Harbour Inflatable Info (and some general)

Tim_B · 01 September 2012, 12:02

hi all,

I have recently been given a 2.8 metre Harbour Inflatable boat and have a few questions....

1) Any info about this brand as I can't really find anything on them (searched forum etc..)

2) The plate on the transom is very worn and I can only make out that it can take up to a 10hp outboard. I have a Suzuki DF4 outboard, so assume this would be ok. It feels very heavy to be putting on the back of a bit of rubber - but after looking at various threads on here I think it would be ok for pottering about - not too worried about planing etc.. (at the moment, but that could change of course)

3) The webbing that holds the petrol tank snapped when I pulled on it - assume this is just through wear and tear (very brittle). Can this be fixed/replaced? if so, any links/info would be appreciated as I am sure the webbing that holds the seat will go the same way - especially when i sit on it (not exactly light)

4) It does have a slight leak on one of the chambers (goes down over about a fortnight). Is this worth tracing or do I not need to worry about it?

5) it needs a good clean - any tips?

Thanks
Tim

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Nick Hearne · 01 September 2012, 12:53

Hi & welcome, it looks like one of the many Chinese made ones that the UK reseller will then brand themselves.
Sorry dose not help really!

raymillard · 01 September 2012, 12:55

Haven't heard of them, but lots of brands come and go, particularly on Ebay. It looks like a generic Wetline/ Seago etc clone, so it should be fine. I don't think I'd bother about a leak that is so slow, but I would bother about sunlight. Obviously using it in the sun won't be a problem, but after seeing a number of PVC inflatables that have been stored outside year in year out, I'd keep it under cover when it's not being used. Having said that, I had a Zodiac PVC that was 22 years old and the seams and fabric were as good as new. It was well used but stored indoors.
10HP on a 2.8? Small boats sit lower in the water for the same load as bigger boats, so with 1 person it should be manic, but with 2 or 3 it might struggle to get on the step.
Should be a nice little boat though.

Tim_B · 01 September 2012, 13:06

Thanks for the replies guys. Its definitely been in the sun as a friend was using it as a tender on is yacht. I'll keep it out of the sun as much as possible.

re the engine - I thought 10hp was a bit big to put on it and after lifting my Suzuki I would be concerned about the weight....but assume it should take it ok. if 10ho is manic then the 4hp should be fine for day to day :-)

cheers again
Tim

jyasaki · 01 September 2012, 18:23

If the seat was in place while it was stored, it would have been shaded, which will help with longevity.

The fuel tank strap can be replaced assuming you can get a piece through whatever it's secured to. Alternatively, you can stich new pieces to the baces of the old ones.

jky

Tim_B · 01 September 2012, 18:56

Thanks jky. The seat is fine at the mo but I figured it would go the same way as the petrol strap. I'll take a closer look at the petrol tank strap to see what would be best - to fix or stitch.

Thanks again
Tim

bingosucks · 02 September 2012, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_B

Thanks for the replies guys. Its definitely been in the sun as a friend was using it as a tender on is yacht. I'll keep it out of the sun as much as possible.

re the engine - I thought 10hp was a bit big to put on it and after lifting my Suzuki I would be concerned about the weight....but assume it should take it ok. if 10ho is manic then the 4hp should be fine for day to day :-)

cheers again
Tim

strap a 10 on the back ,and go for it

would reccomend some oars mind

Tim_B · 02 September 2012, 20:29

Thanks Bingo - I would if I had a 10 :-) I only have the four stroke DF4 right now, which is very heavy (in my eyes, although it prob weighs just the same as everything else) - so looking out for something else a little lighter.

To be honest, what would suit me best is a 9.8 2 stroke long shaft. I know this isn't strictly right for the boat, but it would suit my Quicksilver down to a tee as an aux, so I could kill two birds with one stone :-) I know I have a tough search on though :-)

cheers for the reply
Tim

Locozodiac · 02 September 2012, 23:14

If you place a long shaft engine on a short shaft sib will have excessive tail drag and at speed water will de sprayed over transom and inside sib. Go for a 2 stroke model if wanting same HP with less weight. If wanting future sun protection and long live the sib, apply a coat of Aerospace 303 protectant periodically to all tubes, this product really works well.

Happy Sibbing

Tim_B · 06 September 2012, 21:31

Thanks loco - ill give the stuff a look.....

Pilotsan · 17 May 2013, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_B

Thanks loco - ill give the stuff a look.....

Tim,
I note that you have/had a 2.8 Harbout Inflatable - so have I as of today. Do you know where I can get a replacement hose connector to fit the inflating valves please? My one has one of the plastic lugs broken off and I want to replace it. Can I use a commercial look-alike, which doesn't have the odd extruding piece of plastic at the end of the connector?
Many thanks.

Locozodiac · 17 May 2013, 22:55

Is your hose connector a bayonet screw type of just a non screwable push type ?

Happy Boating

Pilotsan · 20 May 2013, 16:58

thanks for the reply. It is a bayonet fitting and has/had two small tabs on the leading edge of the fitting [hard to describe]. One of the bayonet 'hooks' has broken off.
I am keen to get a replacement before the other breaks leaving me unable to secure the hose in the hole [although I assume I could hold it in whilst someone else pumps]

paddlers · 20 May 2013, 18:16

Have you had a look on fleabay to try to identify the fitting ?

Locozodiac · 21 May 2013, 14:42

Pilotsan, you need a Bravo bayonet fitting, check someone that sells Bravo pump products, probably could get it as spare or buy complete hose & bayonet kit. Which color is the central plastic pin of your air valve, yellow, black, grey ?

Happy Boating

Pilotsan · 21 May 2013, 18:20

Thank you Locozodiac.
I attach - I hope - 3 photos of the fitting. They show the one remaining complete bayonet lug [together with its rather odd tab on the leading edge], and the other side it has broken off.

Colour is grey throughout.

Locozodiac · 22 May 2013, 13:48

Is this your valve type ?
-If being complete grey color, what's the middle small screw color black, silver ?
-The central pin is yellow color ?
-Which model pump are you using, hand or foot ?

Happy Boating