Deflating Dinghy

S

##StuA##

New Member
Joined
6 Sep 2011
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16
Location
Bath
www.dartsystems.co.uk
Our Dinghy that we bought last year seems to loose air slowly and needs to be pumped back up every three or four weeks, as it is all three chambers I guess it is the valves that are letting air out.

Anyone have any ideas on fixing this problem?

Cheers
 
I chucked soapy water over an old dinghy and found small bubbles fizzing up from whole areas of it. General wear and abrasion, I guess, rather than individual punctures. I lived with it for a bit, then the transom fell out and I stuck the remains in the attic in case I ever need a load of rubberised fabric :)

Pete
 
What make/model is it? How much does it deflate? If you only have to top it up a bit once a month that's Ok isn't it? Remember ambient temperature will affect it...
 
##StuA## said:
Our Dinghy that we bought last year seems to loose air slowly and needs to be pumped back up every three or four weeks, as it is all three chambers I guess it is the valves that are letting air out.

Anyone have any ideas on fixing this problem?

Cheers
Click to expand...

Fairly normal I think to have to top up. When it gets to every 2 or 3 days I start to worry. As suggested check valves and then soapy water all over. A small leak is difficult to find.
 
v1701 - I need to top it up every 6 weeks or so, but it looks a bit forlorn compared to all th e others at the marina that are still as tight as a drum!! I will try the soapy water once it is a bit warmer outside..
 
##StuA## said:
v1701 - I need to top it up every 6 weeks or so, but it looks a bit forlorn compared to all th e others at the marina that are still as tight as a drum!! I will try the soapy water once it is a bit warmer outside..
Click to expand...

Stop whingeing! the others are probably pumped up twice a week. You'll have trouble trying to find a "leak" that small.
 
I have found that the newer ding's have a recomended air pressure AND if you exceed that max pressure then the valve will always be a slow leaker. The sunshine is usually enough to bring it back up to pressure.

Good luck.

Peter
 
I had a similar problem with my Zodiac 260 and struggled to find the leak. I bought a bottle of Polymarine Sealflex and poured it into the valves as per instructions and 4 weeks later, the dinghy has not lost any air. It's quite expensive at around £18 a bottle but to me it was well worth it.
 
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