Minor, minor, repair of dinghy flooring

[Brian D]

I have an inflatable dinghy (Mercury 240RU) that has a really small nick in the flooring. It has not penetrated the material but it has become translucent. It is probably 1/4" or less in length and very narrow.

According to the manual, I should use a patch to repair. But this is not a tear, just a nick. I think if the nick open then water will start to come in and could eventually open up more.

So with that, do you guys have any recommendations for rubber cement that could be used to just fill in the void of the nick? Something I can apply to both sides of the flooring as a filler?

If there is a possibility of this nick expanding then I will use one of the patches in the repair kit I have. But until then, a little preventative maintenance as a start is in order.

As always, the expertise on this board saves the day. And thanks in advance.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Brian, I would use the glue that came with the repair kit. Another trick I learned when we first got our air floor: to avoid those kind of knicks, buy some outdoor carpeting, cut it to shape to line the entire floor; I cut hols for the air valves. Keeps it cleaner looking, too, since those air floor pick up all sorts of dirt.

 

[Brian D]

Stu, I had thought about using the glue that came with the repair kit. But I was just wondering if there was something better that can be used in the environment. I know the glue (polyurethane M.K.E.) is designed to adhesive two "things" together, but as a stand-alone will the environment take its toll?

 

[Ross]

Brian, put the small patch on. It will be your only defence against the nick becoming a hole.

 

[Stephan]

You could use Aquaseal to seal the nick.

I have an inflatable dinghy (Mercury 240RU) that has a really small nick in the flooring. It has not penetrated the material but it has become translucent. It is probably 1/4" or less in length and very narrow.

You should patch it, but if you do not feel like doing that, just hit it with a thin layer of a product called Aquaseal. Sold in dive shops, inflatable boats shops, Defender and probably at West Marine.

Note: Aquaseal is not UV resistant. It will yellow if exposed, but stays in tact and still seals even with discoloration. It is used in many inflatable boat repair applications in professional service shops and is great stuff.

Best approach is to seal the nick with Aquaseal AND also to install a patch to cover it up and protect the whole shooting match.

Stephan

 

[Lake Superior Sailor]

shoe glue marine grade works really well on most inflatables and can stand alone!..Dale

 

[Brian D]

Dale, are you referring to Shoe Goo and / or E6000?

 

[caguy]

Brian I had a small hole in my inflatable floor and patched it with the PVC patch and glue that came with it. Its been 4 years now and it still does not leak.
I like the idea of carpeting it, it will also feel better on the feet.

 

[Brian D]

I will eventually place a patch on the spot. But for now, since it is just the floor which contains no air and is not part of the flotation, I applied a 1" square patch of Shoe Goo. Using a single ply of blue painter's tape, I cut out the square and place the template over the small nick. Then applied the Shoe Goo to the tape. Using a single edge razor, I move the Goo over the opening in the tape to form a nice symmetric patch the thickness of the tape. I plan on applying one more layer on top of the first layer. Double layer protection. Looks good right now. Only time will tell. But I will patch it per all of your recommendations.

I also like the carpet idea. I will have to think about that one. After all, the dink is a roll-up version.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I also like the carpet idea. I will have to think about that one. After all, the dink is a roll-up version.

Brian, so's my air floor dinghy. If you cut the carpet carefully so that it is wide enough to fit under the tubes when it is inflated, the carpet stays right there when you deflate and roll it up.

 

[Brian D]

Thanks Stu... I will be looking into this. I know, slightly off topic. But hey... LOL