Northwest Fishing Reports

Ok long story but I got a 9' Outfitter 300, and another complete pontoon,(both used of course) and it has a tear on the bladder by the seam.. I have looked and looked and I am not sure if I am S.O.L. or just not searching the interweb right. I would like to just replace the bladder with a new one but I am afraid that isn't going to happen.

I found a PDF http://www.ibbf-team.it/Public/data/fer ... nal[1].pdf and it has the correct replacement bladder but it is just a PDF that came up in my search and no way to order anything.

Is there place to order replacement bladders?

I was down at West Marine yesterday and they had some stuff in a box that said it worked on tears for inflatable. It was a tape of some kind I think and it is called tear-aid.....Has anyone tried this product?

Any Ideas/ suggestions?

I would try the tear aid before buying a new tube,assuming you can find the right one.

Mike Carey wrote:I would try the tear aid before buying a new tube,assuming you can find the right one.

Thanks for the reply,
Yes, finding the right one seems to be the dilemma! The PDF I mentioned lists the correct bladder for 40 bucks but doesn't give me any info on how to order one......the tear-aid is 30 bucks but I haven't used it before so I don't know how well it works or if it lasts.. I would feel better starting out with a new bladder for the money but it doesn't look like that is an option..

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gfakkema wrote:Please let me/us know if you can find a new bladder. I have an outfitter as well with a bad bladder. It leaks at the fill port, so no tear aid will help. I have looked for a new bladder for awhile now and can't find any.

What leaks, the valve?

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gfakkema wrote:

Bodofish wrote:

gfakkema wrote:Please let me/us know if you can find a new bladder. I have an outfitter as well with a bad bladder. It leaks at the fill port, so no tear aid will help. I have looked for a new bladder for awhile now and can't find any.

What leaks, the valve?

Yeah, pretty much. It's not the valve internals that leak, but where the valve is attached to the bladder itself. I have tried a little tear aid and other sealants, but the size of the repair has to be small so that the valve/port will fit back into the outer fabric cover. After many failed attempts to fix it, I have given up and just kept my ear to the ground for a new one.

What part do you mean? does your valve thread into the bladder and lock the outer skins in place?
I found replacement valves here http://shop.inflatableboatparts.com/pro ... =22&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

gfakkema wrote:

Bodofish wrote:

gfakkema wrote:Please let me/us know if you can find a new bladder. I have an outfitter as well with a bad bladder. It leaks at the fill port, so no tear aid will help. I have looked for a new bladder for awhile now and can't find any.

What leaks, the valve?

Yeah, pretty much. It's not the valve internals that leak, but where the valve is attached to the bladder itself. I have tried a little tear aid and other sealants, but the size of the repair has to be small so that the valve/port will fit back into the outer fabric cover. After many failed attempts to fix it, I have given up and just kept my ear to the ground for a new one.

Have you tried Aqua Seal? Rough it up good and smear a couple coats on it. It's pretty common for fixing waders now but it was always the go to for fixing dry suits. Lot of pressure when you go down deep....

After doing the run around 2 times I finally talked to a guy at Cabella's and he gave me the name of a company so I called them and they sent me to another company who manufactures most of the pontoon boats including the outfitter 200 and 300 and they are local! (Kent Wa.)

So here is the deal with the outfitter bladders, they have been dis-continued due to a design change. bad news yes but there are a couple solutions....

A) they have 9 foot bladders that are very similar (single valve) and you can retro fit one into the outfitter skin for about 50 bucks if your willing to do a little sewing and patch work to your skin. (The guy I talked to said he has had several people go this route)

B) He has had a lot of guys just upgrade to the "Oswego" pontoons, they are 10 foot and can carry another 40 lbs and just strap to the frame like the old ones the cost for a new set of these (bladders and skins) are $210

C) I am going to do the upgrade and buy the larger ones so I would be willing to let go of my 1 good outfitter 300 pontoon skin and bladder for $50, it is the blue and grey one and it holds air.

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gfakkema wrote:Nice work. I looked but gave up too quickly I guess. I would be interested in buying that extra skin and bladder from you. Where are you located?

I am in the Sumner Orting area

gfakkema wrote:Nice work. I looked but gave up too quickly I guess. I would be interested in buying that extra skin and bladder from you. Where are you located?

I sent you a PM

toxicavengr wrote:

gfakkema wrote:Nice work. I looked but gave up too quickly I guess. I would be interested in buying that extra skin and bladder from you. Where are you located?

I sent you a PM

I haven't sent a PM here before so I don't know if I did it correctly...did you receive it?


also just an FYI....
I just ordered my new pontoons from .... http://coverbonanza.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, the guy's name was James and he was really helpful and there was no shipping charges on my order (local shipping is free)....I told him about this site and he said he checked it out and "liked" us on facebook yesterday!

(not sure of protocol here but, Maybe if the "powers that be" here are interested, he said he might be interested in advertising here, I have his direct number if interested)

I have tried the tear aid on my 9' hypalon raft and after a hot day in the sun it bubbled up and gave out. I don't think its a bad product I just don't think it works as a permanent fix.

KR58 wrote:I have tried the tear aid on my 9' hypalon raft and after a hot day in the sun it bubbled up and gave out. I don't think its a bad product I just don't think it works as a permanent fix.

This is good info, Thanks!
I was a little nervous paying that much for something without any kind of review on how it works.

KR58 wrote:I have tried the tear aid on my 9' hypalon raft and after a hot day in the sun it bubbled up and gave out. I don't think its a bad product I just don't think it works as a permanent fix.

Yep, Zodiac 'ed for years the only thing that really works is a can of Hypalon cement (liquid Hypalon) and some patch material. After the patch is laid and everything cured, a layer of AquaSeal around the edges. Don't forget to sand first for every glue joint.