Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

[gp]

Hi,

I am looking for repair parts for the air valves on an old hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60 that probably dates from the late 60's. It has metal Boston valves with 27mm dia. outside threads that hold a cap & 20mm dia. inside threads for a metal valve insert that bottoms out against a seat when fully inserted. They are very different from the current valves. The parts are not interchangeable. Does anyone have any info on these boats or a source for valve parts?

Thanks,

George

 

[lncoop]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Metal Boston valves? Are you sure they're not military valves? Unless I'm mistaken Boston valves work by allowing air in but not out by using a special rubber center that is blown inward by air pressure then re-seats itself when the pump nozzle is removed. Don't see how a metal valve could do that, but it wouldn't be the first time I was mistaken. According to the admiral it's a common occurrence.

 

[gp]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

They are metal and the name, Boston, is stamped right on them - which is probably where I got the notion in the first place. The Boston valves you are referring to are the recent and current plastic valve that contains a check valve. These valves are entirely different. The boat is of French manufacture - need I say more.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Fair enough. As I said, not the first time I've been mistaken. The valves on my river raft are military style and very similar to what you initially described, hence my request for confirmation. Next time I go to France I'll be sure to look them up.

 

[gp]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Thanks for the comeback Incoop. I know I've got a real weirdo here, but the boat, despite it's age, is in such beautiful shape I can't give up on it. The current valves hold air just fine but filling is difficult at best and virtually impossible in the field. Looks like I'll have to get creative on this one.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

You might check with these people if you haven't already. http://theboatpeople.com/ They mainly specialize in whitewater boats, but they're pretty knowledgeable and may have some ideas for you. If nothing else you could just replace the valves altogether. Good luck. Sounds like a neat little boat.

 

[gp]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Thanks for the link. Looks like a nice site. And congrats on your promotion!

 

[georgeA19]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

dont know if you're fixed up, but I have 4 valves that sound exactly as you describe.
They are in working order, but unfortunately are fixed to a boat I'm getting round to parting with.
George, also. UK

 

[gp]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Hi George,

I managed to come up with a simple fix by attaching the currently available plastic boston replacement valve to the top rim of the metal valve with a short length of 1" diameter heater hose and hose clamps. This allows use of the Schrader valve adapter for a quick fill from an air compressor and the standard foot pump for inflation in the field. There is some slight seepage at the ends of the hose because of the threads on the fittings but the original valve also leaks at the base where it contacts the boat's fabric. The leakage is so slight that I can go several days before having to top off the air pressure. From what I can see it does not look as though you can replace the original valve without cutting the fabric and getting to it from inside the air chamber. A procedure that would do more damage than good.

I have attached some pics of my boat. I would be curious to know what kind of boat you have. There is virtually no info available on these old hutchinson inflatables so I would appreciate any you could offer. I am particularly looking for a photo of the horsepower rating decal on the transom because mine has mostly disappeared.

Thanks for the comeback,

George

 

[georgeA19]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Hi George, thanks for the reply, I was surprised after the time gap.
I thought I was busy when self implied, but now that I'm retired........Its much werse as we say in 'artlepool.
As I suspected from your description, these will be the same valves.
When I got time to view the Photo it became clearer, saw the family resemblance. I guess Hutch took over.
My bout is a Nautisport, 1966 looks like on the plate. Valves marked BREVET Boston, (Thought mine were BREVET valves, made in Boston)
When the inner is screwed down, it seals the non return valve off from the boat.
Mine have two small holes for a pin tool to unscrew their top flange. With this off i expect the fabric could be elongated &
the inside flange brought out at 90 deg. without cutting.
My about is about 12 ft 6" & hard floor boards.
Ian Denny's marine place in Redcar sold me a new 33 HP engine to fit & the combination has been no trouble, (on the trip down Ulswater & back, that was it, 30 yr back)
Will attch pics when I find how to do it, & time.
It takes me a while to work out the questions for entry.
George.

Hi George,

I managed to come up with a simple fix by attaching the currently available plastic boston replacement valve to the top rim of the metal valve with a short length of 1" diameter heater hose and hose clamps. This allows use of the Schrader valve adapter for a quick fill from an air compressor and the standard foot pump for inflation in the field. There is some slight seepage at the ends of the hose because of the threads on the fittings but the original valve also leaks at the base where it contacts the boat's fabric. The leakage is so slight that I can go several days before having to top off the air pressure. From what I can see it does not look as though you can replace the original valve without cutting the fabric and getting to it from inside the air chamber. A procedure that would do more damage than good.

I have attached some pics of my boat. I would be curious to know what kind of boat you have. There is virtually no info available on these old hutchinson inflatables so I would appreciate any you could offer. I am particularly looking for a photo of the horsepower rating decal on the transom because mine has mostly disappeared.

Thanks for the comeback,

George
View attachment 185559View attachment 185560View attachment 185561

 

[gp]

Re: Metal Boston air valves - hutchinson nautisport speedyak 60

Hi George,

Interesting thought about squeezing the valve base out sideways - but I am inclined to leave well enough alone, especially since suitable replacement valves may be hard to find. After acquiring this fine vessel late last summer and repairing a couple of impromptu one-way valves in the fabric that were better suited for letting the air move in the wrong direction I got to take it for a spin on the Hudson River for just one time. I tacked a 1.5 horse onto it and it moved me faster than I could row while being able to look in the right direction and not breaking out into a sweat. I have since picked up a 7.5 that I'm repairing. It is nice and light and if it has enough push to get this 10 foot yacht up on plane I'm all set, and even if it doesn't I'm still all set for now. If you haven't got the desire to navigate the multifaceted photo procedure on this site drop me some pics at gptrs@verizon.net if you feel up to it.

Good hearing from you,

George

(and thanks for having a name that's easy to spell, though at times I feel as though I'm talking to myself)