Need new Tubes - Where do I go, cost? Anything helps

cedarsurf · 20 May 2022, 23:20

Aloha,

I'm currently working on restoring a 94 Zodiac H640 twin outboard. The data tag actually says 630. It has older WING tubes.... my guess is 16 years old. I'd like to replace them with either a new set of WING or a good Hypalon set. We have a bit of a budget as this is for volunteer rescue work. Any info on price estimates and builder/manufactures would be great.

Thanks in advance!

spartacus · 21 May 2022, 06:11

Speak to Defender Industries, Inc., 42 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT 06385 Tel: 800-628-8225. They are largest Zodiac specialist in North America.

cgoing · 21 May 2022, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedarsurf

Aloha,

I'm currently working on restoring a 94 Zodiac H640 twin outboard. The data tag actually says 630. It has older WING tubes.... my guess is 16 years old. I'd like to replace them with either a new set of WING or a good Hypalon set. We have a bit of a budget as this is for volunteer rescue work. Any info on price estimates and builder/manufactures would be great.

Thanks in advance!

First off, you would need to know exactly if it is a 630 or 640 the hull and tubes are very different. The 630 has a flat bow and 640 has a pointed bow and it is wider aft.
Wing will sell you tubes directly.
As far as hypalon tubes go , you could either do custom tubes or factory Hurricane tubes if they still have a pattern.

cedarsurf · 21 May 2022, 22:12

Thanks for the info! I'll call defender Monday. Nothing on their website that matches.

As for 640 or 630. The data tag says H630. However the zodiac model number on the factory helm says 640. The bow is more pointed. I'll attach a photo.

Any ideas on price? Just a starting point. Won't hold anybody to the estimate

cgoing · 22 May 2022, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedarsurf

Thanks for the info! I'll call defender Monday. Nothing on their website that matches.

As for 640 or 630. The data tag says H630. However the zodiac model number on the factory helm says 640. The bow is more pointed. I'll attach a photo.

Any ideas on price? Just a starting point. Won't hold anybody to the estimate

Wing tubes i would guess 14,000 or more.
Zodiac could be more with very long lead time. Last set i inquired about for a customer they quoted 11 months minimum. Nothing Defender has would fit as recreational and Hurricane tubes not interchangeable.

brveagle · 27 May 2022, 15:49

I replaced my zodiac hurricane 540 tubes 2 years ago. It was tough to find a company in the USA to make my a hypalon set. I ended up ordering from henshaw in the UK and am VERY happy with the product they sent. Wing in CA doesn't work in hypalon. (this may have changed) Henshaw had my hurricane tube pattern in their computer and i did not have to send my old tubes to them.

It was a hassle dealing with customs/shipping broker but nothing too crazy.

cgoing · 28 May 2022, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by brveagle

I replaced my zodiac hurricane 540 tubes 2 years ago. It was tough to find a company in the USA to make my a hypalon set. I ended up ordering from henshaw in the UK and am VERY happy with the product they sent. Wing in CA doesn't work in hypalon. (this may have changed) Henshaw had my hurricane tube pattern in their computer and i did not have to send my old tubes to them.

It was a hassle dealing with customs/shipping broker but nothing too crazy.

Wing actually owns Henshaw now. As well as Mustang Survival (lifejackets, cold water suits,etc)

95gstnj · 07 June 2022, 13:41

Post some pics of the boat. The topside of the tubes where the sun hits them.

cedarsurf · 07 June 2022, 21:55

The best I have until I can get more. Its currently being detailed.

cedarsurf · 07 June 2022, 21:56

another

SoCal Hurricane · 07 June 2022, 22:56

Call Ruben Davila - He is the west coast rep for wing for the US Military based in San Diego. His number is (504) 452-3388.
We order new tubes direct from him all the time for US Navy Zodiac Hurricane/Willard/Brunswick/etc… rebuilds. If they want Hypalon, then wing just ships them from Henshaw (I’d stick with the wing polyurethane tubes though over Hypalon). All you need is the ERX info from the tube (let me know if you need help finding it), as well at the XDC (HIN #) from the hull. Wing can take care of the rest.

If you don’t mind sending your tubes to Florida, Alfred Montaner (google him), can make you a set and use yours as a template. Cost will be the same by the time you’re done shipping back and forth though.

cedarsurf · 08 June 2022, 18:23

Thx SoCal. I have reached out to both. They are actually my two top choices as of now.

Out of curiosity and because you probably have more experience with the Wing tubes. Why them over Hypalon (Orca 866)?

I've had a few boats with hypalon both factory zodiac and ones that somebody had made in Florida and came with my boat. But I've never owned one with Wing. I feel like if cared for I've seen Hypalon last a real long time. Almost every Wing tube I've seen from the early 2000's (all military) seam to be falling apart.

Objective advice very welcome. I could only guess that the military didn't care much to maintain them? With my hypalon I've always wiped them free of salt and used Aerospace 303 protectant and covered when I could. I've tried to find info on how to best maintain the Wing tubes and couldn't find much.

SoCal Hurricane · 09 June 2022, 00:30

I was a huge Hypalon fan until I got hands on experience with our repairs the wing tubes here at the shop. The wing tubes from the navy are simply not properly maintained. They essentially let them rot.

If you care for wing tubes as you mentioned (cleanings, 303, etc…) they will last you the life of the boat. Now that’s not to say that they won’t need any maintenance, but when they do, the material is better suited to repair. For example:
Hypalon… pinholes require a patch. You can get away with an interior sealant if your careful and know which one to buy. Get the wrong one and your boat will stick to itself if you had to roll it up or if in your case, the tubes are deflated and they sag and the insides touch.
Seem leaks… again, interior sealant is so so… typically you need to seam tape the leak (basically a patch).
Degradation due to UV or abrasions… Hypalon paint. Frankly, it looks great in pictures but in reality it’s lipstick on a pig.

Wing polurathane tubes:
Pinholes are treated with a solvent that is sucked in via negative pressure (vacuum). You dab it over the pinhole until it stops sucking it in then let it cure. Same goes for seam leaks. This fills in the voids and reseals the seam - problem solved.
Patches are basically applied the same way. However, with a patch on a poly tube, you seal the patche edges all’s round with the same solvent (acts like a caulking if you get my drift), then you paint over the patch with a two part polyurethane coating. It’s creats a 3rd layer of protection over the patch.

Rather than painting a tube like you do the Hypalon - which is a rubber coating - the painting process for the wing tube is simply reapplying the same polyurethane coating that was originally on the tube when they were made. They look brand new and it’s hard to tell the difference if done right.

For what it’s worth, this this my personal and professional opinion. We all know the old saying about opinions… so everyone reading this should just take it as such.

I’m still a die hard zodiac guy. I think they look great and the small craft are more comfortable on the water (Zodiac FC-470’s, etc…). But when it comes to longevity and total cost of ownership… I’d buy a wing tube before a zodiac tube if I were purchasing a NEW one…

Hope this was helpful… Ruben is a great guy. You can’t go wrong with him. Alfred is as well and makes a great tube if you decide to go with Hypalon.

cedarsurf · 07 July 2022, 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Hurricane

Wing polurathane tubes:
Pinholes are treated with a solvent that is sucked in via negative pressure (vacuum). You dab it over the pinhole until it stops sucking it in then let it cure. Same goes for seam leaks. This fills in the voids and reseals the seam - problem solved.
Patches are basically applied the same way. However, with a patch on a poly tube, you seal the patche edges all’s round with the same solvent (acts like a caulking if you get my drift), then you paint over the patch with a two part polyurethane coating. It’s creats a 3rd layer of protection over the patch.

Rather than painting a tube like you do the Hypalon - which is a rubber coating - the painting process for the wing tube is simply reapplying the same polyurethane coating that was originally on the tube when they were made. They look brand new and it’s hard to tell the difference if done right.

I finally got responses from both Wing and Alfred. Wing is $15k all in with shipping for new tubes and Alfred is about $2.5k less for high grade Hypalon all in. You have great info on the process of painting wing tubes. I've been searching for the brand of Polyurethane coating they use and can't find it. Any hints?

Boat is finally in transit to me. Probably 4 weeks before I can get hands on it in person.

SoCal Hurricane · 07 July 2022, 03:42

The “paint” is called tecthane. You’ll be around $5k though in reconditioning costs by the time you’re done.

My two cents… go with new tubes from wing. Take care of them and they will last you 20 years. It will be the best $15k you’ll spend on the boat.

cedarsurf · 07 July 2022, 17:33

Thanks a ton. Couldn't find Tecthane available online probably would have to buy from Wing. I did find something called System6 which is two part with a dye that seams very similar to what I understand Wing to use.

We'll see. Going to think about it over the weekend. Either way when the boat gets here I'll do some sort of "build" update.

Thanks a bunch!

SoCal Hurricane · 07 July 2022, 20:30

No worries - glad to help.

Tecthane is proprietary to Wing. Call Ruben at Wing. He’s a good dude and will take care of you.

tiverton_tom · 18 July 2022, 12:31

I'll throw another Florida (Fort Lauderdale) tube manufacturer into the ring:

Sylvio - he travels all around North America/Caribbean (and latest trip to Spain) repairing and/or installing new tubes

https://www.inflatablemarlinservices.com/

some great info in this string!! ... I'm just retiring from 40 year career using inflatables - liability insurance/lawyers ruined my 'grand finale' though :-(

cedarsurf · 10 August 2022, 20:18

Thanks for all the responses. After much himming and hollering I've ordered a new set from Wing using the serial number on the current tubes. Doing a color change from coast guard orange. Expensive but should fit exact as they use computer templates to cut their pieces.

SoCal Hurricane · 11 August 2022, 04:48

Nice, and good choice! Were you able to get a hold of Ruben?