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20-06-2018, 09:52
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 988
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Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
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.
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20-06-2018, 11:48
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#2
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,601
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peregrine1983
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.
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Dish soap. It won't be tricky. I've had leaks at that rate. It won't be a sting of bubbles, but one bubble will grow and grow.
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20-06-2018, 11:53
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 988
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Got it. Didn't realize that it would probably blow a big bubble. Thanks Thinwater.
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21-06-2018, 05:20
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#4
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Charleston, SC
Boat: Avon D560 18'
Posts: 117
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinwater
Dish soap. It won't be tricky. I've had leaks at that rate. It won't be a sting of bubbles, but one bubble will grow and grow.
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It might be a fizzy leak.
Check all seams first.
Use a clean paintbrush dipped in soapy water. The bristles give nucleation sites, which can kickstart the bubbles to form in a location where there is a leak. Soapy water will sometimes sheet, then it gets blown off by the air pressure with no bubble forming.
Don't use too much soap, about 2 tbsp per gallon.
This is a good time to wash your boat too.
__________________
Richard - Inflatables Guru (SIBs, RIBs, and Rafts)
Opinions and intepretations expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer
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21-06-2018, 06:15
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#5
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,601
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Also be suspicious of areas that are worn thin. They can be sort of permeable.
Was the boat first and take your time. That's actually a pretty fast leak.
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21-06-2018, 06:18
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charleston SC
Boat: 1995 Catalina 36 MkII
Posts: 186
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
And once you find the leak assuming it's in a position where this is possible I would suggest just put a blob of 5200 Fast cure on it instead of playing around with patches and glues and all that stuff. Works for me.
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21-06-2018, 06:41
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bumping around the Caribbean
Boat: Valiant 40
Posts: 4,625
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
A little bit if glycerin or corn syrup added to the solution will give you "improved bubbles"; ie. they will get bigger without popping and so are easier to spot.
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21-06-2018, 08:15
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#8
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Charleston, SC
Boat: Avon D560 18'
Posts: 117
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbyham
And once you find the leak assuming it's in a position where this is possible I would suggest just put a blob of 5200 Fast cure on it instead of playing around with patches and glues and all that stuff. Works for me.
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Back when I did repairs, if I saw 5200 on the tubeset, I either refused repairs or would charge $170 to $255 for pre-cleaning for a simple patch and would offer no warranty on my work due to contamination.
If I fixed it from the start, simple patches were $95 for one spot, $75 for customers whom bought a boat from me. Large cuts, usually were about $150. XL cuts were about $250. My largest cut I have done is on my personal RIB. It measured about 48 inches long.
Could I have charged more? Probably.
///
5200 does not belong on PVC or CSM material in pressurized substrate applications.
__________________
Richard - Inflatables Guru (SIBs, RIBs, and Rafts)
Opinions and intepretations expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer
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21-06-2018, 08:54
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 988
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Thanks everyone for the helpful info.
I know next to nothing about repairing dinghies. It sounds like the leaking tube is made of PVC. Is something like this my best bet once I find the leak?
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...79?recordNum=1
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21-06-2018, 09:20
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 600
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
unless its a cheap PVC boat Id be checking the valves first
my own zodiac has such a leak and neither the main valve or the O ring on the valve cover stops it. Its a new set of valves this time
__________________
'give what you get, then get gone'
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21-06-2018, 09:22
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
I used the soapy water method to find some tiny pinhole leaks on my dinghy. Got my kids to help, it was actually fun. We found around 5 tiny holes.
I cut circles of TEAR AID and applied directly (after cleaning with alcohol). Instant fix.
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21-06-2018, 09:35
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: So Cal
Boat: Beneteau 38 Nordlund 72, Marquess 55, Jenneau 49
Posts: 541
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
I'm not sure how big and heavy your dingy is but if you are able to rotate it I have had good luck with a tube sealer from West Marine. If it is a really small leak this will work. The good news is if the leak is a bit bigger the stuff wont work but will leak out and you will find where the leak is. Once that has been revealed I would use tear aid. I think it will work on PVC and Hypolan
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--inflatable
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21-06-2018, 10:01
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: N Palm Beach
Boat: Catalac 12 M
Posts: 40
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
I have a 10 foot fiberglass bottom Zodiac and used the sealant from West Marine It sealed 3 small leaks I could not find with soap and water. Not easy turning dingy around and upside down Very pleased with the results.
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21-06-2018, 10:24
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 988
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Awesome. Good to hear about the West Marine stuff. I'll give it a shot.
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21-06-2018, 10:30
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: Finding a very slow leak in a dinghy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Valmika
...you will find where the leak is. Once that has been revealed I would use tear aid. I think it will work on PVC and Hypolan
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There are two flavours of TEAR AID. Type A and Type B. One for Hypalon and the other for PVC. Be sure to use the right one. Its good stuff. I've used it quite a bit. I carry some in my dinghy emergency tool kit in case of a small puncture.
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