Tinker dinghy inflation

[Csail]

Tinker traveller- What sort of pressure is correct for the tubes and do you pump the inner tubes first (i assume first)
What is the best way to keep a good seal on the valves as they are leaking very slightly? I was going to coat the surfaces with vaseline but that may encourage sand etc to stick.

 

[m1taylor]

I had a Tinkefr Tramp a while ago. You do inflate the inner tubes first. The valves rely on pressure pushing the rubber membrane against the valve core to form a seal. It is essential that there is no sand, grit or dirt there, as that can cause a leakage. I suggest cleaning the valves very thoroughly and seeing if that does the trick. As regards pressure - I never really measured it - just pumped until hard. From memory the tinker manual said something to the effect of pumping until your foot felt resistance on the pump at the half way point. If someone has a Tinker manual, perhaps they can copy it for you. Great boat btw - wish I still had mine!

 

[sarabande]

Definitely no grease or anything on the valves, whether it's the Type A or the later ones.

Keep the mushroom head as clean as poss. Henshaws re-did a valve for me last month, and put in a new rubber piece, which seals perfectly. Worth carrying a spare ?

Pump up as hard as you can with the standard foot pump, certainly until it hurts to hit the hull with your hand, or till you can't pump any harder. If you inflate it out of the sun, it might be worth letting some air out if you are going to leave the Tinker in full sunlight.

Really great piece of kit; hope you enjoy it.

 

[tritonofnor]

Henshaws will sell you the "mushrooms" for the valves for a pittance. Fitted a set to my dinghy a couple of years ago, and it made all the difference. It's still going strong, (with it's new owner) at 17 years old...