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Old 29-06-2015, 21:06   #31
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Inflatable Dinghy Seams

Well, only one poster actually hot the nail on the head, so to speak. Pump up the raft, then get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray all over the values and seams. Then you will know for sure where the leak(s) are. Any good repair shop will do this as a first step. Then you can decide what direction to go in. My Avon was made in 1986 and the only thing wrong with it is one of values leaks once in awhile. The bubble test showed this right away when I took it in and thought I had a puncture in the tube.


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Old 04-07-2015, 06:29   #32
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Re: Inflatable Dinghy Seams

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Originally Posted by Glenn.Brooks View Post
Well, only one poster actually hot the nail on the head, so to speak. Pump up the raft, then get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray all over the values and seams. Then you will know for sure where the leak(s) are. Any good repair shop will do this as a first step. Then you can decide what direction to go in. My Avon was made in 1986 and the only thing wrong with it is one of values leaks once in awhile. The bubble test showed this right away when I took it in and thought I had a puncture in the tube.


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This was good advice

Problem with my forward tube is the valve. I poked it with a q-tip wetted with Astroglide and it started working better. I got the dink pumped up and actually motored about 20 miles in it today -- went to get motor oil for an oil change, much more pleasant by water than by bus. It's still leaking but if I only have to pump it up once a day, that will not ruin my cruise.

How do you repair these valves? I know you can get repair kits for them, but I don't see how to get the valve apart. Grateful for tips.

How do you
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Old 04-07-2015, 06:34   #33
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Re: Inflatable Dinghy Seams

Here you go:
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Old 04-07-2015, 07:12   #34
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Re: Inflatable Dinghy Seams

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Pressure washers are incredibly destructive. I should have known better.

I wonder how many teak decks have been ruined by a single pressure washing.
Our deck was messed up when the previous owner pressure washed it. Cost him a bundle... Saved me a bundle since I refurbished it myself.

Our Avon dinghy has trouble holding air on the starboard side. I've tried everything. It's been completely rehabbed, looks 80% new, but every time I think I've finally fixed the leak, two days later... it returns.

We just keep pumping it up every two days.

Ken
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Old 07-07-2015, 03:11   #35
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Re: Inflatable Dinghy Seams

So my dinghy is more or less serviceable. The Leafield C7 valve for the forward tube is leaking, but after poking it and putting some astroglide on it, the tube stays reasonably turgid for a couple of days. As Kenomac said -- pumping up the dink every couple of days is not really that big a deal.

Meanwhile, I have found instructions for how to overhaul these valves:

http://www.ribstore.co.uk/cms-assets...e-diaphragm.pd

Doesn't seem like a big deal.

I've just been spoiled, terribly spoiled by this dinghy, because I have never given a single thought to any of these questions. I've either added or removed air twice a year with the change of seasons for all these years. Alas, the dinghy is one more thing which needs some attention once in a while.
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Old 07-07-2015, 06:17   #36
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Re: Inflatable Dinghy Seams

I don't think you are supposed to use the terms "astroglide" and "turgid" together on this forum…

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