How to repair a leaking inflatable dinghy

[@willi3ac]

OMG This video saved me!!! I was just about ready to chuck my fairly new SUP. I was convinced I needed to glue the valve to the board, so I'm glad I found this before that happened. I had all sorts of strings from the inside of the SUP fabric tangled in the valve. This video helped me to understand how the valve worked and gave me a better idea of what to look for. Thank you!!!

[@mikegarside9767]

Nice and clear video .. Cheers!

[@stuzman52]

Great fix Dave and that 3M silicone paste does a great job on a lot of stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@spelunkerd]

Yeah, I find many uses for silicone paste. Thanks for following along, Terry.

[@nickwilson1476]

Welcome back, we've missed you!

[@spelunkerd]

Thanks, Nick! Dave

[@tomjoad1060]

I agress with many previous comments, a useful video, watched it 2X.

[@steve-i1095]

thanks for the great video. just so happens I need to fix the keel in my inflatable. hope you had a great sailing trip to Desolation,

[@spelunkerd]

Thanks, Steve. See you next week. Sailing would be very different if stuff didn't break, ha ha.

[@petermason7072]

Great Video. Ive been running Diesel cars since 1980's, and early [Peugeot and Citroens] had an inline hand bulb type fuel bleeder same as in outboard fuel line. Later vehicles have deleted this. In my Yachting experience my first Volvo penta required bleeding at filter change, involving working tiny lever on lift pump, for a time that exceded my patience threshhold. I always now fit a squeezy bulb in line, makes any diesel bleed work satisfyingly easy. Now with modern Diesels with HPDI systems squeezy bulb speeds up filter change. On my Ford van, ford glibly tell you to pre-fill new filter with diesel, unfortunately to get filter to fitting position you need to lay it on its side?. Primer squeezy bulbs work every time for me. Perry Cowes Isle of Wight UK

[@spelunkerd]

That's a good point. I'm not sure why bigger engines don't have those bulbs. They seem to be universal on outboard engines with a separate fuel tank.

[@HaysClark]

Another tip that worked for my high-pressure floor was using some superglue for tiny pin-prick sized holes which are too small to patch.

[@RICKAFIX]

Silicone paste never seen of that before... very interesting thanks Dave

[@spelunkerd]

I'm not sure it was necessary here but with the shift I had to do for better contact over a previously deformed surface, it seemed wise. Autoparts stores sell silicone paste but it can be hard to find. Thanks for following along, Rick.

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Great fix man , Thumbs up !

[@spelunkerd]

Thanks, Shawn.

[@zeynom]

Teşekkürler,çok faydalı artık oldu şişme botumu tamir edebilirim👏👏👏👍

[@spelunkerd]

You're welcome, Rica ederim.

[@haloboy5847]

So weet explanation - muchas thx bro

[@davidpercival9239]

Can't find the leak with soapy water, puzzled, so my new dingy is a 14 feet sunfish,

[@spelunkerd]

The last leak I had was hiding in plain sight, it took a couple of hours to find. Once found, I couldn't believe I took so long to find it. No tricks, just soapy water, different positions, and a lot of patience.

[@davidpercival9239]

@@spelunkerd patience, for sure,I'll find it ,Thanks,

[@HaysClark]

Having the right consistency of soapy water can really help. Also, I found that I had to fully inflate my high-pressure floor for it to leak and make bubbles. So, when I was initially testing the floor at 3-5 PSI, there was no leaking. I had to get the floor up to 8 PSI for the leak to start bubbling. Additionally, testing for the leak in my warm basement helped it hide.

[@kduborg]

Well done! Thanks for the adwise 😊👍

[@SuperBullyone]

nice video, thanks

[@supercharged3975]

Good job dude 👍

[@spelunkerd]

Thanks. Not a common problem, but easy to deal with when you know how the valve works.

[@davidpercival9239]

I've checked the port side of my dingy, soaped it down 3 times, no sighn of leaking, fill valve, no sighn of air leakage, but it's, leaking, I don't get it

[@bluegreenworld333]

I've been checking for leaks today, thought I hadn't found any, went to check seams, went back and noticed bubbles did finally form on valve edge just took time

[@64Seawind]

This is why I use an old 8' fiberglass dinghy but some people can swamp it easily and loose all the beer.

[@robertplante3334]

Thanks!

[@spelunkerd]

You're welcome, I'm glad it helped.

[@paulkazjack]

Somewhat was the paste for?

[@spelunkerd]

A tiny air leak is likely to plug itself up with the viscous paste, much like plumbers putty or teflon sealer in plumbing applications. Unlike silicone caulk or sealer, pure silicone paste never dries, so I will be able to unscrew the port at a later date. But, yeah, you don't need to use it, silicone paste is not sold in many stores. It has been an old standby for automotive brake slide pin lubrication, recently Permatex reformulated one version.

[@zx8401ztv]

My thought was rubber solution, but it seems fine with silicone :-D

[@spelunkerd]

Yes, I was thinking it would be more complex, too. On closer review I realized you need to be able to replace the valve component, so sealers have to remain flexible enough to permit the part to unscrew with hand pressure. Thanks for following along!

[@iancampbell4373]

Just saved me from Spending £2000 or so to replace an inflateable dingy!

[@WESTOFEDEN71]

Very.Forensic Analysts.my friend- my apex is better known as a deflatable. I'm pondering.dippimg the entire unit.in hott.roofing tar as NOTHIMG will.stick to.the.canvass. My valves are highly suspect, but the leaks are osmosis through the canvas. Whatever product they coated it with is indeed a mystery to.me

[@peiliangwei1508]

👍