<repair leak under D>

How to fix a micro bubble leak under a D ring Patch

Please do not do anything drastic like removing a d ring. There is a very easy fix, but if it were my boat and it did not leak fast enough to be a problem, I probably would not bother with it. It is not a result of a condition that will get worse with age, or is causing any weakness in the performance. It is simply a micro bubble and they happen from time to time on seams where the air is coming out of the edge of the material. They can go unnoticed for decades without any ill effects. However if you are very concerned, this is the course of action I would take.

1 Each time I wash the boat or get it out or put it away, I would squirt a little soapy water (303 is ok if you like) and note if it is getting worse.

2 If you absolutely need to have it fixed, I would mix up some goop using these instructions.http://www.jpwinc.com/pages/goop.html

You will have to ask us to send you some THF to do the work. I would deflate the tube, and set the d ring so that it is perfectly flat. If you have to put it on top of an ammo can. That may help keep it flat. Use a syringe with a #16 needle (available at feed stores because they work on horses a lot with these needles) and carefully inject the goop under the D ring at the same point that the pen is pointing. You will not that there is a bit of a gap there.Do not pierce the skin of the raft! You may also squirt a little around the crow’s foot. (The part that wraps around the D ring itself, but be careful not to put so much on there that it goes between the crow’s foot and the D ring. Then let it sit for 2 full days before inflating. It needs that much time to allow all the solvent THF to evaporate out. When it is done you will notice it is shiny around that spot, but there will be no patch, and it will hold that tiny leak from coming out between the threads of fabric.

Most of the time we do not use goop to do repairs like this. That is why we want you to leave it alone for 2 days after you apply. Do not inflate. The softened material could rupture! But if you look at what we did with the paddle board on the link at the first part of the document, you will see how great this really works. Call the shop and ask for some THF if you want to do this. Keep in mind that you will not need very much. 3 inches of 1/2 inch OD vinyl tubing in a butter dish will give you way more goop that you will need for this. I would bet that they would send you a syringe with it too.

The following picture shows what I am talking about. Do not pierce the skin with the needle, Slide it carefully along the crow’s foot injecting it into those spots that could be leaking areas. Make sure it is under the D ring and under the crow’s foot, but not touching the crows foot. This technique will seal all the micro bubbles that are showing up. BE SURE TO LET THE GOOP SIT FOR 2 DAYS BEFORE INFLATING

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