Futura speed tubes splitting

[_monkey]

Futura Mk2 (2012)

I collected the Futura last week from Holland and brought it home for some TLC.

I had the engine serviced - it has done 98hrs - a new impeller, battery and terminals. The service engineer advised that the ODB reported no faults.

One of the speed tubes was not holding pressure so I checked the valve and the o-ring looked damaged. i bought a replacement valve which solved the leak, but I noticed on the underside that the tube was splitting along most of it's length - say 75%.

Any suggestions about what corrective action I should take?

[office888]

That seam is welded.

The factory doesn't pay attention to the cosmetics of that piece because it is inside the quick-change slot.

Try sliding your fingernail under the edges. If you can't lift it, it's fine.

Most people blow out the rear seam of the speed tube due to underinflation.

[_monkey]

Thanks Richard - I checked the seam on both tube as you described and they appear fine.

I now have the job of replacing them in the hull - the front barrels had been removed which allowed me to remove the tubes easily.

I believe, the only way to re-fit is to remove the alu floor and use a draw cord to pull them back through - and to remove the floor I need to deflate the tubes. Will I need to support the transom (engine still attached)?

[office888]

They should be a grommet at the front of the speed tube holder?

Slip some fish tape through it with some cord. Tie the cord to the speed tube, and pull it through. Soap it up first to make it slide easier.

[_monkey]

I removed the all floor and could not find any evidence of a way to access the speed tube holder - either to attach the speed tube (using the barrel) or to pass a cord to assist with installation.

I cannot find an external access point at the from of the speed tube holder either.

So, it looks like the only installation approach is to 'push' the speed tube into it's holder - does that make sense?

[office888]

Originally Posted by _monkey

I removed the all floor and could not find any evidence of a way to access the speed tube holder - either to attach the speed tube (using the barrel) or to pass a cord to assist with installation.

I cannot find an external access point at the from of the speed tube holder either.

So, it looks like the only installation approach is to 'push' the speed tube into it's holder - does that make sense?

What year is your Futura? - WHOOPS, just saw, 2012.

On the bottom of the boat, there should be a spot on the front of the speed tube holder.

[_monkey]

2011 model year, purchased in 2012

[_monkey]

Originally Posted by office888

What year is your Futura? - WHOOPS, just saw, 2012.

On the bottom of the boat, there should be a spot on the front of the speed tube holder.

When you say spot - do you mean a small opening in the holder? Is that to draw through a cord a pull the tube in.

How do you attach the barrel to secure the tube in the holder?

[office888]

Originally Posted by _monkey

When you say spot - do you mean a small opening in the holder? Is that to draw through a cord a pull the tube in.

How do you attach the barrel to secure the tube in the holder?

Yep! There should be a hole or grommet.

To secure the tube, there should be two little flaps on the back of the holder. There is a plastic retainer that holds it all in, like this :

[_monkey]

Thanks for all your help Richard - I spent a fun afternoon with a coat hanger and some paracord threaded through the tiny hole in the front of the speed tube holder to get the speed tubes back in.

It took several attempts to position them in the correct place so that the barrel can be installed correctly.

The bad news is that I found a small in prick hold about an inch away for the rear of the speed tube, so having read previous posts I have MEK and two part glue on order.