Dinghy Quality

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by danielamartindm

Have you tried re-gluing them?

Tried today, not very successfully

[JPA Cate]

Sailorboy1,

What an aggravation! Sorry this has fallen on you.

If there is a good dinghy repair place in your neck of the woods, as long as the fabric is still good (the plasticizers still in, so it's softer and flexible still), it can be re-glued. If you take it apart under their instruction, and clean all the glue joins scrupulously, it will save you some money on the repair. It can be fixed, and may even be worth fixing, since you have taken good care of the fabric.

About 3 yrs. ago, we began an experiment with a set of PVC tubes on our aluminum RIB. We made chaps for it and it has been wearing them since its 2nd week. The fittings (which we failed to paint) are starting to show some UV damage. So far most of the glue seems to be doing okay, although some "bubbling" is occurring along the bottom join of pvc to metal.

We do have some friends who used to be in the dinghy repair business, and if you're interested, Sailorboy 1, I can phone them and ask what kind of glue should be used, and how it must be applied. Some of the glues require a dry atmosphere, and it means a shop where they can control air moisture may be something you'll want to find.

Ann

[sailorboy1]

I didn’t know there where places that did dinghy reglueing. But I have the feeling that by the time I pay to stay in a place long enough to have it done, plus pay to get it done, that I start getting clos to just getting a new dinghy.

So I guess I’ll ride the current dinghy till it dies,while going research about a replacement (like that is going to revel the real story).

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Pretty sure the point of manufacture for my Zodiac was China.
Also apparently for the first time in decades the amount of CFC’s in the atmosphere is actually increasing again, even though it’s use has been outlawed in developed nations for a long time.
Not sure the Chinese are concerned about CFC’s or VOC’s.
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/...009035.article

I suspect it’s just cheap inferior glue

One of the reasons I chose a new Achilles Hypalon dinghy is that it was made in Japan. It's worth paying a little more for a superior work ethic.

[Copacabana]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I didn’t know there where places that did dinghy reglueing. But I have the feeling that by the time I pay to stay in a place long enough to have it done, plus pay to get it done, that I start getting clos to just getting a new dinghy.

So I guess I’ll ride the current dinghy till it dies,while going research about a replacement (like that is going to revel the real story).

Sailorboy, if you are thinking of a new dinghy and not all that concerned with how the old one looks until it's replaced, a quick and durable fix is just glueing things back together with gorilla glue or 5200 (after a good sanding). It may not look beautiful, but it will hold together. I had a 20-year old hypalon dinghy with dozens of patches all over it. I knew it was going to be replaced (and was worthless), so I just started doing repairs with epoxy and gorilla glue. It was ugly, but it held up well. New holes appeared, but the repaired ones held fine. I suppose that Apex dinghy was what led me to build a Chameleon nesting dinghy and vow NEVER to own another inflatable again!

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I didn’t know there where places that did dinghy reglueing. But I have the feeling that by the time I pay to stay in a place long enough to have it done, plus pay to get it done, that I start getting clos to just getting a new dinghy.

So I guess I’ll ride the current dinghy till it dies,while going research about a replacement (like that is going to revel the real story).

There is a good shop in St Augustine, and one at Cape Canaveral.
Not sure about North, but certain they exist, they are usually the shops that also recertify life rafts etc.
I spent a month one week at Cape Canaveral waiting on mine, after a week of nothing happening, I gave up and bought a new one, which I’m pretty sure was the intent of the repairman all along, so I suspect your right.

Life sux at anchor with no way ashore

[model 10]

If anyone is thinking about getting a couple of inflatable paddle boards for fun and back-up to the dinghy, they have the same PVC problems. We are up to number 4 now. The hypalon SUP boards are like $2k each.

[sailorboy1]

So will export and gorilla glue actually work at reattaching fitting to pvc?

[Copacabana]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

So will export and gorilla glue actually work at reattaching fitting to pvc?

I used it on a hypalon dinghy, but I can't see why it won't work on PVC as well. The trick is to sand the area (both pieces) very well. I sanded until I hit cloth basically. The glue really seeps in and sticks this way. I found it better than the 2-part dinghy glue. I reglued my oarlocks this way, as well as numerous patches and seams.

That said, it's not always the most pretty repair, so if your idea is to sell the dinghy later, the next owner may not like the look of it. What I gathered from your post is that you will get rid of it soon, so nothing to lose. I wouldn't send it out to be fixed- expensive and throwing good money after bad.

[Boatguy30]

[QUOTE=a64pilot;2639746]There is a good shop in St Augustine, and one at Cape Canaveral.


Which one in St Aug. I have an Avon that needed a small patch but near a seam. Was quotes $240 for a patch on one dime sized hole locally.

[Boatguy30]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

One of the reasons I chose a new Achilles Hypalon dinghy is that it was made in Japan. It's worth paying a little more for a superior work ethic.

I believe achilles moved production to China in about 2012. Possible they have switched back. Also fabric was manufactured in China now also and noticeably different. The same hypalon defender supposedly uses on their house brand boats other fellow has had trouble with.

[sailorboy1]

Well a little web searching shows there are glues just for reattaching fittings. And there are rubber coatings to address the UV. Yes they are “marine” so the price is more. But to me spending an extra $20 isn’t an issue compared to t working and time invested to doing the work.

So looks that for $100 I can fix my dinghy problems while turning it into an ugly cruiser dinghy no one would want to steal

[Scout 30]

My first Avon Redcrest lasted 25 years before the first repair. I replaced it with a '98 Avon 3.4 inflatable floor model which was the year Zodiak bought Avon. After about 10 years the rub rail came off and the Hypalon started lifting off where it attaches to the transom. However, the tubes & floor have held up great and it's going on 20 years.

[danielamartindm]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Well a little web searching shows there are glues just for reattaching fittings. And there are rubber coatings to address the UV. Yes they are “marine” so the price is more. But to me spending an extra $20 isn’t an issue compared to t working and time invested to doing the work.

So looks that for $100 I can fix my dinghy problems while turning it into an ugly cruiser dinghy no one would want to steal

I'm going to stencil on the tube of mine "CHEAP PVC."

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by danielamartindm

I'm going to stencil on the tube of mine "CHEAP PVC."

Name it D/V Leak A lot