Hi,
One of the tube valves on my Caribe has been leaking, so I just purchased and fitted a replacement valve, but on screwing the new one in it didn't make a good seal to the hypalon and is leaking slightly from around the valve. So I removed it and took a good look and it seems the hole in the hypalon was cut slightly oval and so there is not as much sealing surface top and bottom as there is at the sides.
The original valve was screwed in with no adhesive, relying on pressure only to make the seal on the sandwiched hypalon, but I'm thinking that a combination of the fact that the hypalon is already compressed and the oval shape of the hole, will mean that I'm probably going to need something more than that to make a good airtight seal. However, to allow possible future removal of the valve I don't want to glue it permanently in place, so I can see three options:
1. Try Bostik 6554 1-part inflatable boat adhesive - hopefully it won't make such a strong bond as to be too permanent?
2. Try marine silicone sealant?
3. Glue a new collar of hypalon around the hole and try again for a pressure-only seal.
Any advice on those options?
I might try option 2 first as the simplest, and the easiest to undo if it doesn't work.
The valve are Caribe, but almost the same as the HR one shown here:
http://shop.inflatableboatparts.com/...0&cat=0&page=3
Thanks,
Ian
