Can You Repair a Busted Inflatable SUP?

[@knotqueen2419]

Thank you for taking the time to produce this video.

[@janinepyke4643]

Thanku trip for your videos, they're truly inspirational. You and another you tuber I follow have changed my outlook and encouraged me to 'get out there'. Up until around 7wks ago I only left the house to go to work due to depression and anxiety. Your videos and your amazing energy have encouraged me no end, it really works simply getting out there!!!. I am now the proud new owner of a 2 man inflatable kayak. I have lots of faith in inflatable paddle boards etc despite leaving this comment on a fixing a punctured paddle board video..😆 Thanks trip! Much love to u from the UK. ❤❤😊

[@PrestonGladd]

The let dry 2-5 minutes is before you clamp together. It’s better for the board to be left inflated versus being folded, you will have more stress on a folded board, and more chance of a failure on a board that is constantly folded and unfolded. Thanks for doing what you do Trip, I always enjoy your content! Keep up the good work.

[@WJ4x4OR]

I agree that folding and unfolding many times can cause stress on the folds. I keep my inflatable boards inflatable to minimum 8 psi

[@johnbell1810]

How about those of us who don't have storage space or vehicles to carry inflated? I usually take bus or train or planes to my destinations, so it needs to be packed to be portable. Is it bad to keep folded during storage?

[@asmodiusjones9563]

@@johnbell1810 deflating and folding any inflatable causes stress. In my inflatable watercraft, 90% of the holes I got were from folding stresses. That being said, being able to fold it up is whole reason you buy it in the first place! If I had space to keep it inflated, I’d buy a solid kayak! Just fold it gently and patch it if it gets any holes.

[@johnbell1810]

@@asmodiusjones9563 makes sense. i am pondering taking a backup sup, because even with patch, that day is basically ruined. My sup blew a leak in the mast mount. my fault for inflating to max pressure and letting the sun get to it early morning. lesson learned. : (

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thank you for this video. I like that you use pressure on the glue joint while the glue cure. I have used the same way regarding patches for the past 14 years. However I have only seen a few instructions on internet using pressure like that on PVC inflatables. I got experience from airtracks for gymnastics and have applied over 100 patches and other kind of repairs to them. It is not the small airtracks for home use but the larger ones with dimensions like 15 x 2.8 x 0.2 meters. Similar materials are used for them as for the inflatable SUP. But the pressure used are significantly lower - up to 1.6 psi. However they are typically inflated, deflated and rolled together 120 times a year and you jump hard on some of the seams. So variations in mechanical stress are likely to cause more fatigue. The first airtight airtracks produced in 2006-2014 got welded seams, and such seems on airtracks becomes leaky a lot more often than the later glued seams. I use sand backs to distribute the pressure when the glue cure. I guess, that I would have chosen to apply a 4 cm wide patch on top of the seam you repaired. You may like this video - link starts video when it should be interesting for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opSapYyliM-dbNU If you are interested I can send you some more information on mail.

[@Bravo1187]

Hey trip. Thanks for not forgetting about us guys who have stuck with smaller less expensive water transportation. I can’t afford a large skiff but I enjoy my paddle boards. I have a pinhole I have to patch on my board, so this video was perfect timing! See ya at rock a dock!!! Thanks

[@TripSmith]

Lol You're welcome my friend! More SUP videos coming soon ;) Cya there my man!!!!

[@tokyoobro]

Thanks for the video. I have a couple of boards that popped. I haven't fixed them yet. I'll have a go now. I find keeping boards inflated at high psi not good for them here. I live in the tropics so it's a constant 30°C (86°F) all year round. So boards tend to expand and contract when left inflated until overtime they balloon. Even my RedPaddles. Low psi seems ok. Cheers.

[@dieselrugg]

Hey trip, I have an iSUP that I've had for about 6 years. I had a blowout just like you, repaired it just like you, and found additional leaks at other seams just like you. Long story short, the glue has deteriorated due to too much UV exposure and I soon after had a blow out in a different location. My advice....do the puncture test on that board and toss it. I would only use mine in a pond after any repairs because I don't trust it any more.

[@TripSmith]

I gotcha. I don't think UV is to blame on this one as it hasn't ever sat out in the sun for long periods. I think just crappy glue after all this time. Plus, I don't think UV can penetrate the layers where the glue is underneath.

[@danhorvat1481]

The best tip here is to let buddies borrow the board after repair and take it on an adventure, in case you missed it.

[@4Runn3r5]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ryanm.9533]

Thanks for your videos, my blackfin xl just came in today. I plan on keeping it inflated since in my research many stated it is better for longevity. I did let some air out after I got it to the recommended PSI for storage just in case. Super stoked about getting it out. Keep on making isup vids

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome Ryan! Yea, I think you've got a good plan for it to last. Enjoy that thing and I will!

[@anthonybomberry9935]

Like your trip dips

[@bryanpeterson3714]

Really helpful. My wife’s is leaking in the same spot. 👍🏻

[@sampson7941]

Good job Trip. Makes me glad I have a board with dual chambers ( 15' bluefin carbon).

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Marcus! Yea I have a dual chamber board.... It's never completely flat though lol Aqua Marina board.

[@sampson7941]

@@TripSmith cool i saw that. Mine is pretty flat. You can barely tell it has a second chamber. I haven't been in the ocean with mine but I do the great lakes all around michigan. Pop's has a place near Tampa Bay but I'm not sure if I have the cahones for that. You're a brave man haha. And thanks for responding

[@thegutterpunk00]

My totally uneducated guess is the boards would be more likely to fail the more times they're inflated/deflated. The seams would have to be folded and compressed more often which leads to failures. Could explain why the two boards you leave inflated don't have issues but the boards you cycle start leaking eventually. I'd be interested in seeing a test of two of the same board with one left inflated and one being cycled before/after each trip. Thanks for the vid, Trip. I'll keep an eye out for the puncture test later on 👍

[@chronicawareness9986]

9:05 wow i thought the thunder was a sound effect lol that was cool

[@timswope8423]

Next project, ice maker in a deep freezer

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

I haven't watched the entire video yet, but I'm really excited about that attachment for an air compressor. That thing looks fantastic! Edit: silly autocorrect!

[@TripSmith]

Oh heck yes! That thing is handy!!!

[@Itsugo]

was the link removed? It’s not in the description anymore

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

@@Itsugo I forget if it had a link. I might have looked it up myself after learning of its existence

[@iancook1541]

Great vid Trip! My board is also a Leader Accessories, which I've had for 2 years. Last year I repaired a small seam leak in the bow, a little larger than the one you found. This year, a seam completely ruptured in the stern, a 12" rupture, like yours, it was just standing on it's side. Seems this brand may need to improve their quality of manufacture! I may well have a go at repairing, but not sure I'd trust this board. I'd be constantly wondering, where would the next seam failure be.

[@fishingandcampingchannel8682]

Good job at least you got a boat to go on

[@TripSmith]

Haha true!

[@superwhuffo1]

HH-66 Vinyl Cement, 16 oz. can - RH Adhesives .. you think this is the best glue 🤔

[@jainiebehling]

Helpful info! Thank you!!!

[@OverlandFlorida]

I have to do this same repair Friday. Although, my leak is much smaller than yours.

[@TripSmith]

Nothing to it!

[@StephenAubreyMusic]

Great video ! About to do this myself right now. The seam on my “ISLE explorer” is small so I hope it works

[@TripSmith]

Thanks! Well.... my thoughts are when one seam fails, then there probably are other weak points.....

[@StephenAubreyMusic]

@@TripSmith you were right! Got a hole in another area

[@TripSmith]

@@StephenAubreyMusic The one time I don't want to be right.....

[@TOMRYANLUKE]

TY Sir - God bless.

[@grahambrookes7530]

Great video Trip

[@vinny8532]

Finished the video - basically confirmed my suspicion that once epoxy at one point fails and visibly busts, the entire epoxy seam network can be compromised. This all being said - I have had a pinhole leak from a barnacle for over 4 years now? Board holds air completely fine for days....after 5 days or so I top her off. Or at least I used to until the heat busted all my seams like this video. I'm going to do the same fix here but also plan on doing a complete wrap of PVC / vinyl basically creating a completely airtight layer around the board and a much needed new paintjob / decking since the board is close to 10 years old. I'll let y'all know how it goes. In your situation, the only true way to tell is just to let it sit for a few days and monitor the leakage rate. If its negligible overnight then unless there is another extreme heat scenario (big concern) you should be fine.

[@DD2DL]

Repair looks good.. the glue joints are wearing out. Sounds like you might need it to escape the garage.. lol

[@lissettelovesbats1770]

I got confused when it said 2 to 5 minutes and I let the glue sit on a patch and on the area. I was patching for over 10 minutes on accident and it cured and would not stick to each other so I figured out that's why it says only 2 to 5 minutes because then it will go from liquid to tacky to solid and won't stick at all.

[@wonkylommiter6364]

I'd love to see an Isup pumped up to 7 bar.

[@TripSmith]

Yea.... Probably would burst before that lol

[@wonkylommiter6364]

@@TripSmith It must be 0.7 bar, which is just over 10 PSI ;-) good to know these things can be repaired.

[@DRT-81]

Welp that answers the question of quality and longevity .

[@TripSmith]

Lol They last pretty good. But this one was a pretty darn cheap one. I've got others that are going strong.

[@WilliamLocke-s5p]

Please tell me where to get the v shaped air guage. I can't find it anywhere.

[@rockcruz6423]

After you stab and patch I will purchase the board for sure

[@mauriceparadiso9889]

looks good , thank you.

[@TripSmith]

Thank you too!

[@marcozavattamz]

dear thanks your super video : where I can found this glue and what you suggest me to use for remove and cleans old glue ? thanks man

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome! Amazon is where I got mine, should be a link in the description I think.... I'd use acetone to clean the old glue ;)

[@milosgrujic9118]

Is that glue the same one that we get in a repair kit when buy brand new board?

[@jasonMMorris]

I just done a two week paddle board and camp on the River Wye UK and as I waded the board through shallow water to get to deeper water I stepped on the board and in the bottom of my Croc was a rusty old treble hook that went through the deck and punctured through the deck and into the main wall dammit. Gonna be tricky to fix. Bluefin 15ft tandem.

[@jamesmorman1967]

Great video. The seam blew on my Blackfin and I was wondering how this would work. I was thinking of gluing a strip cut from another busted paddleboard over the seam.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks James! That would work as well. Hate to hear that about the Blackfin.....

[@hokuk9training970]

Me too! I just blew a 15-20 inch whole and I have only had it 3 weeks. I think they will replace it but it was a bummer as we were we were planning on using it.

[@hokuk9training970]

Did the patch work on your blackfin?

[@LHHighlights]

Great video

[@WR505_Spearo]

Bit of "Toob seal" fix those pin hole leaks

[@TripSmith]

Might see about finding some. Thanks Luke!

[@blindwisdom9665]

Idk if it would work on not but try some flex seal spray or flex seal tape

[@TripSmith]

Maybe......

[@fredcouch9402]

Any update regarding if it is still holding up?

[@michaelkennedy7871]

was wondering this as well

[@eyesky6809]

Update?

[@masterful7574]

"Litterly" is not a word.

[@mksdad]

You kinda look like Ernest T Bass… lol been following for years rtr

[@nathanmciver6496]

Good to know before buying that product! I had seen these and they make them look durable! Really they should be! The whole reason for existing on this planet is to have fun and feel free! Not to be weighed down by all sorts of poor science! Thank God I know this product might not be the value that seems to be portrayed from use and advertisement! Lol, at least you seem to be content with an uplifting view of terrible baiting of somthing that should have given the customer a more solid experience. Example: People enjoying thier lives with better processes, better products and less Grey matter! Hope this helps

[@TripSmith]

You're totally right Nathan. THanks for the great comment!

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

The seam on the nose of my board just blew like this. It's sharply curved and about ten inches long. Do you think it would be best to try and fix it in small sections to avoid causing folds, or fix it all in one go?

[@TripSmith]

Aw man.... Personally, when one seam fails, it tells me something is up. So I never have faith in the rest of the seams after that.... You could fix that seam then just down from it that seam might separate next. Sucks I know.....

[@ntj030885]

Is leader accessories considered a good board? Do you think the heat made it swell and bust?

[@TripSmith]

No, I don't consider it a good board. No, not the heat. I don't buy them busting for that reason much.....

[@riellograndma]

Just curious, you still ever use your Kaku hybrid/fishing board? Debating to get a Kaku since that seems like it would last many years. Also, would you say that your ISUPs handle better than the Kaku? Thanks for reading!

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

That just prevented me from ever buying one. What happens if that problem happens on a camping trip or something?

[@Kulakovich14]

Quick dry 2 part epoxy available everywhere , just use the lower pressure on the way back, no biggie

[@TripSmith]

I donno Larry, you can still have some issues with hard boards. But they wouldn't really sink, they would just be much more difficult to repair.

[@lowtechleon9874]

Thumbs up for soapy water

[@TripSmith]

Yea buddy!

[@bradbutcher3984]

You wouldn't want to fix it when you see the sup freestyle competition on the internet. I burned mine this morning because it was so embarrassing to be part of that.

[@TripSmith]

I don't understand? I have several ISUPs and wouldnt burn any of them lol

[@bradbutcher3984]

@@TripSmith if you saw these people paddling in circles twirling paddles and calling it sup freestyle and having competitions you would understand. It was embarrassing to see. I'll just fish/explore from the bank, my kayak, or my jon boat from now on.

[@timswope8423]

Fix it like an old tire tube. Light the glue on fire first before applying patch. That’s my guess???

[@danneh8777]

In the video you didn’t show if you waited 2-5mins so did you?

[@ColtonWilson3000]

Shoo goo. Then duct tape. Then shoo goo ontop of duct tape. Done

[@TripSmith]

I donno man.... lol

[@ColtonWilson3000]

@@TripSmith I've repaired inflatable kayaks that do white water this way. It works.

[@TripSmith]

@@ColtonWilson3000 oh nice. Well that's cool!

[@miked2783]

To bad you didn't try to heat welding first..

[@timswope8423]

Now take it to gatorland to test out. I’m first!

[@DocProfit]

The answer is yes. The real question is: Will you ever be able to trust it again?

[@TripSmith]

Yea I donno.....

[@chucksmith5002]

Oh no missed the Premier guess I watch without being able to ask a question and you answer back . If one day your going to stab that Board Stab it were is is leaking at still .

[@fisheyeguy]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of your videos where you were more disinterested in making the video than this one.

[@TripSmith]

Really? I was pretty excited about seeing if this would work or not. But I am happier on an adventure lol

[@RednecksGoneWild]

I still like to buy your Ghennoe

[@TripSmith]

Heck yea, hit me up tripsmith.live/contact or on Instagram @tripoutthere