Repair to re-attach towing buckle to inflatable

[Oily Rag]

I managed to rip the forward stainless steel towing buckle out of the heavy rubber reinforcing pad recently. Currently using the other two steel buckles on a bridle.

Can anyone recommend a firm to re-attach the buckle? (It will take more than the bicycle inner tubes and rubber solution that I have to hand in my cycle repair kit!)

Many thanks.

 

[VicS]

See the Polymarine website for repair materials ( new D ring patches etc on the accessories tab), the correct adhesives and repair guides according to your inflatable material ( PVC or Hypalon)

Repair - Polymarine RIB Inflatable boat repair

With the correct materials and adhesive you should be able to make a professional standard repair yourself if you follow the instructions.

If you say where you are maybe someone will be able to recommend a firm near your who can carry out the repair.

 

[jwilson]

Last year I had the same thing happen to my Seago 2.9 tender. I bought a new Quicksilver 2.9 dinghy, and a few weeks later that suffered the same fate. By then I had Polymarine two part glued on a new heavier-duty Achilles brand towing ring to the Seago.

As the Quicksilver dinghy was just weeks old, I asked for a warranty repair, and it was taken to a local specialist inflatable/RIB repair person, who said he was seeing this happening more and more. The bit that fails is not the glue, but the small thickness of fabric attaching the S/S ring. Quicksilver sent me an identical to original patch for him to fit, but i paid him slightly extra to glue on an Achilles ring fitting instead. If you are in Cornwall PM me and I will give you his details. His repair was neater than mine!

 

[Oily Rag]

Many thanks to both of you.

Ideally, I'd like to find a repair shop in the Exeter to Plymouth area, but I'll be flexible if needs be. I agree that the fabric looks pretty thin compared to the stainless buckle!