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ddenver
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 377 City/Region: Quilcene
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: C-Renity
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: Leak in Zodiak |
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We obviously have a small leak in one of the tubes in our Zodiak.
To try to find the leak, I tried spraying it w/ water hoping to see some bubbles. No luck.
I then tried a bit of water w/ some dish detergent in it to try to amplify the bubbles.... still no luck.
I brought it down to the beach and stuck it in the water... still no luck.
Without a doubt there is a leak. Cannot patch it until I find the source of the leak.
Has anybody found a surefire or simpler manner to spot a leak in an inflatable raft?
Tanks for your tips.
Regards,
Dan Denver |
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Rick from Maine
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 308 City/Region: No. Berwick
State or Province: ME
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunky Dory
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: Leaky Zodiac |
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Hi Dan,
I did all the things that you did and couldn't find a leak in my inflatable. Only 2 things worked for me.
1. I filled the inflatable with water until it overflowed. I did this twice, once with the bow low and once with the stern low. I found a small stream of tiny bubbles this way, and marked the location. Then when I drained the dinghy, I could see a tiny abraded area that the leak was coming from. I patched this leak. But, found I still had a leak when it was inflated.
2. No previous method using water or soap solution found another leak. So, I then did a careful visual inspection of every surface of the inflatable, and marked any area that had a visual difference from the adjacent area. You might consider using a large low power magnifying glass to do this. I found about 8 "suspect" areas, i.e. tiny spots that were visually different, e.g. a tiny dark spot on a light colored tube. I put a soapy solution on each of the areas, but didn't see any bubbles forming. So, I put a patch on each of the 8 areas. Voila! It worked. My inflatable no longer leaks.
Good Luck.
Rick from Maine |
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Alasgun Guest
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: Leak in Zodiac |
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Sometimes the inflation valves have issues, depending on type, most are adjustable, cleanable etc.
Mike |
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hardee
Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 12633 City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:42 am Post subject: Alaska Series whoas |
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Hi Dan,
On my new Alaska Series, I found it would not hold air. I soapsprayed the valves and found they were the source of the leak. That was the easy part. Now I am dealing with the dealer (Inflatable BoatWorks of Ballard) I sent the boat back for repair, It took them over a month to get it back to me, it came back with the wrong High Pressure floor) and now I have the second wrong floor -- they do not fit, first too large, second too small. I think you are doing it right, trying to fix it yourself.
Good luck,
Harvey
SleepyC _________________ Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep. |
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