Hello all, I am fresh to this forum and also fairly new to small boats so forgive me if I ask any repeated questions.
I just picked up a Red 1986 9ft Avon inflatable with inflatable keel and wood transom and floor. The boat needs a little work but the pontoons hold air great. The issues are that the keel has a small leak along the seam so it will not inflate. This seems like a pretty easy fix to me as it is right at the seam, only issue is that I do not know if I need PVC or Hypalon glue. The boat appears to be Hypalon but I don't have enough experience to be certain. Next issue is the transom. It is mounted and completely intact but the center where the engine mounts is a little soggy. I am sure that it will hold a motor (6hp johnson) just fine, but I would like to add some sort of support just to be safe. My thoughts were to get a piece of hard wood and clamp/bolt it to the existing transom. Would this be a good idea? The floors, I think I can handle as I found a website that sells aluminum pieces for floors. And just one more question I have. They sell a paint for inflatables that is supposed to renew the look and also adds a nice layer over the pontoons to maybe prevent any minor leaks. Does anyone have any experience with this paint?
Thank you in advance, any input is appreciated as I would like to get this little cruiser going before the end of the season.
I just picked up a Red 1986 9ft Avon inflatable with inflatable keel and wood transom and floor. The boat needs a little work but the pontoons hold air great. The issues are that the keel has a small leak along the seam so it will not inflate. This seems like a pretty easy fix to me as it is right at the seam, only issue is that I do not know if I need PVC or Hypalon glue. The boat appears to be Hypalon but I don't have enough experience to be certain. Next issue is the transom. It is mounted and completely intact but the center where the engine mounts is a little soggy. I am sure that it will hold a motor (6hp johnson) just fine, but I would like to add some sort of support just to be safe. My thoughts were to get a piece of hard wood and clamp/bolt it to the existing transom. Would this be a good idea? The floors, I think I can handle as I found a website that sells aluminum pieces for floors. And just one more question I have. They sell a paint for inflatables that is supposed to renew the look and also adds a nice layer over the pontoons to maybe prevent any minor leaks. Does anyone have any experience with this paint?
Thank you in advance, any input is appreciated as I would like to get this little cruiser going before the end of the season.
