TM 5-1940-321-13&P
a. Punctures and Worn Areas. Apply patches as described in paragraph 7-20. If damage is
present over most of the hull bottom, then the entire bottom should be covered with new panels of fabric
as described in paragraph e below. If wear appears to be a result of movement of the rigid flooring
system, then the rigid flooring tightness test should be performed by depot maintenance technicians.
When the bottom fabric is worn near the inflatable keel and the keel fabric is damaged, the keel should be
repaired. Described in paragraph 7-23 is a modification to allow the inflatable keel to be easily removed
and replaced.
b. Water Leaks. Water leaks caused by punctures in the bottom fabric are repaired by
applying patches to the outside of the craft s bottom fabric. Water leaks not caused by punctures are
repaired as described in paragraph 7-26.
c. Rubbing Strake Damage. Damaged or unglued rubbing strakes on the craft s bottom are
repaired or replaced as described in paragraph 7-26.
7-25. CORRECTING HULL BOTTOM TENSION. This procedure is done by certified Repair technicians.
7-26. REPAIRING WATER LEAKS. Water may enter the craft through punctures in the fabric hull
bottom, leaking seams where the fabric bottom joins the transom and around or through the self-bailers.
Before a water leak can be repaired, it must be accurately located. A water leak test as described in
chapter 6, paragraph 6-4 should be performed to locate the leak. After the location of the leak has been
identified, repair the leak as described below.
a. Hull Bottom Fabric Punctures. Hull bottom fabric punctures are repaired by applying a
patch to the outside surface as described in paragraph 7-24.
b. Leaks at Self-Bailers. This corrective maintenance procedure is performed by direct
support personnel. Leaks at self-bailers may occur around the self-bailer or through the self-bailer.
The water leak test (chapter 6, paragraph 6-4) should be used to identify the exact point at which the
self-bailer is leaking. Tears in the pinched (flat) portion of a bailer may be patched. When the leak is
around the self-bailer, the circular patches on both sides of the transom should be unglued as shown in
figure 7-36 using a heat gun. If the body of the self-bailer is firmly glued to the hole in the transom, then
the circular patches can be reglued. New patches can be traced using the old patches as a pattern. The
self-bailers are made from hypalon neoprene fabric. If the old circular patches are in good condition, they
can be lightly scuffed to remove old glue and reinstalled. Position the circular patches on the transom and
trace around them with a silver pen. Lightly scuff within the traced area to remove old glue and expose
fresh wood. If the bailer body is not firmly glued to the wood, it should completely unglued and reglued.
Verify that the wood is very dry before reinstalling the self-bailer. After repairs, any exposed wood must
be painted as described in chapter 5, paragraph 5-15.
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