How to roll/fold an inflatable dinghy?

[Vega1447]

Just bought a Brig 2.8m inflatable dinghy second hand - inflatable floor/deck and underwater hull.

Light enough to carry easily & rows well enough.

Very happy with it but (as second-hand) no owner's manual.

Reason I ask is that I can't succeed in rolling up (or should I fold?) the deflated dinghy into the supplied carrier bag.

The hard transom (capable of taking an o/b) fits but the inflatable part doesn't as much wider than transom or bag.

Or is the bag just a throwaway item not intended for repeated use?

Thanks.

 

[Ripster]

Many dinghies need to have the air literally sucked out of them to get them flat enough to be folded small enough to fit in their bag. But on the three I have had, after getting the most air out that you can, keep the valves held open by using the central twist cap on the valve. Then the air floor and v hull are pulled up in the centre and the excess folded to one side to create a flat base. Then starting at the transom fold in towards the centre the flat tubes so that the width is no more than the transom plate. Then create a roll working forward around the transom. It does take a bit of effort, but this generally gets the bundle down small enough to go in the bag (most times!).

 

[Vega1447]

Many dinghies need to have the air literally sucked out of them to get them flat enough to be folded small enough to fit in their bag. But on the three I have had, after getting the most air out that you can, keep the valves held open by using the central twist cap on the valve. Then the air floor and v hull are pulled up in the centre and the excess folded to one side to create a flat base. Then starting at the transom fold in towards the centre the flat tubes so that the width is no more than the transom plate. Then create a roll working forward around the transom. It does take a bit of effort, but this generally gets the bundle down small enough to go in the bag (most times!).

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

 

[Searush]

Many dinghies need to have the air literally sucked out of them to get them flat enough to be folded small enough to fit in their bag. But on the three I have had, after getting the most air out that you can, keep the valves held open by using the central twist cap on the valve. Then the air floor and v hull are pulled up in the centre and the excess folded to one side to create a flat base. Then starting at the transom fold in towards the centre the flat tubes so that the width is no more than the transom plate. Then create a roll working forward around the transom. It does take a bit of effort, but this generally gets the bundle down small enough to go in the bag (most times!).

That's pretty much as mine folds too & with care will go in the bag like that.

My valves are at the transom so I undo them & roll from the bow to the stern to eliminate the air & then put the valves back in to seal it & unroll it nice & flat. Then carry on as above with the sides folded in & roll up tight from the transom.

 

[tudorsailor]

I have an Avon Roverlight. I has valves that stay open when twisted. I have a little electric pump on board that I use the inflate and deflate. It makes light work of inflating of course. With the deflating, it really gets all the air out and enables me to fold in the sides before rolling forwards from the transom. I also have a couple of inflatable Avon fenders for use in marinas with scary charter boats. It takes seconds to inflate a big fat fender

The pump is well worth the money

TS

 

[[2574]]

I also have a couple of inflatable Avon fenders for use in marinas with scary charter boats. It takes seconds to inflate a big fat fender

TS

Thread drift, for which I apologise, but just to add that we have inflatable fenders too. The problem with them is that I find my fellow yachtsmen like them also but they aren't prepared to pay for them so they choose to take ours. Not nice, and that was in our marina, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth. Now we have to be careful when/where we leave the inflatables deployed.

 

[mjcoon]

Thread drift, for which I apologise, but just to add that we have inflatable fenders too. The problem with them is that I find my fellow yachtsmen like them also but they aren't prepared to pay for them so they choose to take ours. Not nice, and that was in our marina, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth. Now we have to be careful when/where we leave the inflatables deployed.

I've seen inflatables marked "Tender to <yacht>" but not "Fender to <yacht>"...

Mike.

 

[[2574]]

I've seen inflatables marked "Tender to <yacht>" but not "Fender to <yacht>"...

Mike.

That's a good idea; this weekend with a marker pen I think - "Fender to SY.........."

rob

 

[charles_reed]

Just bought a Brig 2.8m inflatable dinghy second hand - inflatable floor/deck and underwater hull.

Light enough to carry easily & rows well enough.

Very happy with it but (as second-hand) no owner's manual.

Reason I ask is that I can't succeed in rolling up (or should I fold?) the deflated dinghy into the supplied carrier bag.

The hard transom (capable of taking an o/b) fits but the inflatable part doesn't as much wider than transom or bag.

Or is the bag just a throwaway item not intended for repeated use?

Thanks.

You have to fold the tubes inside the line of the transom - so the transom is the widest point of the boat. Dependent on the valve, getting the last bit of air can be a problem - putting the pump on "suck" may be necessary.
Most bags (in my experience) have bags of spare space.

 

[Vega1447]

You have to fold the tubes inside the line of the transom - so the transom is the widest point of the boat. Dependent on the valve, getting the last bit of air can be a problem - putting the pump on "suck" may be necessary.
Most bags (in my experience) have bags of spare space.

Yep.

Thanks to those who replied.

All good advice & the dinghy now fits fine into its bag..