Small rips and tears can be repaired at home while big damages can be left to professional inflatable boat repairs Tauranga. Inflatable boats are durable but in some instances, accidents can happen. You don’t have to throw yours in the trash when it gets damaged while you can repair it. Complicated repairs require a lot of technical experience and that’s why it should be left in the hands of professionals.
Inflatable Boat Repair Tauranga Tips
Determine the extent of the damage. Note that your boat can show signs of losing rigidity after coming out of the water. That might be due to the sun hitting the material and making it temporarily pliable and that’s normal. The material will go back to its normal state once it cools down. But, if the boat is deflating quickly, it could be a sign of a leak.
So, look for a wet cloth, dip it in soapy water and wet the surface of the boat while inflated. You’ll see bubbles on the surface where there’s damage as the air escapes.
Repairing a Leak
Once you find the leak, check the severity. It may not be repairable if it’s bigger than two inches wide. You should use the instructions from the patch kit first. You can buy the kit from your local store if the boat didn’t come with one. After that, deflate the boat and start to apply the kit if the hole isn’t too big.
Each kit may come with different instructions but they are quite easy. Ensure the surface is dry. Cut a small piece out of the repair material. Make sure that the piece you cut is circular and about an inch wide that the hole. Apply glue to the patch and then pressure. The glue must cover the entire patch so that air doesn’t escape. Also, make sure that too much glue doesn’t seep into the hole and bind the chamber together once dry.
Professional Assistance
It’s easy to repair a simple hole on your own. However, it’s good to take it for professional inflatable boat repairs Auckland if the hole is severe. The professionals have the expertise and the right tools to deal with the problem and save your boat. Ensure you follow the directions in the patch kit carefully.
As mentioned, you can obtain third-party kits from local stores but you must ensure they are compatible with your boat’s material. There are different kits designed for different material compatibility. Don’t forget to take your boat for inflatable boat repairs Tauranga if things become tricky for you or you don’t have time to repair yourself.
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