Storing inflatable in engine room?

M

mariner36

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May 6, 2009
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31220
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Well, we just opened our new PVC inflatable, and it is larger than inspected. So large in fact,it won't fit where I had planned to store in the spare berth.

The engines on the Mariner are under the cockpit. Under the center cockpit hatch there is an area in between the engines that is large enough to stand, and large enough to store the inflatable when deflated.

I would think it would be to hot, and would rapidly degrade the PVC.

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge to support or refute this?

Thanks for the help.
 
I would think it would be to hot down there. Might not be good for the seams. But then again, they get pretty hot sitting out in the sun sometimes.
 
That is what I thought as well. In truth, I don't know how hot it really gets when the hatches are down, and we are underway.

Fully deflated it is a large rectangle which will not fit in any of our storage compartments.
 
If you have a swim platform you could strap it there. I have a small Mercury inflatable that we keep rolled up on the platform. It's a really efficient use of space, as what else is the platform used for while underway. Just make sure it is secure. I'll also mention that I bought a rechargeable coleman air pump that inflates it in only a matter of a minute or two. I still have to use the hand pump to reach the final proper PSI but it cut down the time and especially the effort to fill it as well as deflate it. I also built a small detachable engine mount for my 2hp honda for the step onto the platform.
I don't have a picture of the inflatable on the platform but here are 2 images of the platform, one with the engine and bracket and one showing the engine mount with the quick release bracket removed.
IMG_0902.jpg

IMG_0915.jpg
 
Originally posted by adru

If you have a swim platform you could strap it there. I have a small Mercury inflatable that we keep rolled up on the platform.

That's a good idea.

I really like that little engine bracket you have. You should market them. :-)
Click to expand...
 
Get one on those remote outdoor thermometers and measure the engine room temp.

George
 
That engine bracket only works for him because he has 2 swim platforms.
When I back down suddenly, which I try to avoid but due to aholes is sometimes needed, I get a rush of water over the swim platform. I think most boats do this.
 
Capt. Bill 1, thanks for the advise. The shoes and quick release feet are actually the base of a Magma grill mount. I had the machine shop in the company I used to work for reinforce the slide in foot/foot stand poles with additional welds. The engine is clamped to a block of aluminum I had the machine shop mill and is bolted through to the foot stand. St. Croix davits has a similar but more expensive product in their catalog. My cost was just the grill mount which still was not cheap.
 
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