SIB Losing air

keeno07 · 27 October 2012, 18:03

My SIB is on it's trailer in storage at present. After 5 weeks I went to check on it & found it half deflated. A friend of mine who is a marine engineer said all inflatables lose air & need to be pumped up. Another friend of mine said it is a problem with dirty valves & they need cleaning, it should not lose air. The boat is only 3 years old & has spent most of it's life deflated. Could this be the problem & has anyone else come across this?

GJ0KYZ · 27 October 2012, 18:04

It's pretty cold at present and air shrinks when the temperature drops. Inflate the tubes and check them again in a couple of days.

Peter_C · 27 October 2012, 18:09

If it deflated it is an air leak plain and simple. Pump it up to operating pressure and with either a garden sprayer or spray bottle filled with a mixture of dish washing liquid and water, start going to town. I would recommend starting at the valves, then work your way around. If you find nothing on top, flip it over and check the bottom. It may take a few minutes for the bubbles to appear. If you find a leak it might be prudent to continue the search.

How many chambers were deflated?

Robertblackstock · 27 October 2012, 18:12

Its likely it could be the temperature change, but the easy way to check is use soapy water on a paint brush around all the seams and valves and check for bubbles make sure your boat is fully inflated before you do this.
i had the same problem but thankfully mine was temprerature change
hope this helps

Robert

keeno07 · 27 October 2012, 18:23

All of them

willk · 27 October 2012, 18:56

Temperature - common in this season (unless you're in SoCal

).

It means that your tubes were not hard enough beforehand too (for efficient use). Pump 'em up and watch 'em for a few days. Be aware that when the temp rises, the reverse happens. If you have no pressure relief valves then pop goes the weasel

keeno07 · 10 November 2012, 08:57

I don't get it, after another 5 weeks went to collect boat today FULLY INFLATED, no air lost ERR???????

Nos4r2 · 10 November 2012, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeno07

I don't get it, after another 5 weeks went to collect boat today FULLY INFLATED, no air lost ERR???????

Temperature...

keeno07 · 10 November 2012, 18:28

May have been temperature, but the first time it deflated, was by a significate amount. Think it may have been something to do with original inflation, too harsh on the valves causing bad seal!