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[black][size 3]I do think I've got the leak in my Fat Cat fixed. It's still full pressure 10 hours later. This time instead of immersing in the tub I used soapy water. I still could't find it until I thought I felt a coolness on my wet soapy hand. Yes, I could feel air escaping slowly. The soapy solution was not working particularly well so I got some cream rinse and applied it to the general area. The thickness of the cream rinse was just the thing. As I spread it over the suspected area a little tiny volcano formed and the pin hole leak was pin-pointed and marked with a marker. [/size][/black][black][size 3]I patched it with a glaze of Marine Goop. I just squeeze out 1/4" of Goop then wet my finger and spread it over the effected area. This stuff fixed a seam leak in the backrest of my other float tube and also resurrected my neoprene waders.
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[black][size 3]Now into the second day and the pontoon is just as hard as the other one. Strangely enough the leak appeared on the bottom of the bladder. No wonder I had a hard time finding it.[/size][/black]
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[cool][#0000ff]Sounds like life is good and getting better.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Might have been a grain of sand that worked down inside and wore a hole. Also could have been a problem with setting your tube down on something sharp.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When we lived in Arizona we had to always look carefully wherever we set our craft down along the bank. Lots of cactus that ended up in the water and spines would float in and lodge in the shoreline gravel. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The PVC bottoms on better craft help a lot to prevent punctures from sticky things in parking lots and along shorelines. But, there is no substitute for being careful and carrying your craft rather than dragging it. Also, if you set it down carefully you are less likely to get a puncture than if you drop it onto the ground.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Glad you found A leak. Hope it is the culprit and that you can tube in comfort and peace-of-mind.[/#0000ff]
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Congrat on finding/fixing your leak. There is nothing more bothersome than having to worry about leaks in a tube especially when you are 1/2 mile or more from shore.
For the next round of leak detecting, I would suggest 6 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent per 1 qt of water. mix well an apply with a medium spray setting on your standard spray bottle.
That is the same consistency of your standard gas leak detection solution.[cool]
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Thanks guys. I just saved myself several $100 as I probably would have been tempted to replace my tube with a Freestyle or Super Fat Cat.
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