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The reality is that inflatables can be damaged, so most boats come with a repair kit to allow field repairs. The best quality boats are built with a very heavy polyester fabric, which allows the boat to take a lot of abuse and keep performing. If one is on a long trip, it would be wise to supplement these kits with more patch material and two-part glue. The first step in repair is to find the hole-usually using a soap solution to look for bubbles. The next step is to partially deflate the tube, then clean the fabric and rough it up. Most glues are applied to both the boat and the patch in three coats, allowing each coat to dry, then applying the patch. Generally overnight is allowed for the glue to cure before reinflating the boat. Carefully done, these repairs will last the life of the boat.
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