Beautiful! I exclaimed after seeing the dinghy cover for the first time. It was a hassle to put on, but no problem. It's protecting my dinghy. It obstructs my view behind me, but no problem! It cost a bunch of money, but that's okay. It's protecting my dinghy! Many people get 20 years use from a hypalon dinghy but I only got 10. That expensive, work intensive, view blocking cover rubbed a hole in my Aquapro. Even a professional patch attempt could not repair the damage. $2000 learning experience!
I Ruined my Dinghy By Using a Cover
- Thread starter drjjlloyd
- Start date
Also covers like tarps or heat shrink over boats can blister gellcoat or wear the paint . Be sure there is a breathable material between your boat and cover material. Warm sun then cold nites are the worst.
I guess the only thing that can be said for the benefit of others is to inspect the dinghy frequently to catch any developing problems in time. Canvas covers can be abrasive and in time will wear the finish off of metals so it is not surprising what it can do to Hypalon. As far as fixing, check with a life raft repair business and get an estimate to see if it is worthwhile. It seems you have placed a patch and still have a small air leak but pumping it up before every use and keeping a pump handy might be a solution depending on your needs.
If that's a professional patch, I'd get my money back. No way that repair job is anything more than a 'botched job'.
We do better work than that and our repairs work for YEARS, using epoxy glue, and we don't have the availability of a shop and the proper tools out here on the anchor. Even our lifting points for the davits have stayed on for years now.
If you can clean off all that glue, I'd paint the bare cloth with the proper paint first. Once saturated with the paint, you can identify any leaks and patch them separately. I do not see your dink as a total loss, if you can clean off that mess your "professional" made.
We do better work than that and our repairs work for YEARS, using epoxy glue, and we don't have the availability of a shop and the proper tools out here on the anchor. Even our lifting points for the davits have stayed on for years now.
If you can clean off all that glue, I'd paint the bare cloth with the proper paint first. Once saturated with the paint, you can identify any leaks and patch them separately. I do not see your dink as a total loss, if you can clean off that mess your "professional" made.
There is a 'new'? Type of Sunbrella that has a smooth plastic inner coating. This may be a better option for a dink cover
... and I've seen beautiful cars ruined by covers.
Unless well thought out, they often cause more damage than they save.
Want to protect the fabric from UV? Paint it. Sure, the paint will wear, but it will protect and never damage. We always paint epoxy and I've even painted Lexan hatches that only accessed storage areas (what do you need light in there for?).
Unless well thought out, they often cause more damage than they save.
Want to protect the fabric from UV? Paint it. Sure, the paint will wear, but it will protect and never damage. We always paint epoxy and I've even painted Lexan hatches that only accessed storage areas (what do you need light in there for?).
Absolutely, I have used the MDR hypalon paint product (site store sells their products), and PolyMarine makes a similar flexible coating. Surface prep is essential for proper bonding.
Capta: you mentioned "epoxy glue". I've had a continous problem with my rub rail coming unglued on my 12 year old Avon. I've glued it a dozen times and it works for a while and then comes loose again. What do you recommend for the glue? I want to try it!
Jerry,
The big thing, IMO, about any patches on an inflatable, is preparation. The surface and patch must be absolutely clean (of even fingerprints), dust and old glue. Well sanded and smooth. We use acetone as a cleaner, after sanding and just before gluing.
We have had excellent luck with Epoxy 330, available online.
Lastly,we find the inflatable must be kept fully inflated at all times or the flexing will tear apart any glue joints. Ours is normally as pumped up as hard as a basketball. This also prevents holes as she'll may bounce off projections that might puncture a softer dink.
Good luck.
Capta: thanks for the advice. I'm going to get do some of the epoxy. I suppose my other problem is cleanliness of the joint. I haven't taken it fully off, so,it is very hard to get it clean.
I'm using a cover made by Talyor Made. It is as mention (above) Sunbrella on top and a smooth plastic iinner. So far going on 2 seasons no problems.
