Achilles Inflatable

1987 Model Achilles

A 1987, SPD-4FL, 10'-2" Achilles inflatable, with an 8 hp OB. I have had it up on a plain with three adults on board (with very calm water I might add!). The 8hp is about 60lbs and some what heavy to pull up and down off of the back railing. I thought I would downsize until I talked to some Bahama cruisers. They indicated that with a smaller OB it may be lighter but with some of the currents and choppy seas you will need a strong OB. They suggested I get a lift arm and attach it to the wind generator pole.

BARNACLE CLEANING
Ok, so I left my Achilles in the water to long and it got attracted by barnacles. What a mess. I'm to embarrassed to show a picture of what it originally looked like when I pulled it out of the river but I did have some success in scraping it reasonable clean and then using the procedure below to clean off the white remains.

I cleaned the barnacles off with:

West Marine Easy-On/Off
A plastic scraper and Sponge
A lot of rinse water

Easy-On/Off has an acid base and will burn if allowed to remain on the skin. Make sure you have some type of safety glasses on.

Don't wet the HYPALON material first just apply the Easy-On/Off with the sponge to a small areas first. Allow it to bubble for a minute or two. You really don't want to leave this stuff on the HYPALON material to long. But for a short time it won't hurt it (per the inflatable boat folks).

Using the plastic scraper work the edges slowly to scrape off the white calcium remains of the barnacles. After you have a small area done give it a good wash off with the hose, then start another area.

I sanded down the boards and gave them three coats of shellac. I manage to get through two seasons with the wooden floor boards and then they need to be clear coated again.

TOWING

When towing the Achilles I have experimented with different ways to make it surf the wake of the boat. Sometimes the best way is just to pull it up along side. With the picture to the right, you can see why my "D" rings keep pulled off!

STORING

I don't have stern davits so I tow it behind or pull it on the foredeck for cruising. When It's going to be in sun for a long time I pull the sunbrella cover over it. HYPALON'S worst enemy is the sun.

REPAIR

Seeing that it is an 87 model it has done very well, but it did need some tinder loving care just lately. I had absolutely no success in gluing new "D" rings to the HYPALON material. Three times I struck out. Each time the rings pulled out. So a local inflatable boat shop did it for me. They also redid the Velcro strips that hold the "wooden seat" on and repaired three holes. I guess the barnacles did me in there. I replace the valves (all four of them) and had the shop do a pressure test. Best pressure is 2.8psi. Most inflatables are under inflated.