Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-25-2017, 06:37 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
kurt.reynolds's Avatar
 
City: Chesapeake, VA
Vessel Name: Grace
Vessel Model: 1982 Grand Banks Motoryacht
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 134
Fix or Replace: Leaking Dinghy Avon RIB 3.10 Rover

We bought our 1982 Grand Banks and it came with an Avon RIB. It has a slow leak and I have identified at least one place that needs a new patch. It will hold for a couple of days at best and then start to loose shape.

I have tried to find a local shop (Norfolk, VA) to look at and repair, not having any luck.

I am considering replacing the Dinghy just so I don't have to deal with the leak repair. It is quite a nice inflatable as far as I can tell, but just another thing on the list of stuff that needs done. We are having a custom davit built for our boat by a local weld shop, so want to have a reliable, maintenance free dinghy to enjoy.

Anyone want to provide some sage advice?

Thanks
Kurt
kurt.reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 06:50 PM   #2
Guru
 
dhays's Avatar
 
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
If it was me, I would spend the small amount of money to get a patch kit and patch it. It may continue to serve for another year or 5. In the mean time you can find a lot of other uses for the money you would spend on a new dinghy.

OTOH, if money is not an issue and you aren't a cheap SOB like I am, buy one new and keep moving forward.
__________________
Regards,

Dave
SPOT page
dhays is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 07:43 PM   #3
TF Site Team
 
Pack Mule's Avatar
 
City: Paris,TN
Vessel Name: Slo-Poke
Vessel Model: Jorgensen custom 44
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,749
I've always had bad luck with inflatables, probably because I was too cheap to buy a new one . We bought a used walker bay hard dinghy and has no issues . Then we bought a used Trinka 10.
__________________
Marty
Pack Mule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 08:15 PM   #4
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,682
If it takes a couple of days to go soft, you could try a liquid sealant. You put an equal amount into each chamber thru the valves, inflate and roll the dinghy around. Then do an air exchange, inflate and roll it around again. The stuff is like magic. We've used it twice and the dinghy held the air for a month plus. It's a cheap easy fix. There are several brands out there and here's one.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...ealant--444679
Larry M is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 11:04 PM   #5
Guru
 
78puget-trawler's Avatar
 
City: LaConner
Vessel Model: 34' CHB
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,257
I like Larry M's idea. I wonder if Fix A Flat would work? Same principle I think.
78puget-trawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 11:24 PM   #6
Guru
 
BruceK's Avatar
 
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
Not sure if you checked this thread I started. http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s...aks-31801.html.
If you find the leak it`s not that hard. Maybe try it again. I`m no expert but based on recent experiences, happy to assist with specific questions.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
BruceK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 09:03 AM   #7
Guru
 
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
Chuck it, Avon hasn't made inflatables (yacht tenders now) for a lot of years.
Marlinmike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 10:36 AM   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
ksanders's Avatar
 
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,266
The tubes on an inflatable will degrade eventually. How long they last is dependant on the conditions, construction, etc...

When your tubes are at a point that they are in need of replacing, you can just replace then.

This makes sense on a larger ort more expensive RIB. I do not know about your Avon, so it would be difficult to comment on that model specifically.

I replaced the tubes on our Zodiac YL340 last year for about $3K. While that might sound like allot, it is not so much when you consider the new price of the RIB at around $10K if memory is correct.

Replacing the tubes took all of a couple hours. Easy Peasy for two guys.
__________________
Kevin Sanders
Bayliner 4788 Dos Peces
Seward, Alaska - La Paz, Baja California Sur
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/XLJZ#history/assets
ksanders is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012