Inflatable Boat Repair Kit: 15 Best Options for NZ DIYers

A slow leak can turn a crisp morning run to the mussel beds into an anxious paddle for shore. With a decent inflatable boat repair kit on hand, that drama becomes a five-minute pit stop instead of a ruined weekend. Below you’ll find fifteen kits Kiwis can actually buy this week—patches, glue, valve tools and colour-matched fabric—each rated for our fierce UV and salt water.

We’ll point out whether each bundle suits PVC, Hypalon, or both, spell out what’s in the box, and give rough pricing so you know if you’re grabbing a quick onboard patch or stocking the garage for bigger jobs. You’ll also learn how to identify your tube material, which adhesive bonds it best, and the simple three-step fix that keeps you afloat and compliant with Maritime NZ rules. Let’s sort your gear so you can focus on the fishing, not the bailing.

1. Action Outdoors PVC/Hypalon Inflatable Boat Repair Kit

Need a single kit that’ll sort everything from the family Takacat to your mate’s tired Zodiac? Action Outdoors’ own PVC/Hypalon inflatable boat repair kit is designed exactly for that mixed-fleet reality. It lives on the shop floor of their Auckland store and ships overnight nationwide, so you can patch up before the next morning tide.

What’s inside the Action Outdoors kit

• 2 × PVC patches (15 × 12 cm)
• 2 × Hypalon patches (same size)
• 60 ml two-part polyurethane adhesive (base + hardener)
• 2 solvent wipes for degreasing salty tubes
• Fine-grit sandpaper square
• Nylon application brush
• Mini seam roller for bubble-free bonding
• Pair of nitrile gloves
• Step-by-step printed instructions with material ID guide

Optional extras (sold separately): valve removal tool and replacement D-ring pads—handy upsells if you’re rebuilding an older tender.

Why NZ boaties love it

Dual fabric patches mean one bag fixes most dinghies you’ll find on Kiwi moorings—Takacat (PVC), Southern Pacific (Hypalon) and plenty in between. The adhesive has added UV inhibitors and shrugs off salt, giving a full cure in 6–8 hours at 15 °C or warmer. Click-and-collect is available if you’re passing through Penrose; otherwise the kit arrives by courier next day to urban addresses.

Things to keep in mind

Priced in the mid-$70s, the bundle costs less than buying separate PVC and Hypalon kits. The two-part glue has a 20-minute pot life once mixed, so prep the area—clean, sand, dry—before you crack the hardener. Store the unopened adhesive in a cool cupboard and you’ll get an 18-month shelf life.

2. Takacat Universal Inflatable Boat Repair Kit

Takacat may be best-known for cat-hull tenders that plane with a 9.8 hp on the transom, but sooner or later even their rugged 0.9 mm PVC skin cops a scuff. The Takacat Universal Inflatable Boat Repair Kit is the factory solution—compact enough to live under a thwart yet tough enough to meet their warranty standard.

Kit contents and compatibility

• 2 × large grey PVC patches (approx. 20 × 15 cm)
• 60 g tube of PVC-specific single-part adhesive
• 30 ml cleaning solvent vial
• Plastic spatula for smooth spread
• Illustrated instructions with QR code to Takacat’s demo video

Although branded for Takacat, the glue bonds any PVC tender or SUP, so it’s a handy spare for mixed fleets.

Where it shines for NZ DIYers

Grey pigment is colour-matched to Takacat hulls, so repairs don’t scream “duct-tape job”. The lightweight glue tube won’t harden between trips, making it perfect for stashing in a grab bag for on-water emergencies.

Drawbacks or special notes

PVC only—Hypalon tubes need a different chemistry. The 60 g adhesive covers roughly two palm-sized tears; keep a bigger workshop kit on standby for seam failures or transom patches. Shelf life is 12 months once opened—mark the cap with today’s date.

3. Burnsco Dinghy PVC Patch & Glue Pack

If you keep your dinghy at the marina and like to buy gear on the fly, Burnsco’s PVC Patch & Glue Pack is the no-brainer. The nationwide chandlery chain carries it in almost every branch, so a spare inflatable boat repair kit is usually only a short detour away from the ramp.

Included gear

• 2 × PVC patches, 20 × 10 cm each
• 100 ml solvent-based PVC adhesive in resealable tin
• Coarse-grit sandpaper square
• Wooden mixing stick and basic instructions

Strengths for Kiwi sailors

• Stocked in 16-plus stores from Whangārei to Invercargill—grab one the night before a trip.
• Sharp price point (about $45) but still uses marine-grade glue that cures rock-solid.
• Light-grey fabric matches many budget tenders and SUP rails sold in NZ.

Watch-outs

• Adhesive needs a full 24 hours to reach maximum strength; plan repairs early.
• Only one patch colour supplied; repairs will stand out on darker tubes.
• PVC-specific chemistry—Hypalon owners should look at the Action Outdoors or Marine & Sport kits instead.

4. RockboatMarine Five-Colour PVC Patch Kit

Want the patch to disappear instead of shouting “repair job”? RockboatMarine’s five-colour PVC kit lets you match (or deliberately contrast) almost any tender sold in New Zealand, all without paying custom-fabric prices.

What makes it unique

The pack bundles ten patches—two each in grey, black, red, navy, and white—plus a 50 ml tube of single-part PVC adhesive and a couple of alcohol wipes. Each patch is roughly 15 × 12 cm, so you can slice smaller strips for pin-holes or slap on a full rectangle for fin gashes. Everything arrives in a resealable poly bag that slips under a seat.

Best use cases

Ideal for charter operators who need tidy tubes for paying guests, or anyone with a colour-blocked SUP, tow-toy, or yacht tender. The varied palette also suits club fleets where the same kit must service multiple boats without looking cobbled together.

Potential limitations

Glue volume is perfect for surface cuts but skimpy for long seam failures—carry extra adhesive if you’re tackling structural leaks. RockboatMarine ships from an online warehouse only; urban deliveries are usually overnight, yet rural addresses may wait up to three days, so plan ahead before the long weekend.

5. Maxxon PVC Repair Kit with Valve Tool

Maxxon’s kit is aimed at boaties who like to fix more than just punctures. By bundling a stainless-steel valve key with an oversized PVC patch and two-part adhesive, it lets you tackle that slow hiss around the inflation valve as well as the usual nicks and scrapes. If you run an older tender that loses pressure overnight, this might be the most useful $89 you spend all season.

Components list

• 1 × PVC fabric sheet (30 × 15 cm, grey)
• 2-part PVC adhesive (base 70 ml + 10 ml hardener)
• 2 × alcohol wipes
• Valve removal/installation tool (universal bayonet style)
• Fine sandpaper square, mixing cup, application brush
• Quick-start instruction card

Why it’s handy for NZ conditions

Valve leaks are common after months of salt-spray crystallising around the threads; the supplied key lets you reseat or replace the valve without paying a yard. Adhesive stays workable down to 5 °C, so South Island owners can repair in a chilly shed rather than wait for summer. Once cured, the bond shrugs off high UV and diesel spills—handy for workboats.

Points to consider

• Valve tool adds weight; at 450 g the pack is bulkier than glove-box kits.
• Two-part glue has a 15-minute pot life—stage everything before mixing.
• Price sits at the higher end, but you’re effectively getting a valve service kit thrown in.

6. Absolute Marine Davit Pad & PVC Repair Set

If your tender spends more time hanging off the stern than bobbing behind it, you’ll appreciate a kit that handles structural jobs as well as quick puncture fixes. Absolute Marine’s bundle centres on davit installation, but the generous adhesive and bonus patch make it a versatile inflatable boat repair kit for any PVC-hulled dinghy.

What’s in the box

• 2 × textured PVC davit pads (pre-punched for snap-hooks)
• 1 × 250 ml two-part polyurethane adhesive with separate hardener
• Cleaner/solvent sachet for degreasing
• Nylon application brush and mixing cup
• 1 × standard PVC patch for emergency hull repairs
• Printed, step-by-step instructions

Ideal scenarios

Perfect for:

• Installing snap-davits on RIBs or tenders carried by launches and catamarans
• Commercial operators needing a load-bearing bond that shrugs off diesel and UV
• DIYers wanting enough glue for multiple fixes in one go

Caveats

• Overkill for pin-hole punctures—unused adhesive will cure in the pot
• Requires air and substrate temperature above 15 °C; winter work needs a heated garage
• Two-part glue’s 15-minute pot life means prep everything before mixing

7. Marine & Sport Hypalon Patch Kit

PVC kits are a dime a dozen, but genuine Hypalon repair gear can be maddeningly hard to track down. This tidy pack from Marine & Sport fills that gap, giving owners of Southern Pacific, Zodiac Mil-Pro, and other rubber-coated RIBs a purpose-built option that actually bonds first time in NZ’s salty, high-UV waters.

Contents

• 2 × white Hypalon patches (18 × 12 cm)
• 1 × two-part Hypalon adhesive (40 ml base + 10 ml hardener)
• Fine-grit sandpaper square for keying the surface
• Nylon application brush and printed instructions

Stand-out features

The adhesive is blended for Hypalon’s chlorosulfonated-polyethylene skin, so it shrugs off petrol and diesel spills that would soften PVC glue. A stamped manufacture date makes stock-rotation easy, and the unopened kit carries a full 12-month shelf life. Working time is a practical 25 minutes with full cure in 8–10 hours at 15 °C +, meaning overnight fixes are realistic.

Possible downsides

• Only supplied in white—repairs will contrast on grey or black tubes.
• At roughly $55, it’s pricier than PVC equivalents due to fabric cost.
• Two-part adhesive requires accurate mixing; measure carefully or it will remain tacky.

8. Polymarine Complete Inflatable Boat Repair Kit (PVC or Hypalon)

DIY skippers who want a long-lasting workshop bundle pick the Polymarine Complete Repair Kit. Offered in PVC or Hypalon versions, it packs professional consumables used by European rescue services and is now carried by many NZ chandlers.

What the kit offers

• 1 m² sheet of colour-matched fabric (specify PVC or Hypalon)
• 250 ml two-part adhesive and labelled measuring cup
• 50 ml fast-evap cleaning solvent
• Nylon brush, wooden mixing stick, mini seam roller
• Fine emery paper and nitrile gloves
• Laminated instruction card plus QR link to Polymarine video tutorial

Why it’s a favourite worldwide

Originally developed for the UK Coastguard and RNLI lifeboats, the kit’s glue and fabric have been field-tested in ice, diesel slicks and harsh Atlantic UV. Kiwi workshop techs like the oversized fabric sheet—big enough to template awkward seams, rubbing strakes or even transom corners—saving multiple trips to the chandlery.

Keep in mind

At 1.2 kg the bundle is hefty and retails around $120, so it’s best kept in the garage, not the grab-bag.

9. Northland Inflatables DIY Repair Bundle

Made by the same crew who stitch together Northland’s popular tenders, this DIY bundle is a no-fuss option for weekend skippers who’d rather fix a nick themselves than trailer the boat to a service yard. It’s lightweight enough to live under the thwart yet includes everything you need for a textbook patch job on PVC tubes and SUPs.

Components

• Mixed-colour PVC patches (grey, black and navy) — each 18 × 12 cm
• 100 ml single-part PVC adhesive in screw-cap tin
• Universal valve wrench for tightening or swapping leaky valves
• Abrasive scrub pad and turps-based cleaner sachet
• Fold-out instruction sheet with QR code linking to an offline video tutorial

Local perks

• Colours match Northland’s own dinghies, so repairs blend in
• Designed and packed in Whangārei; overnight courier across NZ
• Video guide stored locally on your phone — handy at a Wi-Fi-starved marina

Limitations

• Turpentine cleaner demands good ventilation — work outside the cabin
• PVC only; Hypalon owners need a different inflatable boat repair kit
• Adhesive takes 12 hours for full cure, so plan repairs the night before launch

10. Seamax Heavy-Duty Repair & Maintenance Pack

Long coastal hops or multiday game-fishing missions call for more than the average inflatable boat repair kit. Seamax’s Heavy-Duty Pack is built for that abuse, giving you both a “get-home” field fix and everything required for a workshop-grade repair once you’re tied up again.

What’s inside

• 1 × PVC fabric sheet, 30 × 20 cm (medium-grey)
• 1 × 1 m roll of peel-and-stick repair tape
• 1 × high-vis orange emergency patch (meets MARPOL visibility spec)
• 100 ml single-part PVC adhesive with brush top
• Plastic scraper/roller tool for bubble-free bonds
• Quick-reference instruction card

Advantages for Kiwi adventurers

• Stick-on tape lets you seal a gash in minutes—no mixing, no waiting.
• Once home, cut a patch from the supplied fabric and glue it permanently.
• Orange patch doubles as an at-sea distress marker and complies with offshore safety regs.

Considerations

• Tape isn’t UV-stable for more than a week; schedule a proper re-patch.
• Ships from an Australian warehouse—urban NZ delivery is usually 4–5 days; rural can be longer.
• PVC only; Hypalon users should look at the Marine & Sport kit above.

11. NRS Boat Repair Kit with Clifton Urethane Adhesive

River-runners swear by this little yellow pouch because it fixes almost any fabric you’ll meet on a rafting road trip—PVC rafts, urethane drift boats, even the stray Hypalon RIB that joins the convoy. At 160 g it’s lighter than a muesli bar multipack, so it earns a permanent spot in the dry bag alongside the first-aid kit.

Kit breakdown

• 2 × 15 × 15 cm urethane-coated fabric patches
• 28 g tube of Clifton urethane adhesive (single-part)
• 2 × alcohol swabs for surface prep
• Plastic spreader/applicator tool
• Fold-out instructions with 10-minute “river fix” method

Strengths

• Urethane glue bonds PVC, urethane and Hypalon—ideal for mixed fleets or hire gear.
• Tack time is roughly 10 minutes; you can inflate and paddle on before the eddy line disappears.
• Adhesive remains flexible in sub-zero mountain water, so South Island rafters aren’t left high and dry.
• Compact pouch meets airline carry-on rules for those flying to the Clarence or Rangitāiki.

Weak points

• Patch size limits repairs to punctures, not long seam splits.
• At about $49, price per gram is steep compared with larger workshop inflatable boat repair kits.

12. Zodiac OEM Repair Kit (PVC or Hypalon Version)

Zodiac supplies its own factory-spec inflatable boat repair kit so late-model owners can keep warranty paperwork intact and resale values high. The kit comes in two flavours—PVC or Hypalon—packed inside the familiar round silver tin that slips neatly into the bow locker of most Cadet and Pro models.

Inside the tin

• Colour-matched Zodiac fabric (PVC or Hypalon) cut into two 20 × 10 cm patches
• Two-part adhesive (base + hardener) sized for the supplied fabric
• Emery cloth square for keying glossy surfaces
• Fold-out instructions in French and English with clear curing-time table

Why choose OEM

• Factory colour codes mean the patch virtually disappears, maintaining that “as-launched” look.
• Using Zodiac-approved adhesive keeps the warranty valid on post-2020 boats.
• Fabric and glue are formulated together, giving predictable bond strength and flexibility.

Things to note

• Adhesive shelf life drops to six months once opened—label the lid with the date.
• Stock is mainly through specialist dealers, so phone ahead if you’re outside the main centres.
• Kit price sits at the premium end (around $85), but owners consider it cheap insurance against warranty hassles.

13. Aquaseal FD Rapid Repair Kit

Sometimes you just want a “slap-it-on, pump-it-up” solution rather than mixing two-part adhesive on a rolling deck. That’s where the Aquaseal FD Rapid Repair Kit shines. The palm-sized pouch weighs next to nothing yet carries everything needed to seal a small puncture before the next tide change.

Components

• 7 g tube of Aquaseal FD flexible urethane glue
• 2 × peel-and-stick Tenacious Tape patches (round, 75 mm)
• Mini applicator brush and alcohol wipe

Best uses

• Grab-and-go kit for overnight kayak, SUP, or tender missions—no measuring or hardener required.
• Waterproof enough to reinflate within two hours; fully cured in eight, so you’re back on the plane by dawn.

Trade-offs

• Tiny glue volume—good for one or two fixes, not a season’s worth.
• Adhesive bonds PVC well but is slightly less elastic on Hypalon, so consider a dedicated Hypalon kit for long-term repairs.
• Clear patches are handy, yet they’ll yellow after prolonged UV exposure—replace with fabric patch later if aesthetics matter.

14. HH-66 Vinyl Cement + Patch Combo

Old-school but still a crowd-favourite, the HH-66 combo is the kit many Kiwi boaties grew up with. The industrial-strength vinyl cement fuses PVC at a molecular level, so a well-prepped patch is often stronger than the surrounding fabric. If you run an inexpensive PVC tender or inflatable tow-toy, this is the “stick it and forget it” solution.

What’s in the combo

• 118 ml tin of HH-66 vinyl cement (brush built into the lid)
• 2 × clear vinyl patches, 20 × 10 cm each
• Small dauber applicator for precise edge sealing

Why it’s popular

HH-66 flashes off fast, grabs in under five minutes, and reaches working strength within four hours—ideal for last-minute marina repairs. The clear patches are virtually invisible on translucent bladders or brightly printed towables, and online boating forums regularly rave about the cement’s shear strength after years of UV abuse.

Limitations

The solvent odour is potent—work outside or in a well-ventilated shed and keep ignition sources away. HH-66 is formulated for PVC and vinyl only; it will peel from Hypalon or urethane fabrics over time. The glue thickens below 10 °C, so stash the tin somewhere warm in winter.

15. Stormsure Tough-Fix Inflatable Repair Kit

Stormsure’s Tough-Fix kit is the one you throw in the grab bag and promptly forget—until a trout hook or oyster shell reminds you why you packed it. At under 100 g it takes up less room than a snack bar yet still handles a genuine field repair on PVC, Hypalon or urethane fabrics.

Kit contents

• 15 g tube of Stormsure flexible polyurethane adhesive
• 3 × self-adhesive Stormsure Tuff-Tape patches (75 mm round)
• 2 × alcohol wipes for quick surface prep

Key benefits

• Bonds even when the tube is damp or temperatures dip below 0 °C, making it ideal for alpine lakes and early-season South Island rivers.
• Once cured the glue stays elastic down to –20 °C and resists UV, salt, diesel and fish guts alike.

Downsides

• Patch diameter limits fixes to punctures smaller than a fifty-cent coin; bigger tears need extra fabric.
• Full cure takes 10–12 hours, so plan an overnight stop before pumping to full pressure.

Ready to Patch and Get Back on the Water

Choosing the best inflatable boat repair kit really boils down to three decisions:

1. Confirm your tube fabric – PVC usually shows a tight woven grid, Hypalon feels smooth and chalky once lightly sanded.
2. Match the adhesive to that fabric – vinyl cement or polyurethane for PVC, dedicated two-part rubber glue for Hypalon, or a urethane all-rounder if you’re unsure.
3. Carry the right size kit for the job – a pocket set for on-water punctures and a bigger workshop bundle for seam or valve rebuilds.

Follow that checklist and you’ll stop leaks before they become dramas, stay inside Maritime NZ safety rules and save a heap on haul-out fees. When you’re topping up supplies, remember the #1 ranked kit above ships overnight from Auckland. Grab it direct from Action Outdoors and you’ll be back chasing scallops while everyone else is still ringing the repair shop.