Does this need a patch?

lightning · 13 June 2025, 14:29

l've got a couple of minor damage on the bottom of the hull.
Zodiac 285s

Do they need a patch if it's not leaking?

Steve509926 · 13 June 2025, 20:17

If it's the sausage keel, airdeck model with a "flappy" hull, then no I personally wouldn't bother with a patch.
A blob of Stormsure to keep out any water ingress would be more than adequate.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/rubbin...air-88220.html

lightning · 14 June 2025, 09:32

lt's an air keel and solid floor. Sorry l wasn't very clear, The damage is on the underside of the tubes, not the floor, l don't know how close to a hole these are.

Steve509926 · 14 June 2025, 11:17

If it's got a pvc wear strip on the underside of the tube, I'd go with Stormsure l. If it hasn't I'd patch it.

Fenlander · 14 June 2025, 11:33

Another vote for Stormsure.

I've a Stormsure repair on a similar size hole right through my HP floor where it's held back 0.8bar every outing for years so for your situation it will be fine.

lightning · 14 June 2025, 14:03

Okay thanks for the advice, there's no PVC wear strip except along the bottom of the keel.

l've actually patched the damage as the boat needed to be put away at the end of our holiday.

l'll get some Stormsure for the future and keep
it in the boat bag.

Steve509926 · 14 June 2025, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

Okay thanks for the advice, there's no PVC wear strip except along the bottom of the keel.

l've actually patched the damage as the boat needed to be put away at the end of our holiday.

l'll get some Stormsure for the future and keep
it in the boat bag.

Once you've opened the Stormsure keep it in the freezer or it starts to solidify

Fenlander · 14 June 2025, 14:32

Good reminder this thread, just ordered some fresh Stormsure for any emergency overnight repair while on hols. The 3x5g tubes suit best as each is plenty for any repair that Stormsure would suit.

Peter_C · 14 June 2025, 16:00

What is the thinner for Stormsure? Cotol240 by chance? I am thinking Stormsure and Aquaseal could possibly be same thing. We use Aquaseal for drysuit repairs, thinned with Cotol240 which is necessary to allow deeper penetration, quicker drying, and a thinner application.

Fenlander · 14 June 2025, 16:50

They are probably similar or the same. The Stormsure will creep into a hole by gravity a little over a few minutes before it goes off.

Fenlander · 16 June 2025, 10:25

This is the triple 5grams pack I've bought. Each plenty for any SIB repair and using one doesn't need the other two to go in the freezer which is loads better than the 15g tube I part used last time and has sat in the freezer for years since.

I was interested to note the company is run from an agricultural barn type location out in the wilds not too far from here.

Fenlander · 17 June 2025, 09:07

It crossed my mind if you used Stormsure for a temp repair on holiday what is the best method to remove it back at home to make a permanent patch repair. James at Stormsure was swift to offer this comprehensive advice below...

Stormsure bonds extremely well, even to flexible surfaces like PVC - which makes it excellent for emergency repairs, but a bit more challenging to remove later on.

If you’re planning to replace a temporary Stormsure repair with a proper two-part glued patch, the best method for removing the adhesive from PVC is to carefully sand it off. We recommend using fine to medium-grit sandpaper and working slowly and evenly to avoid damaging or thinning the PVC underneath. Unfortunately, solvents won’t be effective on cured Stormsure, and attempting to peel it can risk lifting or stressing the surrounding material. The only other alternative is cutting it but I definitely would not recommend that.

If you’re dealing with a textured surface, sanding is still your best option - just take care to keep the abrasion focused and minimal.