achilles lsi 260 seams + maintenance

tikiavenger · 28 September 2021, 05:44

Hello! First post here, as I've just acquired a new to me (old, 2011) Achilles LSI-260 dinghy.

I spent the afternoon cleaning with some inflatable/RIB cleaner, and noticed that there seems to be some yellow/orange around the seams. Is this normal for a 10 year old inflatable? Anything I should be worried about here? I'm assuming this is the glue?

Before I bought the boat, I spray soap extensively around the boat and there are no leaks. The boat has been inflated for the past 3 days and doesn't seem to have lost any pressure.

Other than what the manual recommends, any other maintenance I should do before I take her out? I'm planning to replace the o rings + gaskets on the valves, pick up a proper pressure gauge(hopefully I can find a suitable replacement for the official Achilles one as it's $100+), and repaint the seat.

After maintenance is done, I'll be on the hunt for a 6HP outboard

babbot1 · 28 September 2021, 20:30

Looks like aged glue to me. Achilles makes top tier boats but even still the glue will only last so long. Just keep an eye on the pressure and enjoy.

I would recommend coating with aerospace 303 after cleaning. Make sure it's the 303 for pvc/hypalon and not the 303 for clothe. It's the most recommend stuff out there for UV protection and it will restore the oils you removed from cleaning. Easy to use, spray on wipe off.

tikiavenger · 29 September 2021, 04:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by babbot1

Looks like aged glue to me. Achilles makes top tier boats but even still the glue will only last so long. Just keep an eye on the pressure and enjoy.

I would recommend coating with aerospace 303 after cleaning. Make sure it's the 303 for pvc/hypalon and not the 303 for clothe. It's the most recommend stuff out there for UV protection and it will restore the oils you removed from cleaning. Easy to use, spray on wipe off.

Thanks for the advice, just ordered some aerospace 303. Anything specific I should an eye out for, just if it starts to lose pressure?

babbot1 · 29 September 2021, 12:34

Yeah I would keep an eye on pressure and also if you start to see the seams peeling back or loosening up. There really isn't any way to predict a blow out that I know of.
I had a blow out on my sib this year. It was what I thought in great shape until it wasn't.

There are a bunch of very knowledgeable people on this site hopefully they can help with a prediction. My advice is go and use it and not worry but be proactive and stay safe like any other boat.