bombard inflatable

[sparerooms]

I have a Bombard inflatable dinghy that hasn't been used for a few years. When I took it out to use it again, to my despair the bottom has dropped out of it (literally).*The floor has come away from the tubes all the way around. The glue has gone very hard a on both the tubes and the flaps on the floor.Would I be able to repair it by gluing it all back together?Has anybody ever had to do this before? as any advice would be much appreciated.*

 

[Kelpie]

If I remember correctly, the same thing had happened to that German lass on the videos that Dylan posted a week or so ago. (untie the lines). Must be a 'feature' of Bombards.
Our own AX2 responded well to a glued repair in the floor, nothing as drastic as the whole thing falling out though!

 

[prv]

Must be a 'feature' of Bombards.

Could well be - I have an old one in my attic on which the transom fell out. No particular accident or stress involved, just one day it decided it didn't want anything to do with the tubes any more.

Pete

 

[Hadenough]

Absolutely doable! I had the tubes of my very elderly Valiant rib separate from the hull. Everyone said it was not repairable but I re glued it and it is still going strong two years later. Speak to these guys - http://www.polymarine.com

 

[sparerooms]

Ive just been out and scraped most of the glue off the tubes, im going to pick up a litre of acetone tomorrow for a big clean. Its looking very doable now!!

 

[blenkinsop]

We had the same problem when in the Carribean. After DIY attempts, we were advised by relevant professionals that a satisfactory repair was not possible, but I am not sure why it cannot be made good with the right adhesive.
However, this was also when we discovered that PVC is not suitable for the tropics and replaced with a Hypalon dinghy.

 

[vyv_cox]

You may have more success with the two-pack adhesive, which seems to hold better.

I never understand the Hypalon v PVC argument. Hypalon cannot be welded, so all joints are glued. The material may(???) last longer but it is usually the glue that fails. On our Quicksilver, 10 years in the Med, the material and the welds are fine but the glued fittings, e.g. connection of the transom to the tubes, are beginning to fail.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Re-glueing is quite feasible. I think there was a feature in pro magazine about it a while ago. You have to ensure the adhesive is compatible with the dinghy material. Contact the manufacturer of dinghy or adhesive for suitable ones and do a test piece.