Avon Dinghy Valve Problem

[bobmcreynold]

Ahoy,
I'm in the DR with plans to move a 35' catamaran to Panama. One of the valves in an Avon 2.85 dinghy is broken and needs to be replaced. It looks like the valve can only replaced by cutting a hole near the valve, replacing it, and patching the hole? We haved also had no luck finding a replacement valve or glue, plus there seems to be a problem shipping the glue in by plane.

The disc shaped seal, at the end of the spring loaded stem, has broken off and is inside the hull.

With no proper glue available, I was planning to use 5200.

All comments would very helpful.
Thanks in advance,
Bob

[sailvayu]

5200 will work as a temp repair but will take a 5-7 day cure time, you could try contact cement but it won't last long, what ever you do lightly sand the area and clean with MEK (not MEKP) if you can.

Good Luck

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sailvayu

... lightly sand the area and clean with MEK (not MEKP) if you can.
Good Luck

FWIW:
MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) is a high explosive, and unlikely to be readily available to most of us. In a diluted form, MEKP is also used as a polyester resin catalyst.
MEK (Metrhyl Ethyl Keytone) is a common cleaner & solvent.
Dimethyl Ketone (Acetone) is another common solvent.

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by bobmcreynold

Ahoy,
I'm in the DR with plans to move a 35' catamaran to Panama. One of the valves in an Avon 2.85 dinghy is broken and needs to be replaced. It looks like the valve can only replaced by cutting a hole near the valve, replacing it, and patching the hole? We haved also had no luck finding a replacement valve or glue, plus there seems to be a problem shipping the glue in by plane.

The disc shaped seal, at the end of the spring loaded stem, has broken off and is inside the hull.

With no proper glue available, I was planning to use 5200.

All comments would very helpful.
Thanks in advance,
Bob

Bob,
You can get Avon repair supplies and parts from here: Avon Inflatable Boat Parts

If you click on the valve repair kit item, you'll find repair instructions. It does not seem that you need to cut the tubes.

[bobmcreynold]

I was able to get the broken seal out of the boat and can now see how to make the repair. A hole doesn't need to be cut in the boat, but it will be a delicate operation. This also solves the glue problem. Parts will be ordered from Ziggy's link.

Thanks to all for their comments!
Bob

[Martinini]

For future reference there is a glue called Silaprene out there that is superior to 5200. 5200 is rated to about 200 F before it begins to break down and Silaprene is rated to 500 F. It will glue ABS. Metal, Fiberglass, Wood, etc and any of these to the other. A 10oz tube costs about $8.00 USD. It can be found online and at some Automotive stores as weather stripping glue, just read the label. It is permanate so you have to get it right the first time. 100% waterproof. I love this stuff !