Repairs to Tubes using 'Inner tubes'

hardcore diver · 08 November 2005, 23:48

Thinking of repairing our leaking tubes by fitting 'inner tubes' inside of the original tubes. Has anyone any experience of this method good or bad. Or has anyone ever heard of the technique before. need some advice and or endorsment either way before we take the plunge

cheers

Ian P.

codprawn · 09 November 2005, 01:44

On Salvage squad they did exactly this to a hovercraft they were restoring - worked fine. Didn't realise a hovercraft is really just a RIB underneath!!!

columbiachop · 09 November 2005, 03:02

i recently aquired a "fixer upper" with a nylon cover over rubber bladders. so some engineer at some point in time thought it would work. i'd sure rather have hypalon or similar myself though. you'll need to have a way to access the inner tubes in the future as they may crack and need repair down the road sometime. mine just slide out when you remove the nylon shell. and yes, they've cracked in spots over time. mostly from being left deflated for years.
good luck.
andy

Scary Des · 09 November 2005, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardcore diver

Thinking of repairing our leaking tubes by fitting 'inner tubes' inside of the original tubes. Has anyone any experience of this method good or bad. Or has anyone ever heard of the technique before. need some advice and or endorsment either way before we take the plunge

cheers

Ian P.

Have a look at this

Des

Rodan · 09 November 2005, 09:18

On my old 4m Zodiac SIB (which was very old and tatty) I just pumped a several tins of the emergeny puncture repair stuff you get in garages in through the valves, inflated the boat quite hard and rolled it up and down the garden for half an hour. Sounds silly but it cured the problem and to finish off I painted the boat in inflatable boat paint. It looked quite good for a couple of years.

paul tilley · 09 November 2005, 10:01

VERY BIASED REPLY there used to be an american company who made tubes this way but it never caught on .Fletchers tried to do the same but also gave up with the idea .the MOD had some tubes fitted with emergency bladders inside ready to inflate in the case of a puncture but these were made of pu film not pvc ,pu being a more flexible material than pvc . i could quote you for pu liners and explain the best way to fit them but it would be more expensive than pvc , it would not add to the value of the rib either whereas a nice new set of hypalon tubes from me would certainly be better .if you want more info call me on 01803833309 or 07815144269

oxboy · 09 November 2005, 10:31

I have fitted Gemini inner tubes to a Tornado rib.
If you follow the instructions they are reletavely easy to fit.
The only problem is that it does not state on the instructions that when they are inflated they MUST be very, very hard.

After I hade fitted them and used it for the first time they split near the transom, Gemini explained that as they were not hard enough they rubbed against the inside of the tubes, they took them back and repaired them, when I got them back I fitted them.
When you think you have put enough air in, just put more in until they are absolutely solid, this way they will not move inside.

Jono · 09 November 2005, 10:56

What's the cost versus a professional retube from Paul/Chris/Ed taking into account the difference in value should you come to sell the boat? Will the inner tubes last as long as a new set of tubes if you’re keeping the boat for a while and it’s going to see some hard/enthusiastic use?

oxboy · 09 November 2005, 15:22

I think it cost abour £400 for the set, they are ok but it is always in the back of your mind if they are going to deflate again.
I am sure it will affect second hand price as most people will not like the inner tubes.
If you are looking to sell on in the near future or are worried then a new set of tubes will be better.

columbiachop · 09 November 2005, 16:37

i agree. i'm sure using inner tubes doesn't help resale value much. what about performance though? i'm considering haveing new tubes installed to replace my rubber "bladder" system. do you guys know if there is any performance drawbacks to using inner tubes?

the cost of re-tubeing my 14' boat -$5,600. ouch.

Nos4r2 · 09 November 2005, 23:36

JEsus. Wouldn't it be cheaper to ship new tubes from over here?!

Downhilldai · 10 November 2005, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

JEsus. Wouldn't it be cheaper to ship new tubes from over here?!

Or buy a new 14' boat!!!

columbiachop · 10 November 2005, 00:37

yeah...thought my head was gonna fall off when i heard that. that was from HBI who made my boat. i think it's a custom fitting or something since we would be completely changing the tube style.

i'm thinking maybe ribs are just more expensive here on the northwest coast. they want $26,000 for a 14 ft with a 50hp outboard. that's loaded though.

Downhilldai · 10 November 2005, 01:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbiachop

yeah...thought my head was gonna fall off when i heard that. that was from HBI who made my boat. i think it's a custom fitting or something since we would be completely changing the tube style.

i'm thinking maybe ribs are just more expensive here on the northwest coast. they want $26,000 for a 14 ft with a 50hp outboard. that's loaded though.

Loaded!!! You'd need to be loaded to buy it!

columbiachop · 10 November 2005, 01:22

no kidding. i bought mine for around $600 as a fixer upper. i would have had to be loaded to pass that up. kinda funky looking but i imagine pretty fast. i just gotta figure out this tube thing. i'm a little nervous of this whole rubber bladder setup.

slimtim · 12 November 2005, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

On Salvage squad they did exactly this to a hovercraft they were restoring - worked fine. Didn't realise a hovercraft is really just a RIB underneath!!!

eh?!!

Jackwabbit · 12 November 2005, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimtim

eh?!!

You had to see it to understand, it was the restoration of a skimmer 12.
It had an aluminium hull with an inflatable tube round it that the skirt was attached.

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Nate · 12 November 2005, 09:20

Serious question - I've used aerosol puncture repair sprays in car and bike tyres in emergencies (Tyreweld). I have no idea how it works, but it does - no residue appears inside the tyre on subsequent inspection / repair. In fact while this stuff is only recommended as a temporary fix I believe it has approval in other countries as a permanent repair.

Why doesn't someone market this for rib tubes? Better still, can this be used in rib tubes??

jwalker · 12 November 2005, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

.....- no residue appears inside the tyre on subsequent inspection / repair.

Are you sure. Many moons past, after using it the tyre went in for a repair, the call from the guys in the tyre depot was." Aw naw, you haven't used scooshy can, have you?"

However, I have some heavy duty stuff inside my JCB tyres. It's been there for years and so have the nails. The tyres stay inflated almost indefinately and they're tubed type too. It certainly works.

wittevro · 21 April 2019, 19:16

where can I find the inner tubes
thanks Ignace