First time owner achilles SPD-4DX

[nabiul]

I have been using a seahawk 4 up until now, but even with mods it just doesn't move like a real boat. So when I saw this come up on kijiji for a reasonable price, I jumped on it.

Being a first time owner I have some questions. This achilles is 30 years old, is it hypalon or pvc?

When I fold the end cones over the transom it kind of makes a noise like crumpling acetate sheets, is it supposed to do that?

If I plan to refinish this using SRC tuff coat will I have to take off the entire outer coating?

The drain valve was missing, the seller gave me a replacement that was oversized and said I could cut it to size and fit it in there. He also said that the little flapping valve was simply sealed by hydrostatic pressure when in the water and that there wasn't supposed to be a plug or anything on top; is that true?

Will cleaners like zep fast 505 damage the fabric?

[office888]

Originally Posted by nabiul

I have been using a seahawk 4 up until now, but even with mods it just doesn't move like a real boat. So when I saw this come up on kijiji for a reasonable price, I jumped on it.

Being a first time owner I have some questions. This achilles is 30 years old, is it hypalon or pvc?

When I fold the end cones over the transom it kind of makes a noise like crumpling acetate sheets, is it supposed to do that?

If I plan to refinish this using SRC tuff coat will I have to take off the entire outer coating?

The drain valve was missing, the seller gave me a replacement that was oversized and said I could cut it to size and fit it in there. He also said that the little flapping valve was simply sealed by hydrostatic pressure when in the water and that there wasn't supposed to be a plug or anything on top; is that true?

Will cleaners like zep fast 505 damage the fabric?

It's hypalon. You'll get a crumpling sound with the material, that's normal...but if there's crinkling, inspect the material for degradation or canvas-like stiffening. There may be a latex sealant coating INSIDE the tube, in which case, you're hearing the latex sealant coating crinkle.

The boat should have a drain plug...it looks like a rubber bath stopper.

Hypalon is pretty impervious to most detergents. Make sure it is non-petroleum / non-silicone. One of the best hypalon cleaners I've found is Purple Power degreaser.

I wouldn't use coat it with anything...just leave it as naked hypalon.

[nabiul]

The valve looks like this right now without the brown flap.

http://saturninflatableboats.ca/infl...lveRepairs.jpg

[nabiul]

I looked up this purple power stuff and apparently it can strip paint and damage plastic surfaces?

[office888]

Originally Posted by nabiul

I looked up this purple power stuff and apparently it can strip paint and damage plastic surfaces?

It depends how you dilute it. I usually do 20% detergent / 80% water. It doesn't take much. As with any heavy duty detergents, it will oxidize rubber and strip wax from paint if you're not careful.

If you want to stay on the safe end, then use a standard boat soap or a non-toxic, safe soap such as Simple Green. However, these cleans will likely not removing scaling or embedded dirt from the hypalon material.

[nabiul]

Can you take a look at the floor and see if I have everything, except for the missing middle connector. And whats up with the back, why does it have extra pieces screwed to the bottom?

http://i.imgur.com/eYZOdds.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qVd1VLJ.jpg


I have to say it looks like it's in pretty good shape for 30 years old. There is some abrasion on the left tube for some reason.

http://i.imgur.com/2HWr7A2.jpg

Also I have a piece of triangular fabric that goes on the front of the boat, what is it for?

[office888]

Originally Posted by nabiul

Can you take a look at the floor and see if I have everything, except for the missing middle connector. And whats up with the back, why does it have extra pieces screwed to the bottom?

http://i.imgur.com/eYZOdds.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qVd1VLJ.jpg


I have to say it looks like it's in pretty good shape for 30 years old. There is some abrasion on the left tube for some reason.

http://i.imgur.com/2HWr7A2.jpg

Also I have a piece of triangular fabric that goes on the front of the boat, what is it for?

You appear to be missing a floor batten. Other than that, it appears complete, although those back two floorboards do not look original.

The small strips of wood on the bottom are stiffeners to prevent flexing from the outboard.

The triangular fabric piece goes on the top at the bow? That is a spray hood.

[jyasaki]

If I'm not mistaken, you are looking at the bottom of the floor in the top pic. All the added wood pieces face upwards, or you wouldn't be able to get the battens in the channels on the sides (between the tubes and the added hatchet shaped wood pieces.)

Agree with Office; as far as I'm aware, all Achilles boats are hypalon. I've seen a fair number of 20 and 30 year old Achilles boats used regularly for diving.

jky

[office888]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Agree with Office; as far as I'm aware, all Achilles boats are hypalon. I've seen a fair number of 20 and 30 year old Achilles boats used regularly for diving.

jky

Funny thing : Achilles isn't a boat manufacturer...they're a technical textiles manufacturer who happens to make inflatable boats. They use their own hypalon/csm material for boat production.

[nabiul]

Awesome thanks for the help guys! I'm going to try making a replacement connector and see if I can't be out on the water this weekend.

[nabiul]

I'm glad to report that the boat, replacement floorboard and the DIY h connector we made worked like a charm, despite a little water leaking through the one way bilge valve. However there is a slow constant leak through one of the valves, the o-rings are starting to wear out and are cracked. Also the pump is likely dry as a bone inside and very difficult to use; what is a safe lubricant to use on the pump and o-rings?

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by nabiul

I'm glad to report that the boat, replacement floorboard and the DIY h connector we made worked like a charm, despite a little water leaking through the one way bilge valve. However there is a slow constant leak through one of the valves, the o-rings are starting to wear out and are cracked. Also the pump is likely dry as a bone inside and very difficult to use; what is a safe lubricant to use on the pump and o-rings?

Probably Buna seals (i.e. standard O-ring material) in the pump. Silicone oil lubricant would probably be best, but is really expensive (and fairly hard to find.) Whatever you use, try to avoid petroleum products (or those with petroleum carriers/propellants/oils), as they tend to break down most rubber materials (both natural [latex] and synthetic [neoprene, Buna-N, EPDM, etc.).

If you can get a damp cotton swab in to the sealing area of the valve, you may just have some sand or other contaminant in there. Worth a shot.

jky

[office888]

Originally Posted by nabiul

I'm glad to report that the boat, replacement floorboard and the DIY h connector we made worked like a charm, despite a little water leaking through the one way bilge valve. However there is a slow constant leak through one of the valves, the o-rings are starting to wear out and are cracked. Also the pump is likely dry as a bone inside and very difficult to use; what is a safe lubricant to use on the pump and o-rings?

I recommend replacement. Once an o-ring is crazed, it will leak.

If your boat is 20-30 years old, the cap gasket, diaphragm, and o-ring should be replaced.

[nabiul]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Probably Buna seals (i.e. standard O-ring material) in the pump. Silicone oil lubricant would probably be best, but is really expensive (and fairly hard to find.) Whatever you use, try to avoid petroleum products (or those with petroleum carriers/propellants/oils), as they tend to break down most rubber materials (both natural [latex] and synthetic [neoprene, Buna-N, EPDM, etc.).

If you can get a damp cotton swab in to the sealing area of the valve, you may just have some sand or other contaminant in there. Worth a shot.

jky

Indeed it is hard to find, the only stuff available locally is in an aerosol form with standard butane/propane carrier. I've used paslode cordless tool oil before on airgun seals without a problem so maybe that will work.

Originally Posted by office888

I recommend replacement. Once an o-ring is crazed, it will leak.

If your boat is 20-30 years old, the cap gasket, diaphragm, and o-ring should be replaced.

If I could find a replacement I would, I can probably order them from the states, but not in time for this season. I think I will try cutting vinyl disks or maybe some silicone caulking.