Are the large, low pressure tires on cat tracks/beach wheels owner-serviceable? One of mine has a slow leak and I'd like to fix it. I took it to a tire shop about a year ago, they said they fixed it, but it still leaks. If we can do it, what's the best way to go about it?
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Falcon F-16
Taipan 4.9
S2 7.9
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Repairing leaky tires on beach wheels
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 11:12 AM
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 11:19 AM
Alright, sorry for the double post; it said the first one timed out so I tried again. Looks like they both went through though, and I can't figure out how to delete one.
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Falcon F-16
Taipan 4.9
S2 7.9
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 11:26 AM
really all you can do is replace the air valve/stem - if that doesn't fix it you will probably need to get inner tubes for the tires
you will probably also need to take the tire to a shop to get the inner-tube installed unless you are great at tire service -
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 11:51 AM
Yes, change out the valve stems, and get rubber screw on caps for them, they are not meant to get wet... Also, get some Green Slim and follow the instructions... stuff works wonders...
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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 11:58 AM
I don't have first hand experience but from what i hear/read slime is a temporary emergency fix, not permanent and can cause wheel balance issues - not sure i would go that route personally unless on the side of the road with a flat -
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 12:30 PM
What kind of beach wheels? You can get innertubes for cat trax (the black inflatable atv style wheels). Rollez wheels (the smaller grey wheels) can supposedly be fixed by welding with a heated up piece of metal (like a screwdriver). I tried that once and it just made the hole bigger.... I had moderate success patching the hole with 5200 sealant, but it just slowed the leak.
I know some who have used slime or fix a flat but that only worked temporarily. I believe I’ve also heard of some who’ve cut a hole in the sidewall of the tire and poured in post hole mix (expanding foam). That of course would add a fair amount of weight and eliminate the advantage of having a pneumatic tire.
The other option, if the leak is pretty slow, is to just get a cheap bike pump and toss it in the boat box to pump up the tires as needed. I did that for quite a few years.
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 12:32 PM
No experience with leaking beach wheels, but I think I'd grab some soapy water, find the leak, if stem replace it and/or put some slime in it. Its a mess to clean when you change tires, but that's not really a problem on beach wheels.
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Joshua
Texas Gulf Coast
'82 Prindle 16 (Badfish)
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‘89 Hobie 17 (ill-advised project boat, Sold)
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 01:32 PM
Get the inner tubes and be done. I have tubes in both of my cattrax wheels. Don't use the slime as its meant for emergency type repairs. -
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 07:09 PM
The boat I just recently purchased had a cat tack tires that would hold air... They have been sitting for a while and have some cracks in the sidewalls.. I replace the valve stems with new ones pumped them up and they still leaked.. I "slimmed them" as we say... and a year later they are still holding the air..
Green Slime is a permanent fix and has been a staple of many MTB riders here in CA for the past 20 years...
Edited by JohnES on Jun 27, 2019 - 05:09 PM.
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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 07:39 PM
Obviously John works for the Slime Company and can't be trusted
(totally kidding)
I don't mean to discount your first hand knowledge. I completely trust it.
All i know is their own website said max speed of 65mph; so do not ever drive your boat on it's beach wheels over that ... -
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 09:18 PM
Mookie, you didn’t mention if you have tubed tires now.
And are the sidewalls cracking? Corrosion on the stems?
Got any Picts?
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Prindle 18
96734
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Posted: Jun 27, 2019 - 09:41 PM
i wouldn't recommend the sealer. most of them really corrode the wheel. there are foam fillers out there. call local roofing company about foam filling tires. they know about this as to wheel barrows rolling across roofing nails.
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1978 H18
1983 H18 (some of it)
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Posted: Jun 28, 2019 - 09:47 AM
The tires are in great shape and maybe five years old. I think I'll order a tube from Murray's.
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Falcon F-16
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Posted: Jun 29, 2019 - 06:49 AM
John, did you replace the valve stem yourself, or is it a tire shop job?
I have one tire with a very slow leak, & I only use my Trax a couple times a year, but I thought I’d change the stem.
Can you break the bead yourself? I have tool for pulling new stem.
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Posted: Jun 29, 2019 - 12:37 PM
You don't need to take the tire off to replace the valve stem.. Manny, Moe, and Jack can hook ya up with a complete kit...
However, before you do any of that.... change out the actual Schrader valve that is inside the valve stem... about 80% of my leak problems have been solved by just doing this. They get corroded out if they are not caped.
Also when you put the caps on, give the treads a little rub or silicon or water proof grease to help keep he water out...
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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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Posted: Jun 29, 2019 - 09:13 PM
Good advice to try replacing the core first. If that’s the source of lost air. Spray on the soapy water to be sure.
John, are you referring to an emergency replacement valve that doesn’t require a breaking the bead? Or a rubber snap-in that does?
Like the Slimes: https://www.etrailer.com/…and-Repair-SLM20077.aspx
Once you break the beads on these floppy treadless tires, the fun stops.
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Prindle 18
96734
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Posted: Jun 30, 2019 - 08:30 AM
You should only have to break one bead to either install a tube or new valve stem. Makes reseating the bead
much easier. If replacing the tube then there is no issue with the bead.
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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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Posted: Jun 30, 2019 - 11:02 AM
Ordered a tube from Murray's. I'm hoping it will be easy to pop the bead, put the tube in, and reinflate. We shall see.
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Falcon F-16
Taipan 4.9
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Posted: Jun 30, 2019 - 08:40 PM
fill em full of slime
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Captain Chris Holley
Fulshear, TX
'87 Prindle 19 "¡Hijole!"
'74 sunfish "1fish"
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Posted: Jun 30, 2019 - 10:41 PM
soapy water in a spray bottle... look for bubbles
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1978 H18
1983 H18 (some of it)
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