Inflatable dinghy repair

Mark.Wilme · Post by **Mark.Wilme** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:06 pm

Our OMC Express 260 dinghy has a leak between the tubes and the floor such that sea water comes in to the floor area. I hasten to add that this is not a hole in an ir tube but the join between the tubes and the floor edges. The guyin the next slip over (old salt) told me to use 3M's 5200 to repair this. What's the advice here ?

Post by **Tim** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:12 pm

I've also heard of using 5200 to repair inflatables. The stuff sticks to anything, and remains flexible, so it seems like a good choice. You'll need to keep the repair clamped or weighted for some time, though, since 5200 takes days to cure.

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:33 pm

Repaired a cut in a tube in my Achilles back in 1983 using 5200. The patch is still holding just fine- I still have the inflatable.

Mark.Wilme · Post by **Mark.Wilme** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:25 pm

First tube of 5200 squeezed in tonight to hold down the flap between the floor and the tubes. The previous owner did warn me to take care of this otherwise when beaching the boat sand can work in there and abrade the joint. I cleaned ahead of time with sandpaper and acetone allowing plenty of time for the vapors to evaporate before masking up for squeeze out and applying 3M's wonder glue. I found the best way was to squeeze it in from the tube and then smear it around with my finger (encassed in a disposable glove). I wiped up the squeeze out, removed the masking tape and then applied 2" tape over the top to hold it while it set (pressing firmly through the tape to achieve a good bond). I checked after 90 minutes and nothing has opened up yet.

I'll check on this tomorrow night and move on to doing the tricky area in the back corners where I have more of a gap and a trickier clamping proposition (out come those long reach clamps again !).

By the way - did everyone know that Home Depot now sells the small tubes (toothpaste style) of regular 5200 and 5200 fast cure ? I have always found that unless I am doing a big job then the caulk gun style cannisters go bad before I can use them all up so the small tubes are better and where is handier to get them that your big friendly local orange store ?

Mark

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:19 am

So does Walmart- 4200 also

hesper · Post by **hesper** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:43 pm

Speaking of repairs...Just bought about 3 weeks ago, a Zodiac 185(i think), about 9 foot, 5 years old from a friend. Firned is VERY reliable and iI trust that no leaks till I took command. Boat seemed great till i deflated and brought to another location then reinflated. Seemed to be slowly losing air. Thought it was a valve but no change except for the worse. Finally, yesterday, when i pumped her up(again), noticed air coming up from underwater. Pulled her out, found the hole (OK-2 holes) which I still cannot explain, and used patch material from Fiberglass Evercoat. Local boatyard said that's what they always use. http://www.boatersworld.com/product/366800019.htm Followed instructions explicitely. Today, inflated 3/4 way and sure enough, leaking. Blew a little air in at the site of the leak and the #(*&ing patch pulled right off. Patch had plenty of glue on it & well stuck. Boat was clean as a whistle. Guess it doesn't work on newer Zodiacs. So........tonight, bought some 2-part glue from Weaver that says on the package is good for Zodiacs and/or pretty much all inflatables. Just spent an hour following directions again. If this doesn't work, what am I supposed to try next, plumber's solder????? Never had a deflatable before and so far, not lovin' it.
Do these things develope alot of leaks. I usually keep on the dinghy dock and she sits on the mostly muddy bottom twice a day. There are other various deflatables there so maybe not related.
jim

Mark.Wilme · Post by **Mark.Wilme** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:27 pm

As I understand it there are two basic types of dinghy material, PVC and the ther of which Hypalon is the predominant brand (I think). As I read the repair kit is basically specially formulated contact cement. The area needs be be cleaned really well and in some cases sanded too. Then you need to appoly 3 coats of the stuff letting each one dry so it is not tacky. If it gets white spots then it has gotten too humid either due to naturl humidty or even human breath (not sure hoiw much I believe this). Then the final step is to apply the patch, clamping or applying pressure and making sure both areas are flat or bent at the same radius so that as the "fabric" stretches upon inflation, so does the patch.

Hope that helps, never done it but that's what I hear.

Will be taking the "clamps" off our dinghy tonight to see how my 5200 repair looks.

BTW - Can it really RAIN any more, Geez ....

hesper · Post by **hesper** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:39 am

Well, after Friday night fun, and waiting about 36 hours, i partially inflated the boat to check for leaks. So far, so good. I was tempted to launch but decided to wait a full 48 hours. Tide is high at 11:46. Guess I better get some work done here so can do sea trials around lunch time!
j