There a hole in my dinghy my dinghy my dinghy

[purplerobbie]

I have a Zodiac dinghy and it has a couple of holes in it but they are both on the the edge of the zodiac badge. one on either side of the dinghy.
Does anyone know where i can get the stuff to repair it? and what it's called?
With where the holes are i will have to remove the zodiac patch or at least lift the edge of it. Is this possible?

Or is there any sort of glue that i could just try to fill the holes with?
Someone said just use sikaflex as the holes are so small?
but i dont know if this is a good idea.

Any thoughts?

Rob

 

[damo]

Well fix it, dear Robert, dear Robert, dear Robert /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[Poignard]

There's a firm called IBS [Inflatable Boat Supplies] Ltd, somewhere in Essex I think, they sell repair materials and spare parts.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know where i can get the stuff to repair it? and what it's called?

[/ QUOTE ] I suggest you try Polymarine

If it was a hypalon one it would be possible to remove the badges by gently heating with a hot air gun and peeling them off but I do not think that is possible with PVC, which your dinghy will be unless fairly old, as the PVC cement contains a PVC solvent. You'd be likely to melt the PVC as well!

 

[purplerobbie]

[ QUOTE ]
I suggest you try Polymarine

If it was a hypalon one it would be possible to remove the badges by gently heating with a hot air gun and peeling them off but I do not think that is possible with PVC, which your dinghy will be unless fairly old, as the PVC cement contains a PVC solvent. You'd be likely to melt the PVC as well!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it is PVC
So how can i fix that?
I doubt i could get a seal without removing the badge?

Rob

 

[roger]

Some years ago PBO had an article about mending a dinghy using an inside patch which you inserted through the enlarged hole and clamped in position. Apparently it worked but it looked a hairy process and prone to failure.

 

[nordic_ranger]

Speak to your local Viking Liferaft centre, they should be able to put you right or do the job for you.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I think it is PVC
So how can i fix that?
I doubt i could get a seal without removing the badge?


[/ QUOTE ] Polymarine or many chanders for that matter will have the correct adhesive and patch material for PVC.

You may have to feather the edges of the badge to get a a patch over it. That'll be problem if its a thick raised badge I guess.

 

[Salty John]

I repaired my Zodiac using 3M 5200 adhesive sealant. The dinghy had a big L-shaped tear on the bow; I cut a patch from the inflatable seat and stuck it over the whole tear and secured it with 5200. It went on for another year or so of cruising, then went into storage for a year or so and when I next inflated it the patch was still holding perfectly.
I had previously tried the repair with an internal patch and superglue, but without success. I was in a small port in the Bahamas with no access to chandlery so had to use what I had on board but I wouldn't hesitate to use the same method now such was it's success.

 

[Heckler]

i repaired mine with the proper glue and patches in a similar position alonside the badge, the patch goes on to the badge but it is stuck ok. also used 291 silaflex as a temp bodge at about the same time on the under neath, it is just as good!!
stu

 

[dickh]

I also repaired my PVC dinghy which had a tiny leak adjacent to an overlapping raised seam on the rear 'pointed' end. I used the Polymarine kit as mentioned earlier, fitted a round patch over the raised seam and leak and clamped it with a G cramp overnight. It was a bit awkward but has lasted six months so far.