First outing!

[Stan450]

Hey guys!

Lucky enough got a nice bit of weather on Saturday and took full advantage! Only new to this scene so just wanted to get out and get used to things.

Had a nice spin up the coast with the little brother, bit of wind but calm waters.

Doesn't seem like a well known brand but I have a kolibri 450 which I have to say surprised me. Very stable on the water and plenty of space! The 4 stroke 15hp parson was another surprise! Very good on fuel, not to noisey and maintains a nice pace without it screaming it's head off!

But with all newbies there's always questions!

1. In regards of seats. Other then the average bench seat in the sibs is there any other opinions? Something sturdier?

2. The Kolibri has an aluminum floor with an inflatable keel. How can you tell if the keel is inflated enough as you can't really get your hand to it

3. I see a lot of people just use foot pumps for inflation. On the chassis plate there is listed pressures, naturally with a foot pump there's no real way off telling what pressures in it. Is it worth buying a pump with a form of pressure gauge or is it a case of 'there's air in it and it's floats so it's fine'

[smallribber]

I have many pumps electric and foot and I honestly feel that the best pump money can buy (£39.99) is the Itiwit electric pump from Decathlon. It is excellent and a very reasonable price


Dennis

[Stan450]

I was only reading your post yesterday about the pumps and was just about to click the buy button but said I'd wait till I got people opinions on it!

Not know if all the valve are the same but on mine you unscrew the cap to reveal the valve and if you press the centre it realises air, as soon as you release the centre the valve closes. Or press the centre and twist and it will leave the valve open.

When pumping are you meant to have the valve open or closed?

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Stan450

I was only reading your post yesterday about the pumps and was just about to click the buy button but said I'd wait till I got people opinions on it!

Not know if all the valve are the same but on mine you unscrew the cap to reveal the valve and if you press the centre it realises air, as soon as you release the centre the valve closes. Or press the centre and twist and it will leave the valve open.

When pumping are you meant to have the valve open or closed?

I suspect you have halkey Roberts Valves. When filling you have the valve closed and the bit on the end of the adapter that comes with the pump presses it in and instantly seals when you unscrew the pump pipe. You need to screw the adapter in about 1/3rd turn and it will hold in. The pump switches off automatically. You must leave both ends connected as you rotate to unscrew so it holds the pressure.

Rotating it in is a little stiff at first and you must turn the grey bit on the adapter of the pump not the black tube.

Those pumps rearly are good and they hold in which is half the battle.


It takes a couple of goes on a valve to get the knack but once you have it you will be very pleased

Get one you will not regret it. Buy from Dechlon however as that is where you get the best price

Dennis

[Stan450]

Excellent, thank you for the info! Will order one now!

[Fenlander]

Sounds like a decent first run... well done.

BP encourages you to get an elec pump as pressure is crucial for good performance. A footpump is hard work on a SIB that large from packed away but I guess you will just be topping up. I always carry a manual pump with gauge on the SIB in case of problems on the water.

[smallribber]

What do you recon is in this box

Dennis

[Stan450]

Since we're on the subject I'm gonna say a pump? ��

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Stan450

Since we're on the subject I'm gonna say a pump? ��

Yup (Nr 2 ) I am going double barrelled but I told her indoors it was a saucepan

[Stan450]

A saucepan from a sports shop?.. I like your style Has!