Investing in paint for my ‘98X

[Be Free]

That's a good trick. Every year I struggle to get the rigging line through the spin locks. As you mentioned, it bunches up when you push it through.

If you are using a double braid rope you can pull the last couple of inches of the outer sheath down toward the bitter end to stiffen the rope when you push it through a spin lock or rope clutch. Works like a charm.


In its natural state.


Ready to push through the clutch.
Pinch the rope with one hand and pull the outer sheath toward the bitter end. It may take a couple of passes on a larger rope.

[OverEasy]

One trick I’ve used:
On braided lines with a core I have slid the braid back off the core an inch or so then cut off the exposed core then slid the braid back.
The melting of the braid end slightly to avoid unraveling.
This reduces the new end diameter so it more readily slips into holes and eyes.

[Russ]

Great ideas. Next season I will try these tricks. I love the spin locks but threading them is always a project.

Learn something every day.

[Herschel]

Been busy "managing stuff." Boat still at the Bimini tech. I am pleased he wants to make sure it fits the cockpit enclosure and sits properly to minimize any leakage or gaps between pieces/sections. And eliminate any little gaps that mosquitos seem to find so easily. I have another tech waiting to install new 12-volt panel after Bimini project complete. New twist: one of my nephews wants to buy my inflatable dinghy. Its a lightly used, stored deflated and kept indoors, 2025 Achilles LT-4 with a 2006 Honda 4-stroke. I don't think he is interested in the sail kit, so I am pondering pricing. We haven't discussed money, yet. I want to help him get started in his business plans which include cleaning boats at slips in a marina. So certainly a family discount, but I need to get some funds so I can move into a Sea Eagle inflatable kayak. Does anyone have any experience with inflatables after the 10-year period? Are there any time related issues regardless of use such as seams and seals?

[OverEasy]

Hi Herschel!

Does the Mermaid come with the dinghy?

I don’t know specifically by brand or model but I think “hyerlyon “ (sp?) handles age and UV exposure better than other inflatable fabrics.
Sunlight UV exposure is the big aging factor of elastomers closely followed by ozone exposure.
Both break down the polymers molecular bonds leading to embrittlement.

If you can contact the OEM and ask them directly. I’ve found out about a lot of esoteric stuff about product material aging in my former life that way. Most tend to be generally helpful if approached nicely.

As far as pricing the comparative pricing route on EBay, Facebook Marketplace & Craig’s List are the avenues I typically search when putting stuff up for sale.

Sounds like your enclosure is being done right!
The details matter if you want to keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay… they have an almost unnatural ability to find any entry point!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Herschel]

Hi Herschel!
Does the Mermaid come with the dinghy?
I don’t know specifically by brand or model but I think “hyerlyon “ (sp?) handles age and UV exposure better than other inflatable fabrics.
Sunlight UV exposure is the big aging factor of elastomers closely followed by ozone exposure.
Both break down the polymers molecular bonds leading to embrittlement.
If you can contact the OEM and ask them directly. I’ve found out about a lot of esoteric stuff about product material aging in my former life that way. Most tend to be generally helpful if approached nicely.
As far as pricing the comparative pricing route on EBay, Facebook Marketplace & Craig’s List are the avenues I typically search when putting stuff up for sale.
Sounds like your enclosure is being done right!
The details matter if you want to keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay… they have an almost unnatural ability to find any entry point!
Best Regards,
Over Easy

Thank you. I snagged the Mermaid 41 years ago, and she was (and is) a keeper. I ask her to grace my boat pictures because they always put a pretty girl in boat advertisements in the boating magazines.
My Achilles is Hypalon. After two previous cheaper inflatables of PVC, I intentionally went the Hypalon route back in 2015, and it has paid off. Absolutely no structural problems other than a lost valve O ring that needed to be replaced.
As you suggested I reached out to Defender from whom I purchased the boat with those technical questions. They said they would do some research and get back to me.

[NiceAft]

Herschel posted:

Does anyone have any experience with inflatables after the 10-year period? Are there any time related issues regardless of use such as seams and seals?

My Achilles (9.5’ with inflatable floor) is twenty-one years old. Except for the inflatable keel, I have never had a problem. You would never know that it is that old.

Boat picture with the pretty girl.

[tuxonpup]

Been busy "managing stuff." Boat still at the Bimini tech. I am pleased he wants to make sure it fits the cockpit enclosure and sits properly to minimize any leakage or gaps between pieces/sections. And eliminate any little gaps that mosquitos seem to find so easily. I have another tech waiting to install new 12-volt panel after Bimini project complete. New twist: one of my nephews wants to buy my inflatable dinghy. Its a lightly used, stored deflated and kept indoors, 2025 Achilles LT-4 with a 2006 Honda 4-stroke. I don't think he is interested in the sail kit, so I am pondering pricing. We haven't discussed money, yet. I want to help him get started in his business plans which include cleaning boats at slips in a marina. So certainly a family discount, but I need to get some funds so I can move into a Sea Eagle inflatable kayak. Does anyone have any experience with inflatables after the 10-year period? Are there any time related issues regardless of use such as seams and seals?

No help with Achilles value here, just curious which Sea Eagle you're after? When you mentioned them I went to check up on their site and saw they just released a new version of our FastTrack 465 and re-titled our boat the "classic" for $500 less. I originally bought it because at 44# with outer dimensions under 60" I can check it on flights as normal baggage, so it's logged thousands of miles of air travel with us. The new V-bottom one is even lighter.
Our last trip with it was to Coronado Island in October, where we found our first hull laceration and instituted our first inflatable repair. The water test on San Diego Bay the next day was successful, but was immediately followed by the mermaid experiencing her own foot laceration in the water off this beach and a trip to Coronado's emergency room.

[NiceAft]

That is nasty.

What was in the water to do that

[tuxonpup]

That is nasty.

What was in the water to do that

Not sure, I had walked back up to Silver Strand State Beach on the ocean side to fetch the Santa Cruz and had just pulled the boat up to deflate it while she waded in for a final rinse. She said it felt like something sharp and metal buried in the sand, said 'I cut my foot' and then lifted it up as I turned around to see a deep gusher. We have these quick dry thin towels we use for everything and I immediately tied it around the gash, helped her up the embankment, and into the back seat of the Santa Cruz to elevate her foot above her heart. The ER was super quick and it was being flushed out and stitched up within an hour of her stepping on whatever it was.

She had stopped to look at some 'stingray shoes' they day before while visiting Pacific Beach and we both scoffed at the $120 price tag, man those would've been cheap in the long run...

[NiceAft]

That’s terrible.

[kmclemore]

That’s terrible.

Yikes. Yeah, that's not fun at all. Hope she heals up quickly!

[Herschel]

Heard from Achilles Boats today, "A Hypalon boat that is well taken care of can last 20year or more easily. We have boat from the early 80's out there in perfect working condition."

[Herschel]

Herschel posted:

Does anyone have any experience with inflatables after the 10-year period? Are there any time related issues regardless of use such as seams and seals?

My Achilles (9.5’ with inflatable floor) is twenty-one years old. Except for the inflatable keel, I have never had a problem. You would never know that it is that old.
Boat picture with the pretty girl.

That is consistent with what the Achilles rep stated. Great news. I think the Defender rep thought I might buy another one and give mine away; hence his 10-12 year longevity comment.
As for Sea Eagle, I had been looking at the fast track series, too, but the 473fl series looks inviting, as well.
https://www.seaeagle.com/ExplorerKayaks/

[NiceAft]

As a septuagenarian who is looking to be an octogenarian, it doesn’t look very forgiving to not remaining centered.