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[dougal99]

Hi All

Not the usual research question. My club has a rescue boat which needs to be transported on a trailer. Unfortunately, we don't have any one in the club at present that can tow it. What would be ideal would be an easily transported inflatable and electric pump. The pump would need to be capable of inflating the boat in a reasonably short time, probably less than 10 minutes.

Does anyone have experience of such a combination or ideas where we might look?

Cheers

Doug

[warspite]

Wont a car tyre inflator that works of th cigerette lighter do?

[Tug]

Probably better with one of those air-bed pumps, you is (am) looking for volume not pressure,

[warspite]

They save on you getting kna****d and are faster at inflating, you don't need to keep it attached too long so as to over pressurise, a battery version means it could be reasonably portable - just a thought, keep a manual pump one available just as a back up

[Colin Bishop]

You can buy a reasonable quality 3 person inflatable which will fit into the back of a hatchback car (Ford Focus size) for around £300. A "proper" 12v inflater will cost around £60. Alternatively you can buy a cheap inflater which will cost around £10 and top up with a foot pump. About 5 minutes to inflate fully in total. I can give you chapter and verse if you want as I bought one earlier this year for my full size boat.

[dougal99]

Colin,

A pointer in the right direction would be most welcome. Thank you.

Doug

[Colin Bishop]

Doug,

Jimmy Green Marine is a reputable firm with good prices and very quick free delivery and I have bought quite a lot of gear from them.

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/

The dinghy I bought is the SeaGo 2.3m which would be quite adequate as a rescue boat:

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/chandlery_products/inflatable_tenders/product_info/seago_inflatable_tender.htm

It comes with a small pump but a bigger manual one would be this one:

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/chandlery_products/inflatable_tenders/product_info/pump.htm

This dinghy is a 2-3 man version. If you get a bigger one they are quite a bit more heavy and bulky.

If you want an electric inflater then the "posh" and expensive one is this one:

http://www.force4.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/515/groupID/6/categoryID/54/v/ed48b053-d640-48f9-8511-ab8070938637

However I bought a cheapo 12v airbed electric inflater from Halfords for £7.50. It can't blow the dinghy fully up but gets around two thirds or three quarters of the way there after which you can finish the job with a hand pump.

You can also use tyre inflaters but these are high pressure low volume so would take 15 to 20 minutes to inflate. A car vacuum that will blow as well as suck is another alternative. Most of the pumps will suck as well as blow and this is important for reducing the beast to a manageable size when you have finished with it for the day!

You don't necessarily need a car battery for power, any larger type gel cell will do the job. I have used a 6 amp hour one without any problems.

Hope this helps.

Colin

[dougal99]

Colin

Thanks for that I will investgate on behalf of the club.

Cheers

Doug

[MCAT]

Doug   please take my missus plenty of hot air  there.

[Doc]

Large tank of helium that will fit through a vehicle's window.  Use to inflate the rescue boat.  Helium because it is lighter than air, means less volume is required to float the boat.  Recharge tank between uses.  Attach stout rope to rescue boat to keep it from floating away.  Enough helium and the rescue boat only needs to be tied to the transporting vehicle's bumper to tow it.  I am a genius...
 - 'Doc

[dougal99]

Large tank of helium that will fit through a vehicle's window.  Use to inflate the rescue boat.  Helium because it is lighter than air, means less volume is required to float the boat.  Recharge tank between uses.  Attach stout rope to rescue boat to keep it from floating away.  Enough helium and the rescue boat only needs to be tied to the transporting vehicle's bumper to tow it.  I am a genius...
 - 'Doc

I'll have some of what he's drinking

[malcolmfrary]

I'm not sure if it's legal over here, but I'll have some as well.  You can have lots of laughs trying to talk normally after a shot of helium , as well.

[Colin Bishop]

You can have lots of laughs trying to talk normally after a shot of helium , as well.

Hi de Hi? 

[malcolmfrary]

Hya dan dat

[tobyker]

My coracle was built from 1 sheet of 4mm ply and fits in the back of an Astra or similar size car. None of that tiresome inflating, small and light. Stable enough for the boy to video the airboat trials from it - has also been tested on Afon Teifi at Cenarth and on Forth of Clyde.

[cbr900]

What about one of the exhaust pipe type pumps, should pump it up pretty quickly....



Roy