[JBB]

I have an old Outcast pontoon boat and the bladder in one of the pontoons had a blowout yesterday. I was not on the water at the time. I hung the deflated boat on the garage wall over the winter and I think the inner bladder shifted and this may have caused the failure . I don't know if the bladder is vinyl or urethane and the material appears stretched . I cut out the thin material and now have a small ( 2 inch ) hole in the bladder. Can anyone suggest a suitable patching material and glue to fix the tear ?

 

[HOOK]

I think this may be what your looking for

http://www.bluequillangler.com/Blue...es/Outcast-Float-Tube-Pontoon-Boat-Repair-Kit

you should be able to pick up a patch kit at your local tackle shop

 

[JBB]

The patch kit has more than I need and is a little pricey. I was thinking more like a piece of tire inner tube and rubber cement. Maybe something with Aquaseal

 

[professori]

With that big of a hole, I'd contact Outcast and look to get a new bladder. If the bladder gave out hanging in the garage, what are the odds of it holding up in the water?

 

[JBB]

Professori, the bladder blew out while inflated. I think the bladder shifted position while deflated. The outer wall of the pontoon provides the strength and I think the bladder was not pressing against the outer wall and that allowed bladder to bulge and burst. The boat is an Outcast Odessey kayak and is no longer being made. It was not a big seller and so a replacement bladder may not be an option.
I have an e-mail in to Outcast but no response so far. Meanwhile I don't have the use of the boat and salmon season is passing and I use the kayak to get away from the crowds. I just thought there might be a combination of material and adhesive that could fix the hole.
Thanks for your help and I'm not going to risk drowning so I will seek a safe solution. An inflatable boat store might be a place to look for an answer.

 

[professori]

PM fisf finder. He patched his pontoon bladder recently. Check the yellow pages for vinyl repair, there is a shop on Commercial (just off night) does vinyl welding (I don't remember the name or exact address). I know the way the outer skin holds the bladder, but if you have a 2" square hole in it, I would be very leery trusting a patch job, especially in flowing water (I have some experience there).

 

[abbyfireguy]

Talk to Roger at Hubs(The owner). He is very knowledgable on pontoon boats and I'm sure he would do his very best to see you fixed up..Tell him you're on a budget so he knows what he has to work with from the start.
I deal with him weekly and he is what "customer service" is all about.
Tell him Steve sent you.. eace: