Patches for inflatable

[bcripps]

I'm outta hypalon patch material. Is there anything else I can use, something all ready on the boat maybe, or available locally in a third world hardware store or fabric shop?
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[Jim Cate]

I know of no substitute, but when in a similar situation years ago I found a dead dink that had been discarded and cut patch material from its carcass. Dunno if such is possible where you are.

Good luck,

Jim

[JPA Cate]

Most people wouldn't have "spare" patch material. If where you are has a navy base, they might have a deceased hypalon dinghy you might be able to trade for or buy. If you make friends with the right person, it could work out. Otherwise, you're looking for hypalon fresh water bladders, that have been discarded because their seam failed. ....And, beyond that, Downwind Marine in San Diego could probably ship you some. It is frightfully expensive. And you still need new glue (the Bostik goes off in the can, so don't count on it if it is 5 yrs. old, it usually lasts about 1 yr.).

Good luck with it, it is a real problem till you get somewhere liferafts are repaired and repacked.

Ann

[Emmalina]

Got loads of the stuff Next time you see a hypalon dinghy someone has thrown away Chop It Up !

[TravelinLight]

Can you use a bike or car inner tube?

[chrisr]

wonder if PVC / vinyl would hold long enough till you can get the right hypalon material ?

might be worth trying if no alternative

cheers,

[esarratt]

1) I have found this to be true: If it can't be temporarily fixed with duct tape (gorilla tape) it probably can't be fixed.

I would use this to get me by for awhile until I could get some hypalon.

2) What about an email or a Skype call to the manufacturer of the dinghy? Surely one of their technical support people will have some ideas.

[CruiseN]

I used a bicycle repair kit patch with liquid cement. Planned to patch properly later but never did bother.
Boat melted in house fire afterwards. Was to be my tender. Do'h

[s/v Jedi]

3M 5200, maybe with a patch of canvas, cloth etc. It doesn’t really matter as the stuff sticks to almost anything

[JPA Cate]

You're right, Jedi. We had success using 5200 to bond a herculon (pvc) floor to an old hypalon zodiac. It stayed water tight for years.

Ann

[bcripps]

Thanks everyone. Lots of good ideas. Unfortunately no dead-duck dinghies here, only chickens :-) 5200 hundred keeps coming up but I've never had luck with it. Patches roll off in a day or two; same with polysulfide caulk. Much better success with a good quality contact cement. Nothing in the way of "fancy" glues available. But I've got glue, need patch material. The tip about inner tube material caught my eye. I'll go check out the local garbage dump and see if I can scrounge something up.
Thanks again, everyone,
Bry
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[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by bcripps

Thanks everyone. Lots of good ideas. Unfortunately no dead-duck dinghies here, only chickens :-) 5200 hundred keeps coming up but I've never had luck with it. Patches roll off in a day or two; same with polysulfide caulk. Much better success with a good quality contact cement. Nothing in the way of "fancy" glues available. But I've got glue, need patch material. The tip about inner tube material caught my eye. I'll go check out the local garbage dump and see if I can scrounge something up.
Thanks again, everyone,
Bry
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5200 just rolling off? I wish!

So here’s why: first clean the spot with alcohol or even acetone. Next take 100 grit sandpaper and sand the spot. Next apply the patch material which is coated with 5200 and put it on and clamp with weight. Now wait 7 days for cure.

If there’s no 7 days available then I believe there is a quick cure version as well.

[Training Wheels]

I’ve had good luck with G-flex
Epoxy.

[bcripps]

I obviously cruise the wrong waters: No 5200, of either kind, available locally. No acetone. And definitely no seven days waiting for a cure. I can't walk on water. Okay, maybe wait an hour or two on the beach, but then I gotta get back to the boat.
And I worked in custom-build boatyards for many years. I don't need a lesson on surface preparation, not after supervising paint crews for a lot of those years.
Anyway, the discussion is alternative patch material, not glue.
Thanks again for everyone's ideas.
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[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by bcripps

I obviously cruise the wrong waters: No 5200, of either kind, available locally. No acetone. And definitely no seven days waiting for a cure. I can't walk on water. Okay, maybe wait an hour or two on the beach, but then I gotta get back to the boat.
And I worked in custom-build boatyards for many years. I don't need a lesson on surface preparation, not after supervising paint crews for a lot of those years.
Anyway, the discussion is alternative patch material, not glue.
Thanks again for everyone's ideas.
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We’re trying to help you, sorry it isn’t good enough for you but hey we didn’t charge you for it. You can use 5200 with a piece of canvas, plastic etc. You can’t find it in shops? You mean you don’t have it aboard?