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Old 21-06-2018, 10:49   #16
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

Snow foam works great.

Any Car detaining shop will stock it.

If you do not have a pressure washer there is a hose pipe version.
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Old 21-06-2018, 11:11   #17
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

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Originally Posted by ZULU40 View Post
unless its a cheap PVC boat Id be checking the valves first
Excellent place to start. Valves can frequently be fixed with a little Armorall inside the valve to soften the rubber valve material. Don't get Armorall on the fabric as it will make it exceeding hard to patch in the future.

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Old 21-06-2018, 12:02   #18
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

No experience here with PVC, but I've patched a number of holes in Hypalon dinghies. Once you find the leak, assuming it's a pinhole or puncture, cut a nickel sized round patch and another 3" or so diameter patch. Rough up the hypalon with 150 grit sandpaper where the 3" patch will go. Pump the dinghy up until it's hard. Now, here's the trick... using superglue, glue the nickel sized patch over the leak and hold it with your finger for a few minutes. Wear a glove or you'll end up with your finger stuck to patch if you're not careful! The superglue will set and the leak will be stopped. If you can find flexible superglue, that's great, but it's not really necessary. Now, rough up the small patch and apply the 3" patch over the small patch. I use contact cement, but use what you've got - expensive Hypalon cement, Barge cement, Shoe-Goo, etc. You want a flexible adhesive for the large patch and it really doesn't matter if it takes 24 hrs or more to cure. The superglue will have stopped the leak. But, it's important to apply the 2nd patch since most super glues are not flexible and will crack over time. But, once it's cracked, the top patch will have adhered and the leak will still be fixed. I've done a lot of patches like this on both my dinghy and on other cruisers dinghies. This method keeps you from having to deflate the dinghy, clamp the patch and wait for the adhesive to set up before re-inflating.
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Old 21-06-2018, 12:29   #19
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

Ditto the tube sealant. Fixed my "impossible to find" leaks (multiple small ones in seams) on my dink. So far, 2+ season in and all is well.

Raise the dink on a halyard to make it easier to rotate, pivot etc to slosh the sealant around.
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Old 21-06-2018, 13:59   #20
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

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Originally Posted by Peregrine1983 View Post
Hi all,

My inflatable Takakat dinghy has a very slow leak in one pontoon. It takes about 2-3 days for it to get moderately flat. It's slow, but it's annoying.

I know the dish soap trick, but I'm worried it will be tricky with a leak this slow. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.

if you find you need to use an adhesive use HH-66
personally I dont hold with a bunch of goo floating around inside the hull of the boat
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Old 21-06-2018, 15:02   #21
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

Most lakes are in the valves, check those first
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Old 21-06-2018, 17:03   #22
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy

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Originally Posted by ZULU40 View Post
personally I dont hold with a bunch of goo floating around inside the hull of the boat
The goo isn't like bicycle tire goop. It sets to a film and doesn't move around.
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