Of all the materials used to assemble boats, plywood is one of the least expensive. Boats offer fun for the whole family; being on the pond, lake, river, or ocean provides relaxation and is a great way to get to the big fish and fresh air of the great outdoors. Building your own boat offers a less expensive way to obtain a boat. Building boats also offers fun challenges for the builders. The internet provides a great resource for...more
Leaks and punctures are natural occurrences for inflatable boats. No matter how careful you are, at one point in your inflatable boat's lifespan, it will somehow develop leaks. Leaks are caused by punctures, abrasions and even pinched fabric of the boat. Lucky are you if leaks are found when still on dry dock but when leaks are found when you are in the middle of a raging river or in the middle of the sea, then you might have to...more
Aside from the overuse of cleaning solutions and the application of silicone protectant on inflatable boats, there is nothing else a boat owner can do to cause the boat's seams to leak. Almost all leaks on seams are caused by hitches in the manufacture and unless your boat is still under warranty you need to take your leaky inflatable to an appropriate repair shop.Wicking is the tendency of air in the inflatable to escape from the inflation chambers by following the thread from one end to the other. This dilemma is common to more expensive boats because the heavy fabrics are not completely soaked or coated with PVC or Hypalon or neoprene. Wicking is not really a problem but it can prove to be quite an annoyance and can become worse over time that you will need to have it repaired.Leaking fabrics become inevitable in old boats even if there is no large abrasion. A large abrasion usually can cause wicking too. To repair wicking and leaking fabrics, you can paint the exterior or seal the interior or do both.Inflatable PaintsIt is not easy to detect wicking and leaking fabrics as it will remain undetected using the soap bubble solution method. Some wicking or leaking...more
When an inflatable boat cannot be fixed by a repair kit because a cut or tear made the fabric collapse or deflate instantly, then that damage is deemed catastrophic. If the transom separates from the side tubes or excessive abrasion caused multiple leaks or a boat made contact with any sharp object then the damage might be impossible...more
Sustaining a gash on an inflatable boat need not be the end of your boat. Using a fine needle and a strong polyester thread you can use a baseball stitch to close the slash. The repair does not end there though. You need to patch the stitched slash. Since repair kits normally contain small patches only you might have to source for a...more
Inflatable boats are tough. However, tough as they are, inflatable boats are prone to a lot of damages not normally encountered by conventional boats. It is imperative that special care should be allotted to your inflatable boat if you want it to last for more than a season or two. Here are some guidelines that you can follow.Don't Chafe the BoatAbrasion is a big factor in inflatable boat maintenance, though oxidation and exposure to sun are primary factor in the degradation of inflatable boats. Be careful where you drag or dock your inflatable. Rocks, logs and hinge bolts on docks can damage your inflatable. These conditions cannot be totally eliminated so just be careful when dragging your inflatable on a pebbly beach. If you and your buddies can carry the boat, do so. If not, take care especially around coral and shells. RIBs can better tolerate the dragging along rocky beaches but care should nevertheless be observed.Ropes, lines and metal fittings can also cause chafing. You should consider flat nylon webbing instead of rope for tying boats on trailer. Protect your boat from shackles with plastic, like coffee-can lids. This way the shackle will rub against...more
Checking for leaks in your inflatable boat is a process that needs to be done first time you use your boat after months in storage or if you suspect that your inflatable has leaks. Inflate your boat hard. Make sure it is clean so that...more
The hard parts of an inflatable boat are the wooden and metal parts. Take care to clean these parts with stiff brush and soap. If there are scratches and abrasions that are deep enough to penetrate the hard parts, then you need to...more
Leaving your inflatable boat in the water for more than a few days is a sure indication that marine growth will prosper at the bottom fabric. Regular bottom paints will not do so well because they will not adhere well to the fabric....more
Forget about vinyl peel-and-stick numbers as they will not stick on Hypalon or PVC for long. The vinyl numbers will stick alright but, be ready to install a new one after a few months or so especially if you fold your inflatable boat...more
A boat is a really fun thing to own. It can be used to go fishing for a day, to go water skiing, or it's also nice to just take it out and sit on the lake for a day and relax. However, one issue that many people have when they own a boat is that they...more
One of the best ways of making the most of Maltas pristine sea is by spending the entire day lazing about on a boat. Now if you happen to be fortunate enough to own a personal luxury yacht, good for you. However if you count yourself among the...more