3.8 Aerotec

Yabadabadoo · 07 July 2017, 13:10

Afternoon all, via the SIBs spotted on eBay thread a while back I bought a 3.8 Bombard Aerotec

Data plate says 02 as manufacturer, a few peels here and there that need nursing but overall generally in good order so far

Not having much real estate in London this weekend I'll be dog sitting for my Sister who has a back garden and grass - such things are a luxury! I'll have the time and space to unpack and have a better look over

First questions: does the air floor get folded up inside the boat and roughly what size should it pack down to?
The airfloor has some raised valves, these looks like they need protecting against other air holding tubes etc

Same sort of thing applies to transom brackets, it's going to spend a fair amount of time rolled up I don't want to create stresses on pvc

Will post some pics as I go

Many thanks, Michael

Fenlander · 07 July 2017, 14:45

I leave the floor in and it packs to a smaller size than the original carry bag straps will pull down to. I've always thought they probably never made an Aerotec specific bag but used one from a larger Zodiac. I never worry about the floor valves. If you have OE transom wheels there shouldn't be any bracket.

Max... · 07 July 2017, 16:14

Leave the floor in - take it out now and again for a real proper cleaning and most importantly to get rid of shingle/grit etc.

The floor valves you can remove if needed - the three tube valves (originally) come with special shaped pieces of foam that you can pop them into when rolled up.

We have the original carry bag with an Aerotec label.

Not sure what you mean by 'transom brackets'?

Fenlander · 08 July 2017, 07:53

Yaba my reply was brief as we were in the middle of the usual rubbish trip down the M5 (I wasn't driving) to access Devon.

Anyway great news on you getting an Aerotec and really look forward to your views when you've had it out.

As Max says when new they come with floor valve protectors... mine had a foam collar for the valve and a T-shape foam plug for the floor boss but too much faff so I've never re-used them. I guess if you wanted you could at least find a couple of small padded bags that the valves could have slipped over.

Re the bag Max both my new Aerotec and the 18yr old one had the same slightly oversize bag. When yours is packed is there still so free length of straps in both directions so you can pull it down tight into the smallest package?

Yabadabadoo · 08 July 2017, 08:24

That's the current packed size, seller folded the end tubes into each other then forward rolled it up towards the bow, air floor left out. He said that's the way it came to him

I think I can do better assuming the airfloor is left in, the tubes are folded into the centre as the boat is rolled up

By transom sockets I was thinking of the launch wheel sockets on my honwave transom. I cut some pipe lagging bound in gaffa tape to make caps

Rugby on next, will have a play around with the boat later

Friday M5 oh dear..

Yabadabadoo · 08 July 2017, 08:27

Tried to add a photo, no good from phone?

Yabadabadoo · 08 July 2017, 08:31

Think photo upload will work on browser..

Fenlander · 08 July 2017, 09:34

That looks a decent compact pack but obviously will be a bit bigger with the floor in. The correct by the book roll up is....

All valves held open. Fold cones in. Do an initial rough roll to take out 90% of the air. Unroll again then roll up carefully making sure at each roll the tubes are pulled into the centre so the material is no wider than the transom. Do not fully roll in the same direction but after a couple of rolls of the transom then fold in the bow about 2ft so the last roll of the transom then "traps' the bow. Then place on bag and strap up pressing down as needed to expell last of the air.

Not yet unpacked ours so here it is still in the car. Measures 105x70x38cm. If you want you can do a flatter pack nearer 30cm at the expense of the 70cm dimension increasing.

BTW the M5... not been down it for years and couldn't believe the delays around Bristol & Weston. Not road works or accident either. Going to travel home at night Friday 2wks time.

Yabadabadoo · 09 July 2017, 15:07

Managed the pack down with floor in as per your instructions Fenlander, yep all good it's a pretty neat size with a quality bag to hold it together

A few things.. I mentioned some transom fittings these are D rings bolted through, maybe towing eyes? The nuts have the bolt cut off so I've padded them for now before packing away, no real use for them unless they could be modded for rod holder or to attach the transducer I've bought (fish finder/plotter)

With the honwave I think I've got Halkey valves? These I find super easy as the valve adapter just locks in place and away I go. Aerotec high pressure floor seems to have a tapered adapter that just wedges in place to the Delrin (?) valve. The tubes I can't find the name of the valve, online stores describe them as 'Zodiac Semi-Recessed valve' I've add a couple of photos showing the adaptors I've got after this as I've reached five maximum. None of them lock-in place, I didn't bring the OM foot pump, that might work with the Bravo pump

I've got the bulk of the inflating work done with the bravo and finished off with the quicksilver, mixed results with the handpump with not quite right of the many adaptors supplied, the inline manometer showed correct high pressure but stop pumping it falls away. Could it just be measuring air pressure between tube and pump? The stand alone manometer I have has the simple Halkey fitting

Noticed a small nick/scuff in the red fabric 2-3mm which needs some covering, not sure what with?

Overall a pleasing boat to look at, better get the right kit for blowing her up and in the water for a trial run or three

Yabadabadoo · 09 July 2017, 15:15

Small nick just below strake, HP floor valve/adaptor, Halkey like adapter - this slotted into the tubes but didn't/couldn't twist to lock. Manometer with Halkey fitting (came with Honwave)

Yabadabadoo · 09 July 2017, 15:22

Few more to show boat in general and the hull shape

Fenlander · 09 July 2017, 15:22

Bit of sponge on the tow brackets if they worry you. A neat small round red pvc patch on the nick. If you mean an elec bravo the hose end usually is a good taper fit in the floor valves then use an OE Zodiac plastic adapt for the tubes, the one with the cross piece that opens the valve.

Yes the indicated pressure does decay between pumps.

Looks a nice tight fitting floor.

Yabadabadoo · 09 July 2017, 15:33

Floor feels nice and snug, really solid when the right pressure - or my best guess at it - along the lines of a SUP board maybe similar tech

So far on grass, I'm a convert

Max... · 09 July 2017, 18:02

Re: the fixings on the transom (D rings) just remove the nuts and replace with SS eye bolts - much neater and smoother and gives handy rings to clip stuff to. I'd also add some larger spreaded washers.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/rigging...tec-71912.html

Fenlander · 10 July 2017, 10:06

I see now you've neatly repacked the Aerotec in pic 1 post #9 you have the same thing I mention... the straps are pulled right up when the boat could be pulled into a slightly smaller package if the straps were attached differently.

The nick in pic 1 post #10 is tiny... not sure it's worth a patch if there is no leak.

Pic 5 in post #11 is a good view of the floor design... and shows well why they are not the best in extreme shallows... why they take more engine power for a given speed than most SIBs... and why they perform so well in a difficult sea.

Max... · 10 July 2017, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

The nick in pic 1 post #10 is tiny... not sure it's worth a patch if there is no leak.

I use a drop of Stormseal for nicks like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...mseal&_sacat=0