Dingy Help Opinion

[JusDreaming]

Well the dingy is the next project It has started leaking, I beleive at the seams, as all three chambers are losing air. Someone suggested filling it with two part foam. By theory it sounds like a good idea, never fill again, don't worry about air pump, etc. etc. But once you do it there is no turning back!!
Or buy the seam sealer and try to mend it one more time. I have never used the seam sealer stuff. I did use the fix-a-flat stuff that you pour in, but that was when I had one chamber leaking, and I knew where the leak was!! The sailing budget just won't allow the purchase of new dingy!

[Inthewind]

If the seams are leaking all over the boat that could be pretty difficult to fix but it may be worth a try, but maybe not. I never heard of filling one with foam before, I would do some research and see if that is really a viable option.

[s/v 'Faith']

It think your success will depend on what material your dingy is made of.

If it is Halypon you might be suprised at how well repairs hold up. Our 1977 Avon Redcrest has several patches that have been holding air for quite a while. I would be careful, and only use the right stuff... but it might work out for you.


"Patches"



If it is PVC, you are pretty limited in what you can sucessfully do. Small patches may be ok, but larger repairs do not seem to hold up well in PVC. If it is PVC, and you think you can get the foam in there without totaling the valves it might be worth a shot. There is a special foam for filling dingies... but IIRC it is pricy. I only knew one guy to use it, and he was not exactly sure of what he was doing most of the time....

Good luck whatever you try. I look forward to hearing about the result.