If the dinghy loses air, the valves are one of the usual suspects and should be checked first. To do this, wet them with rinsing water. If bubbles appear, it is often sufficient to unscrew the valves, wash them off and reinsert them. However, if there is a hole in the hose, Clamseal from Barton can help. In our tests, the plastic clamp worked so well that we can only recommend that every dinghy owner carry it on board. The repair kit supplied with many dinghies is only suitable for short-term repairs at best - the adhesive only offers limited adhesion. Such damage can only be repaired permanently from the inside and with special adhesive.
Also interesting:
We attended one such repair in the inflatable boat workshop of Gründl Bootsimport in Bönningstedt. The work is not difficult, but the immediately adhesive contact glue is quite expensive, and applying the patches in the tube requires a little practice and skill. Before making many attempts, it is often cheaper to have the boat repaired by a professional straight away.
Step by step to a quick emergency repair
Step by step to a permanent repair
The standard repair kit for inflatable boats
Some PVC material, a tube of glue, instructions and a spanner for removing the valves - this is what the repair kit supplied with most inflatable boats looks like. To make the material easy to work with, the adhesive is a one-component product that only adheres to the surface of the PVC. Repairs carried out with this material should therefore be regarded as a makeshift solution - the patches often come loose after a short time.
Gluing like the pros
For a permanent repair, you need two-component adhesive such as this one from Zodiac, 250 millilitres cost around 35 euros. Once mixed, it must be processed within two to three hours. If it turns milky white, the humidity is too high and the adhesive is unusable. The temperature should be above 20 degrees from the time it is applied until it has completely set, which takes around 24 hours. PVC must be chemically sanded before bonding. Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), also known as butanone, is used for this purpose. The solvent is available from specialised retailers or pharmacies. Ethyl acetate is also available there, which can be used to remove adhesive residue and dirt.
Short and sweet: checklists to tick off
Fast emergency repair
Preparation
- Have Clamseal ready (approx. 25 euros)
- Check leak size (at least 7 cm length required)
- If necessary: Cut small holes to 7 cm
Assembly
- Loosen the clamseal clamping nut
- Slide the lower plate halfway into the cut
- Rotate plate 90 degrees
- Push the plate completely through the opening
- Pull the plate into position by the strap. Attention: Rope can come loose from clamp!
- Attach outer plate
- Tighten the nut
Leak test
- Inflate the hose
- Carry out a flush test (no bubbles = tight)
Permanent repair
Preparation
- Check cutting length (if necessary: increase to 7 cm)
- Patch size measured (2.5 cm overlap on both sides of the tear)
- Cutting patches to size
- Provide methyl ethyl ketone (solvent) and two-component adhesive
- Foil for covering
- Prepare a biro with green ink
Pre-treatment
- Wipe the inside of the hose with methyl ethyl ketone
- Wipe patches with methyl ethyl ketone
- Mark the tear in the centre of the patch with green ink
Gluing
- Mixing two-component adhesive
- 1st layer Apply to patches, allow to flash off for 5 minutes
- 1st layer Apply to the inside of the hose, allow to flash off for 5 minutes
- 2nd layer Apply to patches, allow to flash off for 5 minutes
- 2nd layer Apply to the inside of the hose, allow to flash off for 5 minutes
- 3rd layer Apply to patches, allow to flash off for 5 minutes
- 3rd layer Apply to the inside of the hose, allow to flash off for 5 minutes
Assembly
- Cover the patch with film
- Roll up patches
- Insert patch into tube
- Roll out and position the patch (mark exactly under the tear)
- Carefully remove the film️. Attention: The tube and patch must not yet touch!
- Press on the tube firmly and crease-free. Important: Nothing can be moved after contact!
- Leave to set for 24 hours
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
