Dumpster Dinghy

Today was my lucky day.

Found a ratty looking inflatable RIB in the dumpster and took posession.

It's a fairly modern Zodiac.

So It's got a couple issues. Why else would it be in a dumpster?

First, the tubes are unglued from the hull from 1/3 of the way aft to the stern. There is nothing holding them. They are ok toward the bow.

Second, there is a fast leak on half the boat I will need to fix.

Suggestions on how to bond the tubes back to the hull? Basically, the original glue has let go.

 

http://www.bing.com/search?q=gluing inflatable boat&src=IE-TopResult&FORM=IETR02&conversationid=

One of several suppliers: https://shop.inflatableboatparts.com/adhesives-adhesive-removers.html

 

http://inflatableboatworks.com/?page_id=1326

 

This is great information!!!!

Thank you so much Hoyt!

 

You have to determine whether it is Hypalon or PVC and use the corresponding adhesive.
http://www.polymarine.com/advice/pvc-or-hypalon/ is a good summary

 

Please post location of dumpster , I might want to keep checking for the outboard.

There is also some stuff called tubeseal which can be sloshed around inside a porous tube.

Great job and keep up the recycling.

 

Thanks.

It's hyplon, which is why I was so happy to find it!

 

Yes, I used tubeseal on an old hypalon Caribe L9 i had previously. It worked for me. Yhe application of the product wasn't easy. Had to flip the RIB over many times. Got pretty exhausted doing that on a finger slip.

 

Are you positive it is Hypalon? Most Zodiacs are PVC, or their version of PVC called Strongan. I know there are a few Military and commercial RIBs that were hypalon made by Zodiac but they are few and far between. I have two Zodiacs, both are PVC. Just sayin, so long as you are sure.

For general repairs (on PVC) I like the Cliftons single part adhesive. If I was reattaching tubes to a hull I suppose I would use the 2 part Shore (brand name) adhesive.

Here are my three sources for repair materials and adhesives, they may not be the very best but I have the prices to be pretty fair;

https://shop.inflatableboatparts.com/
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|294|2345895&id=2345897
http://www.nrs.com/category/3195/rafting/