Home Repairs of Inflatable Kayaks & Boats (by Patton Andres)

Wintertime is often when folks get around to making repairs on their inflatable boats. We discovered the following article and thought it supplied some useful information about repairing inflatable watercraft at home .....

As durable as an inflatable boat can be, there are going to be instances where an accident will happen. Instead of throwing your investment in the trash, you can easily repair most damages right at home. Small tears and rips can be sealed up with a patch kit. If your boat did not come with a patch kit, seek one out online or at your local sporting goods store. Most boat repairs require little technical experience and can be done with a pair of scissors and the included materials.

First you need to determine the severity of the leak. If you notice that your boat loses rigidity after being on the water, it could be that the heat of the sun has causes the material to temporarily become more pliable. This is normal, and the plastic will return to its normal state after returning to a cool area. However, if the boat is deflating considerably, you might have a leak. If you cannot find the hole where the air is escaping, there is a method you can use. Take a wet cloth mixed with dish soap and wet the surface of the boat while inflated. The escaping air will form bubbles on the surface that will be visible.

Once you have found the leak, check the severity. A hole more than a couple inches wide may not be repairable, but check with the patch kit instructions first. Now it is time to deflate the boat. If the hole is modest, begin applying the patch kit. Each kit may have different instructions but they are pretty basic. Make sure the surface is dry, and cut a circle out of the repair material that is about one inch wider than the hole. Apply the glue to the patch and apply with pressure. Make sure the glue covers the whole patch so air does not escape. However, too much glue can seep into the hole and bind the chamber together when dry.

Repairing a simple hole can be fairly easy. If your hole is more severe, consider taking it to a professional if you want to save your boat. Be sure to follow the patch kit directions carefully, because the manufacturer knows exactly how this should be done. Third-party kits can be obtained, but first make sure that it is compatible with the material your boat is made of. There are different kits that are compatible with different types of plastic and rubber. Buying one specifically labeled as an inflatable boat kit is the best choice.

This article was written by guest author Patton Andres, an inflatable boat enthusiast who informs people about the thrill of boating. His web site is called the Inflatable Dinghy Center, dealing with all types of inflatable boats.