[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

129.0. "Bliss Inflatable Rubber Raft?" by AD::GIBSON (Lobst'a Ayah) Wed Aug 24 1988 16:56

    A few weeks ago I purchaced a 12 Norlantic Inflatable from
    Bliss Marine. This raft seems to go a few days and then deflates
    ??????????????
    
    I called Blaiss and the Manager told me all rubber rafts do that.
    I think he's lying to me. What do you think.
    
    I'm getting tired of pumping up the raft every time I use it.
    
    Do any of you have experiance with Inflatables?? Is this normal??
    
                                               Walt
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
129.1Nature at work...BMT::SAPIENZAKnowledge applied is wisdom gained.Wed Aug 24 1988 22:0524
    
       Partially deflates or completely deflates?
    
       You need to remember that air will expand as it heats up and
    will contract when it cools. If you leave the raft inflated, the
    sun will heat it up in the daytime, and it will cool down at night.
    
       As the air expands, it will stretch the raft a bit. When it cools
    down the raft will not recover from the stretching and the raft
    will appear a bit deflated. Over time, the heating/cooling cycle
    will cause some of the air to dissappear altogether, so the raft
    will deflate as well.
    
       Also note that the expansion and contraction of the air inside
    the raft could lead to damage over time. In general, I would suggest
    you completely deflate the raft after using it, and not leave it
    inflated all the time. A high-speed inflator/deflator (available
    from Bliss coincidentally) will reduce the bother of filling and
    emptying the raft. (I have one and it's amazing to see how quickly
    it works.)
    
    
    Frank
    
129.2inflatables....MRMFG1::J_BORZUMATOThu Aug 25 1988 11:1921
    they already recalled these rafts once, they had major problems
    with the valves. last year i tried to buy one, and they didn't have
    a thing. they were still trying to resovle the valve problem.
    
    i wound up with an achilles, roughly at twice the price. i just
    returned from 2 weeks vac. on the boat, i keep the dinghy inflated
    and had no noticable problem with deflation.
    
    this is my second season with this unit, and cannot recall any
    problem like you mentioned.
    
    if i were you, i would return the unit for a full refund.
    it seems to me that they have not as yet solved the problem.
    
    i'm not standing on a pedestal here, but the old adage still
    stands, "you get what you pay for" the e&b/bliss are substantially
    less expensive etc. etc. etc. etc.
    
    my .02c
    
    jim.
129.3Sounds like a bad valveROGER::GAUDETSki NautiqueThu Aug 25 1988 12:487
    Although the heating/cooling theory is true I don't think you should
    see THAT much variation in air volume.  I leave my "tubing" tubes
    inflated all summer, in fact I have two that have been inflated
    since June and are still as full as they were the day I inflated
    them.  Take the raft back to Bliss.  Something is WRONG!
    
    					...Roger...
129.4they shouldn't leakDHW::WILSONThu Aug 25 1988 13:5711
    I have an 8 foot Achilles that I keep all season on my seaplane
    mooring.  I inflated it at the beginning of the season in May, and
    have not added air since.  Could stand a little now though.
    
    I did have some trouble last year with it deflating, checked it
    with soap suds looking for the leak, and finally found some dirt
    was in the screw cap.  No problems since.
    
    If its not something obvious in the valve, take it back.
    
    Don
129.5LeaksAD::GIBSONLobst'a AyahFri Sep 23 1988 10:138
    Well this was the outcome, Just got my raft back from Bliss. 
    
    They were very nice but it still leaks.
    
    I wouln't buy another one from them.
    
                                Walt
    
129.6TRY SMALL CLAIMSBIZNIS::CADMUSFri Nov 11 1988 13:4623
    
    
    IF YOU WANT TO GET THEIR ATTENTION- FILE A CLAIM WITH SMALL CLAIMS
    COURT- CALL YOUR LOCAL COURTHOUSE AND THEY'LL GIVE YOU THE INFO.
    IT COSTS EITHER $3.00 OR $5.00. YOU DO NOT NEED A LAWYER-USUALLY
    THIS ACTION WAKES THESE IDIOTS UP, SINCE THEY DON'T NEED TO PAY
    AN EMPLOYEE, OR AN ATTORNEY TO SPEND A DAY AT THE COURTHOUSE.
    
    IT ALSO USUALLY CAUSES SOMEBODYU IN MANAGHEMENT WHO TENDS TO LOOK
    AT STUFF LIKE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TO REVIEW THE SITUATION. I'VE
    TRIED THIS APPRAOCH THREE TIME- THREE HITS. IN MASS, YOU ARE ENTITLED
    TO TREBLE DAMAGES, SO THEY STAND TO LOSE 3X THE PRICE YOU PAID AND
    THEY GET TO KEEP THE RAFT- THERE IS A LOT OF INCENETIVE TO GET THEM TO
    BEHAVE.I'D STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT- IT IS NOT A BIG DEL IF YOU HAVE
    TO GO TO COURT AND HAVING SAT AND WATCGHED A LOT OF CASES IN DEDHAM
    COURTHOUSE- THE JUDGE USUALLY REACTS NEGATIVELY TO THE "BIG BUSINESS
    WITH LAWYER" VS THE "LITTLE GUY"  IT SEEMS WHEN YOU BRING AN ATTORNEY
    THE JUDGE SMELLS A RAT AND FUGURES YOU BROUGHT ON BECAUSE YOU NEED
    ONE.
    
    MY$.02
    
    
129.7Patching an inflatableGOLF::WILSONOn the boat again...Wed May 01 1991 17:1420
    Moved by moderator...
    
================================================================================
Note 831.0                 need help on these 2 things                No replies
ICS::FERNANDES                                       14 lines   1-MAY-1991 15:44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am in the process of purchasing a 21' Chris Craft w/cuddy and stand
    up head. It has a 175HP Merc-cruiser. Does anyone have one of these
    or any other Chris Craft? I'm looking for information on these boats.
    Are they built well? Do they hold their value? etc.
    
    I purchased a vinyl dingy last year from E&B marine. I noticed this
    year a crack on the bottom..(i think the kids were jumping on it) what
    can I use to patch the bottom? It has two layers....the bottom on the 
    inside of the boat is not the same bottom on the outside of the boat.
    Can you understand this? I can be reached at 223-7222 if you have any 
    questions.
    
    thanks,
    tony
129.8More dataLEVERS::SWEETThu May 02 1991 14:193
    What model and year Chris, need the specifics.
    
    Bruce
129.9modelICS::FERNANDESThu May 09 1991 10:293
    the model and year= 1988 21' scorpion....nice boat  please read note
    242.9 and 10 and put your reply there.
    thank you