Best threads about attaching tubes?

jefflee2k · 17 May 2014, 19:19

I know there are a lot of threads out there (actually too many to search easily). Can someone reply with links to good threads discussing attaching a new tube set / collar? Searider specific would be better, and the more pics the better. Thanks!

jefflee2k · 24 May 2014, 03:42

I seriously need some help here. I bought a set of tubes from Henshaw, and spent another $500 on shipping and $600 on customs to get them here. Now the only shop within 12 hours drive from me that does this kind of work wants $7000 USD just for labor to install them.

Nos4r2 · 24 May 2014, 09:12

Bloody hell, are they looking to use gold glue?!

Alan Priddy · 24 May 2014, 09:24

Contact Chris at Henshaws and he will fly a tube fitter over for a lot less!!

jefflee2k · 24 May 2014, 14:23

There just aren't alot of places in North America that service inflatables. Some in Florida, the West coast, and Canada. I'm in Houston, about as far away from those three places as you can possibly get. This shop is about the only one on the whole coast of the Gulf of Mexico. He does enough work for big oil companies servicing industrial life rafts for offshore drilling rigs that he has priced himself out of the market for private consumers. He did mention that he had a few search and rescue boats lined up, so hopefuly he is doing them pro bono, or else it's just a typical governemt over spending.

jefflee2k · 24 May 2014, 15:49

Just heard from Chris. He is going to help me with instruction. Looks like there's going to be another SR restoration thread. He did mention that he could fly someone over to do the job for about half the price.

jefflee2k · 25 May 2014, 16:42

I posted a help wanted add on the N American RIB forum. Offering $50 / hr plus $100 / day if anyone over here is interested.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f45/help-wa...tml#post621200

paul tilley · 27 May 2014, 14:03

we supply and fit in uk for less than 6000usd

PeterM · 27 May 2014, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefflee2k

I posted a help wanted add on the N American RIB forum. Offering $50 / hr plus $100 / day if anyone over here is interested.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f45/help-wa...tml#post621200

Jeff - you have bought a small piece of RIB history if those tubes are from the Rib for Mcmillan. Several of us have crawled over aorund and under your tubes before Henshaw worked thier magic on tubes on hull. I'm you know al this stuff

There are several youtube type films showing how to attach them.

Another option maybe is to flyover spend a few days here and see if someone could let you watch how they do it - then head home and do it yourself ?

The 'cost' of Chris to send someone over to do it may not be such a bad idea - his guys are among the world leading experts in all things inflatable

jefflee2k · 29 May 2014, 15:55

Been away from this site for a few days. Thanks for all the replies. By the time I'm done my RIB will have more than it's share of experience.

It began life in GB, put into service in the USCG in Corpus Christi, TX. Bought at auction by Sunrider from Rib.net (Sunrider was one of the very first to circumnavigate the globe in a RIB). I drove from Houston to Iowa 15 hours (one way) to get the boat. Now I am retubing with the tubes from Henshaw, which they were doing as part of an effort to raise money to help someone fighting cancer. If those tubes saw official duty over there, I would love to here about it.

I am talking with a shop in Florida now about doing the work. They are ONLY 8 hours away. I am capable of doing the work myself, but I don't know anyone I trust to help me. I also don't have a climate controled building to do the work on. That makes working with the adhesives difficult at best in 90F and 90%+ humidity for that much surface area.

I also have recieved sevral PMs. I will be answering those today. I would actually come over for a crash course in tube repair, but I am tied up in a major project at work for the next 2.5 years that make extended travle impossible.