How can I get a small s***w out of the chamber of my whitewater raft?

Question

I dropped a valve-s***w into one of the chambers of my raft and have no idea how to get it out. I've tried using a magnet but haven't had any luck. I don't think I should use the raft until I can find the s***w and thought maybe someone knows an easy way. Thanks.

Answer 1

That's a tough one! 1st off, if your boat is inflated it should not be an issue. It's when it is rolled up and stored that you should be concerned about it piercing the tube. It sounds like you have the military style valves in which case you can remove the entire valve making it easier to get your magnet in. You can try inflating the boat,roll it on its side until you hear the s***w roll close to the valve. Then deflate it, remove the valve and work at it with the magnet. Another option is to try a shop vac to extract it. But once again when the tube collapses you run the risk of puncture. If none of this works the only other option is to find its location and pierce it through on purpose to hold its position. Cut the smallest hole possible,remove it, and patch the hole. Remember, patches should be round to avoid corners which will peal up in a very short period of time. Good luck & happy boating!

Answer 2

I'd try getting a powerful shope vac and then tilting th raft (while deflated) until you get the s***w near the valve.   You could then stick a bent wire clothes hanger in there to move it closer to the valve.  Try sucking it out with the shop vac.  I think putting a hole in the raft just to get one little s***w out is a bit extreme.  It's best, of course, to store your raft inflated anyways, and if you do this, you won't have to worry about it making a hole when you roll your boat.  But if it was my boat, I'd take it out with no worries.  It's not going to do any harm rolling around inside there while you're boating.