Avon Tender

[Mavis]

My new yacht came with an Avon Rover R2-50 tender. After using it for the first time last weekend in the Scillies I have realised that:

a: I do not know what pressure I should pump into the tubes.

b: the floor is missing!. At least all I have to stand on is the bottom membrane which doesn't seem right?. Should this dinghy have come with timber slats or an airdeck or simular? If so what are the chances of getting the proper floor for it ?.

Any help appriciated.

 

[VicS]

My new yacht came with an Avon Rover R2-50 tender. After using it for the first time last weekend in the Scillies I have realised that:

a: I do not know what pressure I should pump into the tubes.

b: the floor is missing!. At least all I have to stand on is the bottom membrane which doesn't seem right?. Should this dinghy have come with timber slats or an airdeck or simular? If so what are the chances of getting the proper floor for it ?.

Any help appriciated.

It appears that slatted floor boards and a pressure gauge were optional extras. The owners manual should give the correct pressure

 

[PlankWalker]

Don't know anyone who measures the pressure of their Avon, just pump it up hard, its difficult to over inflate it.
I usually run out of puff before I get enough puff into my Avon.

With regard to the floor, I believe it would have originally had slats but its such an old model you'l be lucky to find anything to fit.
Its easy to make a new floor out of 6mm ply and polyester tape hinges.

PLank

 

[prv]

With regard to the floor, I believe it would have originally had slats

I was going to say that the brochure describes a ply floor as standard, or slats as an option. But then I realised that the OP's 2.50 is the exception, and appears not to have had the standard floor.

Either way, lots of people use old Avons with just the rubber floor. Goes with Seagull engines, wet bums, and mud

Pete

 

[TQA]

Pump it up hard with the supplied footpump.

Get some WBP ply 3/8 or 1/2 and make yourself a set of floorboards. 3 pieces worked for me. epoxy the edges three coats and paint with something UV resistant.

 

[simonfraser]

the whole point of the older avon is that it is light and simple, why add extra bits ?
its easy to row, the floor is not going to help you row, i have used one for years without a floor.
they do get wet, with a floor the water gets under it, now its heavier still.
sponge and wellies.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Ah the joys of an Avon... Pump it up hard then have a rest and pump it up harder. At least it's not a round tail, where the outboard (if the tubes are underinflated) will try to drown itself... In all seriousness though, they last so long, it's only the tube size leading to WBS (wet bum syndrome) that lets them down in this modern age

 

[Mavis]

Thanks for the replies - I was a little worried that by standing on it I would go straight through the floor, so you have put my mind at rest. Probaly leave it as it is then.

We were on the visitors bouys at St Marys and by the time we got about half way across to the quay the thing just about folded in half and we ended up soaking wet. But once we rammed more air in her she was ok, so lesson learnt, just pump it up real hard.

 

[Tranona]

If it is leaking air the most common cause is dirt in the valves. pump the boat up until the tubes ring when flicked with a finger. They are relatively low pressure and you cannot over inflate with the standard pump - just pump until it gets hard work! Then go over the whole boat, particularly the valves with soapy water to check for any leaks. Repairs are relatively easy if you use the correct Hypalon patches and adhesive. Most chandlers stock repair kits.

 

[prv]

Thanks for the replies - I was a little worried that by standing on it I would go straight through the floor, so you have put my mind at rest. Probaly leave it as it is then.

The main problem with a rubber floor is that when you put any weight on it your foot becomes the lowest point and all the water that may be in it will run down and gather around it. Not a problem for the bearded and besmocked old salt who is never separated from his seaboots, but something to be aware of before going ashore for dinner in your nice shoes

Provided you don't mind this, it should be fine.

Pete

 

[rob2]

... going ashore for dinner in your nice shoes
Pete

The floor just allows you to stand on the water, but no matter where you're going for dinner, no high heels!

Rob.

 

[Daydream believer]

The pressure for the early Redcrest & my current Redstart which is 48 years old is 3 PSI. I have had the newer screw on type valves fitted about 15 years ago when it had its once only service. Before then it was the push in type & they popped out at 3 PSI I was told

 

[johnalison]

I was told by the Avon rep at a boat show in about 1972 that it would be impossible for me to over-inflate with a foot pump. I don't suppose things have changed much since then, though people significantly heavier than me might wish to use caution.

The pumps that have been provided recently, and which you can still buy in chandlers', have a little plastic gismo that shows when the maximum pressure has been reached. These are the grey plastic pumps which have two "powers" and can extract air.