Tube sealants

jonp · 03 February 2019, 09:20

I know this has been brought up from time to time but my reason for asking is that I've seen quite a few reports where people have used different types of goop in their tubes which they highly recommended but then found themselves going through the whole process 6-12 months later.

My tubes are the zodiac pvc type and seem to have quite a few very small leaks now. Taking the tubes off my 550 pro is possible on my own but it's not something I'm wanting to keep doing ( having taken them off solo before) .

So has anyone used any particular brand which has fixed and lasted, I should probably add not just fixed the problem on a boat rarely used. I put around 450 engine hours on my boat each year and subject it to hard punishment so am looking for something that holds up well ( if there is such a product).

jeffstevens763@g · 03 February 2019, 13:43

Ive used this to great effect the problem is getting it to where it's needed because you need to roll the boat around that's alright on a small SiB but if I where to use it on a large boat I would inject it through one of the leaks and keep doing that in all areas it's water based so does travel obviously on the top of tubes the boat has to be upside down. You need to change the air too for it to cure properly I found.

Poly · 03 February 2019, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Ive used this to great effect the problem is getting it to where it's needed because you need to roll the boat around that's alright on a small SiB but if I where to use it on a large boat I would inject it through one of the leaks and keep doing that in all areas it's water based so does travel obviously on the top of tubes the boat has to be upside down. You need to change the air too for it to cure properly I found.

I think Jon's tubes will "just" slide off so its quite feasible for him to remove them, goop them, and rotate them then refit. And he'll probably need to deflate to refit so should mean he "changes the air".

Jon - have you found where the leaks are coming from? I realise you might have hook or fish spine damage (in which case perhaps considering adding wear patches?), but generally you shouldn't have lots of small leaks. Could it be your valves are needing some attention?

jeffstevens763@g · 03 February 2019, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I think Jon's tubes will "just" slide off so its quite feasible for him to remove them, goop them, and rotate them then refit. And he'll probably need to deflate to refit so should mean he "changes the air".

Jon - have you found where the leaks are coming from? I realise you might have hook or fish spine damage (in which case perhaps considering adding wear patches?), but generally you shouldn't have lots of small leaks. Could it be your valves are needing some attention?

Yep but I got the impression he would like to avoid it so offered a solution I would use or at least try I would do the same in very difficult repair areas in tube to floor interface

Poly · 03 February 2019, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Yep but I got the impression he would like to avoid it so offered a solution I would use or at least try I would do the same in very difficult repair areas in tube to floor interface

Ah, I am reading it as he doesn’t mind doing it once, but if it needs redone every 6 months he will isn’t so keen! Whilst it’s technically easy to remove and refit the tubes I think it ends up being a couple of hours work.

jonp · 03 February 2019, 22:45

Thanks for the replys ( no one mentioned a product yet ).

My boat is a 2014 and has very small holes, some smaller than pin holes. I've fixed around 20 by simply putting spots of glue over them but these yellow and look bad. The boat is kept inside out of the sun and washed with the boat wash and uv protection recommended by the dealer.

The boat was inspected by an inflatable boat repair man who works for a company which maintains The naval ribs, he said it's a fault with the pvc which he has seen before. He recommended taking it up with Zodiac who have been no help. The dealer is unfortunately 1600km away, however they did recommend I remove the tubes and post to them where they would make covers for them, which I don see as much help fixing leaks.

I've had to move from manual pumping to an electric which makes life a little easier easier. The boat doesn't flatten over night, a quick 5 mins inflate each day keeps it firm.

I'm Also considering buying a boat in full comercial survey but don't feel I can sell my boat with the issues it has unfortunately.

Bigtalljv · 04 February 2019, 00:38

I used Inland Marine sealant on my old zodiac 7m tubes, about a gallon of it :-). It worked very well for two years. I did end up replacing the tubes but that was the plan, I just needed them to go a little longer.

Jason

Tim M · 04 February 2019, 07:22

Strange that such a new boat has failed. I’d try putting some more pressure on Zodiac. At the very least you might be able to get them to supply a new set of tubes at a discounted rate which is likely to be the only real long term solution; ultimately if you’ve got a compromised set of tubes, patches and magic goop are only going to last so long.

jeffstevens763@g · 04 February 2019, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonp

Thanks for the replys ( no one mentioned a product yet ).

My boat is a 2014 and has very small holes, some smaller than pin holes. I've fixed around 20 by simply putting spots of glue over them but these yellow and look bad. The boat is kept inside out of the sun and washed with the boat wash and uv protection recommended by the dealer.

The boat was inspected by an inflatable boat repair man who works for a company which maintains The naval ribs, he said it's a fault with the pvc which he has seen before. He recommended taking it up with Zodiac who have been no help. The dealer is unfortunately 1600km away, however they did recommend I remove the tubes and post to them where they would make covers for them, which I don see as much help fixing leaks.

I've had to move from manual pumping to an electric which makes life a little easier easier. The boat doesn't flatten over night, a quick 5 mins inflate each day keeps it firm.

I'm Also considering buying a boat in full comercial survey but don't feel I can sell my boat with the issues it has unfortunately.

sorry jonp just noticed the link didnt come up

https://www.marinescene.co.uk/produc...arine-sealflex

jonp · 04 February 2019, 23:44

Thanks for the replys guys

DiabloLoco · 05 February 2019, 16:33

I might have to try that Inland Marine sealant.

office888 · 06 February 2019, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonp

. The boat was inspected by an inflatable boat repair man who works for a company which maintains The naval ribs, he said it's a fault with the pvc which he has seen before. He recommended taking it up with Zodiac who have been no help.

Pics of problems?

This type of response by “service stations” is usually out of spite, not backed by truth.

Roflhat · 07 February 2019, 18:20

Cheap liquid latex from ebay works fine, I've used it a couple times. Smells terrible but does the job, just roll the boat around after you pour it in the valves. The photos on ebay usually have halloween faces with cuts etc. that's what it's normally used for