Is this worth it?

[ribraff]

This is the same Hull originally fitted with Gemini Tubes.... now sporting Hypalon after a full refurb.

[Bigmuz7]

I have to say I thought the hull was identical to my tornado 5.4 ? .. which is an excellent performer for its size

[9D280]

Jumping back a few posts ref twins, do a search. I'm b*gg*rd if I'm going to type it all out again on a phone, but if the hull can handle the gee gees & weight, and doesn't have a cut for a single, no reason it shouldn't work- especially if the Honda is as light as I think it is.

Welcome to Ribnet btw!

[j.i.wilson]

Please accept my grateful thanks for all the helpful an informed suggestions.

Based on these (and other) comments I think I will go ahead.

Watch out for photographs and stories.

If I don't come back here within 6 months - send a search party!!

Roll on the Spring

Ian

[j.i.wilson]

OK, deal done.

Now the work starts, my aim is to get it all up together by Easter. To that end I want to understand my options on the tubes.

The general conclusion is that these are Gemini tubes (as an aside, the original owner was told, by the builder, that they were hypalon! Apparently builder worked out of a shed in West Wellow, near Southampton, someone may know who he is - since moved on). I accept that at some time I will need to retube, but before i do I would like to understand my options, and, crucially, costs.

Now, as mentioned in the OP the starboard rear tube has a leak. Can someone recommend a expert to whom I could take the RIB to to seek options? I am based between Southampton and Salisbury with easy access to Lymington, Poole, Southampton, Portsmouth and, at a push, Weymouth.

Alternatively someone may want to offer options, these appear to me to be....

1. Retube - cost about £3k -?
2. Repair existing tube - cost ?? Effective? Durable?
3. Scrap RIB and buy replacement (surely hull must be worth something?)
4. Flog the lot for the best I can get, and reinvest. I'm not keen on this as it seems like giving up.

I should add that I have a very well equipped workshop, I'm a competent DIYer, qualified sparky and love messing about with boats. I installed a new inboard diesel in my previous boat as well as doing a total re-wire.

Half the fun for me is getting and keeping the thing up together.

Views??

Regards to all

Ian

[PeterM]

The closest expert may be Kieron at ribshop.....a quick google will reveal all....and he can supply any and all things you may need.

I however think that tube work is a skill that it's not really worth trying yourself.....

[j.i.wilson]

Didn't mean to imply I was considering a DIY retube - no way.

Just happy to do most other things

I will contat RIB Shop

Ian

[paulbrown22]

I recently had some work done by Scott at RibRepair (rib repair web page), who's based just down the Lymington Road in Setley.

I was very pleased with the results - I was debating a retube for my Ribtec, but with Scott's efforts that's hopefully a couple of years away at least for now!

If you can tow it over I'm sure any of the local tube businesses would be happy to have a look and advise options/costs. Or you could start with what I did - sending a load of high res photos, which gives them a pretty good idea of what's needed.

[Dhf]

Good on you, thats a nice Rib you got there for a bargain, I'd say those tubes shouldn't need replacing for a good few years, get them looked at of course, and maybe ask how much for reinforcing patches.

[Tim M]

Kieron (Ribshop) will be able to give you a decent professional opinion on what the best way forward is; he has worked on numerous RIBs for me over the last few years and always offers a speedy, cost effective solution.

The big trouble with those tubes is in order to repair a leak, the inner tube has to be removed. Usually, its stuffed through a smallish slit in the outer skin which is then sealed. Given the shocking quality of those tubes, you'll probably get to know the back roads to Kierons workshop very well!

If I were you, I would strip everything off the hull, flog the hull on ebay as a project, and look for another bare hull to put everything back onto. New tubes are going to cost more than you've paid so far, the above solution could cost you hundreds, and if you find a cheap hull in decent condition, you could end up with a boat that's worth more than what you've paid for it

[hamster]

+1 for Scott at Rib Repair. Used him a few times. Great service.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Ribshop]

To give you an idea on costs, to re-tube the boat finishing with flat rub strake, a pair of wear patched and 4 handles would be £3767.00 inc vat. If you have any questions or need advise we are more than happy for people to pop in with or without the boat.

Kieron

Thanks Peter and Tim for supporting a trade member!

[j.i.wilson]

Thanks Kieron

Ouch!

Is that for Hypalon, what grade?

Is there a standard warranty with new tubes?

Cheers

Ian

[Ribshop]

Hi Ian, that would be Orca Hypalon 1300 gsm. Click on the link below to view our re-tube page with our guarantees listed.

http://www.rib-shop.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=15

Kieron