Avon Inflatable - leaking valves

[campbell]

I have an old avon redcreast with A4 type valve that leak at an alarming rate . I have read that it is possible to replace the seal in this valve , by cutting of the deflation nibble and letting the seal fall into the air chamber then feeding the new seal down through the hole in the stainless steel valve seat , looks like it will be tricky .

Has anybody tried it and was it sucessfully ??

Where can you buy replacement seals ??

Where can i get new valves DIY fitted if repair not possible (West coast scotland )

 

[30boat]

I own a 20 year old redcrest myself and the valves have always leaked.They come with plugs attached but they're easily lost wich is probably what happened with yours.I replaced mine with corks wound with self vulcanising tape and it works very well.In fact once I get the boat inflated it stays that way for several days .
I think that you can still obtain the plugs from Avon though.

 

[Dipper]

You can get the A4 valves (whole or the separate bits) from Polymarine Ltd - see www.polymarine.co.uk. If you want a scan of the 'exploded' valve from their catalogue, send me an e-mail.

The phrase 'Keep your head above water' comes to mind!

 

[Douglas]

Yes, I have done a similar thing with short lengths of broom handle. You need to varnish them of the air blows through the end grain! I have also picked up the rubber plugs seconhand from a company that deals in Avon repairs - always seem to lose them though..

 

[johng]

The local Avon dealer in Dorset will replace them for the new type valve for £35 a go. You may not think it worth the money, but new type valve is much, much, better than the old one. For me it was well worth the the £70 to replace the valves on the 2 main chambers (the seat still goes down!). The Avon web site lists all the approved service agents (avoninflatables.co.uk) and I noticed there appeared to be two in scotland. It might be worth the call.

Best of luck.

John G