Leaky inflatable

med2463 · Jun 9, 2011

IanJ said:
I have an Avon Rover 23-10 dinghy. It is 100 years old, and is a brilliant inflatable. Only problem is it has a slow leak, ( I suppose they all do) and has to be topped up every day, though not badly. I am presuming it is leaking from one of the seams. Anyone ever treat the seams, or is this just one of lifes problems you deal with?

Took ours to West Marine store and they fixed it. Not sure if all stores do that.

lbertran · Jun 9, 2011

I had the same problem with a used Apex Hypalon dinghy I bought. I used a latex fluid adhesive you can get at WM. You pour it into the valves and then turn the dinghy a few times so it spreads internally through the chambers. Worked great! I used to have to top off air every day. Since I used this stuff in March, I haven't had to inflate it again a single time. A bottle of this adhesive is about $60. Good luck.

Calypso · Jun 9, 2011

I used stuff like that also. Got it from defender. About 40 bucks.

Ian McGain · Jun 9, 2011

Spray the dink with soapy water and watch for bubbles. Your leak may not be the seams but at the valves (which are not that difficult to replace)

thinwater · Jun 10, 2011

Ian McGain said:
Spray the dink with soapy water and watch for bubbles. Your leak may not be the seams but at the valves (which are not that difficult to replace)

Exactly.

Also, if the valve is leaking because it is a bit older, a little bit of glycerine on the cap seals and check valve may do the trick; it takes months to dry out and this trick worked for me. I did this in September to confirm that was the problem, and it's still doing pretty well (pump every 4 weeks to firm it up).