looking for an inflatable and outboard package to live on a Sigma 33 in Mumbai. Attracted by the Honda 4 stroke though not sure can get service here. does anyone have any thoughts on this versus say the Mariner 2.5 which seems to be featured in packages? Also, confused about the fabric for inflatables. Had an old Avon but it seems to be constantly leaking and repairers do not do a good job here. Real problem with UV light here and barnacle coated rocks so need sturdiest can get. Am told that Hypalon is now less used but that the plastic now used is less durable? A friend bought a Tinker but it's so thin skinned it lasted a very short time ! Any suggestions very welcome: the biggest that is sensible to carry in a cockpit locker - poss. 8-9 feet inflated? thanks.

Don't know much about inflatables but I think either Avon or Zodiac are about as good as they get. Can't see anything putting up with barnicle encrusted rocks for very long though. Ever thought of making one out of railway line sleepers?

Hi David, I think Avon are still the market leaders in the inflatable market, but have heard good reports on the Bombard. To quote the blurb; 'Proven quality of materials, construction and design, The outer Strongan 'Dectrex' textile skin is extremely robust and has long term resistance to ozone and UV radiation. The thermo-bonding process welds the fibres and produces extremely strong seams...'and so on. Contact some of the chandlers on this page and ask for their catalogues. Regards. Harry.

Like the others I don’t know enough about inflatable boats myself to give you good advice, though I do agree that Avon seem to be the industry leader, but this is quite a good FAQ website about outboard’s and tender’s that may be able to help:
http://www.marinedirect.co.uk/pages/inflatables/faqs.htm

Hi David it's me again. Just remembered a substance I used to re-seal my inflatable one time. It's called 'Seaflex', sealant for inflatables. You pour it in through the inflation valve, following the instructions of course. It says on the bottle 'an air curing water based acryllic sealant forming a very flexible and high tensile film which when fully cured seals off minor leaks and porous fabrics by creating an air barrier on the inside of inflatables'. Good luck!

Hi David, sorry for the typo, it's not Seaflex, but Sealflex.

Many thanks to all for the replies. Have followed the links and ideas – even railway sleepers ! – and done the Google, with interesting if not perplexing results. Hypalon [used by Avon and a few others ] a good deal more durable tho heavier than the now almost universal PVC [I think various garbs called Decitrex, Deci-something]. Zodiacs not recommended for tropics [various blue water cruising sites]. Restorative paint [SRC paint - 2 coat solution : allinflatables.com] seems to have a number of champions. Harry, thanks for sealant idea - went to sealflex.com – various products seem to be mainly used as a waterproofing adhesive for floors but couldn’t find something specifically for inflatables..will follow this up. Bombards do seem to have good reviews [they’re under the Avon site]. The new high pressure Inflatable floors are being made by everyone including Honda and seem to be preferred generally as against slatted floors. And for the railway sleepers: the Porta-bote – supposedly indestructible, 10 yr warranty, folds flat to a sort of surfboard 4” width, never mind the length, but watch the weight. So where does that leave me? Either seriously out of pocket with topofline Avon, experimenting with P-b, or apprehensive each time we set out in our repainted Redcrest . In other words spoiled for choice. Root of all evil, and deep blue sea. So thanks for the info/ pointers.. any more thoughts very welcome.. we will ponder and then let you know what mistake we make. Aye, David

Hi David, many thanks for report, you've certainly gathered some info. Given yourself plenty of food for thought. As for Sealflex, have their bottle in front of me right now. The website on it says;
www.polymarine.co.uk
It does indicate internal use by pouring it in through the inflation valve.

loving the thread name by the way!

Never thought of it that way. Some peoples minds...

Should have his mind washed out with soap!

personal buoyancy [??] for long distance sailors?
on a less inspired note, just to tell you all that I think I am going for the railway sleepers - the Portabote which seems to have some good reviews, unless anyone has heard something bad about them. that is , when I can afford it ! And Harry, thanks for the seaflex idea, will ask someone coming out to bring some and maybe I can get another year's life out of the old Avon. Any ideas for making one's own flooring for it?
And generally, if anyone is interested in sailing in India W.coast, eg around bombay, or bombay to goa..wonderful coastline with many deserted beaches, old island forts, en route - our club, Royal Bombay Yacht club, and its members [including myself] will give you a good welcome.

The portabote sounds like a good idea. You may also be able to add some sacrificial hardwood rubbing strakes to appropriate places before you use and these could help with the life expectancy when you encounter the barnacle encrusted rocks.

Hi David, about the floor in the dinghy.
Would it be possible to adapt a small inflatable mattress or Li-Lo type thing? As for personal buoyancy, it has been discussed in these columns before that for single handed ocean sailors a clip on life line is the best insurance. Going over the side with bouyancy and seeing your boat sailing over the horizon is not good. Best to stick with the boat.Many thanks for the invite to your yacht club, sounds glorious...if only I could!!

Are you offering to put us all up in Bombay then David, cause if so I shall go and book my flight!

Yes, more sleepers! my only concern was whether the thing has enough buoyancy when awash - say caught in surf. But they do seem to have added some and one could always have an air-bag or two sitting under thwarts. Otherwise they really do seem pretty good.. and in use by navy/various adventure outfits. Let's hope.
Chas, you seem taken by the 'barnacle encrusted rocks'.. I once spent my wedding anniversary having bits of barnacles surgically removed from my feet after wading ashore in the Mandovi river in Goa, so I can vouch for their existence, but its not just here: we could go barnacle spotting in Devon, Cornwall, even up the Thames. Let me know if you're ready for adventure.

Harry, I bought a lilo to fit in, but it didn't and the whole thing was a bit awkward. Dont know if I could get one made to measure.. worth checking perhaps.. or the alternative seems to be some kind of slats in webbing with rubber on ends..
I agree about sticking with the boat - wholeheartedly , as I could maybe swim 50 feet to save my life but not much more !
invitation stands for whenever you can.

Hi David

I know about barnacles and how sharp they are, like broken glass! Thats why I had doubts about an inflatable's resistance to them. I try to avoid barnacles in the UK but I have always fancied visiting India. So if I go there I'll let you know and we can go barnacle hunting there.

All the best

While working on Plymounth break water, I slipped on the wet rock, and what was a fairly small fall caused a waterfall of blood. This was limpits rather than barnicles though!