pvc or Hypalon?

[daiwinter]

Has anyone had major problems with pvc tubes on their rib? I know Hypalon has a better name and bigger price tag. I am looking for a rib for leisure and fishing do I really need Hypalon?

[Dave Cowell]

It depends on how well you look after your Rib.
Hypalon stands abuse better than PVC so if the boat is left uncovered in the sun, wind and rain all year then Hypalon is a better option.

However if you store the boat under cover then PVC tubes will last for years.

The PVC tubed boats I repair tend to have cuts and tears, often caused during launching/recovering but this could be because the owners of PVC tubed boats are newer to Ribs and lack of experience has caused the damage.

Where PVC tubes compare badly to hypalon is on older Ribs when the glued seams have weakened and started leaking. Repairs to these tubes is difficult compared to hypalon tubes.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Dave Cowell

It depends on how well you look after your Rib.
Hypalon stands abuse better than PVC so if the boat is left uncovered in the sun, wind and rain all year then Hypalon is a better option.

However if you store the boat under cover then PVC tubes will last for years.

The PVC tubed boats I repair tend to have cuts and tears, often caused during launching/recovering but this could be because the owners of PVC tubed boats are newer to Ribs and lack of experience has caused the damage.

Where PVC tubes compare badly to hypalon is on older Ribs when the glued seams have weakened and started leaking. Repairs to these tubes is difficult compared to hypalon tubes.

I think that means Hyperlon!... And another vote for me.. In my opinion it's Far superior,if its a matter of Buck's, I'd wait and save a bit more,you'd not regret it.

[daiwinter]

Thanks!

[daiwinter]

Thanks for the advice!

[thomas]

There's PVC and there's PVC, same to be said about Hyperlon, I had a 15+ year old valiant where the PVC was in excellent condition and it had spent most of it's life un covered and not looked after and I've seen some newish PVC boats in terrible condition. Zodiac use a really flimsy Hyperlon on their Avons which scratches too easily for my liking.