HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

[Talbotsgt]

Hi, I have an HF 360 that we were unloading from the truck when it got snagged on a bad spot on my tailgate leaving 2 small holes in the center floor tube. I patched the hole after were done fishing (what can I say we were going fishing and nothing was gonna stop us):facepalm:. WAY STUPID IDEA not to fix the holes before the fishing trip I know but I didn't think it would take on water in the tubes like it did.
I drained a ton of water and knowingly left a little in (what I pictured to be maybe a cup) that I couldn't get out through the holes. Thinking all would be well I patched it and stood it up after the patch dried and OMG do I have a good bit of water still in it. That's what I get for being in a hurry, lesson learned.:redface:
Where to go from here? Poke a new small hole at the very end and patch that hole after draining it or ?!?! I thought I'd ask the pro's about what ideas you guys would have to get it out.

BTW you guys have a great forum here, just sayin.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

Talbotsgt,
You may have tried this already, but what I would do is inflate the bottom, turn it over and then uncap the valve - let gravity bring the water to an existing 'hole', and air pressure assist it out. Good luck!
Dave

 

[Talbotsgt]

Re: HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

Thanks for the reply CopperFox. I have not tried that yet but will when I get to the house. The bad thing is that its the middle tube and the water travels to the other tubes as they are not sealed from each other . But I will try your idea and will report back. Thanks again. BTW I saw your floor you made in another thread, nicely done sir.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

Thanks Tallbotsgt, for the kind words. I finally decided that the seat tilted back just a little too much, though it feels very stable. Last night I added 4 more slots in the back floor board to slide the seat (and support straps) forward a little, and added 4 slots to the front floor board to install the front seat, which is the same design as the original. Spacing for gear and feet was taken into account, so hopefully the positioning won't have to be changed after this. If all goes well, I will take a photo when I use it this weekend and add it to the end of that last thread. Good luck.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

If I remember correctly, those fish hunter floors fill with a small hole, like a toy ball or somthing, not a Boston valve correct? The only way to get the water out is put a nozzle in the inflator hole to hold the check valve open and then put a good (1hp or bigger) shop vac on it and let it run. You will get 99% of the water out that way. The remainder you are going to have to live with, but it should not be a problem.

 

[Talbotsgt]

Re: HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

You are correct Drowned Rat it a small valve and a total pain to try and keep open. Tried last night and am going to have to rig up something with a straw or something and a ton of duct tape :/

 

[CopperFox]

Re: HF 360 water in tubes... any ideas how to remove it?

While something with a hole down the middle would allow the water to drain best, something rigid of that diameter is hard to come by. Even a 'BIC' pen is likely a bit thick. You might want to try something rigid but much smaller, like a small screw driver, with the idea being not a tube to drain, but something that will simply prop open the valve. Instead of a drain, you will essentially be providing a way for it to leak out. If you can get the water to that spot in the boat with it upside down, and leave it for a little time, I think you should be fine. Remember, any tube (i.e. straw) will have a rim, once inside, and so water below that rim, will not drain. Something simply propping open the valve will drain to the level of the valve itself.