Dinghy (Hypalon) Repair

[Steve]

My Avon inflatable dinghy has sprung a slow leak in one of the three tubes. Has anyone done a repair on these? How do you find, isolate leak? Tips on repair. I have the kit that Avon provided. Is this adaquate?

 

[Steve Dion]

Quite simple.

Steve:I did this to our Caribe. It has been a couple of years ago.As I remember, to find the leak I used some soapy water to find the leak. Then I marked the area with a marker (didn't want to try to find it again). Clean and dry off the area. Then I hook a piece of sand paper and sanded the area to be patched (make the sanded area slightly larger than the patch). Followed the direction on the glue can and it was done. As I remember the glue is like contact cement, so you apply glue to both pieces and let them dry and stick them together.Are you sure that you do not have a leaking valve? These valve sometimes get sand in them and leak. I'd remove all of your valves and wash them out before you get started looking for a fabric leak.

 

[Jim Ewing]

Also...

I had a slow leak in my Avon that was due to a dirty valve. DON'T UNSCREW THE VALVE. I did and the valve body ended up inside the tube. Talk about hunt the Wumpus! I found that if you clean the valve seats with a damp Q-tip the leaks stopped.If your problem is due to a pinhole leak get some two-part glue. This is what Avon uses to build the things and what the shops use to repair them. It's MUCH stronger than the one-part.Jim"Prospect"