How to repair your boat’s tender in six steps

Spring is just around the corner, so it’s time to get back to using your boat. And not only for daily outings. But everything must be in order.

Repairing the boat tender

Among the often most overlooked checks is that of the tender, often forgotten on deck or in the aft garage. Yet, as we have told you in this article, the dinghy is a valuable ally not only when you are in the roadstead and want to go ashore. It can be invaluable in other situations as well.

That is why, before returning to the water, you should carefully check that the hull and tubulars of your dinghy are in good condition and that there are no tears and leaks resulting from microholes caused by wear and tear or, perhaps, from old underestimated rubbing against rocks and docks. There may also be problems with suboptimal bonding sealing. Repairing the stretching thus becomes essential

How to tell if you have a punctured tender

How to tell if your tender has holes in it? If the tubulars lose pressure quickly once inflated, you will have to resort to the soapy water method. You will need to bring the tubulars under pressure by passing soapy water over their surface. At this point you simply press down on the soapy area with your hand: if bubbles form (caused by air escaping) you will have located the leak.

What you need to repair the tender

Well, you have scouted the hole. We now reveal, step by step, how to proceed with tender repair.

What do you need?

• Cloth
• Acetone
• Marker
• Spatula or small brush
• PVC repair patch
• Special glue or mastic for repairs

The correct sequence in 6 steps

Now that you have everything you need, Here is the correct sequence.

1. Lay the hole area flat and remove all folds. Clean it well with acetone. A dunnage can work well as a tabletop.

2. Choose the size of the patch (even if the two sides have different colors they are identical for use) and mark the area so as not to over-glue.

3. Clean the patch well with acetone to degrease it where the glue will need to act. Salt and grease are the first causes of parts not sticking together.

4. Using a small brush or spatula, run glue over the surface containing the hole. Insist on the edges so that the entire area to be glued is covered with glue.

5. To make the bonding more tenacious, pass a layer of adhesive also over the part of the patch that will be put in contact with the hole.

6. Place the patch and flatten it with a rounded tool. Remove glue smears with acetone. Do not use too much to prevent it from seeping under the patch. Et voila, see? Repairing the tender has never been easier!