tope fishing killed my rib

[GaryH]

Hi Folks,
Was out fishing yesterday in my little Zodiac Hunt N Fish was fishing for black bream and then a tope decided to join the party sad news is I got it close to boat and the sh*t managed to slice the tube, 3 miles offshore and a deflated pontoon. Need some advice on a repair the hole is clean slice about 30mm long but finding a patch and correct glues for the boat seems, impossible some think it is OVC but I doubt that think it is Hypolon, if I were near a specialist would happily take it to them, I live near Bulith Wells. Any ideas or advice would be very welcome.

Gary

[Poly]

Since you've got a big hole it should be easy to see the inside of the tube which will make it easy to identify the material.

Plenty of suppliers of patch kits. I think with a cut that size you'll want an internal patch before you do the external one.

I don't think there is anyone particularly close, you are half way between Henshaws (Wincanton) and the guys in Preston.

[Poly]

Since you've got a big hole it should be easy to see the inside of the tube which will make it easy to identify the material.

Plenty of suppliers of patch kits. I think with a cut that size you'll want an internal patch before you do the external one.

I don't think there is anyone particularly close, you are half way between Henshaws (Wincanton) and the guys in Preston.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Get a clam shell repair for the time being until you can sort it then your still on the water also tear aid is very good both need no skills and great in an emergency you can take both off again to do a permanent job

[treerat]

I'd be packing it up and couriering it to a specialist if it was me. They are quite cheap these days and get it done perfect.

[GaryH]

Hi Poly,
I think it is hypalon looks to be fabric sandwiched between two layers, the hunt and Fish boats are tough little tubs but an angry tope it hard to deal with on light tackle.

I would prefer to take it to a specialist, as you say something over an inch would need an internal patch as well, got most of the water out but still some in there. You don't half get that sinking feeling when it happens 3 miles from the harbour.

Will look into the nearest repair centre, I have to travel to Woking for work once a month so have options to drop off.

Thanks again

[Nos4r2]

Looks like PVC to me from all the images I can find online of them.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Get a clam shell repair for the time being until you can sort it then your still on the water also tear aid is very good both need no skills and great in an emergency you can take both off again to do a permanent job

Those might be get you home tools, but I wouldn't head to sea with a foot long gash in a tube and a temporary plug on it.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by GaryH

Will look into the nearest repair centre, I have to travel to Woking for work once a month so have options to drop off.

My English a road geography isn't great, but does Woking make it practical to do Wincanton or Southampton?

[GaryH]

Will make it work, can drop it off and collect on way back, Wincanton best bet.

Hi Nos4r2

Seen the pictures too, that is not my boat, this is a textured flat green boat, agree the pictures you are seeing are for the Bombard version, looks pretty cheap to me and very PVC ish. Will take some pictures tomorrow think you will see the difference.

Gary

[jonp]

Can I ask how the tope managed to slice the rib. We handle all sorts of sharks and billfish offshore and have yet to have any issues.

Jon

[GaryH]

Hi Jon,

Would very much like to know that as well, not as if they are jaws type shark, I was trying to release it at as long rage as i could it went under the port quarter and then bubbles and the rest is history. I was never trying to handle such a fish nor was i fishing for them. Was catching loads of bream and every now and then got bream ripped off line. only fishing in 7 meters of water, then i got hold of one where the hook pulled out and into face of the tope. so on 15lbs and size 2 aberdeen hook managed to get the fish too near the boat. I had a lot of fish bitten off, was fun until the disaster.
Gary

[jonp]

One of my biggest concerns is that braid will slice my tubes if a fish gets out of control and under the boat. I do use quite long mono leaders when chassing game fish, saying that I leave the fish pulling to my daughter while I drive the boat to control the fish.

Must admit I hadn't really considered doing a 50km run home with a deflated tube section but will certainly be extra carefull now.

Jon

[jyasaki]

Hypalon will be black inside (the neoprene inner layer.) PVC should be the same color inside and out.

jky

P.S.: What is a tope?

[willk]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

What is a tope?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

Those might be get you home tools, but I wouldn't head to sea with a foot long gash in a tube and a temporary plug on it.

?

Since when did 30mm become 1'? Or did 6" get smaller?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

?

Since when did 30mm become 1'? Or did 6" get smaller?

Oops, I read it as 30cm!

[jeffstevens763@g]

i thought hypalon was grey inside? least the two bits i have are yellow/blue poly marine explain the differences including [nail check].
tope shark family.

[GaryH]

The hole is only 1.5 inches at most, not a foot long.
Thanks for the picture of a tope I already saw one far to close for comfort

freak accident i have fished many times and never had an issue, boat seemed pretty good it may have been the hook in the side of the fishes face that actually caught the boat, but cannot tell, won't stop me fishing will be more careful though in future.

Will get the professionals to patch it, surprising thing is amount of water the pontoon took on through a small hole, was a very long trip back to the beach.

Gary

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by jonp

Can I ask how the tope managed to slice the rib. We handle all sorts of sharks and billfish offshore and have yet to have any issues.

Jon

I seriously doubt that a Tope was or even could be the culprit myself!