Split my dinghy open...

[beej67]

Inflatable Zodiac, don't exactly know the size, but don't think it's that important to the issue.

The tubes on either side are fine. The floor is fine. The problem is the floor split away from the tubes, where the floor was cemented to the tubes right in that crease. The splits are several feet (maybe as much as 3 feet) long along either side of the floor. Please understand, the floor itself is fine, the tubes themselves are fine, but the adhesive that holds the floor to the tubes has failed.

My plan was to inflate the thing in my garage, and stick the whole thing back together with 5200, then let it cure for a few days before deflating and transporting back to the boat.

First question: will that work?

Second question: will that still allow me to roll the thing up and stow it below?

Third question: I'd like to maybe glue some sort of big vinyl cross-piece to the outside of the boat, that's longer than the bottom itself, and sticks up to the sides of the boat to give it more holding power when someone jumps in it and strains the seams where I'm going to be 5200ing it back together. Is there a good place to buy a couple of long vinyl/whatever strips that I can glue onto the thing?

Not looking forward to buying a new dinghy. They're expensive, and this one appears to be fine except for the whole seams-splitting-open issue.

[hphoen]

beej,

That might work. Do the instructions for 5200 list vinyl fabric repair?

If you Google "vinyl inflatable adhesive", you'll find some products that are specifically designed for the purpose. e.g. How to apply PVC patches to an inflatable boat

[sailingdog]

1) Yes, 5200 will work. An acquaintance of mine rebuilt a dinghy with 5200.

2) Yes, it will probably let you roll the dinghy back up, provided you don't slather it on too thick.

3) You don't need to use vinyl. Any good fabric store will have something that you can use more likely than not.

[beej67]

Any good fabric store will have something that you can use more likely than not.

I envisioned powder blue leisure suit fabric when you posted this. I'm sure that wasn't the intent. What did you have in mind, exactly? I've got a Jo-Ann on my way home from work, might try to work on this tonight.

[sailingdog]

many have exterior-grade vinyl, acrylic canvas, and other materials....though I'd love to see a dinghy with a powder blue leisure suit glued to the bottom. We could stuff SWAY into it.

[hellosailor]

5200 might work, but it is not the recommended adhesive. If that's a hypalon material, there are special hypalon adhesives (made by Bostik and others) that form the strongest bond for it.

You really need to check the material type, and get the specific adhesive for it. I'd ask 3M directly if 5200 can be used on it, sometimes 5200 let's go of things when you least expect it to.

Typical hypalon adhesive needs to be applied to clean surfaces (solvent clean, abrade, solvent clean again, then glue and clamp/press) and the prep is the most important part of the job. Easier to check first than to do the job twice.

[camaraderie]

If it is hypalon I think you need to use the 2part hypalon adhesive available. Here's a good link. Shore Adhesive - 2 Part - Quart Hypalon Inflatable Repair River Connection

[hutch5151]

What you described is typical of the PVC dingys made by Zodiac and also sold under the West Marine Brand. I have had the same problem in the past. It only occurs to the glued seams on the bottom of the dinghy. The thermo-welded seams are not affected. They make a special two part adhesive for this repair. You can purchase it at Defender or West Marine. You will need to follow the directions precisely. I made my repair two years ago and it seems to be stronger than new. If you dingy is less than five years old, it should still be under warranty and the repairs could be covered.

[fullkeel7]

Beej67, Zodiac has a nice inflatable home page. IIRC, there is a repair section and an e-mail address for additional help you might want to check out. Also they listed some cleaner and special adhesive to use as well. Zodiac Inflatables got me there.

Just backed up and saw hutch5151's post, there ya go...sounds good to me.

Bob

[Stillraining]

DO NOT USE 5200...

Use the proper hpolon glue mentioned...I redid the bottoms of my cataraft 8 years ago and its still holding..

Here is the sorce for all my rafting stuf.. NRS - Kayaking Gear, Rafting Supplies and Boating Equipment