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Scout 30 · 08-11-2016, 16:42

Even if by some miracle you get every seam glued with no leaks the boat will still not be reliable. Time to check out Craigslist. You never know what you'll find & this is a good time of year to buy a boat. Maybe think outside the box. How about inflatable kayaks?

msrcal36 · 08-11-2016, 17:37

Yes replace it. Good money after bad trying to repair it. A failed repair just makes the replacement that much more expensive. IMHO

elk · 09-11-2016, 12:35

I also have a PVC dinghy. I had holes in it, both in a tube and in the floor. I fixed them with PVC shower liner from Home Depot. There is a specific glue to use with this that stays flexible and is strong. Both repairs are under the water line and have never even started to peel off, and I tow my dink. You can get a 5' x 6' sheet of PVC material from HD for ~ $35, and the glue for $9. This is enough for many, many patches. The repairs are 2 years old, the tube, and 1 year old, the floor.

This glue should work well for your dink.

X-15 16 oz. PVC Bonding Adhesive-308122 - The Home Depot

Good Luck,

**Jim Cate** · 09-11-2016, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by elk

I also have a PVC dinghy. I had holes in it, both in a tube and in the floor. I fixed them with PVC shower liner from Home Depot. There is a specific glue to use with this that stays flexible and is strong. Both repairs are under the water line and have never even started to peel off, and I tow my dink. You can get a 5' x 6' sheet of PVC material from HD for ~ $35, and the glue for $9. This is enough for many, many patches. The repairs are 2 years old, the tube, and 1 year old, the floor.

This glue should work well for your dink.

X-15 16 oz. PVC Bonding Adhesive-308122 - The Home Depot

Good Luck,

Elk, the technique that you describe is useful for patching holes, although not the best practice by far.

But the OP's problem is that ALL the seams in his tubes have failed. The stresses on the seams are far greater than those on a patch over a small (or even substantial) hole. Beyond the simple strength of bond issues, the assembly of the tube sections into a usable dinghy shape is difficult... very difficult... for an amateur. Even regluing a portion of one seam is pretty challenging, let alone the whole lot. And I speak from personal experience...

Jim

**tkeithlu** · 09-11-2016, 15:43

Sometimes it's the short sharp post that gets to the core of the problem when everyone is trying to work around the issue with lengthy posts. "Your dinghy has reached the end of its life. Replace it." I like that. It doesn't matter whether you get your glue from NASA at $1,000 per ml, you're still going to be chasing leaks, and feeling frustrated, until the day you throw it away and replace it. Better now than then.

elk · 10-11-2016, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Elk, the technique that you describe is useful for patching holes, although not the best practice by far.

But the OP's problem is that ALL the seams in his tubes have failed. The stresses on the seams are far greater than those on a patch over a small (or even substantial) hole. Beyond the simple strength of bond issues, the assembly of the tube sections into a usable dinghy shape is difficult... very difficult... for an amateur. Even regluing a portion of one seam is pretty challenging, let alone the whole lot. And I speak from personal experience...

Jim

My intention was to inform about a strong flexible glue that works on PVC. For $9 the OP can figure out for himself whether the job is worth pursuing. Maybe instead of scaring him , you could give specific guidance and pitfalls, since you claim experience. He could invest a few hours and minimal cost for a possible solution, or spend a thousand, or more, and toss a possibly savable dink.

The stress on the floor repair is considerable, with people's full weight engaging the patch regularly. The repair that works well is, by far, the best.

I have a feeling you are the type that will need to reply, good luck, I'm done.

**tkeithlu** · 10-11-2016, 06:37

Jim won't reply, but I will. Jim and Anne Cate are two of the most experienced people on this forum, and regularly supply very useful posts out of the goodness of their hearts. It's OK to disagree with them or anyone else, given no one is right all the time, and forums are for discussion, but being dismissive is in this case at least misplaced.

elk · 10-11-2016, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Jim won't reply, but I will. Jim and Anne Cate are two of the most experienced people on this forum, and regularly supply very useful posts out of the goodness of their hearts. It's OK to disagree with them or anyone else, given no one is right all the time, and forums are for discussion, but being dismissive is in this case at least misplaced.

I was through with this subject, but since you deign to answer for them...

I was not the first to be dismissive, so go back and read it again. And you Sir, have not an inkling as to my experience, since I only answer posts occasionally, and then only on subjects I am experienced with.

I will not start a flame war, I gave only constructive advice, unlike the other "experienced" people you feel the overwhelming need to defend.

Now, I am finished with this thread, so flame away.

Celestialsailor · 10-11-2016, 16:17

when I'm down in La Paz, Mx, every morning there is someone looking for inflatable dick repair. I've had my fill with inflatables and now go hard. I buy a Livingston 8ft. which has the interior volume of a 10ft. inflatable. Just sold that one after 10years of reliable service for the same price I bought it for used ($250). I now have a Portabot 10ft'r I bought that had been used once for $500, that rests in kayak racks on the side of my stantions.

goat · 10-11-2016, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

when I'm down in La Paz, Mx, every morning there is someone looking for inflatable dick repair. I've had my fill with inflatables and now go hard.

Not sure how to take this. Heading for Mexico next month, what kind of Dick is recommended? ;^)

Scout 30 · 10-11-2016, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by elk

My intention was to inform about a strong flexible glue that works on PVC. For $9 the OP can figure out for himself whether the job is worth pursuing. Maybe instead of scaring him , you could give specific guidance and pitfalls, since you claim experience. He could invest a few hours and minimal cost for a possible solution, or spend a thousand, or more, and toss a possibly savable dink.

The stress on the floor repair is considerable, with people's full weight engaging the patch regularly. The repair that works well is, by far, the best.

I have a feeling you are the type that will need to reply, good luck, I'm done.

Not only uncalled for but just plain wrong. If all the seams have let go it's time to move on. An unreliable dinghy is a significant safety hazard. Here are a couple of very cheap replacements. Personally I'd look for a used hypalon dinghy if money is a problem.

Zodiac Slat Wood Floor 7' 7" Lt. Gray / Blue PVC, 2015
Zodiac Wave Slat Rollup Floor 9' 0" Gray / Blue PVC, 2013

Celestialsailor · 10-11-2016, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat

Not sure how to take this. Heading for Mexico next month, what kind of Dick is recommended? ;^)

OOPS!...Maybe I meant a Dick with a dink...never mind!

sailorcherry · 10-11-2016, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat

Not sure how to take this. Heading for Mexico next month, what kind of Dick is recommended? ;^)

Goat, you forgot to also mention "and now go hard"! Lol!
Sorry Celestial, it was too easy and funny. Thanks for the laugh - many of us need it after these past couple of days!

I' dual dink [emoji6] [emoji12]! Yep, we cruise with a hard and an inflatable (no davits). Being on a large, beamy, flush deck cutter is useful here. 10' hard dinghy for the little electric trolling motor or as a mediocre sailing dinghy. 10' hypalon (80s model, yes one seams peeling back) with a 15hp 2stroke for long stretches or hauling 650-750lbs around.