Inflatable dinghies that don't stay up

[Ceejay]

Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

I was interested to read in the article in PBO this month in the article on repairing inflatables that it is considered normal for them to lose pressure at such an alarming rate. I have had a Wetline 265 airdeck in regular use for 3 years now and it very rarely needs topped up, with he exception of the floor, which needs air perhaps every 5 days or so.
Am I just very fortunate, or is it the experience of others that this article is wide of the mark?

CJ

 

[stevebrassett]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

Mine slowly deflates. I'd never thought anything of it.

 

[Oceanmaster]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

I have one of those too. Does not deflate over the season. However the floor does go a bit sqishy when i pop it into the cool water. Don't have to top it up as much as yours though.Mind you it depends on how boucy you want your floor.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

Mine deflates enough to need half a dozen good pumps with a footpump over the course of about a week.... no big deal IMHO....

 

[MacMan]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

We have a Lodestar. Admittedly only a couple of seasons old but doesn't seem to deflate at all. Only if the weather changes - if it is nice and hard when it is hot then it goes a big saggy if it cools down.

But hey - sometimes life is like that !

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Searush]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

After a couple of weeks (up to 6 sometimes) in the dinghy store I put a couple of breaths (I can't be bothered to get the pump out of the boot) in each tube to stiffen it up for rowing. I suspect it weeps around the valves, but WTF?

The inflatable seat however, is an absolute bummer & has to be reinflated every day - definitely an air valve weep, as I water tested it for leaks I was so fed up with it. I have been known to prefer a 10 gallon plastic container (spare fuel or water containers) from time to time.

 

[Dave99]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

washing up liquid and water helps find the leaks - then its a case of patching or replacing the valves. I guess the decision is whether it is an expensive one or cheap one as to whether a new dinghy goes on the christmas list.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Re: Inflatable dinghies that don\'t stay up

Used to know a bloke who had a blow up doll, that had a leak somewhere, kept going down on him. He seemed quite happy about that though.