How would you all suggest I fix this?

[pthoward8029]

Hi all!

I am a new RIB owner. 2008 AB 12VS.

It's a little rough around the edges but holds air well. The strip of material where the tubs cover the fiberglass on the bottom is wearing. Along with where it connects in the front of the RIB.

How would you all suggest I repair this? I just don't want it to keep wearing to the point where it starts to leak.

Thank you!

[jelwood]

New underneath strips and bow patch, probably the easiest way I suppose you could cover over but probably more hassle,

I wouldn't be too worried about it wearing through til
It leaks as it looks like most of the wear is on the flange, not the tube but if they wear through you'd be reducing the strength of what's holding the tube on slightly

[pthoward8029]

Thank you!

Would something like Hypalon Paint or liquid rubber repair work to keep it from peeling further?

[jelwood]

I'm not sure, If they come in at work like that it's for them to be replaced, but another layer of something I suppose would provide some added protection against further rubbing?

You can tidy up some of the frayed edges by just passing over them with a heat gun, not going to fix the problem but just helps them look a bit nicer.

[pthoward8029]

That is a good tip, I did not know about the heat gun.

For replacement, it is simply pulling off the old piece and re-gluing a new piece of Hypalon in its place?

[jelwood]

Well that's the basic idea of it,

Remove the old patch/strip etc

Cut a new one slightly larger (just easier that way)

Mark it out on the tube

Sand the back of your patch and the tube, wipe it down with thinners, glue it then stick it once the glue has dried a bit

Then roll it and push out any air,

Clean the excess off.

It sounds a lot simpler than it is, which is lucky or everyone would do their own and I'd be out of a job haha

[pthoward8029]

Thank you! I will give it a shot, it's on the bottom anyway

[jelwood]

Originally Posted by pthoward8029

Thank you! I will give it a shot, it's on the bottom anyway

Good luck! It needs doing so no harm trying yourself first if you need to admit defeat and pay someone then they're gonna have to take it off anyway

There's probably plenty of more detailed guides online, I'd imagine YouTube might have some of use, I find it hard to explain so much easier to show people

[paul tilley]

I would leave the old strips on and cover them with wider strips then you are increasing the strength of the attachment of the tube to hull .