Deflated Dinghy? Repair it for Under $100

In this video we show how you can fix a failed inflatable dinghy but adding air bladders. This simple repair method can bring even a discarded boat back to life.
it's like putting an inner tube in a tire.
Have questions or comments? Leave them below! We do our best to read and answer all comments on our channel.
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[@knievelhotmail]

Great idea! Another option would be an inner tube from a farm tractor tire. That would give you a standard tire valve for inflation as well as being super tough.

[@flowplanet429]

great idea

[@ericcagle1192]

Best idea yet… thanks

[@ookulelewess]

... sometimes it's just that simple... I had my dinghy down and deflated for some maintenance. My neighbor was mowing and for reasons I can't comprehend, decided to ride right next to it, and, you guessed it, he clipped the side!! Which subsequently pulled more under before it tore free.. thus, a HUGE hole down the side. I was just about to strip it down into patch kit material but this might be the answer!! Looking up those bags now, then maybe sew some velcro to the seam to close it off the chamber. I'm excited now! 8^)

[@EmilyAndClark]

Great. Let us know how it goes.

[@roythomas9376]

I work for Defender. I sell lots of dinghies and coach people on how to repair them (or not) . Just watched your vid and OMG this is brilliant!!! Can’t wait to pass this info on to customers.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Roy Please suggest they watch our video and maybe subscribe. We could use the new viewers.

[@sailingkoko]

Bout to go barter for a failed rib. Thank you so much!

[@andersnilsson6625]

Thanks! Truly one of the better do it yourself tips in a long time!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@takenbythewind]

Clark,you should have business cards that read: “Clark E Coyote, super genius” 😁 I once tried to repair a deflatable by filling it with spray foam.boy was that a mistake.not only did it take about 50 cans to get it about 1/4 full, but afterward it weighed about 1000 lbs.I wish you had been around then to save me from my own stupidity😂

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you. The spray foam dinghies also always end up looking like they have cancer. All bumpy.

[@flowplanet429]

ill bet that cost a fair bit !

[@danielweeks3723]

Very good idea,.There are boats actually made this way with a zipper(such as Aire), but you have provide a cheap place to buy the bladders.

[@YTMegiddo]

What a great idea! Sounds like something the manufacturers should be doing from the get-go.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes. They put tubes in tires, right

[@parkarlsson7955]

Yes! great and thank you! Have a ten year old dinghy that needs a new bladder or inter tube. Will do it your way! Also have a more than 50 year old Zodiac dinghy, not one hole!! Still holding air like a champ! All the best from Sweden

[@thebluepill1496]

I enjoyed your story telling style of communicating this valuable information. I was already thinking about using car inner tubes or such to fill the voids so your idea makes the perfect solution. Many thanks.

[@VeezyLife]

Car tires, and pretty much most other type vehicle's tires actually don't have inner tubes lol. The pressure of the air pushing out on the inner rib of the tire against the wheel/rim creates the seal. Makes everything easier in the long run this way. Manufacturing, repairs, engineering, and maintenance.... it all requires less of those by utilizing the "tubeless" method.

[@drwindsurf]

Great solution - Thank you Clark

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome Jeffrey

[@hyperfilmprod]

Wow, this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing Clark!

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're very sweet

[@StartingOverProject]

Legends! Great solution

[@mattwright6013]

Great idea i have a boat Nabor on a very strict budget and i ordered him a couple of these just to give it a try! Thanks Clark

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome Matt. Tell us how it works for you.

[@robertlewisvideo]

What an Awesome and Useful idea. Great. Thanks

[@EmilyAndClark]

Your welcome Robert. Please pass this link around.

[@fyahoo]

Brilliant! I love it

[@stephengreen2898]

Great idea.. Thanks mucho

[@EmilyAndClark]

Glad you like it. Hope you don't need it!

[@chrisstephens9948]

That's amazing! Thanks Clark

[@EmilyAndClark]

Your welcome Chris. Have you watched many of our back catalog of videos? Lots like this.

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

You, Sir, are an Engineer! I can give no higher praise.

[@EmilyAndClark]

That's so nice of you to say.

[@fabiogodoy6722]

Hi Clark, great idea. I' ve just glued my dinghy which was completly open with Nautiglue a spanish glue specially made for PVC. A real bomb, had a 15 cm open and a total deflated dinghy. Now working perfect. Thanks for sharing só much knowled and congrats dor ypur channel

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Fabio, Glad the glue worked well for you. Better to keep is "stock" as long as you can.

[@gefginn3699]

Wow !! Great post Clark ! Great Tip / Trick / Hack. 🌞🌴⛵️

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Gef

[@torbjornhenriksson4088]

Best idea for a long time!!!!!!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you Torbjörn

[@SalingSamantas]

Very very cool Clark you never cease to amaze me.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you. So nice of you to say.

[@EricEversonArtAndDesign]

This is a good option for an inner tube. The only potential issue I can see is the possibility of chafe in places where there are folds/wrinkles in the inner tube. They look tough enough to last a long while, though. I love this as a solution to reduce dinghy waste.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Eric, If the dunnage bag did fail I think you could probably fix it with tape and put it back in, since the pressure should be equal on both sides with the dinghy skin as long as the repair wasn't in a crease once reinstalled. If not vinyl is easy to patch.

[@SvMobyduck]

For your dinghy, to make stabilizer tubes you can buy 8" pvc discharge hose and a seam welder. The whole kit for both sides will run ya about 600 USD. Weld in a spot for an hr valve. install the valve. Weld the ends together and inflate. Cover the whole thing with sunbrella. Put in grommets to hang it on your dink. Job done. Good dink idea. Passed it on to a friend in need.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Good to know. Might try that someday

[@jroschella]

Great idea to add an inner tube

[@johndixon5097]

Great idea Clark. I have a dinghy with that problem.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Glad the idea might help you out.

[@DirkVersluis-uk5bo]

Brilliant. Thank you very much.

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome

[@anchorinpositivity4040]

Yes! Thank you!!! Let’s get more plastic out of land fills⚓️ Such an Awesome idea…. Love to have some beers with you guys some time and solve more of the Worlds Problems!

[@JoJoRocks5]

What a great idea.. genius

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you

[@NathanCampbellGuitarist]

Thanks for the idea, I just got an old one that holds some air but needs repair. Got it for free so if I can make it float it is a win.

[@SevenRavens007]

Great idea

[@johncongerton7046]

Love that dunnage bag idea!

[@leandroflaherty]

Great hack!. I have also been having good luck with pre thickened gflex epoxy from west system on a hypalon patch. Easier and cheaper than the other specific glues with a much better shelf life.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@Spoony01]

Greate hack Clark 🙂thanks for sharing.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Your welcome Ralph

[@justinrice8509]

Another hit out of the park!!!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Justin, I must admit I'm kinda proud of this idea. I wish more people would have watched this video.

[@sailingstpommedeterre4905]

Awesome idea !!!!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@jfv65]

smart idea!

[@nealgrant7727]

This would be a great video to edit into a short. A good way to go fishing for new subscribers. Thanks again excellent solution.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Interesting idea

[@upsidedown1986]

Great idea 👍

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@KaracsonyZsolt]

Genius thanks for sharing

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome

[@MrBuglerbear]

Very innovative idea for someone on a budget or in the middle of nowhere. My experience with inflatables has been very good with them holding air I just seem to have problems with the seams for the floor coming unglued due to sand working its way into the joint. I know that the hypalon boats are supposed to be way better than the PVC ones, but I have found the PVC so much easier to repair. We used to do a lot of white water rafting and you'll be amazed at what a self-adhesive patch can do when you're in the middle of nowhere. I have often wondered if you could use RV roof coat to get a few more years out of our old tire dingy. Keep the content coming.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@larrydugan1441]

That's clever.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks. I really wish more people had viewed this video. I'm proud of this idea and I think it could help a lot of people. Feel free to share links.

[@Roly679]

Dunnage bag is my new word for the day, not sure how I'm going to slip it into conversation yet.

[@VeezyLife]

Lol. Yeh ive heard of them before and I don't own an inflatable boat but I've already thought of a handful of ideas I can use by utilizing these dunnage bags

[@bradfordsimms715]

OK Clark, of all your tips this is the best. I am on the hunt for a deflatable to try this out. Thanks

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Bradford. Tell us how it works out.

[@kodiham7532]

Any luck finding one?

[@bradfordsimms715]

@@kodiham7532 tried it on a friends dink nd the inner tube failed in a week. Not a long term solution

[@guitarMAK3R]

There’s actually a product called Inflatasaver. Works good. Repaired my rib.

[@adelarsen9776]

That's fascinating. I never knew dunnage bags existed. Interesting. Thanks for teaching me something new. :-)

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're very welcome, Ade. I hadn't either before Adrian described them.

[@adventureswithgrandpa]

Love it!

[@bigcmoore]

Outstanding!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Chance. Pass it around??

[@mikeoconner557]

Brilliant!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Mike

[@boat6868]

Smartest guy in the room.

[@alwaystinkering7710]

Good idea! There might be some other uses for this. You could add extra flotation under boat floors with them. Heck, kids could use them as pool toys.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Sure. And kids use everything as a pool toy! Thanks for the thought

[@markwng]

That is a good idea.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Mark

[@Pillowcase]

This is a great idea. Here in canada, they only come in packs of 10 for $300+ I maybe need 3!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Split the pack with a friend

[@Pillowcase]

Yea I need to find a friend as desperate as I am.

[@c9o8l7i6n5]

just repaired my 3m inflatable boat with 6 dunnage bags 120cm by 100cm worked a treat and only cost 25 bucks on ebay boat is now a lot safer than when it was new pumped the bags to 2psi boat skin is now solid 3 3 3 3

[@EmilyAndClark]

Glad to hear this worked for you

[@kodiham7532]

I would like to do the same do you have photos? How big of a hole did you use? How did you secure the hole after? Where did you make your insertion hole, side, top, end? Did you air up the bags first them insert them?

[@FatherTech]

Simple and effective. A million inflatable dinghy manufacturers just cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Good one

[@anthonyk5496]

Howard Hughes did the beach-ball flotation thing inside the Spruce Goose!

[@markleveszy4908]

Genius!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Mark

[@danaparedes5613]

Great idea! Does Adrien know he's on the YT? This video should have been shared alot already... everytime a newcomer asks... anyone repair dinghies?

[@EmilyAndClark]

Please pass it around. I've always been disappointed that our video didn't do better. It came out in the fall when people weren't thinking about boats. Yes he knows. We came up with this over beers one afternoon. Think of the landfill savings not to mention $$$

[@lenwhatever4187]

Good one, I will remember that one for all the blow up toys. Wish I had kept the inflatable kayak I threw out...

[@EmilyAndClark]

Hope to see a lot of older blowup toys out there.

[@VeezyLife]

Wow so simple. That's a great idea and fix. It's one of those great ideas tht which after hearing, it makes you think, 1.) "How has nobody ever thought of this before" and 2.) "How am i just hearing about this" lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@EmilyAndClark]

I hope you choose to subscribe and watch our other videos. We have a bunch of this kind of thing

[@sailingbrooklynne]

I need that inner tubes

[@JeremyWilliamsTx]

I like it!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Jeremy

[@chhindz]

I like it a lot!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Christopher.

[@garypoole9553]

Could store a couple on a liferaft as well as bungs?

[@winmosser]

Excellent thank you for sharing; here’s hoping some energetic souls will re-purpose some trash using your ingenuity.

[@thebluepill1496]

Here's another solution that's a little out of the box. I was thinking further about what I could inflate inside of the damaged segment and it occured to me that a recycled segment (Valve included from another abandoned or cheap inflatable boat would be perfect. I see cheap inflatable boats on market place sometimes.

[@EmilyAndClark]

They still cost more than dunnage bags . But whatever you have on hand that works.

[@MysteryMycology]

you da man

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@jeffweeks901]

Wow.. These things could also save your boat.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes I guess they could.

[@onemantwohands5224]

Ahahahaah yesssss , just found you my guy ❤excellent

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

Could these be used to slow a damaged boat from sinking? Maybe fill a v berth? Flotation bags have always been available for kayaks.

[@EmilyAndClark]

If you had enough of them and either tied them down or had a deck strong enough to support the boat. Sure.

[@brianmiley2109]

Great Idea! I have looked at those dunnage bags before and was wondering if they would work as fenders for a raft up. Certainly much cheaper than the actual inflatable fenders of any size. Any thoughts?

[@EmilyAndClark]

I wouldn't. Unless wrapped in something strong and not fully inflated they wouldn't stand up to the forces of a big boat. I've watched strong fenders go pop

[@EmilyAndClark]

I wouldn't. Unless wrapped in something strong and not fully inflated they wouldn't stand up to the forces of a big boat. I've watched strong fenders go pop

[@bill2292]

I've always wondered why sailboats use inflatables. Can you please tell me the advantage over a 12' V hull aluminum boat.

[@EmilyAndClark]

I personally don't think there many. Coast guard occupancy is higher, due to the large boyancy.

[@diogenes848]

Take this a step farther... this would make creating inflatable dinghies from scratch really easy. I mean, the reason no one does that is because the skin is wearing all those hats and it is hard for anything but the factory to do that. But if the DIY dinghy only needs to hold a shape and have some strength and the air bladder is cheap and only has to be air tight. You could make a skin out of whatever dinghy skin is typically made out of and attach it to a little fiber glassed hard bottom. Then put a bunch of grommets in the seem... locking the whole thing together with some rope. Seem should probably be on the inside so the outer rim is contiguous fabric. This could be a super cheap dinghy design concept. Because the hard bottom is fairly small and possibly could be pretty basic, that could be fabricated on your boat... its not huge. And the rest is just cutting and stitching together. I appreciate Clark has a "ride" issue with these things and prefers the solid utility boats but perhaps that could be addressed to some extent if one could really shape it however they wanted. This is a very neat idea and its odd in fact that it isn't standard. I mean, this is how a lot of bicycle tires work and as he said, footballs work this way as well. I think the old airships had this model as well. So its a very old idea but apparently entirely unimplemented in inflatable dinghies for no reason.

[@EmilyAndClark]

If you make one I really want to see it. Yes I agree, one could build their own boat similar to what I had planned with the collar around my aluminum. As a product of someone made those collars for hard dinghies I think they would sell. I'd buy one.

[@glennr9913]

eBay has them listed individually. (Dunnage bags) I see one in Utah for $3 each. So, Clark when will you be back in the Bahamas? You could get into the salvaged dinghy business!! They'd be great for hurricane relief.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Feel free to start that endeavor. With the BankManager and the air-conditioner I have too much going on for a retired guy.

[@johnscarborough8425]

Love it. Refurbishing inflatable dinghy s with bags or truck inner tubes. A new industry for kids in the Caribbean. Makes me wonder why they don’t use inner air bladders to start with. More repeat sales without I suppose.

[@bryrensexton4618]

👍!!!

[@SirPhoebus]

i know absolutely nothing about boats or dinghys but what about expanding foam? could you fill it up with marine foam or expanding foam as a solution ?

[@EmilyAndClark]

Often tried. Never works

[@Relaxed161]

Clark- 11 months later and my RIB has a leak I cant find/patch. Remembered your cargo bag video. Have there been any negative experiences with this idea? On the other hand, has anyone tried it and been happy?

[@EmilyAndClark]

The original boat is still floating and being used. It's about to get bags in the front section, it's glue is a mess! I'd give it a go if you can't fix the leak. It's a better option then buying new and landfill

[@cyber_surfer]

Nicely done ! ... But I don't understand (why) the tears & seams can't be (adequately) re-bonded ... or patched?

[@EmilyAndClark]

Sometimes once you fix one part another part just starts leaking when it gets old. Sometimes you just can't find the right glue.

[@cyber_surfer]

@@EmilyAndClark ... Makes sense ;)

[@braithmiller]

Franken dinghy for Halloween. The amount spent on rib repairs or outboards which is greater? Planning to build a custom fit dinghy as none really are well suited.

[@EmilyAndClark]

It's so rewarding to build a boat. I built my own skifs for years before I started using utility boats. I say do it. Emily enjoyed building her boat.

[@braithmiller]

@@EmilyAndClark I would rather repair a composite than repeatedly have poor performance repairs and pump up everywhere. Light, sail, row, outboard, lifeboat nobody makes it. Passenge home from Port Townsend soon.

[@crazyg74]

this is essentially how kitesurfing kites are constructed. A thin under-stressed bladder inside a tough nylon shell.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@lacky903]

The only drawback would be the inside will be wet and grow mold. It's no reason at all not to repair a dingy that way but building one from scratch that is a consideration. It's the drawback in kayaks built with inner bladders.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes and it would likely cost more to produce. But as you say, as a method of extended the life of a "dead" boat. Well, one must make allowances.

[@flowplanet429]

so crate of 10 for 250 is 25 usd each.. roughly.. not far off the price of a double sized air mattress. you can get a single air mattress at about 15 usd approx.. those are likely more durable though. another option is expanding spray foam. but it would not then deflate and would cost more.. this is effective and cheap. i cant fault it. beats buying a new boat.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Don't use the spray foam. Seems like a good idea, but I've seen it fail a lot. Looks like cancer

[@Slaughterk360]

Fancy

[@Grumpyneanderthal]

Simple genius…. and actually a great concept business model for dinghy manufacturer… except the planned obsolescence of dinghies creates greater revenue .

[@Flembgemb]

Hahahhaa brilliant

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you Bryse

[@MiQBohlin]

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks MiQ. What , no beach ball icon??

[@MiQBohlin]

Couldn't find any. On the other hand wether balloons might do the job as well?

[@paulwyand6204]

Seeing deflatables in the dumpster of just about every marina I often thought about filling one with expanding foam. You would loose the ability to deflate but most never do anyway, especially with the RIBs.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Seems like it would work. Doesn't. Check through the comments on this video.

[@glennr9913]

Sort of like an erectile dysfunction implant for dinghies. LOL Nothin's worse than a limp dinghy!!

[@kodiham7532]

Great idea, can you show us better photos of securing the hole after you stuff the dunnage bag? Also I have a good pontoon section from another zodiac I'd like to stuff into my damaged zodiac section.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Sure. My friend is now having trouble with the bow section, he plans on using a spare part of another inflatable as you suggest. Same idea. I can't attach photos here so you have to use your imagination. It's laced like shoes or a corset.

[@scarol99]

Brilliant!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Steve