I made my first really boneheaded move and split the seam on my bladder.
What happened is I got a small pinhole leak and patched it. The patch material that came with the tube was really cheap feeling, so I used a waterbed patch from the hardware store and the good news is that the patch held reallly well. The bad news was that I wanted to make sure it was airtight and inflated the tube really full-- too full as it turns out. As I said, the patch worked great but-- POP! -- I split the seam about 4."
My question is whether there is any potential use for a bladder with such a large split seam.
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Would you trust being out in the middle of a lake with it?
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I did that a couple years ago (split a seam) I ended up buying a new bladder altogether.
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[cool][#0000ff]Some lessons in life (and tubing) are best left unlearned. [b][#0000ff]If you air up a bladder inside the cover there is some additional support for the overinflation. But if you just air up the bladder you have to be more careful about "blowing it".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As others have suggested, a new bladder is a better idea than a repaired one...especially with that much of a tear.[/#0000ff]
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I did buy a new bladder and, no, I would not feel safe in the middle of a lake with the old one. I was really trying to find out if there was any other use for the material such as patching material or reinforcement, etc., or I should toss it.
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[quote WVDrifter]I did buy a new bladder and, no, I would not feel safe in the middle of a lake with the old one. I was really trying to find out if there was any other use for the material such as patching material or reinforcement, etc., or I should toss it.[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]Keep it for a few years and then two weeks after you finally put it in the trash you will come up with some project that makes you wish you still had it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not a bad idea to keep a piece for ultimate use as a reinforcement for patching larger holes.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It can also be used as a protective "apron" inside the cover...over the front portion of your other air bladders...to help shield them from spines on the top. A lot of times a spiny fish will drop off the hook and bounce on the front of the tube. A piece of non-stretched bladder material between the cover and air-filled bladder can provide just a bit of insurance against having to walk back to shore.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you use the apron idea, cut a piece to roughly fit over the front of your good bladder. Partially deflate your tube and unzip the cover. Slide the protective piece into place and reinflate. It will hold in place while inflated. If you deflate and reinflate on each trip you may want to use a bit of adhesive or gorilla tape to anchor the loose piece in place.[/#0000ff]
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Is Gorilla Tape waterproof? But then again, I guess it isn't 'structural', more like 'cosmetic' - so does it really matter?
Cheers.
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[cool][#0000ff]I have heard of tubers using a strip of duct tape to make a "one trip" patch and get back on the water. I can't vouch for the waterproof qualities of Gorilla tape. I use it and like it but have not tested it against long term submersion. But I am sure it would work at least for a few trips...since the cover helps compress it against the air bladder when fully inflated.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are special tapes on the market for repairing vinyl inflatables...like pool toys. I am guessing that they would work just as well on a vinyl (PVC) air bladder in a tube or toon. Worth trying.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have urethane air bladders in my Fat Cats and I always carry some of the special patching tape made especially for urethane bladder repairs. It works great on urethane an actually the bond gets stronger over time. Unfortunately, it doesn't work worth a hoot on vinyl.[/#0000ff]
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Like mine. Bladderless. I have a fabric patch kit, but for slices and holes...Aquaseal.
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I've heard shoe goo is great for holes and patching and it is easier to find in my area. Haven't tried it my self, because I've never had anything beyond a slow leak.
Pon
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