Repairing inflatables

[sneuman]

I''d be interested in hearing from anyone who has repaired a slow leak in a zodiac-type inflatable dinghy.

[gunnyman]

Have repaired a few. What are your questions. I''ll be glad to help if I can.

[sneuman]

Well, it''s a very slow leak, so not even sure I can properly identify it with soap bubbles. So, that''s the first problem. And ... what did you use to make the repair? Did it hold?

[dman]

This was recently covered ,you should try the search.If it doesn`t make a bubble then it isn`t leaking.

[FalconEddie]

I just went through this whole process and discovered a couple of basic facts of life concerning RIB repair.

1.) There is no ''quick and easy'' way.

2.) Get the boat out of the water and prepare for a serious repair.

3.) Get the CORRECT repair supplies, including new, fresh adhesive.

4.) Don''t avoid the $40 adhesive because of cost - it works best.

5.) Download the instructions found on line and follow them religiously.

I used a thick mixture of Dawn and water and slowly went around the boat applying it and finally found the tiny leak. (It was taking my boat a week to go soft and no amount of Viagra helped)

I took other peoples (around the marina) well-meaning advise and the leak re-appeared every two weeks. I was also occasionally dealing with a sometimes leaky fill valve.

Frustrated, I finally got the right materials and waited for the right (temp/humidity) day, did the repair, and it has been rock solid for three months now.

No short cuts. Research on line for your exact material (my boat is a Hypalon Avon) and get the right stuff and the right directions. Use Toluene for cleaning the surface instead of MEK. It smokes your liver a tad but does a better job. Hold your breath while using it.

[gunnyman]

sneuman, FalconEddie hit it on the head.Follow his advise , especially about the adhesive.

[goduke]

Also - have a marking pen like a Sharpie with you when you''re looking for the leak so you can mark it immediately without having to stop - find a pen and loose the spot

[pjfsail]

dman, suggested, "This was recently covered ,you should try the search.If it doesn`t make a bubble then it isn`t leaking. " I have tried to search using the following: "leaking inflatables", "leak", "inflatables", "how to fix a leak in an inflatable". I come up with nothing, zero, zilch. I HAVE a leak in my inflatable. I can''t find it. It does NOT make any bubbles. It DOES leak as I have to fill the front compartment every week. DON''T tell me it''s NOT leaking. It IS leaking. So what ARE the key words to the search? Thanks, Peter

[sneuman]

I have also had trouble with the search function

[dman]

pjfsail If it doesn`t make a bubble it is not leaking.Since your inflatable is leaking the soap/water cannot be over the leak,it is that simple.The slightest leak will be detected.No bubbles no air loss,so be more carefull in your attempt.Well the good news is that it will only leak more if you can`t find it.lol