Repairing Your Inflatable Boat

An Easy Do It Yourself Project

Unlike traditional boats, inflatable boats sometimes need to be patched and repaired due to holes and leaks. There are several types of repair solutions and kits available.

Most inflatable boats come with patch repair kits. If your inflatable craft does not, you may want to purchase one as soon as possible. This kit should have a cleaning solution, a small piece of material to use in your repair, and a bonding agent. You need to clean around the hole or tear thoroughly. Then you should line up the material and cut the amount that you need to make a patch. Apply the bonding solution around the hole and press the patch into place. Most of these bonding agents need time to dry and set up before you should put your boat back in the water. Make sure you read the directions on the kit so you do not get the patch wet too soon after putting it in place.

There are also seam-repair kits available. These products are effective for tears along the seams of your boat that a regular patch kit cannot repair. You need to pull the seam back together and spread a bonding compound over it. When the compound dries, it has formed a new seam. Again, make sure to read the directions so that you do not get the compound wet too soon after its application.

Sealants can also be helpful in repairing small holes. You put the sealant inside your boat and it plugs any leaks and holes from the inside.

If your boat has PVC material, you may need a PVC repair kit to fix your inflatable boat. This product requires more time and effort on your part. You will need MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), a Scotch Brite pad, and PVC glue and accelerator.

First, you need to thoroughly clean and buff the area around the tear. You should let the boat sit in order for all the water vapor to dry. Once it is dry, you need to mix the glue and accelerator in proportions of 98% glue and 2% accelerator. Apply a coat of this mixture to the boat and the patch that you are going to use. Give it about fifteen minutes to dry and then apply a second coat. You align the patch where you want it and place a pan of boiling water on a section of it to heat activate the glue solution. Leave the water in place for two minutes and then move to the next section of the patch. Continue this process until the whole patch has been heated and sealed. The solution needs time to cure. Within an hour the patch is strong enough to hold if you are on the river. If you are doing the repairs at home, you should leave the patch sit for about a week so that it is totally cured.

Painting is another way to repair small worm holes in your boat. This paint contains special adhesive so that it will stick to the fabric of your boat. You simply apply this product with a brush in the same way as you would regular paint. Make sure to check the amount of time needed for drying and take into consideration the amount of heat and humidity in the air.

Determining what kind of leak or hole that you have and its location can make a difference on which kind of repair kit you need. Using the proper repair chemicals and techniques can help make your inflatable boat good as new.

See Also: Where to Buy an Inflatable Raft

About The Author:
Cara Kelley is a successful author and regular contributor to best-inflatable-boats.com.