put the flat plate into the longer bolt and tighten gently.

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Now slide the thigh brace to check movement and push the bolt through the middle hole in the top (number 3 of 5 holes).

Offer the plate with the extended thread to the bolt, flat side first and carefully tighten.

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Now tighten the outer bolt until hand tight.

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To adjust remove the top bolt and loosen the side bolt carefully slide the thigh brace to the correct position line up the hole and retighten.

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Add a sticker to the boat and you’re done!!

Article by Adrian Durrant.