Rubbber duck questions

[Boo2]

Hi,

My boat come with one of these (see pix below) which I've only just gotten round to pumping up. I've some questions as follows, sorry of they've been done to death before :

2. What is the longevity of one of these when left on dinghy chains ?
3. Will it be sliced up by some yobbo with a knife or will it weather into oblivion in a week or two ?
4. It doesn't have the blow-up thwart or metal tube outboard mount at the back should I chuck it and buy another having both ?
5. Ditto oars ?
6. I pumped it up with the LVM 12V air pump but it doesn't seem hard enough to me, should it be iron-taught or is slightly soft-ish OK ?
7. The bottom has a tiny hole. Sigh.
8. What are the black button things at the bow for ?
9. I know it won't row or motor worth a damn but is there anything else I should know ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[PilotWolf]

1. Don't know - guess it depends on the weather, etc.
2. Depends on your location and the company you keep!
3. Yes if you want somewhere to sit and/or use an engine.
4. There are rowlocks there... buy the oars?
5. There is probably a manufactures ideal pressure. It will get harder when it heats up (oo err!) so don't over inflate but not too soft either.
6. Easy to patch.
7. For fitting a dodger type cover I think. The covers would have elastic loops to hook over them.
8. Kick the cat out as it looks like s/he is about to mark the territory as theirs!

W.

 

[nigelmercier]

That is not a duck, it's a cat.

 

[yoda]

Ok. It's an Avon dinghy and to get it to the right pressure you probably need an Avon type foot pump which looks like an old fashioned bellows with a flexible tube. The inflatable thwart is essential for rowing it and will have toggles to fix it to the loops that are fitted it. If the material is still in good condition it will stay inflated for some time but you will need to pump it up hard and just leave it to find out. The dinghy is made of Hypalon which is the best material for the job and the leak can be patched with a simple repair kit, get one with 2 part glue. All inflatables are prone to yobs with knives but that does depend on where you are. Maybe you would be better carrying it on the boat and having a hard dinghy on the out haul? If you have any distance to go then an outboard bracket and engine will make life a lot easier but if only a short row to the boat then probably not worth it. The black bits at the front were for a small dodger which is useful if using it in rougher water but not essential. It looks like it could be a perfectly serviceable dinghy with a little expenditure and even if it's not for you I suspect you could get a few pounds for it from thos who like Avon dinghies.

Yoda

 

[VicS]

Its an Avon. (Redstart I think) It's made of Hypalon coated fabric. It'll last forever with a little care

Dunno where you are. Vandalism is always a risk. Theft too. Very attractive item unless very conspicuously marked to ID it

If its in good enough condition to justify the cost replace the twart and bracket. They are not cheap to buy new though.

Finnish off the inflation with a bellows type foot pump.. needs to feel really firm.

Hole easily patched using the same type of fabric and a two part glue for Hypalon

Buttons are for a bow dodger... rare.

You wont want to row it far but it'll take a small outboard OK

Polymarine have a useful website for supply of bits and pieces and lots of help and advice on repairs etc http://www.polymarine.com/

Will post relevant info on the small old Avons later

 

[VicS]

 

[TQA]

Much nicer to use with floor boards. Easy DIY project if you can find some to copy.

They can be rowed but much harder work than a hard dink. Get a little egg beater OB and the mount.

Mine was still going strong at 20 years.