inflatable air leak

[motoryacht lover]

I am having trouble finding a slow air leak in my AB inflatable. I have taken this gas leak detector (basically extra soapy soap) and put it all over the seams and the valve. I still have not found it although I bought the boat home and am going to do it again. You guys and gals have any tricks for detecting slow leaks. I have to pump up the tube about 2X a day. Thanks for your help.

 

[John Dickson]

The inflatible stores and perhaps west marine sell a bottle of sealer you pour into the tube. You then tumble the boat around to coat the inside of the tube. I had good luck with it.

 

[Nonchalant1]

I had that problem and just sealed the tubes with Inland Marine "Inflatable Boat Sealant". It comes in a big bottle and you remove the valve and pour a cup or so into the tube and slosh it all around and massage it all over the tube, then reinstall the valve, inflate it and go. It's held fine for 3 years so far and still no problems. I can get you the mfgr.s phone number off the bottle if you need it.

Doug

 

[motoryacht lover]

Thank you both for your help. Nonchalant, I would love the phone number. My inflatable weighs about a 1000 lbs with motor; so, I won't be able to pick up the boat and flip it over and on its ends. Can I take the deflated tube and work the sealer the around with my hands? Thanks again.

 

[bobk]

My AB rib had a leak in a seam that was behind the rub rail. Hard to find because it was so slow. The best leak detector I know of is bubble soap that the kids use. Just hyper inflate the boat to help find the leak. The dealer in the Keys found mine after running up the pressure about 50% above recommendation.

Bob

 

[Nonchalant1]

It's "Inflatable Boat Sealant" made by Inland Marine USA in Cape Coral, FL (941) 458-0302. My RIB was the same way. I left it upright, took the valves out, poured 16 oz of the the sealant in and massaged it all around to try to get the sealant everywhere as best I could, then replaced the valve and blew it up to about 4 PSI. This was on a 2 tube RIB. Worked fine.

Doug