Manual for inherited Avon dinghy (2.5m?). Help, please.

[RIBW]

We have inherited an Avon dinghy which, I am guessing, dates from 1990ish. It has neither a manual nor a manufacturer's plate. It is approximately 2.5m long with a slatted wood floor. (A 'sealskin' treatment has given it a new lease of life.)

I have done a google search without much luck. Online downloads don't seem to go back that far.

Can someone please help me identify the likely version description, point to a source for a manual and, pushing my luck, provide a photo of a manufacturer's plate?

Thanks in advance
Bob

 

[VicS]

We have inherited an Avon dinghy ..........
Bob

A photo would help

I take it that it is just a round tail dinghy, not a rigid transom type, if so at 2.5m it is probably a Redstart
At one time they did a Budget version which they called the Avon7 which was 2.3m

The next larger version was the Redcrest whic h was 2.8 m

If a solid transom then probably a Rover 2.5

I just happen to have some scanned pages from a mid 1980s brochure on Photobucket. Models and specs changed a bit over the years but perhaps will be of help.
Later roundtails and Rovers had the square bow like the Avon 7 and R 2.5

 

[RIBW]

A photo would help
If a solid transom then probably a Rover 2.5
I just happen to have some scanned pages from a mid 1980s brochure. Models and specs changed a bit over the years but perhaps will be of help.

Thanks very much Vic. From your data it is clearly a Rover 2.5. (Sorry my photo store and I were separated at the time of posting).
I have done a screen grab on your images so I have most of the info I was seeking. Cheers!

It would still be helpful if anyone has a 'manual' if only for confirming the inflation pressure and possibly valve types (best guess has worked OK so far).
Regards
Bob

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks very much Vic. From your data it is clearly a Rover 2.5. (Sorry my photo store and I were separated at the time of posting).
I have done a screen grab on your images so I have most of the info I was seeking. Cheers!

It would still be helpful if anyone has a 'manual' if only for confirming the inflation pressure and possibly valve types (best guess has worked OK so far).
Regards
Bob

The manual says inflation pressure 2.5 - 3.0 psi. No mention of valve type but readily available from most chandlers or online.

To be honest I've hardly ever looked at the manual, never found a need to as everything is pretty obvious, and even though I have a pressure gauge somewhere I've never used that.

 

[Tranona]

Pressure not critical. Just pump it up until the tubes ping when flicked with a finger. If using a foot pump it is obvious when it is. Up to pressure. The valve will either be a blast rubber type with some mushroom inside to seal or more likely the plastic type shown in the photos. Standard valve ad easy to keep clean or replace.

 

[VicS]

Thanks very much Vic. From your data it is clearly a Rover 2.5. (Sorry my photo store and I were separated at the time of posting).
I have done a screen grab on your images so I have most of the info I was seeking. Cheers!

It would still be helpful if anyone has a 'manual' if only for confirming the inflation pressure and possibly valve types (best guess has worked OK so far).
Regards
Bob

Cant help with inflation pressure. I suspect most people, me included, simply inflate them until they are firm enough and leave it at that.

You find details/spare parts for the valves and other parts and accessories at Polymarine, amongst others. http://www.polymarine.com/

 

[xeitosaphil]

With regards to the valves, I think you will find that the valve type is moulded into the cover cap fitting e.g. Type B7-A7 unless of course you have the very old original type of black rubber ones which I think they only made one version and are now obsolete anyway?

I never had a Avon manual so don't know the inflation pressures, but if using the designed supplied Avon foot pump, it will not allow you to over inflate it anyway.

Something to bare in mind is, in warm weather the tubes expand so over inflation could burst the tube in hot weather, or so I have heard?

I usually just inflate to firm but not rock solid / tight as a drum, and haven’t had any problems so far, you can usually gauge it once sat on the tubes.

 

[Daydream believer]

Pressure is quite low from memory only 3 PSI- Knowing that will not help because you probably not be able to check it. So pump up until the pump comes off
Frankly you do not need a manual. It is all common sense. Stick the pump in & pump until out of breath then let the kids have a go
Do not over inflate the seat so you sit lower & your knees do not foul the stroke of the oars. not possible with a solid seat of course so go for the inflate seat option if you can
If poss store inflated off of grit etc & do not store rolled up as it induces kinks in the skin
Chuck the floor away - not needed & wears the edge seams
Do not drag it on the beach
Get it overhauled every 20 years
If towing take a line from the tow to the loops inside the bow because the weakest point is the tow hitch as a backup but do not try to tow by this line
A thicker tow line is less inclined to cut into the tow eye
When towing lift the bow off the water , taking weight on the stern of the yacht, it tows better but can flip in a blow so either tie the oars in or keep them on board
Tie a line between the 2 oars so if you drop one you do not loose it
Mine is 46 years old this year & still gives better service than my newer Wetline rubbish

 

[Tranona]

Chuck the floor away - not needed & wears the edge seams

Not a good idea with the model the OP has. The floor is an integral part of the design unlike the round tails you seem to be talking about.

 

[VicS]

Sorry about the size of some of the pictures if its mucked up your display

They are OK on a desk top running Chrome

 

[RIBW]

Sorry about the size of some of the pictures if its mucked up your display

No problem Vic - I just used Ctrl- & Ctrl+ to get the size maximised for a screen grab. And, thanks for the hotlink.

Thanks to everyone else as well - I have all I need now - Cheers
Bob
PS
I have been using our motorised pump @ 2.5PSI - (the pump comes in handy for our much newer but slightly too big airdeck dinghy). We have wheels to avoid dragging and we have davits so that towing is never necessary.
I confess to some nerdiness - hence my tagline - I prefer having the correct information if it is available.

 

[TQA]

I had a Redstart for years. It is MUCH more comfortable to use with the floorboards in.

It can also be persuaded to plane.