Dinghy repair advice needed

[cgoing]

Being that the whole boat is coming apart it is not worth fixing. Many of the glued PVC boats made are done so using subpar materials that fail over time. Luckily yours lasted 9 years. Many owners do not get that much time out of them.
The correct way to fix a PVC inflatable is with a good two part PVC adhesive designed for inflatables. Not a adhesive from a hardware store or a polyurethane adhesive either. MEK is the correct prep solvent for fixing a PVC inflatable, it opens the pores of the material so that the adhesive really gets some bite and create a strong bond.
Hypalon boats are better suited to a "southern" climate or areas closer to the equator with higher year round temps and stronger UV rays. I've had many PVC boats last twenty years but they were well taken care of and used up here in New England where the season is shorter and the UV is not as internse.

Happy Boating,
Chris

[Scout 30]

WEST MARINE PRU-3 Performance Roll-Up Inflatable Boat | West Marine

[zeehag]

ok in reality those i have known with pvc dinghies having seam fail were forced to purchase new dinks as the old one doesnt repair. i watch as folk s continue to attempt repairs and continuously ask how, when they are actually not repairable with good results.
save duckets and buy another dink.
best of luck.

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

WEST MARINE PRU-3 Performance Roll-Up Inflatable Boat | West Marine

Note that whilst that is a cheap PVC dinghy it's a glued seam type. Personally I'd go for welded PVC as they have a lower failure rate

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by Compass790

Note that whilst that is a cheap PVC dinghy it's a glued seam type. Personally I'd go for welded PVC as they have a lower failure rate

I agree it's a cheap dinghy. In fact I think it's about the cheapest functional inflatable you're gonna find. Personally, I'd only recommend a hypalon inflatable but if you're short on cash & need one now this appears to be a pretty good deal.

[Ericsstinnett]

It was damaged beyond repair, I'll use it as a pattern and make a new one out of black coy pond cloth. Wish me luck!

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by Ericsstinnett

It was damaged beyond repair, I'll use it as a pattern and make a new one out of black coy pond cloth. Wish me luck!

Good luck! Hope you will do a post on your project. You are going to have a hot arse with a black dinghy & it will have to be some glue to hang on if you leave the dinghy out in the sun.

[neworleansrich]

The best PVC glue is Cliftons UR1087 from

https://www.jpwinc.com/

Call them and talk to them. Jacks Plastic Welding

You will get about two years before you will be making more repairs.

[JPA Cate]

The earliest inflatable boat I know of was used in the Lewis & Clark expedition during the 1800's. It leaked air.

I think trying to make your own dinghy is an interesting project. Some of the problems you'll have to solve will be related to the stretchiness of the plastic you've selected. Other issues to be aware of that come to mind are how are you going to fit the valves? how attatch the tubes to the transom? will it have an inflatable keel? floorboards? how create the seams to be air tight? (Most glues don't last well for below the waterline.)

Honestly, in your shoes, unless you just want to make the experiment, I'd be looking for a tide-me-over 2nd hand dinghy. But check to see it holds air before buying it.

Ann