Re-packing tender...

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rajjes

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..if this at all possible?

What procedure do you use to repack an inflatable dinghy? I have a Maxxon 230 and cannot get it near the size it needs to be to fit in its bag! Is there some sort of deflator pump that could be use to eliminate all air? I tried switching the foot pump hose to the inlet, but didn't work as the valves have a push mechanism.

Also, what are your views on 12V pumps for inflating/deflating such dinghys? Are they any good?
 
I am a big fan of the cheap rechargeable blowers, they require you to use the manual pump to get the pressure right but they take all the back breaking work out and are properly portable.

To pack them down it helps to tuck the sides well in as you roll, sort of lean on the transom while pulling on the rowlocks - if you see what I mean.

We often have to re-crate the big inflatables after we have modified them and the deflators are not much use in my humbleness. A good technique and patience work wonders.
 
Rajjes.
I was looking at the 12v LVM (?) hand pumps last week with a view to buying one.
According to one of the sales assistants in the chandlers I deal with who has given me excellant advice in the past, they are worth their weight in gold, as they use one on almost a daily bases in the shop.
I have also been told by others that they are excellent, and will inflate a 2.3-2.7 dingy in a couple of minutes, and will suck as goog as they blow, ( more than can be said for some of the lasies I know). /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I will be buying one of them as soon as I can get the spondulex together, aprox £70.
One thing to remember though, They must be connected directly to the vehicle batt, and I would advice leaving the engine running while inflating.
 
We have a LVM inflator/deflator. It draws something like 25amps so its a crocodile clips on the battery with engine running job but its about 4 mins to inflate and slightly longer to deflate our Seago 2.6m tender. Take time to fold the sides in carefully whilst deflating and you will end up with it packed down as well if not better than when it was delivered.
 
Agreed - a good tuck in from the sides is essential.

I don't know what kind of foot pump you have but a half decent high volume pump should not equate to backbreaking, IMHO, for any 230 inflatable regardless of tube size.

Practise makes perfect !!
 
Thanks to all for the input, will probably go for the LVM and give repacking another go tucking in the sides.

cheers,
 
I have a Bombard AX2Airdeck. The instructions tell you to roll it from the aft but as the valves are aft that doesn't work.

Unscrew the valves and squash most of the air out. Manipulate the side tubes inwards so the whole thing is no wider than the transom. Roll it up from the front to force the air out. Once you reach the transom, fold in the sponsons and roll up towards the front. Took a few goes but not now fits the bag first time. I usually do this on the pontoon rather than on an uneven deck. For a journey home it just gets folded up anyhow and roped on to the top on the boat.
 
We got a cheapo inflator from a car shop - not H ... another one ... it was ~ £10 and as Malty says - takes the back breaking out - it inflates the tubes up nicely then just top off with the footpump .. and if it breaks (which it hasn't in 2 years) I can buy another 6 before getting to the same price as the LVM!!
 
Not sure if it helps but I am sure the LVM handbook says inflate with engine off as the pump is over voltage sensitive and can so be damaged.
 
geez they are fickle ain't they, engine off, don't fill in one go or the switch burns out..

I will stick with mine with works well, with a ciggy socket no less.

31081075.JPG
 
On my Wetline 260, to deflate, I push in the centre part of the valves, turn to lock, manually squeaze most air out, then use the foot pump with pipe in inlet side to evacuate the air, ensuring the side tubes are pulled well into the centre. when remove pump pipe, turn valve centre back out. Rolls up to width of floor boards. Check if your valve centres do the same.
 
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