So,
I have replaced all 4 valves. I have tested all valves to make sure they do not leak at all. However the Bow stays inflated, the other three lose about 30% of air within 12 hours. What next please?? Is it time to put some sealing liquid into the tubes to seal them altogether and how much does that cost?? HELP!
Bill.
I had a leak that took a while to find as it only leaked when the tube was in a certain position. I found it when I was sitting on the boat and it rubbed against the pontoon and I saw a few bubbles where the leak was. I guess the only option is to pump the tubes up, cover them in soapy water and maybe move the tubes a bit by sitting on them.
Bill, if the soapy water doesn't find the leaks then go for the sealing fluid. Its not only tiny holes straight through the material you are looking for becusee air can and will also migrate through the fabric until it finds an edge to escape from.
Think Towsure sell it and they have a web site and several shops around the country. Think we paid about £12 but it was 10 years ago. If not Towsure then try Polymarine.
I have used it before to cure a porous sib. Lots of hard work because when you have put it in the tubes you then need to roll the boat over and over to spread the fluid over all internal surfaces. Took six of us to keep the boat moving for an hour. However it did work.
I "borrowed" a drum from a friendly tyre repair man. (They put it in tanker tyres in case of puncture, and it creeps itself). Shoved it in an old Lifeguard RHIB as a last attempt to cure a persistant leak (think it was where the tubes went over the hull - well we certainly couldn't find it anywhere else!). Put the boat on a trailer and went for a 10 mile fast drive on rough roads to rattle it about. 24 hours later, no leak - one way valve never worked again tho'
