retube advice

steveplumber · 02 June 2010, 12:19

hi all previous to joining the forum i bought a rib and had some tubes made by a company who i have since relised doesnt have the best rep on here (famous for inner tubes) i have had four leaks now in these tubes and have only seen the water twice ! could anybody recomend a good company for retube who dont charge the earth to do it as i have already paid for it to be done once already!

Poly · 02 June 2010, 12:43

Steve I think the general consensus on the forum there is no "cheap" way to get new tubes which are reliable. Tubes require quite expensive material and have to be hand made by skilled craftsmen.

Paul Tilley and Henshaws (username Christopher?) both post on here with very good reputations.

RIBshop who also post on here also do tube repairs (possibly retubes?) and also are well thought of.

If you are shopping around the Eurocraft and SIT Ltd (former Eurocraft staff?) both in Lancs would be worth talking to.

Some of the manufacturers who make their own tubes will also do retubes - e.g. RIBcraft and BarnetMarine/XS.

I think there are also one or two people who do repair work freelance on the south coast. Whether any of them might be able to do anything with your existing tubes is another question?

steveplumber · 02 June 2010, 12:46

ive already called henshaws and im looking around the 4k mark for their tubes which is just way too expensive for me as i could prob buy another bare rib for that sort of money

jyasaki · 02 June 2010, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveplumber

ive already called henshaws and im looking around the 4k mark for their tubes which is just way too expensive for me as i could prob buy another bare rib for that sort of money

That still doesn't get you tubes, though...

jky

Ribshop · 02 June 2010, 17:39

Steve, PM me your boat details and I will pop a quote together for you.

thommo · 03 June 2010, 10:34

I'm guessing that you have bought your tubes from the same clown who recently sold us ours (we are an independant lifeboat outfit). The inner tubes burst as soon as the boat went into the water, when we pulled them out they were a couple of feet too long for the compartment they were in and had split along the resulting creases.

We are now also having to look at a £4lk retube which is a hell of a lot of money for a tiny charity to find.

Something should be done about this guy.

steveplumber · 03 June 2010, 10:53

sounds like it, the tubes were leaking even before fitting them they look far too long on the boat but was assured that this was correct. removing the tube for repair is not a easy job the inner tubes are too long and had patches on them already i paid 1100 for the tubes and havent had a leak free trip yet, hes told me to put pond liner or carpet in the tube but if they need protecting why not just supply heavier material to start with? i went out yesterday and was out for 20 mins before both rear tubes failed. its not just shoddy but dangerous, ive spoken to a tube builder on here and will be replacing them but money is very tight as ive just spent 18k on a wedding 3 weeks ago and work is on the shy side. i wish i could give him back the tubes and get my dosh back but im wasting my time. the best thing i can do is shame him.

JACK BORAN GEMINI INDUSTRIES YOU ARE A CROOK YOU SHOULD NOT BE TRADING

steveplumber · 03 June 2010, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by thommo

I'm guessing that you have bought your tubes from the same clown who recently sold us ours (we are an independant lifeboat outfit). The inner tubes burst as soon as the boat went into the water, when we pulled them out they were a couple of feet too long for the compartment they were in and had split along the resulting creases.

We are now also having to look at a £4lk retube which is a hell of a lot of money for a tiny charity to find.

Something should be done about this guy.

have you complained to trading standards ? i think thats to the route im going to go might be better if theres several people doing the same

Poly · 03 June 2010, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveplumber

i wish i could give him back the tubes and get my dosh back but im wasting my time. the best thing i can do is shame him.

You can. Your purchase is protectected by the Sale of Goods Act. The goods are not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. I'd suggest photographing it all, and then getting a decent tube builder to look at them and write a letter to that effect - I'm sure most would do it if quoting for replacements. Then send it all back using a courier who will provide a proof of delivery. Demand a full refund. If he doesn't pay file a small claims action against him, it done online and costs less than £50. He may still not pay and you can get baillifs to enforce it. He may not have any money and be unable to pay but you would then have the option to force him out of business which will stop him from continuing to peddle this crap. Talk to consumer direct (the government trading standards helpline).

steveplumber · 03 June 2010, 11:18

just spoke to consumer direct they say ive got a good case so im stating legal proceedings against him

Poly · 03 June 2010, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveplumber

just spoke to consumer direct they say ive got a good case so im stating legal proceedings against him

they'll keep you right - but I thought you had to return the goods to him and give a reasonable time for a refund before you could take him to court?

steveplumber · 03 June 2010, 11:33

no they said all i need to do is write a letter stating that i want a refund and for the reasons give him 30 days to comply then i can go to small claims court and get a judgement nothing about returning the goods

steveplumber · 03 June 2010, 11:35

i dont see why i should waste any more money on sending back his tubes

steveplumber · 03 June 2010, 12:00

HAND MADE INNER TUBES for INFLATABLE PRODUCTS since 1989

4000 tubes, 3 complaints. 5 years warranty

taken from the gemini website

paul tilley · 03 June 2010, 13:21

steve and Thommo i have only got approx 30 years experience in the inflatable business but would be quite happy to write reports on you tubes free of charge and why they wont work if it will help you in any legal action against this crook if this will help you and others from being ripped off email me .paul@tidel.biz

Nos4r2 · 03 June 2010, 17:48

Just a thought, but would Watchdog be interested in someone screwing over a rescue organisation?

Trickdog · 03 June 2010, 18:48

Steve, may not be of interest to you because of the location (near Hull) but I know Northcraft do a lot of retubing. I'm sure they will be a lot less than 4k. Not the easiest people to get hold of sometimes as they're only a small company, but the number is 01964 631815 (I think). Ask for John.

David

Ally S · 04 June 2010, 09:17

you might want to try Avon. Not sure if they only do their own boats but i got a 4m searider retubed last summer - they did a great job, service was excellent and they were a good way cheaper than the other quotes i got.

Feel free to pm me if you want more info

chewy · 04 June 2010, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ally S

you might want to try Avon. Not sure if they only do their own boats but i got a 4m searider retubed last summer - they did a great job, service was excellent and they were a good way cheaper than the other quotes i got.

Feel free to pm me if you want more info

Where did you get your other quotes from?

paul tilley · 04 June 2010, 15:01

or how much did avon charge ???