Hi from Tennessee, USA

[peppo]

I came across your forum because researching RIB. I just purchased a 1990 4.9 motomar with a 75 Mariner. I have used ribs before in Italy (my place of birth) mainly for spearfishing. Now that I am "landlocked" I decided to get something I can move easily to get to Florida waters or Louisiana oil rigs for blue water hunting. Does anyone know if these boats are PVC or hypalon? the owner did not know and I could not find much info. Thanks.

[TorontoDiver]

Welcome to the board! I'm only on my first boat so can't answer your questions but the brain trust should be along shortly ...

Cheers,
Neil

[tworotorturbo]

Welcome. I have seen a Motomar before and it was Hypalon, not sure about your specific model though. Take some closeup pics of a seam and maybe we can tell.

Nice boat either way!

[peppo]

Will do, thanks.

[Squid Boat]

Find a small area on the boat that is hidden from view and apply a small amount of Acetone or Xylene on a rag and rub the test area.
If area becomes sticky, if the top color rubs or runs, then the material is most likely PVC.


Peppo I believe the Motomar is hypalon.


Cheers

[jyasaki]

Or try a fingernail test: Hypalon surface is usually a sort of rubbery feeling when picked with a fingernail, PVC is more plasticky.

Not 100% accurate, and a bit of experience helps, but cheap and fast.

jky

[office888]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Or try a fingernail test: Hypalon surface is usually a sort of rubbery feeling when picked with a fingernail, PVC is more plasticky.

Not 100% accurate, and a bit of experience helps, but cheap and fast.

jky

Cheap chinese PVC is kinda rubbery and smooth.

The easiest way to tell is from the seams. Fraying = hypalon, melted goo out the edges = welded PVC.

[Dan Gurney]

Welcome! Looks like a lot of engine for the boat; bet it goes well.

None of my business of course... but have you had a look at the impeller? Maybe run some salt flush through it? The tell-tale looks a bit weedy to me.