>I'll look into getting new valves and gluing them in. Are they the weakest >link in the chain as far as leaks go? Generally, no. The only times I've replaced one have been when it got chewed up somehow and it couldn't operate properly. More often, there is the likelihood of a leak where the tube joins the airbag. This spot gets a terrific amount of flexing, so it's something I would pay special attention to. Difficult to put a patch there, so I usually slather it with AquaSeal with Cotol catalyst. Seams are vulnerable. Air pressure goes up and down in these bags on the water or under transport. IF overexpanded, the bag walls exert force at 90 degrees to the seam and it could get pulled apart. I once had one blow out when the boat was on my car on a very hot day. --Thought i'd reduced the air content sufficiently to compensate for expansion, but I guess not. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Oct 30 1999 - 06:28:06 PDT
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