Trip Advisor Pro

There are a lot of advantages that you can gain from owning an inflatable. First of all, they are cheaper compared to traditional solid boats. With only a thousand dollars, you are able to buy an inflatable of top quality compared to the tens of thousands of dollars you need to be able to get a hard shell. Rubber ducks do not also require a lot in terms of maintenance. The basics only involve washing your boat with soap and hosing it down with water and drying it thoroughly before storage.

Part of the upkeep of your inflatable requires that you learn how to repair even the smallest of tears. Managing these early will save you money for costly repairs and ensure that your inflatable will give you more water thrills and adventures for a long time to come.

Although PVC is highly-durable and can withstand the most jagged edges or stubborn rocks, learning how to "glue" your boat together is essential should the unexpected happen. Thus, no matter what you do, make sure that you always have a repair kit with you at all times. Having this while you're on your expedition is even more important.

Whether you're doing the repair at home or by the water's edge, it's important that you choose a shaded area where you can fix your boat. Keep it away from direct sunlight, dust or water as much as possible. Have a PVC patch material, an adhesive and accelerator, MEK water-based solvent, scissors and a permanent marker on hand. Soap, water and micro-fiber cloths are also needed.

The first thing you must do is to deflate your boat and clean the punctured or torn area using a micro-fiber cloth dipped in a solution of liquid soap and water, taking care to remove the grit and dirt on the tear and in the surrounding areas. On all four sides of the tear, measure two inches outside the tear and mark your raft accordingly.

Then, measure the entire area of the marks (length and width) so you can cut your PVC patch to the needed size. Round the corners of the patch so it doesn't peel once it is applied.

With the other micro-fiber cloth dipped in MEK, clean the surrounding area with the solvent. Do the same with the side of the patch that you will attach to the tear.

Following the directions on the kit, mix the adhesive, the accelerator and the MEK in a container. Apply the mixture using a brush on both the patch and the raft. Wait for 15 minutes for the adhesive to dry before applying it again. A final coat should be given on both the patch and the area of the tear but this time, only wait for five minutes before finally adhering the patch to the tear.

Once the raft has made contact with the patch, make sure it does not move or slide so that the bond remains strong. If there are air bubbles, press them until they reach the edges of the patch. The adhesive must be dried thoroughly for at least 24 hours before using your boat again.