A couple of weeks ago we went on a trip up the Snake River. I decided not to take the dinghy due to the extra weight and when it's on the boat it acts like a big sail, requiring more power. I left it in the slip and tied it to the dock.

When we returned to the slip I found a rip in the material the inflatable tubes are made of. The rip was straight along the material's weave and about 2" long.



I checked the West Marine catalog and found this stuff. I wasn't sure which kit I needed so I called their tech support line. They called Zodiac and found I needed Kit B. The kits are both $10 plus shipping.

They sent the kit to me and I was amazed at how easy it was to apply and how well it has worked. All you have to do is cut a patch to cover the tear, then clean the tear area with an alcohol prep pad (included in the kit). After the alcohol dries you peel the paper off one side of the repair material and apply it. Then peel off the paper from the other side.

I put it on and (as per the instructions) waited 24 hours before I pumped up that side of the dinghy. It's been a week and a half and it's holding air just fine.

I was very impressed with how easy it was to use and that it worked so well. The usual disclaimers apply--I have no connection with this company other than I like their product.

Here's what WM's catalog says about it.....

"See-thru patch forms an instant bond for repairing holes and tears
Repair holes and tears instantly on almost any surface with this elastic peel-and-stick, see-thru patch. Unique adhesive forms an extreme bond that stretches and recovers without pulling off. Durable, flexible, airtight, watertight, puncture-resistant. Protects against abrasion, moisture, salt water, UV sunlight and extreme temperatures. Kits contain one 3" x 12" patch, one 7/8" x 7/8" patch, one 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" patch, 12" reinforcement filament (for repairing tears at edges), two alcohol prep pads and instructions.

Choose from two types:

Type A for use on hypalon, canvas, rubber, neoprene, most plastics, nylon, non-oiled leather and metal surfaces.
Type B for use on PVC, vinyl and vinyl-coated materials only. "

Any ideas how the rip got there.?

My eldest son once parked my dinghy on top of a piling that was sticking about 2" out of the water - no damage whatsoever.

But one time, I dropped the dinghy on the dock, and the flat part of the cleat put a 2" gash into the dinghy. I couldn't believe it.

But I simply used the dinghy repair kit that came with it.

I have never seen that kit you used, but looks like a good idea. I remember when my father had a pool, about 30 years ago, we had a rip in it, and they gave him some clear plastic patching tape that went on wet. I wonder if what you have is similar stuff?

James,

On the underside of the 2x10 wood piece that goes around the top of the slip there is a metal brace that holds it in place. The only thing I can think of is the dinghy rubbed against it due to wave action.

Fortunately the rip was along the 'weave' of the fabric, not across any at a diagonal.

The repair material is flexible so as the dinghy flexes, this material should flex with it. It's barely noticeable on the dinghy so it's hard to see the repair.

One thing in my favor...when the dinghy went flat I was able to press the repaired area down against a flat surface and press the repair tape down with my hands. I let the repaired area sit for just over 24 hours before I inflated the dinghy and so far it's holding air just fine.

Glad you were able to get it fixed.

Amen to that! Thanks.

I might have given that repair kit too much praise. Two nights ago I pumped the dinghy up to full air presssure. Last night I went down there and that section had gone flat again.

I think the problem is that the tear ends very near where another piece of the dinghy material overlaps. I'll have to take a couple of pics to show you what I mean.

Inside the repair kit is a length of a clear plastic almost like a fishing line that is to be used in that situation. I'll do a re-repair this weekend and let you know how it goes.

GFC;

I have a draconian idea; have you thought about heat sealing the patch. I think the dinghys are basically put together with RF transducers that essentially weld the pieces together. I am not sure if you can use something like a 25Watt soldering iron - on low heat - which means you plug it in, then almost immediately use it for a few seconds - then unplug it and let it cool down again.

This might be difficult to do, but maybe you could run a bead around the cut with the soldering iron in that manner. It will either help or you'll burn a hole in the dinghy.

Another possibility is to use a hot-air gun, and with a blunt tool, apply pressure between the two pieces. I have no experience here, but I do understand that some of the commercial PVC welders use hot air with the pieces going through a roller.

So you will then either have repaired the dinghy, or have an excuse to buy a new one. And as Mr. Miyagi sez; "either way, problem solved".

I pulled the old patch off last weekend and put a new one on. After 24 hours that you're supposed to let it sit before inflating, I filled it with air to an "almost full" level. The patch seems to have held so this weekend I'll fill it the rest of the way.

Problem solved....or at least it seems so.