How to Repair a River Raft

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Repairing an inflatable raft requires some knowledge and a good repair kit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Bring a repair kit on every trip and know how to use it.
Step 2

Include the following in your repair kit: patching material, solvent, sandpaper, roller, scissors, needle, thread and adhesive.
Step 3

Wipe soapy water on the raft to determine the location of the leak. Bubbles will appear at the site of the leak.
Step 4

Cut the patch to fit. Round off the patch's corners.
Step 5

Rough the area to be covered with sand paper. This helps the patch and raft adhere.
Step 6

Apply two coats of adhesive. Be careful not to trap air under the patch itself.
Step 7

Roll the patch on with a roller.

Tips & Warnings

Repair small tears with a simple patch.
Fix larger tears by sewing the tear shut before applying the patch.
Opinions vary on which adhesives and patching materials work best. Try a few to find out which works best for your raft.
Always wear a life vest when rafting.
River rafting is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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