Inflatable dinghy sealants. Any good?

[Poignard]

My very old (more than 20 years) Achilles Hypalon dinghy has a slight leak that I have not been able to find using soapy water and a brush on the seams and around the valve.

I see various types of sealant available that you pour into the tube, inflate the the dinghy and then roll it around to distribute the sealant.

It's expensive stuff and I'm sceptical of miracle cures.

But do these sealants really work?

 

[neil_s]

As proud owner of several venerable inflatable dinghies over the years, I have had more luck finding leaks by pressurising the dinghy as much as you dare and then quietly moving your face over every surface. If you have a quiet environment - you often hear the faint hiss and can zero in on it - but your face is especially good at detecting the tiny breeze around the leak. Only then is it worth getting the soapy water out.

 

[chanelyacht]

My very old (more than 20 years) Achilles Hypalon dinghy has a slight leak that I have not been able to find using soapy water and a brush on the seams and around the valve.

I see various types of sealant available that you pour into the tube, inflate the the dinghy and then roll it around to distribute the sealant.

It's expensive stuff and I'm sceptical of miracle cures.

But do these sealants really work?

No, they're god awful things. OK for agricultural tyres, but a good way of ruining both tubes and valves.