DIY inflatable repair?

[SailLaVie38]

After our cruise last week, it was late by the time we got back to the marina. So I pulled the inflatable (6 yr old west marine roll-up) onto the foredeck, let a bit of air out of the tubes, and left it upside down for the week. Much to my dismay, on returning to the boat this weekend I found that about 24" of the floor near the bow has detached from the tubes. I guess I didn't let out enough air because the tubes were rock hard, and maybe was responsible for pulling the floor off the tube. The dinghy has been well cared for (except for this past week..), doesn't leak air, and from all other outward appearances looks great, so I'm really looking to repair it rather than replace it. I think this boat is PVC. Has anyone had experiences with similar repairs? I hear that the glues come in one-part or two-part. What's the difference? Are these glues easy to work with? Are DIY repairs reliable?Larry

 

[tony Z]

Yes do this your self

We also have a six year old West marine PVC dinghy. The same thing happened. This is common. UV and time break down the PVC bond.You are seeing the beginning of the end of the boat. You can certainly get some additional years out of it but when the tubes or stern start to go, I would reccomend moving on to greener pastures.Do not use one part glue. Use the 2 part glue available at west marine for PVC boats. They may have to order it.I would reccomend doing the whole floor.I did not and the rest has started to part just recently. Use a hair drier to open up the old bonds.Your going to clamp this bond together so reound up some clamps and a couple of pieces of wood. Also some wax paper.Clean the wound well. Whipe clean it with acetone and let it dry. Repeat this one more time.Then apply the adhesive (leave the repair open and allow the glue to dry for the apropriate amount of time in the directions (it think it was 15 min).Re apply another coat of the glue and again let it dry per the instructions. OK you get one shot at it, once they touch that's it. Press the repair together, put wax paper on either side(between the clamps and the glue),and clamp it for 12 hrs. It will not come apart again. Good luck. My next dinghywill be either a Hypalon or a small aluminum.

 

[SailLaVie38]

deflated...

Tony,Thanks for your feedback! I was thinking that it would be easier to work on, especially lining up the seams. if the tubes were at least partially inflated. But to clamp the bond as you suggest, sounds like the tube should be deflated. Correct? Is this something that can be done in sections? Port side, then stbd side, then bow?

 

[Hutch]

PVC repair

I have had the same problem with West Marine (Zodiac) PVC dingy. Was able to re-glue using two part glue. It has held now for over two years. Recommend you purchase your two part glue from Defender. It's half the price of West Marine.

 

[Mike]

DYI

Larry:All of the advice here is right on. Follow the label instructions on the PVC adhesive and you'll get good results. One of the folks recommeded Defender over WM. True they are a lot cheaper but if you take the Defender catlalogue into any WM they'll match the price or you can print the price from Defender's web site catalogue and they'll honor that price too. By the by the two part isn't intended for one part to act as an agent for the other but the additive is for chemicals such as petrolium to be resisted by the adhesive. Remember to be patient and follow the label instructions and the job you get will be as good as any pro can do.Good Luck,Mike