Inflatable Dinghy Repair

This procedure was described in the magazine Yacht in 2015. It describes a professional repair of inflateable dinghies.

What is needed for repair of inflatable dinghies:

1. Clamseal (Barton) quick repair device
2. Zodiac Strongan/PVC two component glue 7096 for repair of tubes
3. Pantera glue MS 3000/60 weiß 150 ml (for repair of inflatable floor)
4. Methylethylketone (MEK, Butanon) solvent for PVC
5. Ethylacetate cleaner

The standard repair set that comes with the Zodiac-dinghy is of limited use. The one-component-glue comes off after a while.

 

A. Provisional repair of tubes with Clamseal, for holes up to 9 cm of length:

The Clamseal device consists of two plates which are connected ba a rope and can be srewed together tightly thus sealing a hole.

1. Extend hole with scissors to a slot of 7 cm length
2. Insert lower (inside) plate into the hole
3. Pull inside plate with rope in correct positon covering the cut
4. Attach outer plate to inner plate
5. Tighten the plates with the central screw. Done.

B. Professional repair of tubes with a PVC patch from the inside:

For a permanent repair the repair patch has to be attached from the inside. The temperature has to be above 20°C during the repair and the 24 hrs of drying of the glue.

1. Mix the two components of the Zodiac Strongan/PVC two component glue 7096. Temperature has to be 20°C or above. Humidity of air should not be too high. If glue turns milky-white the moisture was too high and the glue can not be used. Use mixed glue within 1-2 hrs.
2. Extend hole with scissors to a slot of 7 cm length
3. Cut the repair patch to the size of the hole plus 2.5 cm on all sides (e.g. hole length of 7 cm + 2 x 2.5 cm = 12 cm diameter of patch). Round edges.
4. Wipe the inside of the tube around the hole and one side of the patch with Methylethylketone (MEK, Butanon) solvent for PVC. This dissolves the superficial layer of the PVC.
5. Mark the patch withe a ball pen with a central line in the shape of the cut. This helps positioning the patch from the inside later.
6. Apply three layers of th two-component glue to the inside of the tube and to the marked side of the patch. Allow to dry for 5 minutes before applying the next layer of glue.
7. Cover the glued side of the patch with plastic foil. This prevents the patch from sticking to the tube before it is in the correct position.
8. Roll the patch and insert into hole.
9. Align the patch withe the marked line to the hole.
10. Peel off the plastic foil through the hole without moving the patch. The first contact of patch and tube will be the final one.
11. Once contact between patch and tube is made the patch can not be moved anymore.
12. Press firmly and let dry for 24 hrs.
13. Remove surplus glue and spots on hands with Ethylacetate

C. Repair of inflatable dinghy floor:

Holes in the inflatable dinghy floor cannot be patched from the inside since the inside is covered with fibres.

1. Locate hole with dishwashing detergent in water.
2. Mix the two components of the Zodiac Strongan/PVC two component glue 7096. Temperature has to be 20°C or above. Humidity of air should not be too high. If glue turns milky-white the moisture was too high and the glue can not be used. Use mixed glue within 1-2 hrs.
3. Roughen the surrounding 2.5 cm of the hole with Methylethylketone (MEK, Butanon) solvent for PVC. This dissolves the superficial layer of the PVC.
4. Apply a thin layer of two-component glue and let dry for 5 minutes.
5. Cover the hole with Pantera glue MS 3000/60
6. Finish the surface of the Pantera glue with your finger immersed in dishwashing detergent.
7. Let dry. Done.