A hissing sound coming from your equipment is probably the fastest way a beach day gets deflated. While new boards are designed to be rugged, any inflatable stand-up paddle board is susceptible to a puncture caused by rocks, a dock, or even a piece of wood that you can’t see. The good news is you don’t have to be a professional technician to repair it. You only need a few simple tools and some time to patch the hole and keep your plans for the weekend.
What You Will Need
Generally, a board comes with a repair kit, but first of all, make sure you have the following items:
- PVC patches (cut patches into circles to avoid peeling corners)
- Marine-grade PVC adhesive
- Sandpaper
- Acetone or alcohol wipes
- A metal spoon or roller
Step-by-Step Tutorial
If you want to perform the leakage sealing operation effectively, follow this simple routine:
- Find the hole: Inflate the board, and then use soapy water to cover the place where you think the leak may be. Soap bubbles will reveal the exact point of the leak. Use a pencil to mark the spot.
- Prep the Surface: Completely deflate your inflatable stand-up paddle board before you start repairing it. Remove the surface contaminants that may interrupt the bonding by wiping it with acetone and then giving the surface a light sanding to break the surface for better adhesive performance.
- Spread the Adhesive: Spread adhesive in a thin and even layer on the board and on the patch, and wait for your hands to get stuck to the glue if you touch it after a minute.
- Close it up: Firmly press the patch down. Take a spoon, and from the middle to the edges, push the air bubbles out by applying pressure.
How to Avoid Damage in the Future
To increase the lifespan of your inflatable stand-up paddle board, you should refrain from dragging it through parking lots, gravel, or oyster beds. If you use saltwater, make sure to always rinse it off with fresh water so the valves don’t rust. Then, pretty loosely rolled and stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Over time, UV rays degrade PVC, making the board more susceptible to leakage.
Bottom Line
Do not allow a minor leakage to spoil your time. Your inflatable stand-up paddle board is ready to be patched and repaired rapidly and effortlessly, using these methods. If you keep your inflatable stand-up paddle board well-maintained and fix it quickly whenever it gets damaged, you will be able to use it for a long time.