04-28-2009, 04:46 PM
[quote Knotthead]Pon, thanks for the reply. That is some really good info, and I will look into buying a motor. Maybe like you, I can eventually start tinkering on a build of my own. [cool]
Flygoddess and MacFly,
Thank you for your discussion. Maybe we have stumbled onto another problem. Let me further clarify.
The only two times I have taken my 'toon out I made sure to fully inflate the pontoons so they were firm to the touch. As I get out on the water, my weight seems to sink the pontoon in the middle, to where it looks like the pontoons themselves are being folded in half. This should not be happening! The water level is easily a good half way up the pontoon. Because of that, the base where the seat is attached is now submerged underwater, and that makes my rear end be in the water. Yes, I can see that happening with the folding.
Could this be a design flaw, or maybe I am still not inflating my pontoons enough? Probably not enough inflation, but be careful if you can't return/exchange. One of the original pontoons on my ODC 616 blew out when I tried to make it firmer. The inner inflation chamber was made of the common raft material you see in inflatable toys and had a weak spot due to thinner, non-uniform area. Also make sure that the straps that fasten the pontoon to the frame are very tight with a slight indentation into the tube at firm inflation. Do not allow to sit in the sun OUT of the water, when fully inflated, as this will overpressure and cause a blowout. Maybe I should go pick up a PSI gauge, what should the PSI be at? The PSI guage for my ODC has to be a very special and expensive design that measures backpressure, because of the flap valve which stops the loss of air when inflating. For a nylon type outer shell on the ODC I wouldn't go over 2 lbs maximum, but check the stitched seams for strains to see if that is too much.
Maybe it’s just me being a scared newbie on my new ‘toon, but I don’t like sitting in the water. It makes me feel like I am sinking. I know what you mean, I don't like this either. Some manufacturers state the weight capacity to include the upward displacement force provided by your butt being in the water. Being in the water also makes the whole thing more stable with less weight and stress on the frame, so they can get by with thinner tubing and less critical welding. So your pontoon capacity, stability and safety may be insufficient if you have added a riser.
Hope this helps.
Pon
be
Thanks for the help,
Knotthead[/quote]
[signature]
Flygoddess and MacFly,
Thank you for your discussion. Maybe we have stumbled onto another problem. Let me further clarify.
The only two times I have taken my 'toon out I made sure to fully inflate the pontoons so they were firm to the touch. As I get out on the water, my weight seems to sink the pontoon in the middle, to where it looks like the pontoons themselves are being folded in half. This should not be happening! The water level is easily a good half way up the pontoon. Because of that, the base where the seat is attached is now submerged underwater, and that makes my rear end be in the water. Yes, I can see that happening with the folding.
Could this be a design flaw, or maybe I am still not inflating my pontoons enough? Probably not enough inflation, but be careful if you can't return/exchange. One of the original pontoons on my ODC 616 blew out when I tried to make it firmer. The inner inflation chamber was made of the common raft material you see in inflatable toys and had a weak spot due to thinner, non-uniform area. Also make sure that the straps that fasten the pontoon to the frame are very tight with a slight indentation into the tube at firm inflation. Do not allow to sit in the sun OUT of the water, when fully inflated, as this will overpressure and cause a blowout. Maybe I should go pick up a PSI gauge, what should the PSI be at? The PSI guage for my ODC has to be a very special and expensive design that measures backpressure, because of the flap valve which stops the loss of air when inflating. For a nylon type outer shell on the ODC I wouldn't go over 2 lbs maximum, but check the stitched seams for strains to see if that is too much.
Maybe it’s just me being a scared newbie on my new ‘toon, but I don’t like sitting in the water. It makes me feel like I am sinking. I know what you mean, I don't like this either. Some manufacturers state the weight capacity to include the upward displacement force provided by your butt being in the water. Being in the water also makes the whole thing more stable with less weight and stress on the frame, so they can get by with thinner tubing and less critical welding. So your pontoon capacity, stability and safety may be insufficient if you have added a riser.
Hope this helps.
Pon
be
Thanks for the help,
Knotthead[/quote]
[signature]