Boat Has A Leak!

[FlightOntario]

Hey all!

I bought an Intex Mariner last year because I wanted a decent inflatable that I could hook a motor up to at some point. I needed an inflatable because I have nowhere to put an aluminum Lund or something of the like. It worked great last year and I loved every minute of it.

Now this year I purchased the motor mount for it and got and old Johnson to attach to it. I took it out of its usual resting spot in the basement over to the finished side to blow it up for the first time this year. I came down this morning to find it very deflated! I pumped it back up again and look at it a few minutes ago. THE DAMN THING IS DEFLATING AGAIN!

It has 3 chambers in total: one for each side and an inflatable keel. Should I assume this is because the basement is cool, or should I start looking for a leak?

Thanks!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Bastard Boat Has A Leak!

Re: Bastard Boat Has A Leak!

Well, it sounds like you've got a leak. You should expect to lose a little air, but if it's noticeable after only a short period, then there is a leak somewhere. Add a teaspoon of dish detergent to a spray bottle and fill the rest with water and start spraying your inflated boat. You'll find the leak that way. Start with the valves.

 

[chickendog2010]

Re: Bastard Boat Has A Leak!

Re: Bastard Boat Has A Leak!

No cool basement can cause a boat to deflate that fast. You may want to check the caps of the valves first (one valve has two caps). I had something stuck in my Seahawk II's and caused an dent that let air leaked out.)

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Bastard Boat Has A Leak!

Re: Bastard Boat Has A Leak!

It also sounds like your chamber walls are failing.

 

[FlightOntario]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

Perhaps I will check the caps. I left them off all winter... a good look couldn't hurt. I hope it isn't a leak... I haven't even had it a year yet!

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

May be a day late and a dollar short... but it's best to store them inflated to 70% or so. If, of course, you have the room.


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[FlightOntario]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

One of the valves little metal spike in the middle is quite bent on the one side. That might explain why that one is acting stupid, but the other side looks ok!

 

[FlightOntario]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

Well I filled 'er up and sprayed her down: Nothing! The only time I got bubbles was when I had the top cap off the boston valve and I sprayed it where I would put the foot pump in. Would this mean my one way valves are not "one-waying"

it was bubbling pretty good too!

 

[rmoore8118]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

Was the top cap off when it leaked down before? Sometimes you can clean up the rubber seal in the valve and it will be fine. Remove it with the proper wrench and clean the gasket well.

 

[FlightOntario]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

How might one go about cleaning the seal? What should I use to clean it? It would take but a few seconds to unscrew the whole valve assembly and the little ring to hold it on there. Granted it would only be a couple of bucks to get new ones...

 

[FlightOntario]

Re: Boat Has A Leak!

Well I have ordered 2 sets of new Boston valves. They should be here this week or next. I hope this should fix the problem. I want to boat my *** off this summer!