Best way to fold up an inflatable?

[Even Chance]

Hi guys,
Can I please tap into the combined knowledge of the forum to find out the best way for me to deflate and fold up a wooden transom, air keel dinghy like the one in this picture :-

http://www.silvermarine.com/product/product_115_1.html

It has 3 large plywood floor pieces that are a pest cos theyre big, but its more the best way to fold up the inflatable bit for storage I'm after.

Hope you can help.....

 

[john_morris_uk]

I can't access the picture from work, but we use a pump to evacuate all the air from our Avon dinghy when we deflate it. Its much easier to fold up and it makes it much smaller as well.

 

[sarabande]

if the plywoof floor bits remove easily, do that.

Extract all the air as per JM's post, and close the valves.

Fold the transom over, forwards into the 'hull', then push the cones in towards the centre of the aft side of the transom.

Roll the transom forwards toward the bow.

Some models, e.g Quicksilver, you can stuff the oars into the middle of the roll as you do it.



If you don't have an extract pump, then leave the valves open, so that you squeeze air out as you roll.


For winter storage, I'd leave the valves open, and the dink unrolled so that the fabric does not become sharply creased.

 

[Lakesailor]

Get your crew to do it.

Shout at them a bit.

 

[nigelmercier]

Get your crew to do it.

Shout at them a bit.

ROFL!

 

[Even Chance]

Nice one guys, cheers for the info.

The foot-pump I got with it does indeed extract, but its painfully slow. Will an electric inflator for an air-bed work on the dinghy? (I dont see any reason it wont)
I have one of them already, so may try it out.
I folded it up yesterday, but it still took up a lot of space. Will try folding the cones in as well next time like you say.

Lakey, the crew is my wife, and I dont fancy getting beat up by her!! Best idea is to keep my gob welded shut in her company, that way she might come sailing with me again!

 

[Jamesuk]

I can't access the picture from work, but we use a pump to evacuate all the air from our Avon dinghy when we deflate it. Its much easier to fold up and it makes it much smaller as well.

Perfect advice here. As for folding, if it is going into dry storage then I would recommend using Talc all over the surface. We use it for Winter storage because when it is time to unfold it, pretty much guarantees it will be fresh and clean.

We have an Avon Hypalon Dinghy pretty much the same.

 

[jwilson]

Hi guys,
Can I please tap into the combined knowledge of the forum to find out the best way for me to deflate and fold up a wooden transom, air keel dinghy like the one in this picture :-

http://www.silvermarine.com/product/product_115_1.html

It has 3 large plywood floor pieces that are a pest cos theyre big, but its more the best way to fold up the inflatable bit for storage I'm after.

Hope you can help.....

I use a vac cleaner hose held against the open valve to get almost all the air out very efficiently and quickly, but a bit gets back in as you shut the valve. Just scrubbed mine and patched two small slow leaks.

 

[rob2]

I have a Plastimo P270 with wide boards. The valves do not have an extraction facility, so you simply remove them to deflate and the pump cannot beused to evacuate the tubes. In addition to all that has been said, the side tubes have to be folded in half lengthways to make it narrow enough to go back in its valise.

I use an electric inflator, plugged into the car to inflate the tubes whilst I get everything else unloaded and ready. Each tube needs a dozen or so strokes of the handpump to get them up to working pressure, though. This way, I still have the energy to launch it straight away!

Rob.

 

[northwind]

The foot-pump I got with it does indeed extract, but its painfully slow. Will an electric inflator for an air-bed work on the dinghy? (I dont see any reason it wont)

Yes it will.

I brought one of these earlier in the year, following a recommendation on here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Rechargeable-Quickpump-Plus-230V/dp/B001P80GJ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320062250&sr=8-2

It puts the air in with the valves open, justing needing a top up with the footpump at the end. And it deflates the dinghy really well, makes the job so easy..

 

[john_morris_uk]

I should have explained that our pump is an electric one. Obviously it sucks as well as blows. Off topic but it's a two stage pump that you can dial the required pressure up on and then it automatically switches off at the correct moment, so no extra foot pumping recquired.

 

[Poignard]

I do the same as Sarabande. My Achilles has 3 plywood panels which I store in a cockpit locker and the folded dinghy is kept on the coachroof in its protective 'wallet'.

I reckon the ply floor panels will last a lot longer if they are not folded up inside a wet dinghy after use. My Achilles was bought second hand 14 years ago and is still in very good condition.

 

[CreakyDecks]

Unless I want to move an outboard I leave the boards at home. It does seem "wrong" to roll it up from the transom end forwards, because it seems like you will trap the air, but that's the quickest way to do it and enough air gets out to get the thing in its bag.

 

[Even Chance]

Thanks for the info guys. I knew someone would come up trumps, and it seems a lot of folks have some great info.