Repairing tubes

[Anthony22]

Evening all,

My RIB currently has a slow puncture in 4 out of 5 sponsons of its collar and I am contemplating attacking them... From what I gather the sponsons are self-contained inner tubes, and that the overall cover will slide off, presumably to show the individual air chambers. Are tubes easy to remove and replace?! Are they generally easy peasy like putting a pair of curtains up, or am I likely to be left with a boat and a collar separated forever?!

Does anyone have any advice on how to plug the gaps? I was thinking of using this; http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/infla...ml678161.bhtml does anyone have any experience of using this type of product?

What's the best method for repairing the outer fabric? Attached with the tubes inflated would be my guess, but presumably it would be easier to do it while the collars were off, but would I get the 'shape' wrong (the tear is at the bow where it's hit the winch handle)?

Lastly, what tape should I use for the seams of the collar? I've ruled out duct tape, insulation tape and spinnaker tape, but this still leaves plenty to choose from!

Help is much appreciated!

Anthony

[stul]

Good luck
Its a bit of a pain leaking tubes, used this product looks simular, if not the same

http://www.polymarine.com/products/p...ealflex-500ml-[1908].cfm

Take a look; it goes into some detail, my tubes where PVC and small leaks sealed well with this,
Stuart

[paul tilley]

can you post photos of the rib

[Anthony22]

Originally Posted by paul tilley

can you post photos of the rib

Voila!

It's a 4.9m Tornado.

Also, I know that the tubes are "constructed of nylon based polyurethane fabric" - is this hypalon or PVC?!?! :s

[paul tilley]

not sure what you have ,the originals like yours were tornado hulls with tubes made by ml lifegauard ,the tubes were made from polyureathane with plastic sliders attached that slid onto the hull ,.from your photos it looks as if someone has turned the tube into an outer case and put liners in i think .hopefully this info is correct but is does not help determine fabric type for liners