Maybe many of you have inflatable boats that come with high quality as well as affordability. It would make sense that you like to do as far as possible to keep them in good condition.
You may be keen on rowing the inflatable kayak. You may also take an interest in fishing from the inflatable pontoon. Anyway, it is necessary to take care of it.
If there is any problem and the air begins hissing out, you have to do something. So, how to repair a puncture in an inflatable boat?
Let’s dive in to have the fastest and easiest way to repair it: Windrider of The Rockies!
Which Type Of Inflatable Boat Are You Using?
Which Type Of Inflatable Boat Are You Using?
Not all inflatable boats have the same material and the same quality. When it comes to a high-quality boat, the material often is either PVC or Hypalon.
A Hypalon boat is regularly more sturdy than PVC. Specifically, Hypalon material consists of polyethylene along with synthetic rubber. It contains one neoprene layer as well. In most cases, this layer is only for inflatable boats.
If you want to fix the boat, the best method is one Hypalon patch. To continue the task, you also need one Hypalon adhesive.
A PVC boat is not considerED as sturdy as a Hypalon. Still, it does not say PVC is not sturdy. Both types of inflatables would work well for more than 10 years.
It is possible to expect up to 15 years from a top-notch inflatable boat. The way of taking care of your boat will have a huge effect on the use of time. Keep in mind, elements such as UV radiation and high temperatures would shorten lifespan significantly.
You can repair either type in a quite similar way. One key point to notice is that both of them do not have the same chemical.
Hypalon is literally rubber, while PVC is literally plastic. You will have to repair them slightly differently if you hope the task is completed 100% correctly.
In the later section, we will discuss how to repair a Hypalon boat and a PVC boat individually.
Take Notice Of Air Bubbles
Take Notice Of Air Bubbles
Fixing inflatable boats is one inherent issue. It is that you need to find what should be fixed.
A large tear may be apparent to look at. A very small hole may not be. A tiny hole is almost invisible.
Then, you will need a technique to point out that hole. It is the reason why you want soapy water.
One layer of soapy water is going to illustrate to you the location of the air leak.
If you have some difficulties with positioning the hole, pour soap water and freshwater into one spray bottle. If no spray bottle is available, you can use a bowl. When you inflate the boat, spray the soapy solution down.
It is fine to coat the whole inflatable boat in a time, or you can do this task in sections. Equally, distribute the soap coat and see carefully. The pinhole leak would make the soapy solution bubble.
Seeing air bubbles is the simplest way to indicate any hole in inflatable boats. When you locate the position, apply a mark. Take a marker or use a chunk of tape. It is also easy to wipe off the soapy mixture and keep working.
Indicating the hole is the first thing to do, but the next things are quite different for each type of hole. They are pinholes, small holes, and large holes.
Types Of Punctures
There are three types of punctures, including pinholes, small holes, and large holes.
Pinhole leaks
Pinhole Leaks
Repairing one pinhole leak will take just less than 5 minutes. Most of the repairing time is to find the location of this pinhole leak. Here are necessary tools that you need to prepare:
- Tenacious Tape Flex Patch
- Isopropyl alcohol solution
- A pair of Scissors
Not required:
- A bowl containing water
- Dish soap
Repairing time: 5 minutes.
Step 1: Point out the location. If you know the area of the pinhole leak, it is fine to ignore this step and move to the second step.
Yet, if you are not sure, a technique to find the leak on a big inflatable boat is to fill a bowl with dish soap and water.
Inflate the boat and cover the soapy mixture on it. When pressing down on the boat, you take notice of water bubbles appearing in the position of the leak.
After finding out, use a tape or a pen marker to mark it.
Step 2: Patch the puncture. You should dry, deflate the inflatable, and wipe off the leak location using an isopropyl alcohol solution to start the patching step.
Take a piece of clean Tenacious Tape Flex Patch to match the hole (it should overlap around ¼ inches). After setting this piece in place, remove the backing and press down to make it stick.
Small holes & tears
Small Holes and Tears
Small holes or tears in inflatable boats do not mean that you need to buy a new one. All you have to do is only 5 minutes and some tools to repair it. Here are necessary tools that you need to prepare:
- Aquaseal UV Repair Adhesive
- Tenacious Tape Mini Repair Patch
- Isopropyl alcohol solution
Repairing time: 5 minutes.
Step 1: Deflate and clear off.
To start your fast inflatable fixing, deflate the boat thoroughly. Next, wipe off small holes or tears using an isopropyl alcohol solution.
Step 2: Patch the hole or tear.
To patch this small leak on the inflatable boat is easy with a fast-curing UV repair adhesive that can bond immediately to the surface.
You should cover the ruined area with a minimum of ¼ inches. After applying the adhesive, put the inflatable boat under the sunlight to appropriately cure.
Once the adhesive finishes setting, take a clean Tenacious Tape mini repair patch, peel off the back, and then apply it on the UV repair adhesive with considerable pressure.
Large holes & tears
Large Holes and Tears
Maybe you think that the inflatable boat is useless if there is a big hole or tear on it. However, you can still use it if you prepare the right tools.
Although a large hole or tear takes more time to repair than these two types above, you can still row the boat in the water in around 12 hours. Here are necessary tools that you need to prepare:
- Aquaseal FD Repair Kit
- Isopropyl alcohol solution
- Packing tapes or masking tapes
Repairing time: 5 minutes to prepare and 8-12 hours to treat.
Step 1: Deflate the boat and prepare.
Deflate the boat and wipe off the large hole using an isopropyl alcohol solution. To produce a base for easy adhesive fixing, put packing tape in the large hole and press down.
Step 2: Apply the Aquaseal FD Repair Kit on the hole and wait.
After creating the backing with packing tape, you can apply the Aquaseal FD Repair Kit on the large hole and overlap of ¼ to ½ inches. Allow the glue to dry for from 8 to 12 hours. Now, you can continue to use your inflatable boat.
See more: How To Clean The Adhesive Off Of An Inflatable Boat
Types Of Boats
When it comes to the type of inflatable boats, there are some differences to repair them.
How to repair a puncture in an inflatable boat – PVC boats
How to Repair Inflatable Boats – PVC Boats
Let’s begin with repairing the PVC boat.
You will need to have PVC patches for this process. You can purchase the PVC patch online or at a store that sells inflatable boats. Ensure it is a PVC patch if your boat is made of PVC material.
Step 1: Cut the patch
The recommendation is to do some preparation for the patch. If you buy a square-shaped patch, turn it into a circle shape.
Almost all patches have the shape of squares. This square will give you a nice surface area, sure. However, the corner is easy to snag. Round patches can seal the hole better.
Step 2: Sand the patch
It is not difficult to bond this patch to the plastic material, but you will want a better result. Take sandpaper and make the patch a bit rough. Not too much; it is better to make only some texture.
We recommend you to do the same with the hole or tear. Do not ruin the boat in any way. Make it rough enough so that the PVC patch can attach to it more easily.
Step 3: Clean the hole or tear
You will need a clean PVC patch with a clean PVC boat. An isopropyl alcohol solution is one option here. But the recommendation is to use an appropriate PVC cleaning solvent.
You can purchase the solvent especially designed to clean PVC and other kinds of plastic. It is the best solution for an excellent task.
You should use it to clean the patch as well as the boat. Follow the instructions and allow it to dry completely before moving on.
Step 4: Take a masking tape to mask the hole or tear
The masking tape will make some borders around the hole or tear you intend to patch. It prevents the remaining adhesive from spreading over other parts of the boat. You will need adhesive on the right area to patch.
Step 5: Apply the adhesive
A PVC adhesive is the best choice in this situation. If you buy one repair kit, it should be useful for PVC material. If not, ensure you choose the right type. Stabond PVC glue as an example will work well.
Cover a finish of adhesive to the patch as well as the boat. Do not apply the patch to the area immediately. You will have to cure the adhesive first. It means that you should let it stay as it is for 30 minutes to become dry.
Cover a second finish once the adhesive dries thoroughly. This time it will take just 10 to 15 minutes to wait. Next, you cover a third and the last finish. You will have to wait for five minutes for each finish.
It will create a nice bonding layer for repairing so that the boat will get a good cure.
Step 6: Apply the patch
Apply the PVC patch correctly and evenly. To make the process more smooth, begin with one side of the patch and slowly even it across the small hole or tear. Attach carefully and firmly until the other side of the patch.
You should make it as evenly as you can make by hand. If not, you can try a roller or something smooth and round for rolling the patch out like dough in cooking. Then, you will gain a seal tight without water bubbles.
Step 7: Complete fixing
If you spill some adhesive on other parts of the inflatable boat, take a towel with some solvent to wipe it off. You have to stay away from the patch as far as possible. Ideally, your repairing task ensures nothing will drip too badly.
Let the patch rest a minimum of 24 hours to completely dry in place. Keep in mind that it will become a permanent seal, so you need to be patient.
The longer the waiting time is, the better the result becomes. You even can wait up to 48 to 72 hours for a more sturdy seal.
How to repair a puncture in an inflatable boat – Hypalon boats
How to Repair Inflatable Boats – Hypalon Boats
The fixing process of Hypalon boats is quite the same with the PVC. There are still some main differences, so let’s move on again.
Step 1: Cut the patch
As we mentioned previously, it is better to make a circle patch in this situation. The corner is easy to snag, so the circle will get more durable and have a better appearance.
Step 2: Sand the patch
The Hypalon material is quite finicky. The sanding step is essential for this type of material.
Sanding the patch and the boat is a must. Keep in mind that this action will offer a bonding surface. You will need to sand off the shiny surface and no more. You will not want to degrade the structure.
Step 3: Clean the hole or tear
In this case, rubbing alcohol is one choice. However, it is not the best solution. You should take it as a last resort.
For Hypalon boats, you will need some solvents such as acetone or toluene.
These solvents can harm your hands and body, so please wear a mask and a pair of gloves. Take notice of any spill and wipe it off right away. Ensure you put on nice ventilation too. The fumes of acetone or toluene can harm your health.
Wipe off the patch along with the hole or tear on the boat. Allow the solvent to dry as per the guidelines on bottles.
Step 4: Take a masking tape to mask the hole or tear
This step is just to make adhesive not spill all over the inflatable boat. Create a tape border surrounding the hole or tear you intend to patch. It will catch any spill and help you wipe off much easier.
Step 5: Apply the adhesive
The correct boat sealant is necessary. Hypalon will need a Hypalon adhesive. Choose things that say Hypalon glue on the bottle.
The next thing is to apply a thin layer to the patch and the boat but not attach them right away. It means that you should let it stay as it is for 30 minutes to become dry.
Look at the guidelines on the bottle. Just in case this brand suggests a different method. If it has, you should follow the guidelines listed.
Cover a second finish once the adhesive dries thoroughly. This time it will take just 10 to 15 minutes to wait. Next, you cover a third and the last finish. You will have to wait for five minutes for each finish.
It will create a nice bonding layer for repairing so that the boat will get a good cure.
Step 6: Apply the patch
Applying the patch properly and smoothly is a must. To make the step much easier, begin with one side of the patch and slowly even it across the small hole or tear. Do it thoroughly and tightly until the other side of the patch.
You should create an even surface as you can make it by hand. If not, you can think about a roller or any other smooth and round for rolling the patch out like dough in cooking. Then, you will gain a seal tight to prevent water bubbles from appearing.
Step 7: Complete the task
In some cases, you may spill some adhesive on other parts of your boat; take advantage of a towel with some solvent to remove them.
You have to stay away from the patch as far as possible. Indeed, your repairing work will ensure nothing will drip too much.
Let the patch stay as it is a minimum of 24 hours to fully dry in place. Keep in mind that you will need a permanent seal, so you have to be patient enough.
The longer the waiting time is, the better the result becomes. Waiting up to 48 to 72 hours can even produce better results with high qualities.
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Conclusion
There is no need to replace your inflatable boat from a pinhole leak to a large hole or tear as long as you can prepare the right tools and follow the right instructions.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, so that our experts can guide you. Thank you for reading!
Reference: How repair an inflatable boat puncture – best practice
