Tips for inflatables Maintenance and repairs
Saturday, January 15, 2011 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:

Inflatable vessel maintenance is actually of vital importance in order to maintaining your expense. However, it is quite astonishing how many proprietors are unaware of exactly how to maintain which inflatable motorboats. For instance, exactly how should you shop an blow up boat? Exactly what should you caused by clean your own watercraft? Exactly what maintenance actions should you adhere to on a regular basis to assist ensure that your vessel will provide a long time of enjoyable, enjoyment and employ on the drinking water? Here, you'll discover exactly how which boat ought to be maintained to be able to maximize it is use for you.

Proper Cleansing Is Essential

Blow up boat restore includes correct cleaning throughout every season. You should definitely clean your own boat just before storing this away throughout the offseason, but it is essential that you clean it at least one time per month whenever being used positively. While the plastomer Pvc material or Hypalon rubberized construction of the watercraft means that you have simple cleaning as well as maintenance choices, it is essential that the craft end up being cleaned regularly. What in the event you do to fix it? What items should you use within the cleansing process?

Blow up boat upkeep should be achieved without using any kind of strong liquids, bleach, nutrient spirits or even silicone-based products to assist clean your own boat, because these will harm the fabric and lower the life-span of your motorboats. Below, you will discover a systematic procedure to cleansing your vessel, which should end up being followed just before storing this away, as well as throughout the period.

The Right Facial cleanser - Very first, make sure that you possess the right facial cleanser on hand. If you don't, or tend to be unsure, you are able to contact your seller for a listing of approved items. You'll also discover that your seller carries high-quality cleansing products, too.

Step One -- Open the actual self-bailer on your vessel.

Step Two -- Wash the boat having a water hose, making certain any grime and particles is removed along the way.

Step Three -- The next step within inflatable vessel maintenance would be to remove the floormats or additional flooring inside the boat in the event that applicable.

Fourth step - Any kind of stains, accumulation or additional grime ought to be cleaned completely.

Step Five -- Check just about all air chambers with regard to air leakages. To do this, fill the build fully. Subsequent, wet the panel at any given time, while lathering along with liquid cleaning soap. Inspect the actual panel with regard to air pockets and go to the next solar panel. If a drip is found, you need to immediately area it together with your repair package from the producer, or, regarding a tear or rip near the seam, go to a repair center.

Note: Don't use a power washer or additional high-pressure cleaning products to clean your own inflatable vessel, as these can certainly damage the pad, tear the actual seams or else damage your own boat. Just about all cleaning ought to be done by hand, utilizing a soft clean or cleansing cloth.

Sustaining Valves and Bailers

A significant part of blow up boat upkeep is to make sure that all atmosphere valves remain in correct working situation. You should examine each control device periodically, in addition to when you are placing the vessel away for that season.

Look into the valve with regard to proper procedure, make sure that the actual gaskets are neat and that there is absolutely no debris stuck in the control device that might hinder proper performance. A blocked or broken valve can lead to an atmosphere leak which is one example, where a little bit of preventative upkeep can go a massive distance.

With regard to self-bailers, you should make sure that there's no fine sand, dirt or even other particles blogging or even clogging the actual bailer. This is an essential safety function and should participate regular blow up boat upkeep to ensure your own continued security on the drinking water.

The Importance of Storage space for Blow up Boats

Wherever you live, there'll come a period when you have to shop your blow up boat aside. How in the event you accomplish this? Storage space is an important part associated with inflatable vessel maintenance and really should not be used lightly. To be able to store a person boat, you need to find a dried out, clean location that does not are afflicted by seasonal heat fluctuations -- it should preserve a stable heat and level of humidity throughout the year.

Your own boat could be stored in 1 of 2 ways. You need to either flatten it completely after which roll up tightly, or even leave it somewhat inflated as well as stored aside. If you intend in order to store your own boat outside (which is not really advised), then you definitely should buy quality include. It is also necessary that you shop your vessel well from any rats, as they may chew about the fabric, making rips as well as holes that could or might not be easily fixed.

While it is easy and does not involve huge hassle, it's imperative that you simply engage in correct inflatable vessel maintenance as well as storage.

Tips for Water Slides Maintenance and repairs
Monday, January 10, 2011 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:

Inflatable drinking water slides for that backyard really are a big hit for your loved ones not only throughout summer however throughout the year. Yard water recreational areas or 35mm slides are best for kid's parties along with other kid festivities, for everyone knows that kids adore water whenever of the year. And also the great thing about yard water 35mm slides is that not just is it less expensive, it is also an enjoyable and secure way for your children to have enjoyable right in the comfort and ease of your own yard. Hours and hours could be enjoyed as well as spent and also the only factor you have to invest in would be drinking water to keep the actual slide slick and treats for starving kids following so many drinking water fun actions.

However, because water recreational areas or 35mm slides are made of higher grade plastic material, it has it is limitations. Which backyard drinking water slides truly take on the pounding all the leaping and rushing and operating and all types of horseplay it will get. So there are several maintenance ideas that you may wish to apply to get rid of the possibility of purchasing too many 35mm slides for the yard over the length of summer time. Here are some of these.

First off, ensure that the kids about the slides tend to be devoid of any kind of material that may harm the actual slide. Glasses, shoes, or other pointed or even hard item that can harm both the slip and anyone on the drinking water slide ought to be removed prior to allowing the children to wallow within the water.

Water recreational areas or 35mm slides are causes of fun as well as enjoyment but when not handled properly, the enjoyment can become short-lived. Setup rules as well as before the children romp off to water slide, make certain they view the rules nicely. Be rigid with the guidelines and instantly enforce this when necessary. Just one untoward event can wreck a day water slidesor even worse annually of enjoyable for the family. 1 rule that may be set is actually waiting for their own turn prior to sliding. Developing a proper collection can reduce fights as well as injury too. There are yard water slip models that may allow as much as two, often even four individuals on the top from the slide at the same time (the competition water 35mm slides) and these kinds can support many children at the same time. However , if the slide are only able to accommodate 1, then the "take turns" guideline should utilize.

The family might have awesome enjoyable and more in the event that slides as well as water recreational areas are taken care of well. In the event that kept as well as maintained correctly, these yard water 35mm slides can last for the greatest possible period. In fact, you are able to bring all of them along within family picnics along with other outdoor pursuits like camping to include fun to those family excursions.

Inflatable Boat Tips - Care and Repair
Thursday, December 23, 2010 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:

Nothing ruins a trip towards the river like a leak inside your inflatable raft or kayak. discover easy methods to stay obvious of accidents, and fix them just in case.

Transporting your craft
The most typical complications with inflatable boats like rafts take place on account of too much large stress and heat or improper treatment in transportation.

Tarp you inflatable boat when transporting it.Securely tie your raft lower from 4 sides, particularly in the occasion you shall be generating on freeways exactly where winds can very easily force the raft loose. Do not transport a completely inflated raft. temperatures raises will increase the oxygen pressure, so use a hand or electric powered pump to "top off" your inflatable boat right after you have reached your destination. Use a top quality oxygen stress calculate to make sure an precise measurement and avoid more than inflation. make utilization of the suppliers recommended oxygen stress for every single chamber of your inflatable raft or kayak. standard suggested ground stress is one to 1.5 PSI.

Patching leaks fix tips
Use a top quality marine adhesive/sealant for example Stabond or Shore Adhesive on Hypalon. If your inflatable boat is produced with PVC materials, utilizing a top quality cleaner for example MEK (Mehtyl Ethyl Ketone) will support assure a profitable and lengthy lasting repair

If feasible the boat ought to be moved to some clean, dry, flat region aside from sunlight. location an oar, or even a flat item of wooden below the region for being repaired to provide a tough flat surface area to perform the patch against. All repairs within the river ought to be produced using the three inch bias (cut an angle towards the bottom material to enable stretching) tape. after you can include the tape with colored substance of aesthetic purposes.

If the tear is extra than 1inch lengthy an within patch ought to be utilized first. this really is extra challenging than an outdoors patch, but will supply much better oxygen retention and insure the repair. Use bias tape for your within patches.

When mixing glue using a catalyst use a plastic material re-useable cup, stir using a tongue depressor. normally inflatable glues and catalyst are created for being mixed at a one ... one ratio, identical quantities of each. include a dropper of MEK towards the combine if utilizing Stabond or if utilizing a a few of component shore adhesive include Toluol. make utilization of the patch and trace close to the region exactly where it shall be utilized using a felt pen. maintaining adhesives and sanding inside the signifies will not just glance better, but will support to make sure a fantastic seal.

For inflatable fix within the Hypalon material. completely SAND THE HYPALON surface area FIRST! Lightly brush away excessive particles equally the region and also the patch with cheesecloth dampened with MEK or Toluol (On Hypalon, be cautious to not brush away all of the sanding. utilizing a paintbrush, utilize a thin, even coat of glue mixture to equally the region and also the patch. DO NOT pass up ANY SPOTS. allow dried out about twenty minutes. utilize a next thin, even coat to region and also the patch.

When glued surfaces come to be tacky, beginning on 1 edge, lay the patch more than the region and press on it together with your hand.
Then, utilizing the Pusher arranged a 45-degree angle, push throughout the patch region to get rid of all oxygen and arranged the patch.
Work the borders from the pusher along any ridges established by underlying overlapped materials. when the glue surfaces dried out prior to you can set them together, you can lightly wipe them using a damp cloth of MEK or Toluol to reactivate, wait around right up until tacky again, then apply. Or you can include a third, slim coat of glue.

Let the patch treatment for at the least one hour prior to use. Do not inflate to entire stress for at the least twelve hourss. Do not glue an region a good deal bigger compared to patch. subjected glue will darken with age and create a sloppy searching raft and patch.

Be cautious using the within patch and do not glue the within from the tube together. consider your time. A correctly completed patch is practically not possible to get rid of without the need of harm towards the fabric. Do not more than use MEK or Toluol. Squeeze the excessive away from your cheesecloth or towel prior to using. Glue, catalyst, and solvents ought to be applied inside a well-vented area. stay obvious of make contact with with eye and wounds.

If ingested DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. make contact with a doctor or poison control.

Preventive Maintenance Inflatable Boat
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:

Inflatable boats are tough. However, difficult as they are, inflatable boats are prone to a lot of damage that normally are not conventional ships. It is imperative that special attention should be attributed to your inflatable boat if you want it to last more than one or two seasons. Here are some guidelines to follow.

No Chafe la Barca

Abrasion is an important factor in maintaining the inflatable boat, despite the rust and sun exposure is the main factor in the degradation of inflatable boats. Be careful when you drag or bottom of your inflatable. Rocks, logs and bolts of the hinges on the docks could damage your inflatable. These conditions can not be eliminated completely so just be careful when dragging the inflatable on a pebble beach. If you and your friends can take the boat to do so. If not, be especially careful around the coral and shells. RIBs can tolerate dragging along the rocky shores, but should nevertheless be observed.

Ropes, metal lines and fittings can also cause friction. You should be aware flat nylon straps instead of rope to tie the boat in tow. Protect your boat from the shackles of plastic, like coffee can lids. In this way the bow is rubbed against the plastic cover and not on the boat.

Keep the inflatable

Maintain a clean inflatable is not impossible. It can be done but it is necessary in the effort. With normal use (fishing, swimming, diving, snorkeling) an inflatable boat is covered with sand and mud. These irritating little can begin to leak and are hard to find what is best for cleaning the soil from time to time and teach all passengers to wash the feet of sand before going on board the boat.

Make a thorough cleaning on the boat at intervals. Deflate the boat and strip it of its table of contents included. Back to inflate slightly, then vacuum the seams and the fabric ground. Try to get to all places of difficult access. Wash the boat with a mild liquid soap water and ammonia. There are special soaps for cleaning inflatable you may want to try. Rub the outside as well then flip the boat and scrub on the inside.

Removing lower growth

Growth can accumulate in the bottom of the boat. You have to scrub them off with a rubber spatula. Or, you can take the boat from water and let dry in sun for a day. Wash the bottom with good elbow grease age. You can also use a detergent with bleach and ammonia while scrub thoroughly with a scrub brush.

The restoration of original color

Put everything under the sun's UVB and UVA lights fade somewhat dark and boats are no exception. However, PVC boats are more susceptible to fading of Hypalon. If you are particular with the disappearance, you can opt to cover the boat with restorers chemicals available in marine stores. However, these chemicals contain abrasives and repeated use will be detrimental to the fabric of the vessel and removing the barrier layer UV PVC craft. If you still chose to use cleaning products, make sure that does not contain silicone. Some prefer experienced sailors only inflatable cover with a tarp to protect the boat from the sun. It has been proven effective. You can also spray on the boat 303 Protector, a barrier no silicone on a weekly basis to keep it bright.

Inflatable Boat Paint

If the oxidation and discoloration is too much, you might want to paint the inflatable. You can choose the same color or a new one. Aesthetics is not the only concern that a ship was lost bad is bound to leak air, though the fabric. Two coats are usually needed for a grand final. However, if you change the color of darkness to light, may take 3 to 4 coats to level the new color.

5 The easy way to make cheap inflatable boat maintenance
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:


Owning a cheap inflatable boat is a big plus if you like sailing with his family and children. Among all other types of ships, this class of vessels has gained greater acceptance among sailors around the world. They are cheap and are prepared from lightweight materials such plastic is very sturdy and strong. You can take the boat in his car to a beach resort further and have unlimited fun in the holidays. Now you should be extremely cautious about the maintenance of these boats. The following are the five simple but vital steps to maintain cheap Inflatable boat:

1.Cleaning
Cleaning is an essential part of your inflatable boat maintenance flights. If you are using widely boat that will require periodic cleaning. For moderate users of seasonal cleaning is suitable especially before putting it in the storage room in the winter months. Use mineral spirits, acids and detergents is strictly limited to the cleaning of these vessels. You can use a water hose to the sand and dust from other shrubs. Washing the floorboards and stain removal is quite significant. Dry the boat in a comprehensive manner after rinsing.

2.Check leak
It is crucial to test the leakage of inflatable boat cheap. You can take the help of soapy water to scrub the ship. You get to hear the hissing sound or see bubbles in the pot if there is a leak. Avoid cleaning equipment at high pressure, otherwise the boat could be damaged. Sometimes the ship loses 20% of air pressure in one day. If you start to lose twenty-five psi pressure in five hours, the situation could be alarming.

3. Deflate the boat consciousness
As part of its maintenance cap inflatable boat you need to treat the joints and valves rigor. Must be clean and free of damages. The auto sear cheap inflatable boat must not be obstructed in any way.

4.Storing cheap inflatable boats
You should be careful when storing inflatable boats. Store in a place that is clean and dry. The storage space should not be affected should not all the dangerous factors of environment and temperature variations.

5.Repairing kit
Keep the appropriate repair kit as part of their maintenance flights inflatable boat. You want to apply the patches to repair the leaks and use at least three layers of glue to patch the strong and permanent.

Inflatables Maintenance
Monday, December 6, 2010 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:

An inflatable boat could be a source of immense pride and joy to anyone who owns it. If you've just joined this elite clique of inflatable boat-owners, studying the various aspects of upkeep is crucial in case your boat is to stay in t situation.

PREVENTIVE Upkeep

Inflatable boats are not almost as sturdy as their wooden, fiberglass or aluminum counterparts. However, although they require significantly more care than other boats, regular maintenance will reward you with many years of outstanding service.

Do not Chafe the Boat

Abrasion will be the 1 of the greatest enemies of inflatable boats, apart from radiation and oxidation. Unlike much more rugged boats that can be dragged across any surface with out dire consequences, your inflatable boat can't be dragged even th gh extremely shallow water. Doing so exposes it to the imminent threat of getting jagged and torn around the sharp rocks along with other underwater particles.

Likewise, care should be utilized when tying your inflatable boat to a dock exactly where it may get damaged when the waves cause the boat to constantly rub in opposition to pilings and hinge bolts that maintain floating dock sections together.

While common sense dictates that you maintain your boat away from craggy beaches, don't let this stop you from exploiting the total possible of your boat. Rocky seashores bring a particular joy not discovered in calmer waters and avoiding them altoget isn't the answer. If you can avoid dragging your inflatable, particularly where oyster and coral shells are present, your boat will make it towards the water front none the worse for put on.

Whereas you may not think twice about lifting and carrying a small inflatable boat, bigger sized boats do current a larger problem. A 12-foot sport boat complete with motor and gas, can weigh a number of hundred pounds; far also a lot weight r much less than 4 healthy adults to handle. Dragging the boat might be the only option within the absence of the requisite minimal manpower and damage towards the bottom fabric of the boat will be unavoidable. Under these circumstances, using an offshore anchoring system is the very best solution.

Steel fittings and even tow lines and ropes can trigger chafing. Although flat nylon webbing is preferred, sections of hose can be slipped over tough lines and ropes to defend the fabric. A plastic espresso can lid can act as a buffer between al fittings along with your boat's fabric. Simply cut a slit in to the middle of the lid and slide it more than the ring before attaching the shakle.

Retaining It Clean

Neglect the old saying, "Cleanliness is subsequent to Godliness"; the reality is, when it comes to your inflatable boat, cleanliness is only a pipe dream. Regardless of whether you're pulling in your daily catch of mussels or even picking up the kids after pl ng on the beach, sand and grime are unavoidable. Sand is quite an abrasive substance and when it finds its way into the area between the floorboards and also the material, it may quickly result in small, nearly impossible-to-detect leaks which are eve n harder to repair because of their difficult locations. Within the worst-case scenario, a professional might have to eliminate the material floor to total the repair job.

Needless to say probably the most obvious move would be to stop as much sand and dirt from making it into the boat within the first location. Get a few extra seconds to rinse every thing and everyone completely prior to placing them within the boat. There's no way to id grime entirely, but having a periodic and thorough cleaning you will prolong the existence of your inflatable tremendously.

THE WASHDOWN

Relying on how frequently you use your boat, you need to give it a thorough periodically. Normal rinses are useful but a actual wash down ought to be repeated each so often, a minimum of as soon as or twice per season.

1.- Start by spreading a tarp or other heavy plastic sheeting on the flat, smooth area such as a driveway or your garden

two.- Deflate the boat and disassemble it totally

three.- Remove the floorboards and inflate the stripped-down boat just sufficiently to preserve its form.

four.- Using a great household or shop vacuum-cleaner, vacuum the whole within of the boat, with unique consideration to any seams where grime and debris may conceal. Don't be concerned about the embedded debris right now, just concentrate on the unfastened mater . By only partially inflating the air chambers, you need to have the ability to attain most areas with a bit of work.

five.- To a bucket of hot h2o, add some good liquid detergent; dish soap, carwash detergent and even shampoo together with a couple of ounces of ammonia.

six.- Clear the outside with the boat having a medium bristle scrubber, then transfer on to the within, paying particular consideration to those out-of-the-way areas exactly where the tubes and the floor meet. This really is when you will be obtaining rid of all that bu up

7.- Whenever you have scrubbed the entire physique of your boat, rinse and dry it thoroughly having a chamois or towel

All Carried out! Your boat ought to look shiny and new!!

Removing Bottom Growth

The phrase "bottom growth" refers to that development that can accumulate below the water line when a boat is left stationary in h2o for also lengthy. On your inflatable boat, development needs to be removed carefully. Steel scrapers and sanding will se harm towards the boat's rubberized fabric.

The very best way to eliminate this growth is to let it die by exposing it to direct sunlight for a day or two then washing the affected area with a strong soap along with a great stiff brush. Be ready for stains and don't bother trying to scrub them ay. They're part of your boat now whether you want it or not.

As for these barnacle rings; depart them be. Attempting to scrub them off could just get them even much more embedded in to the fabric with the boat.

Restorative Agents

Boats with dark pigmented dyes such as red or darkish grey will fade with time with publicity towards the components. PVC boats are more fade-resistant than Hypalon, which is much more resistant to UV degradation. Regardless of the unique color, you oat will no doubt have some colour problems over time.

You will find several commercial-grade restoring agents accessible, but you should bear in thoughts that this type of cleaner functions by getting rid of the oxidized layer of coating on the boat's material. Although the results are fairly dramatic, repeated us an be damaging to the material. Additionally, some cleaners will harm the UV barrier on PVC boats.

Don't use cleaners or restoring agents that include silicone! Overwhelming proof shows that silicone can speed separation of the seams that hold the boat collectively. What's more, PVC boats which have been treated with silicone make repa work difficult since the adhesive patches will have difficulty adhering towards the floor. Prior to utilizing any commercial item, read the label. The best protection in opposition to fading and damage is really a great high quality boat cover.

If you completely must remove the oxidation, attempt a cream bathroom cleanser like Gentle Scrub, but only on Hypalon boats. When you're completed, use a non-silicone primarily based UV protectant like 303 Protectant.

Portray Inflatables

If left towards the components for any length of time, no cleaner will restore the finish. Think it or not, it's possible for you personally to paint your inflatable boat. A couple of coats of paint can do more than restore or alter the color; it can so assist to seal leaks due to thinning of the fabric.

CHECKING FOR LEAKS

one.- Start with a clean boat that is fully inflated

2.- Combine equal components liquid dish detergent and h2o in a cup and paint the answer more than all seams. Leaks will be evident by a row of tiny bubbles.

3.- Clearly mark every leak having a grease pencil

four.- Verify the inflation valves using the same method, with the caps screwed on securely

5.- Finally, check the outside surface of the tubes and rinse the boat thoroughly.

The bottom of most inflatable boats isn't pressurized, generating the method to leak detection a little various.

1.- Leave the boat fully inflated inside a covered indoor area to make certain that it is completely dry

2.- Using the boat upside down, coat the entire bottom with child powder

3.- Turn the boat upright and stand it on sawhorses or a couple of kitchen chairs - what ever it takes to maintain the boat off the bottom and level

4.- Pour about ? gallon of h2o within the boat and have somebody cautiously slosh the water about the entire inside surface. From beneath, leaks will show as darkish damp spots in the powder. Mark them in grease pencil and browse furthe or information on how to repair them

THE Hard Parts

Caring for that wooden and steel parts of one's boat is as simple as cleaning them completely with a scrub brush and soap and looking for any visible scratches or abrasions that break via the finish. These penetrations ought to be repaired b re the damage gets any worse.

Wood Parts

Each scrape and scratch on the wooden surfaces permits water to penetrate into the wooden fibers. If saturated, this can lead to warping and delamination and even rotting. Whether your wooden parts are finished with varnish or polyurethane pa will be a issue in how you preserve the finish.

VARNISHED SURFACES

Odds are good that your floorboards are finished with both polyurethane varnish or perhaps a industrial polyester finish. They look amazing and maintain their finish nicely, but are difficult to repair when they do start to deteriorate.

Inflatable Maintenance
Sunday, December 5, 2010 by General Inflatables Co.,Ltd in Labels:


Inflatable tenders are one of the greatest inventions of the 20th Century for cruising sailboats. They are small, portable and lightweight when stored, and yet big and stable when inflated. They have huge load carrying capacity and are fast under power.


With all these advantages, you would expect some serious drawbacks. And there are two. First, a good inflatable has a high price tag. Second, they are somewhat delicate and can have a very short life span.


In a combined accountant's language, inflatable dinks have very high amortization rates. A $2,000 tender costs $500 per year if the owner only gets 4 years of service from it. But at 10 years of life, the same dink only costs $200 per year.

The moral of this story is obvious. By maintaining the inflatable to a high standard, the per-year cost of ownership is cut by over 50%. And yet we regularly encounter dinghys utterly ruined within a few years of being new.


Like maintaining good health, most maintenance on an inflatable is preventative. Once a problem has occurred, a major job of restoration and repair ensues. Here are some thoughts:


Never leave an inflatable rolled up tightly for long periods. This is especially important if the storage area is hot, and doubly true if the boat is made of a PVC fabric. Eventually the fabric will weld to itself and destroy the dink. Leave a little air in it and stow it in the main saloon or hung from rafters in the garage.

Never leave an unused boat in the water for long periods. The bottom will grow barnacles or other sea creatures that are nearly impossible to remove without damage to the fabric. Inflexible bottom paint is not easy to keep on fabric bottomed boats if they are rolled up often. Some owners apply grease or other coatings to retard growth, but these can hinder future repairs. It's easier to hoist the boat out of the water when not in use.
Keep the sun off. Again, PVC fabrics deteriorate faster due to UV degradation, but all fabrics wear out faster in sunlight, especially in the tropics. Use a cover if the boat stays blown up on deck, or stow it below when not needed.


Avoid sharp or abrasive objects. Sounds simple enough, but how many inflatables do you see with fenders? One barnacle on the dock piling can make a long tear that is hard to repair. Spearguns, fish hooks and dive knives are common offenders. A few hours rubbing against a rough concrete wall can take years off the boat's life.
Keep it clean. Pull the floor out of the dinghy occasionally to flush abrasive sand, bits of shell and dirt that can wear the boat from the inside out. Spilled chemicals such as gasoline should be attended to immediately. Use mild soap and water to wash away grime. Some stains, especially diesel exhaust on white Hypalon fabric, can not be removed, but other than being unsightly, cause no real harm. Use of silicone or Teflon protectorants will make future repair difficult and should be avoided.
Put sacrificial chafe patches on the fabric where needed. If you carry a second anchor with the dinghy, the top of the bow might benefit from a doubler. This is good practice for patching.
Repair and re-coat wood as soon as required. Many portable boats have plywood transoms or floorboards. I was nearly lost at sea one time when a rotted wooden oar snapped in half at an inopportune moment.


Even with all these preventative measures taken to squeeze as much life as possible from our expensive tender, faults will occur. Mechanical things fail and accidents happen. To solve most mishaps to the tender, you will need three things:
Replacement valves, valve caps and any O-ring seals.
Patches and fabric to match the material and color of the boat.
The proper glue to make repairs.


If you have a leak:
First, always suspect a valve first unless you know of specific damage to the fabric. Valves are the source of most leaks.
To find a leak, use a solution of water rich with dishwashing detergent. A spray bottle works best, although rubbing handfuls of soap over a wet dinghy eventually accomplishes the same thing. Blow the dinghy up hard for this procedure. Go slowly, look for bubbles and mark with a china pencil.

If the hole is merely a pinprick, a product from Sevylor called "Seam Seal" works well. Just a little dab will do you.

If the puncture or tear is larger, or if you've suffered an abrasion that isn't leaking, a patch will be required. Select a standard patch from your repair kit or cut one from your fabric. The edges should extend a minimum of 1" in all directions beyond the damage. Mask off the boat in the shape of the patch to avoid a gluey mess and follow the directions on the glue.


High Quality Inflatables