Inflatables - glue/adhesive life?

S

Steve_N

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 May 2004
Messages
1,104
Location
Fife
Visit site
Our Narwhal inflatable from c. 1990 still looks like new, but this year it seems to have started to come apart at the seams: both sides of the rigid transom have come unstuck and the tube join has opened up over about 10cm at the bow.

I've bought some Polymarine 2 part adhesive which seems to do the job, but do you think it's a lost cause? - is 15 years likely to be life of the adhesive used by the manufacturer?

Interestingly the material is not 'Hypalon' but 'Hypertext', which has an altogether different meaning these days..
 
I think you have done well to get 16 years out of it- our Narwhal lasted less than 8 before the seams started to come apart, and we found that once it started, there was no stopping it. Best to bite the bullet and get a new one.
 
Re: Leading manufacturers....

Bostic 2402 is intended for Hypalon. I *think* Hypatex(t?) is a PVC-hypalon blend? In which case it is probably not the best stuff. If it is Hypalon - then it should last a while yet , if it is PVC based then its probably getting towards the end of its life. The trick to repairing either PVC or hypalon is preparation of the material. I would pop over to www.rib.net - there are many experts over there in tube repair who should be able to clarify which material (and therefore glue) Narwal were using (or search their archives as it has probably been ased before).
 
You will need PVC two part adhesive to fix this boat, but you will need to remove the old glue with MEK solvent first. If the seems are bad then its probably scrap it time.
 
Thanks all for the advice. The Polymarine 2 part adhesive certainly seems to do the job as I stuck one side of the transom webs back down and it survived the summer cruise OK. Having looked in more detail on the box it is in fact PVC adhesive.

I've counted 12 leaks from under the heavy rubbing strip that surrounds the boat, but I suspect that these are all coming from the same split in the bow that I repaired hastily on deck as I needed to use the dinghy to get ashore. I think that the bow split happened because my wife has taken to standing on the bow to get on board from the ladder..

Either that or it really is about to self-destruct - I'll give it a thorough inspection.
 
The air leaks on the Narwhal seams can travel the whole way round, I have seen the air peeing out of one side and being convinced that the leak is that side have peeled the rubbing strake off to find it on the oposite side!!!

You might have one leak but it could be comming out of lots of spots along the way!
 
Re: Leading manufacturers....

Actually, Bostik describe their 2402 as a Neoprene cement on their yellow information sheet and go on to say that it IS suitable for Hypalon and combinations therof.

I've used it on various dinghy fabrics since 1976 and it has always been a permanent repair. I knew a worker at Avon around that time and it was he who put me on to it. It was made in my home town in those days.

Steve Cronin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top