Inflatable collar for survival Dinghy

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Unionjack, Dec 28, 2007.

  1. Unionjack
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 11
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Whidbey Island

    Unionjack unionjack

    For years now I have searched to bridge the compromise for a need for a survival dinghy and at the same time have a pretty wooden boat. I have decided to try and install an inflatable collar on my 9' "Nutshell. (like a "Walker Bay") Have had no luck at all in finding resources to help me progress? Suggestions please
     
  2. Kay9
    Joined: Oct 2006
    Posts: 589
    Likes: 26, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 279
    Location: Central Coast Oregon US.

    Kay9 1600T Master

    First I have heard of it. But it might just be a GREAt idea if you can get it to work. You might also consider and canopy that inflates as well. You might just be onto a great idea here.

    K9
     
  3. rasorinc
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 1,853
    Likes: 71, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 896
    Location: OREGON

    rasorinc Senior Member

    inflatable collar for survival boat

    Henshaw ribs in England make the most in the world. Howere the pound is very strong and they add a 15% VAT. Try Wing Inflatables in Eureka, Calif.
    they do a lot of re-tubing. Good luck, stan
     
  4. Unionjack
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 11
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Whidbey Island

    Unionjack unionjack

    Inflatable collar

    Thanks I'll try Wings in CA
     
  5. rasorinc
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 1,853
    Likes: 71, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 896
    Location: OREGON

    rasorinc Senior Member

    inflatable collar for survival boat

    another thought. I am making some ridged tubes out of styrofoam billets
    and wrapping them in a 22 oz. fabric that can be attached to the outside hull with a number of fasteners including threaded inserts. I've been working on this for awhile to sell to owners of small, light craft that like to venture out where they should not be and need proven buoyancy. billets float 55 lbs. per C ft. and cannot become saturated. Also they can be bought in any size.
    Stan
     
  6. timgoz
    Joined: Jul 2006
    Posts: 1,079
    Likes: 32, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 277
    Location: SW PA USA

    timgoz Senior Member

    There are some fellows in Ohiopyle, PA (USA) who make custom whitewater rafts. An inflatable dinghy collar would be well within thier abilities & I would think they would be reasonably priced. Wilderness Voyagers (1-800-272-4141) would most likely know how to contact them.

    Tim
     
  7. Unionjack
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 11
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Whidbey Island

    Unionjack unionjack

    Thanks Stan, good input. The major problem in a 38' cruising boat, is stowage would be a problem, but if the coast of the inflatable option is to great I may revert. Regards Unionjack

     
  8. rasorinc
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 1,853
    Likes: 71, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 896
    Location: OREGON

    rasorinc Senior Member

    inflatable collar for survival boat

    Hi, should tell you by tubes I mean retangles that hug the sides either inside or exterior of your hull. you may only need 3" wide product. Air tubes are large and not puncture proof and need UV protection. Also you need to make several chambers which adds greatly to cost. I have weighed the pluses and negatives many time over and find air tubes on the negative side for many reasons. stan
     
  9. FAST FRED
    Joined: Oct 2002
    Posts: 4,519
    Likes: 111, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1009
    Location: Conn in summers , Ortona FL in winter , with big d

    FAST FRED Senior Member

    We solved the problem by stowing the fenders under the seats of our Grumman Aluminum dink.

    Tested it keeps the dink up enough to enter easily and stay far enough up to bail , till dry.

    As we cruised offshore, survival suits were onboard , so swimming skills and cold water death were less of a risk.

    I think it is unreasonable to expect a patch on collar to keep a dink dry .

    But with a good sailing dink Self Rescue would seem doable.

    FF
     
  10. Unionjack
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 11
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Whidbey Island

    Unionjack unionjack

    Survival Collars

    Fred and Stan, Many thanks for the input. I have experimented with the Walker Bay dinghy that has a patch on collar. I works very well indeed. As you say cost may be a major issue, We will see. Regards Unionjack
     
  11. Steve W
    Joined: Jul 2004
    Posts: 1,844
    Likes: 73, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 608
    Location: Duluth, Minnesota

    Steve W Senior Member

    inflatable collar

    Good morning from a new member,i have thought about this subject in the past and have a couple of inexpensive suggestions.
    1/ buy a length of 4" vinyl discharge hose,this is the stuff that lays flat and can be bought at places like Home Depot,cut it to length and fold over the ends and glue them closed,(you will need to install a valve stem first) attatch it to the boat with straps around the tube,this will give about 100 lbs of floatation.
    2/if you need more floatation buy some 18oz vinyl truck tarp material,you can buy this from any canvas shop that makes awnings etc,buy some adhesive from the same place,HH66 is the product i have used,now just make up a tube in any diameter you want with a simple overlap seam,i have made up airbags this way that can take 100psi,these required massive steel clamps to close the end,but you should be able to just glue the ends shut as you will only be using about 3 to 5 psi,glue on mounting tab of the same material,should have good uv resistance as they use this fabric for tarps and awnings,should be a fun and inexpensive project.
    Steve.
     
  12. denny grover
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: SV Tambaran Guaymas Mx.

    denny grover cortezsail

    Saw a hard dink that had a collar made from an inflatable Kayak's tubes that worked well according to the owner. Inflatable Kayaks seem to be at most swapmeets cheap.
     
  13. Unionjack
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 11
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Whidbey Island

    Unionjack unionjack

    Steve & Denny, Many thanks, good input. Now if the weather improves here I shall get to testing the ideas received. Unionjack
     
  14. uintahiker
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: USA

    uintahiker New Member

    Did you ever complete this project--I want to do something similar
     

  15. FAST FRED
    Joined: Oct 2002
    Posts: 4,519
    Likes: 111, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1009
    Location: Conn in summers , Ortona FL in winter , with big d

    FAST FRED Senior Member

    Should the dink flip , will the collar resist any attempt to right it?


    Will a collar float a flooded boat high enough to allow bailing?

    FF
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. JINLEE
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,306
  2. Squidly-Diddly
    Replies:
    43
    Views:
    5,463
  3. Squidly-Diddly
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,108
  4. Stigla
    Replies:
    17
    Views:
    2,114
  5. Squidly-Diddly
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,589
  6. engineer137
    Replies:
    24
    Views:
    5,948
  7. Manfred.pech
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    2,407
  8. Sea Moss
    Replies:
    22
    Views:
    6,951
  9. Devu De Goa
    Replies:
    12
    Views:
    2,336
  10. Xyberz
    Replies:
    24
    Views:
    4,857
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.