Rubber Tube Protection?

[Gadge]

Hi folks, im new to the forum, registered last year but not really been on, so be gentle.

Ive got a 4.5m flatacraft Rib, which im planning on using this year. However the rubber that the tubes are made from, seems to be very thin, and doesnt look as if it will take a lot to rip or puncture. This is backed up by the number of patches on it.

My mate has a 4m avon searider, there is a huge difference between the quality of the rubber on the two boats.

Without spending big bucks getting the whole boat retubed, is there anything I can do to tuffen up the rubber?

Thanks for any advice........

[Julian]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure that there is any thing that can toughen up the rubber but you can add rubbing Streaks down the sides to protect them and heavy duty patches across the tops of the tubes. These will help alot.

Julian

[jwalker]

Do what Julian says and then paint it to keep the sun off it from now on. This will help prevent further deterioration. The tubes are probably hypalon and hypalon paint is available from chandlers. If you have difficulty finding larger quantities, Polymarine in North Wales will supply but they'll sting you for postage. You do have to make sure of the fabric type first though.
JW.

[Scotty]

Originally posted by Gadge
Hi folks, im new to the forum, registered last year but not really been on, so be gentle.

is there anything I can do to tuffen up the rubber?

Thanks for any advice........

Jeez,
I thought that I had stumbled into a new sex forum here with all the talk about rubber protection !!

[Lester McCarthy]

Have you considered covering the tubes in GRP, with some of the lightweight kevlar matt available these days it should not be so weighty and you will no longer have to blow up the deflated tubes everytime you want to use it.

Another solution I have seen is filling the tubes with expanding foam. The disadvantage being the extra weight but then you could easily increase the engine size.