How Can I Make This? Inflatable Tube 16’ Long.

[jyl]

Ideas needed!

My folding kayaks use inflatable sponsons on each side. These are 16’ long tubes made of thin vinyl material, that go into a sleeve in the hull fabric. They have a vinyl tube, like aquarium tubing, coming from the middle of the 16’ sponson, you inflate by mouth then shut a valve to keep the air in. You’re only inflating to party balloon pressure, like barely positive psi. When inflated, the sponsons are a flexible 16’ long, 6” diameter cylinder shape, inside the fabric sleeve. Those dimensions are not critical.

Well, my sponsons are 30 years old and springing leaks at the vinyl seams and elsewhere, and my spare sponsons are 30 years old and also leaking.

The company that made these boats closed in 2016 and, while I’m looking around, the working assumption is that I will need to make or adapt something.

What would you do?

I thought maybe get some very thin vinyl material and figure out how to glue or heat-weld seams to make a 16’ tube, then glue on the original mouth-inflation tube.

Or maybe get some bicycle inner tubes - for fat-tire bikes - and cut and vulcanize them together to make a 16’ long tube, and carry a mini-pump.

[herr_oberst]

I'd be trying to start with something like this. Ideally find a local company that uses this packaging material and offer to buy a small quantity for testing, then, start experimenting with sealing the ends and creating a valve. I assume you'll be reusing the cloth sleeves? You could probably double or triple up the tubing forpuncture resistance, too...

Maybe the companies that deal with vacuum sealing or shaping bags have valve ideas....

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-1659/Poly-Tubing/6-Mil-Heavy-Duty-Poly-Tubing-Roll-6-x-1000?pricode=WB0356&gadtype=pla&id=S-1659&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10688098475&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uetNTx7cXImWFF0-IcsfJrGG8p&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_L_FBhDmARIsAItqgt48DnBu4NNNW_28otpb 1FUE8n1q-8oWbcEdQrp0ZmGPQ7RmU-JS-2AaAg_eEALw_wcB

[Alan A]

https://www.mytarp.com/products/32-oz-inflatable-raft-boat-vinyl-fabric-60-wide

[jyl]

The 6” poly film tubes look promising! I could move the mount inflation hose over, if I find a flexible but very strong glue that works on both vinyl and the poly film material. The ends of the 16’ lengths of poly film tube could be folded over and glued.

[id10t]

Will loose some of the cool folding feature set, but I would look at using existing sleeves as holders for some pool noodles or similar closed cell foam, at least as a short term thing

[cabmandone]

This site offers no dimensions I can find but might this be an option? Not cheap...but an option?
https://allproadventures.com/products/inflatable-tubes?srsltid=AfmBOookOpNIabJc2RlSZx7KurjpEGCp0nFt tfdsrpc1iE9R5QjeCDIK

[LWJ]

Is there a way to seal latex innertubes? If so, motorcycle or fat tire bike tubes may work well. And, they have a valve installed. And, they are manufactured to hold air.

[gregpark]

Originally Posted by jyl

The 6” poly film tubes look promising! I could move the mount inflation hose over, if I find a flexible but very strong glue that works on both vinyl and the poly film material. The ends of the 16’ lengths of poly film tube could be folded over and glued.

Instead of glue to seal the ends i think i would fold and carefully weld with a soldering iron, hot bar or a seal a meal. I'd use flat repair glue to install the valve. Cut a valve out of a bike tiube leaving a ½" of rubber around the valve and glue it to the inside of your vinyl tube

[oldE]

Re: the suggestions about using bike tires. The tires are molded in a circular shape and will resist opening up to the gentle curve of the side of the kayak.

[Scott Douglas]

I'd suggest finding someone that's making water beds. I'm thinking the 'frame' for a water bed used to be blowup tubes, didn't they?

[oldE]

Just steal one of those stupid inflatable "dancing things" you see at some used car lots. You'll be doing the world a favor.

[gregpark]

Would inserting pool noodles work in liu of inflatable?

[Scott Douglas]

The problem I see with using pool noodles is one, storage, two they won't give a nice shape to the sleeve which is the interface to the water when kayaking.

[gregpark]

But it's a folding kayak. Insert three 5' jumbo noodles in each side and slip them out when folding for storage? Certainly easier than blowing up both sides every time

[Scott Douglas]

Can you post a picture of your kayak?
Might help with 'noodling' out a solution.

[Scott Douglas]

I agree Greg, but was thinking more in terms of storing the noodles.

Biggest noodle I've ever found is @3.5" in diameter so not close to the 6" needed to fill the sleeve.

I'm thinking it might be easier to just stuff some kids balls in the sleeves. At least they'd provide the shape needed for the sleeve.

[gregpark]

These are on line for cheap. 5' lengths and anywhere from 4" to 10" diameter

[Scott Douglas]

Ah, that'd work for sure if you have the room to store them when not being used.

[Scott Douglas]

If you used those noodles Greg posted I wonder if it'd be almost unsinkable.

[gregpark]

Or just cut the pontoons off and live life to its fullest 😀