Inspection of a Hypalon Sailing Dinghy

thesnort · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Howdy,
What clues should I be looking for in a 10-year old inflatable? Would a slow leak put you off from buying, or is Hypalon easily repaired? If I don't bring it in for repair, I thought Eternabond tape might do the job. (Any ideas on the cost of repair if done by a "professional"?). Any thoughts on what would work best with hypalon? Thanks in advance.

Idiens · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Odd! I have a ten year old Hyperlon inflatable - with a slow leak.

Slow enough to make it difficult to find the leak and fast enough to be a nuisance.

I regard the dingy as shot. But if anyone would care to buy.... ???

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

A slow leak in a ten-year old inflatable is probably a sign that it will be sprouting more leaks shortly. I would avoid buying one with a leak, especially since some leaks aren't readily repairable, like where the tubes are joined...

Lion35 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

If you have a puncture or tear in Hypalon, not a slow leak, I recommend patching from the inside and outside with Hypalon patches with 3m 5200.

My Avon got slashed years ago and I unsuccessfully tried patching it with the Avon repair kit multiple times until a cruising friend recommend using 5200. The 5200 repair isn't as pretty but has held up for about 5 years now and is still going strong.

thesnort · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Thanks so much for your quick replies. The owner states that it is a slow leak near a valve on an outer tube of a Tinker. I reaallly like these sailing dinghies and was hoping to pick it up over the weekend. The price seemed right at $1,500, but I don't know what to think about the slow leak. I know there's hypalon paint that flexes with the boat. I thought that might do the trick too.

Valiente · #6 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Have you had demonstrated to your satisfaction that it is the tube and not the valve? On my Zodiac I had a crappy valve (they screw in separately and have a plunger type spring device with a "leather") and when I replaced that, I got hard and stayed hard.

So to speak.

FortAwesomeIII · #7 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

My Mercury Hypalon inflatable began to sprout leaks all over(very small ones) after only about 3 years. I would make a warranty issue about it, but since the transom joint is coming loose(covered only on a 1 yr warranty), it's useless. Looks like I need to get a better quality tender1

SVDistantStar · #8 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

My 20 year old Avon is still going great. I patched a small cut useing a tire patch and its holding fine. I do have a valve that has a slow leak, but i dont mind topping it off everyday. Its a hardbottom boat, so i can afford to buy a replacement for it right now.

Cruisingdad · #9 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

I think ALL inflateables leak... somewhat. But 1500 seems high to me??? But I have not really researched the cost of used, er, hmm, I mean Experienced tenders!

HAHA!

- CD

Idiens · #10 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesnort

Thanks so much for your quick replies. The owner states that it is a slow leak near a valve on an outer tube of a Tinker. I reaallly like these sailing dinghies and was hoping to pick it up over the weekend. The price seemed right at $1,500, but I don't know what to think about the slow leak. I know there's hypalon paint that flexes with the boat. I thought that might do the trick too.

Although the Tinker has a good name and is expensive by inflatable standards, at 10 years old, it sounds expensive to me.