posted 08-27-2003 05:17 PM ET (US)            

I believe that most were constructed of “Hypalon” (the good rubber from Japan) and can be patched with a Hypalon patch kit. I’ll look through some of the manuals tonight and let you know if they recommend a different patch kit.

posted 08-27-2003 06:47 PM ET (US)            

In the material I have includes Whaler purchase orders to Yokohama of Japan for Hypalon Inflatables. Interesting is that they had a 13'Sport rated for 25HP and a 14' rated at 40HP. Here is a link to view their brochure. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2189289276&category=423&rd=1 . Please don't overbid Ryan, I have a few more.

posted 08-27-2003 07:32 PM ET (US)            

The biggest problem with slow leaks is finding them. There's
never just one. ;-)

Pump it up nice and firm and fill a spray bottle
with something sudsy (hand dish soap works). Find the leaks,
wash the sudsy off, dry well, fix the leaks you found,
repeat until it will hold pressure for 24 hours.

When you are done, you will have a really clean inflatable.
;-)

BTW, "nice and firm" is relative -- find out what the spec
is and get a gauge.

And if you are going to deflate and inflate regularly,
a double-acting hand pump (looks like a FAT bike pump) is
faster than the foot bellows. And if you have power, a
shop vac exhaust will put 90% of the volume in for no
elbow grease.

posted 08-27-2003 10:51 PM ET (US)            

Have you ever owned an inflatable? They are a blast to use. I've had 2 (Hypalon) and have enjoyed them for their versatility, shallow draft and portability. I disagree with your comments about their life span. Where is your data from? Is a few bucks for a repair kit a waste of money. I'll buy all I can get my hands on for few bucks.

Whaler also sold them through their comercial and government lines also. Don't you think they did this because there wasn't a demand for them?

There is still quite a market for inflatables, however Zodiac along with a few other companies now control that market because that's all they do.

posted 08-27-2003 11:02 PM ET (US)            

Sorry for the double also and double negative; it's way past my bedtime.

posted 09-03-2003 07:46 PM ET (US)            

If you want to know about hypalon vs PVC, call Whaler.

Two POINT NINE people?

posted 09-03-2003 11:07 PM ET (US)            

Whaler sold a ton of inflatables,(I prefer to call them deflatables) recreational and otherwise. The market for deflatables grows every year, so why did Whaler stop selling them? Because they were losing money. The original manufacturer went out of business (due to a fire I think), and the second manufacturer had problems with the material deteriorating.

Whaler made an interesting experiment with a couple of models that looked like RIBs, a 13 and a 21. What made them interesting was that the chambers were filled with soft foam. Imagine that, unsinkable and undeflatable.

I've had a lot of experience with inflatables, mostly negative, but let's start with the good points. Very stable, lightweight, and portable. However, the popularity of these things is as baffling as housewives driving monster SUV's (give me a good minivan anyday).

In New England we have rocky beaches, barnacles, and busted up clam shells, lots of them. I once beached a brand new inflatable on one of our rare sandy beaches, and as luck would have it, I found the only razor clam for a mile in any direction. Not only was it inconvenient, it made the return trip substantially more difficult. Make sure you keep a patch kit on board because you never know when you're going to need it. Inflatables will last a long time if properly cared for, however the popular practise of leaving them inflated, exposed to the sun, and in the water growing weeds is not proper care. How many outboards have gone for a swim due to lack of appropriate air pressure? Which brings me to the next point. Ever try to row one of those things? They do have good capacity, yet I always manage to dowse my derrier, even if I'm the only one on board. A Rigid Hull Inflatable is a step up, if you don't mind the expense. Most of the RIBs I've played with are overpowered for their size and the ride is a little too wild for my taste. I certainly wouldn't start my kids off in one.

My one real positive experience comes from a friend's Novurania RIB. It rides well, performs well, it's comfortable, and generally fun o use. It's @14', has a console and a 50HP four stroke. He keeps it on a trailer and uses it as a tender for his 40' sailboat. It's too big to bring aboard so he tows it along. My only question is, why an inflatable? If he lays a tube alongside a barnacle encrusted piling, by accident or otherwise, his afternoon is ruined. I can do the same thing with a Whaler, and some other traditional tenders, and avoid that annoying hiss.

I'm not knocking people who own inflatables, I'm simply offering my reasons for not owning one.

By the way, if I did own an inflatable, I'd name it EGO. If owned a RIB, I'd name it ADAM'S, or PRIME.

Whale On!

posted 09-03-2003 11:20 PM ET (US)            

Your points are well taken and I must admit, I changed from a Nissan (Toyo of Japan) inflatable to a 13’ Sport because of the oyster bars.

posted 09-04-2003 11:38 AM ET (US)            

The "cut tube" is not as big an issue here in Monterey as
our beaches are nice sand. I can think of only two cut tubes
over the years. One happened in the parking lot when the
owner turned too close to a prop (one of the really expensive
SS Volvo duoprops, and the owner was ranting that he'd bent
the prop), the other on sharp piece of dive gear getting in.

But most of them consider a whaler a step up. One buddy's
inflatable was stolen, he bought a Montauk 170 to replace it.
I think Dobee missed the biggest advantage of a Whaler:
SPACE. The tubes on an inflatable take up a lot of space.
And I have yet to see a good solution for tank racks on a
rubber duck.