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Old 05-11-2016, 19:30   #76
Jd1
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Re: Um..is this for real?

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Originally Posted by Panope View Post
Prior to purchasing a short shaft 6hp, I tested this boat with an 8 HP long shaft. At planning speeds, a massive quantity of water was deflected upward from the motor leg. This water traveled upward, glanced off the powerhead and into the boat at a rate of about 5 gallons per minute. At non-planning speeds you might be o.k.

Steve
LOL ... thanks
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Old 05-11-2016, 19:30   #77
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Re: Um..is this for real?

Steve,

I'm sure that's true. If I do keep it, I'll put something down on the air floor to protect it from UV.

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Old 05-11-2016, 19:35   #78
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Re: Um..is this for real?

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Matt,

On my boat, the bottom material is exactly the same as the tubes.

The airfloor material is unique.

I believe there is some confusion (like Jd1 had) about the difference between "bottom" and "airfloor"

Steve
Yes, I was definitively confused. I have never owned an air floor dinghy before and I did not realize that there would be hypalon on the bottom and pvc on the 'not quite' bottom
I am glad that the very bottom is hypalon so I can store it upside down without worrying about UV exposure with no cover.
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Old 05-11-2016, 19:42   #79
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Re: Um..is this for real?

Jd, I'm right with you (OK, maybe step ahead) as I too had never been around an "airfloor" inflatable.

One thought I have had: If the airfloor disintegrates someday, I wonder it one could replace with plywood panels, thus converting to a "slat floor"?

Matt, I was thinking maybe a chunk of AstroTurf might be good on the floor. If is had a stiff backing, and was cut to just the right shape, it probably would not slide around.

Steve
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Old 05-11-2016, 19:52   #80
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Re: Um..is this for real?

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Jd, I'm right with you (OK, maybe step ahead) as I too had never been around an "airfloor" inflatable.

One thought I have had: If the airfloor disintegrates someday, I wonder it one could replace with plywood panels, thus converting to a "slat floor"?

Matt, I was thinking maybe a chunk of AstroTurf might be good on the floor. If is had a stiff backing, and was cut to just the right shape, it probably would not slide around.

Steve

Googling around.... seems some use outdoor carpet or Linoleum flooring to protect the floor from punctures and abrasion. Astroturf would be a great option.

Matt
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Old 06-11-2016, 07:42   #81
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Re: Um..is this for real?

On my previous air floor dinghy I used soft foam interlocking tiles. Easily cut to shape. About $1.00 US per square foot. Lasted several years. Easy and cheap to replace.
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Old 06-11-2016, 09:44   #82
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Re: Um..is this for real?

you can get replacement airdeck floors ?

Marine Inflatable Boat Floors and Keels
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Old 06-11-2016, 14:35   #83
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Re: Um..is this for real?

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Astroturf would be a great option.
Unless, of course, you had a dog on board, trained to use astroturf for sanitary purposes!

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Old 06-11-2016, 16:58   #84
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Re: Um..is this for real?

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Unless, of course, you had a dog on board, trained to use astroturf for sanitary purposes!

Jim


Steve
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Old 06-11-2016, 18:50   #85
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Re: Um..is this for real?

I replaced the plastic, 'motor clamp plate' with an aluminum version that raises the motor 1 inch (I tried 1.5 inches but the propeller ventilated profusely).

This modification, along with fiddling with the motor trim angle increased solo top speed from 13 kts. to 15 kts.

The loaded (two adults and a child) speed also increased 2 knots to 12. Boat remained on a full plane at less than full throttle. Moving the load from the bow to amidships increases speed substantially.

Steve

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Old 06-11-2016, 19:26   #86
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Re: Um..is this for real?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Panope View Post
I replaced the plastic, 'motor clamp plate' with an aluminum version that raises the motor 1 inch (I tried 1.5 inches but the propeller ventilated profusely).

This modification, along with fiddling with the motor trim angle increased solo top speed from 13 kts. to 15 kts.

The loaded (two adults and a child) speed also increased 2 knots to 12. Boat remained on a full plane at less than full throttle. Moving the load from the bow to amidships increases speed substantially.

Steve

About time you do something useful for the community, unlike that anchor testing


So you could get on plane with two adults and the 6hp? That's great!

Matt
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Old 06-11-2016, 22:16   #87
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Re: Um..is this for real?

Might, just might plane 3 adults, if we position ourselves just right. At high loads and high speeds, the bottom/floor develops a "hump" in the middle of the boat unless some weight is placed there. I'll conduct another sea-trial with a thin sheet of plywood between the bottom and the floor and see if it makes a difference. Stay tuned........

Steve
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Old 07-11-2016, 04:01   #88
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Re: Um..is this for real?

Steve,

Be careful with high speeds and waves. Air floor boats are pretty good trampolines. Hitting a wave just right can launch cargo or crew sitting on the floor out of the boat in milliseconds. It may not be the best idea to drive these things up to the max speed possible.
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Old 07-11-2016, 05:55   #89
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Re: Um..is this for real?

I'll be careful of that, Dan.

Actually, I am not a speed junkie. I am only using top speed as a way of gauging efficiency.

Speaking of which, 1 liter of fuel was consumed in 45 minutes at 1/2 throttle, covering about 8 nautical miles (solo).

Steve
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Old 07-11-2016, 08:20   #90
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Re: Um..is this for real?

Steve,

Good info. Keep it coming.

FWIW I tried rowing mine around the marina yesterday. Pretty easy to row with just me sitting facing aft. Not a lot of drag and easy to turn.

However, there was about 15kn of wind and the dingy was easily pushed sideways by the wind. The air keel doesn't bite into the water much.
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