In general, inflatable boats in Australia like Highfield boats and others are subjected to harsh conditions out in the waters. Chemicals and minerals in the water, the sun’s ultraviolet rays—all these can cause significant damage to any inflatable boat. As such, repairs will be necessary at some point in your inflatable boat’s lifespan. This is true even if you practice regular cleaning and maintenance.
This then begs the question, should you do the repairs yourself or let a pro take care of it? There are people who say that most repairs can be done by yourself. However, there are certain things that you’ll want to consider if you want to go this route.
- Type of Material. Inflatable boats in Australia are made from different materials like hypalon or PVC. Before initiating any repair, be sure to know what material your inflatable boat is made of. Different materials will have different requirements where repair is concerned. For instance, the glue needed for each fabric is different, and it is important to use the correct one or else the patch won’t stick.
- Patching a tear seems like a straightforward process—until it isn’t. For example, a tear smaller than two inches may not require an inside patch. Anything longer though will certainly require one. An inside patch is necessary as it gives added strength to the repair. In addition, the patch should extend at least 50mm on all sides of the tear.
- Temperature and Humidity. Most types of repairs regarding inflatable boats in Australia are best done in a controlled environment. Manufacturers’ will have varying recommendations as to the right temperature and humidity levels. For instance, some will recommend a temperature around 20 degrees C and a humidity level of 40%. It is necessary to follow these since this will have an effect on the bond strength of the adhesive.
In most cases, you can do the repairs on your own. However, it isn’t always as easy as it would first appear to be. Also, there are many things to consider when it comes to repairing damaged inflatable boats in Australia. From the type of repair kit to the environment conditions—all these are often out of the grasp of the regular boating enthusiast. And these are just some of the considerations—there’s simply a lot more to know.
Thus, it is sometimes best to leave the task to a reputable and skilled repair technician. Here at Lejen Marine, we are more than capable of repairing and retrofitting replacement accessories on any inflatable boats in Australia. Just give us a call at (02) 9979 4533 or at 02) 9979 4533 or send us an email.
