Dinghy leaking air; please help find culprit and fix it.

[Dave22q]

pump full. pour soapy water: bubbles= leaks. circle w/ ballpoint pen. dry surface and deflate. Then apply small temporary patches, most any rubber type gasket material can work. 3M 8001 weatherstrip adhesive works and is inexpensive.
Let cure overnight then reinflate. Search for additional leaks.
If only slow leaks over 2 days it is worth trying an interior sealant to patch pin holes from the inside (about $50 for a 10' RIB). If good pressure after 3+ days go for permanent exterior fix. If a few leaks use a hypalon or PVC patch kit as directed. If many and most are small, patch the big ones and
consider using an extrior rubber paint to seal and prevent future pinholes and UV damage. this works well on seam and damaged material leaks and looks good. Deflate before painting.
Just went through this with my 2001 RIB and am happy with the results. I found Defender a reasonable source including replacement rub strakes.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I bought the dinghy a year and a half ago. It was used and I paid cash.

Anyone know what manufacturer and model this is? (see photos in original post)

Thanks!

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

I bought the dinghy a year and a half ago. It was used and I paid cash.



Anyone know what manufacturer and model this is? (see photos in original post)



Thanks!

The manufacturer is on the side. Caribe.

The model will most likely be on the capacity plate.

[Flyingriki]

Neighbor has a dinghy that's leaking. Will look at these suggestions. Also the floor is inflatable but as soon as you pull the pump hose it deflates instantly. Are these repairable or just shot?
Thanks!!

[Dave22q]

Originally Posted by Flyingriki

Neighbor has a dinghy that's leaking. Will look at these suggestions. Also the floor is inflatable but as soon as you pull the pump hose it deflates instantly. Are these repairable or just shot?
Thanks!!

When you pull the pump hose put your palm over the valve. You probably will feel the air rushing out. Replacing a valve is fairly easy.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

Thank you for all the info everyone!!

I think it's the valves. After pumping, I hear a small hissing sound around the valve where I pump it with air.

I will take photos next time.

You guys are awesome!!! Thank you for the ideas and suggestions.

Now... how to I fix/replace the valve(s)?

Post a picture of the valve that is leaking so that the forum community can ascertain if it is a replaceable component, repairable or non-repairable, and describe where the leak is specifically. If the issue is the insert of the valve then that can be readily purchased and replaced, if the valve stem to dinghy fabric mount is damaged then the issue becomes a more complex patch job. If the stem is broken or the thread are damaged then the issue becomes even more difficult as a dinghy valve stem is joined to the compartment and is not generally like a valve stem on a wheel that can be pulled and replaced.

[sailah]

Being a former raft guide, this is a great resource for repairs and IDing valves etc since the rafts and RIBs are basically identical construction. I fixed 2 pinholes in my AB hypalon using the repair parts here. If using toluene for hypalon repair read every safety notice and do NOT mess around with that stuff. I wore full respirator heavy gloves etc and I'm not Johnny Safety.

https://www.nrs.com/category/3202/ra...latable-repair

[keepondancin]

It might be hard to find replacement valves. The valve company stopped making the valves used the older Caribe dinghys. I don't know the model year that it occured. My Caribe, about a 1998 has the old style and have never been able to find replacements

[KD8NPB]

A paint brush dipped in soapy water works wonders.

Brush over the seams and valve first, then topside, near rubstrake, bottom, etc.

The only correct way to repair a CSM/CR inflatable is with two part polychloroprene adhesive with isocyanate reactant, in a climate controlled area (low humidity / ~70F)