accessing inside of searider tubes through the seam?

[boatster_sr4]

Is it ok to access the inside of the tubes via one of the main seams? Could I just reglue the seam back once I'm finished? I want to access the bow tube of my searider.

I want to put some tube sealant in there. I'd rather paint it to the roof of the tubes since that is where all the porosity is coming from.

[boatster_sr4]

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It feels like there is a seam tape on the inside as well. I just wonder if I will be able to seal it up cleanly once I'm done. I've heard it mentioned that you need to make access through the seams when you need to replace valves and such but to gain access to paint the tube sealant on the inside of the tubes is another idea.

I wish I could simply roll the boat upside down. Maybe strip her of all the electronics and capsize her at the docks and rock about for awhile with the sealant inside? Would it be hard to capsize and right a bare hull in the water?

[alexm]

Originally Posted by boatster_sr4

top

It feels like there is a seam tape on the inside as well. I just wonder if I will be able to seal it up cleanly once I'm done. I've heard it mentioned that you need to make access through the seams when you need to replace valves and such but to gain access to paint the tube sealant on the inside of the tubes is another idea.

I wish I could simply roll the boat upside down. Maybe strip her of all the electronics and capsize her at the docks and rock about for awhile with the sealant inside? Would it be hard to capsize and right a bare hull in the water?

Before opening up the seam I'd read this tale of woe!:

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?p=179743#post179743

[boatster_sr4]

Oooff, its been awhile since I've been here. It sucks to hear Steve is still having problems with his tubes.

Yea I was thinking of the nightmare it could turn into if I opened up the seam. I was thinking of opening a foot long section so that I can gain access to the inside then reglue it shut once I'm finished. I have some experience with gluing hypalon but not on such an important component as the seam.

BTW, does anyone know if xylene will dissolve hypalon glue?

[Rogue Wave]

what's xylene Is she one of the Scissor sisters

the answer is yes you can, but you have to be confident that the toob material will stick back together i.e that it isn't delaminating.

Obviusly keep the opening as small as possible

re the upside dpwn bit can you get a crane for an hour but you and a buddy can easily toll it upside down. we did it with our 4.7 to polish the hull

[paul tilley]

if the tubes have become porous why not sand all of the outer surface in the problem area ,deflate the tube paint with 2 or 3 layers of glue leave to cure for 72 hrs inflate to low pressure and glue patch over the whole area .this should work and can be made to look tidy as well

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by paul tilley

if the tubes have become porous why not sand all of the outer surface in the problem area ,deflate the tube paint with 2 or 3 layers of glue leave to cure for 72 hrs inflate to low pressure and glue patch over the whole area .this should work and can be made to look tidy as well

When you can get free advice from an expert you gotta take it

[boatster_sr4]

Thanks for the ideas. I never thought about sealing the tubes that way. Thanks for the advice.