Dinghy pressures - how do I tell?

[maej]

I just received my first inflatable, an excel SD260 with air deck and keel. The manual states specific pressures and gives warnings about too little or too much pressure, but I can't find any kind of guage in the package, it's just a very basic looking orange plastic pump.

How can I tell if I have put enough/too much/not enough air in the tubes and deck? Are there any tell tail signs?

In the long run I'll invest in a better pump with guage, but I need to use it in the morning so won't have time just yet.

Thanks

 

[SHUG]

Zodiac supply an in-line gauge with their inflatable ribs. You might get one as a spare part.
Here is an option: http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/info_ZOZ1008.html

and everything for Zodiacs is here: http://www.ronhalemarine.co.uk/superbasket/category/30/Zodiac/Bombard_Spares_and_Accessories

 

[sailorman]

I just received my first inflatable, an excel SD260 with air deck and keel. The manual states specific pressures and gives warnings about too little or too much pressure, but I can't find any kind of guage in the package, it's just a very basic looking orange plastic pump.

How can I tell if I have put enough/too much/not enough air in the tubes and deck? Are there any tell tail signs?

In the long run I'll invest in a better pump with guage, but I need to use it in the morning so won't have time just yet.

Thanks

with a conventional hand / foot pump you are unlikely to be able to over inflate it

 

[landlockedpirate]

Stick with the pump that came with it, keep pumping till it wont pump anymore. Job done.

You cant 'pop' it with the supplied pump, and if you dont put enough air in it, you will soon realise cos you will get a wet bum.

 

[VicS]

Pump until its good and firm

Otherwise http://www.polymarineshop.com/pressure-gauge.html if it fits your valves

 

[Searush]

I leave mine inflated in a dinghy shed so after a week or two it gets a bit floppy. I top it up by mouth - only a few good lungfulls are needed.

Beware of blowing it up hard on a cool morning & leaving in the hot sun all day. Never actually had a seam split, but I have been sufficiently scared to blow off a few psi several times now I leave it slightly soft initially if it's very sunny.

 

[Tranona]

Flick the tube with your fingers or knuckle - should sound like a drum. No danger of overinflating with a hand or foot pump. Most pumps squeak when you have the tube up to pressure.

 

[VicS]

I have been sufficiently scared to blow off a few psi

I am sure we all know the feeling

after a week or two it gets a bit floppy

Too much information !

 

[maej]

Thanks.

I just tried to blow it up in the garden as a dry run, but the supplied pump can't even make it firm, it leaks so much back through the pump I can't pump fast enough to compensate.

We'll see tomorrow if it can hold it's shape with me and a small outboard. but I'll be buying the first decent pump I see. It's a shame, the dinghy itself seems really good, just let down by the dodgy pump.

 

[Iain C]

VicS

Not sure if it's the wine or my puerile sense of humour...but this thread is double entendre gold!!! Glad it's not just me!!

 

[greenalien]

it leaks so much back through the pump I can't pump fast enough to compensate.

Check the valves - they should have an arrangement that lets you keep them open (to deflate the dinghy) or set them so that they only let air in, but not out (for inflating). If you don't engage 'inflation mode' then you'll be pumping forever...

 

[Frankie-H]

I just received my first inflatable, an excel SD260 with air deck and keel. The manual states specific pressures and gives warnings about too little or too much pressure, but I can't find any kind of guage in the package, it's just a very basic looking orange plastic pump.

How can I tell if I have put enough/too much/not enough air in the tubes and deck? Are there any tell tail signs?

In the long run I'll invest in a better pump with guage, but I need to use it in the morning so won't have time just yet.

Thanks

Hi. Ours is a SD290. 4 years old and, on the whole great. It came with a stand up type pump, fitted with a guage. Basically you pump the floor till the handle wont go down any more as hard as possible. The keel and tubes slightly less. It is not critical but do not use a mechanical pump. Look out for the lifting bolts in the transom. The head fell off one of mine. I would have thought this impossible but I think it was made in china. The webbing straps, which hold the thwarts, have degraded and broken. Unfortunately their after sale service is very heavy going. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Searush]

I'd agree, check the pump valves too. Can they be accessed? Screw off cap or similar perhaps? Valves are usually just a flap of rubber, spray a bit of cooking oil into it if you can't access it, but be aware that it may get sticky in due course & need a bit of hot water to free it off then!

 

[LadyInBed]

As often the case, Vic beat me to it but . . . .

after a week or two it gets a bit floppy.
I top it up by mouth

A week or two! I need some of that.
I can't reach mine

 

[ffiill]

Also worth noting that most pumps have an inflation connection and deflation connection which allows you to totally flat pack dingy for storage.Better pumps are also able to operate double action pumping both on up and down stroke as well as single action pumping on down stroke.

 

[Searush]

Also worth noting that most pumps have an inflation connection and deflation connection which allows you to totally flat pack dingy for storage.Better pumps are also able to operate double action pumping both on up and down stroke as well as single action pumping on down stroke.

No need to waste time. Just unscrew the valves & quickly roll up to deflate. Replace valves, unroll (you could deflate here if really fussy, but I never found it necessary) & then pack carefully. Fold sides in & roll really tight. It should fit back into its bag.

 

[Stu Jackson]

With an air floor, the pump you buy should have at least two if not three settings for the different pressures neded for the tubes (less) and the air floor (more).

The valves on the different sections should have pins inside the valves that turn to either inflate or deflate. They should be under the twist off caps.

 

[nigelmercier]

I just received my first inflatable, an excel SD260 with air deck and keel. The manual states specific pressures and gives warnings about too little or too much pressure, but I can't find any kind of guage in the package, it's just a very basic looking orange plastic pump.

Odd! My Excel came with a pressure gauge on the pump. Not that anyone bothers to read it, just pump until it feels firm.

I need to go and lie down now.

 

[Skylark]

IIRC the pressure is required to fully inflate a floppy is quite low, around 3 psi. Finding an accurate gauge for these pressures may be difficult and costly. You'll very quickly learn to know the right pressure by feel.

Even in the balmy UK climate, it's worth reiterating the point about temperature. If you pump it up in the morning, it'll be hard in the afternoon. If you pump it in the afternoon, it'll be limp by daybreak.

Good luck with your new toy............please don't buy a Seagul, though; there's enough nutters on here already

 

[CreakyDecks]

Check the valves - they should have an arrangement that lets you keep them open (to deflate the dinghy) or set them so that they only let air in, but not out (for inflating). If you don't engage 'inflation mode' then you'll be pumping forever...

On my dinghy you have to poke your finger in through the hole, push the valve in a bit and then rotate it ninety degrees. It should then spring into the closed position for pumping. To deflate you do the same thing to set the valves to their open position.