Seam repair

[ryza00]

Hello,

Im looking for some advice on repairing our tubes. The seam has come away at the cone section of the tubes as you can see from the pictures.

We are going to attempt to glue it back together ourselves to try and save some money. The plan is to glue the seam together then glue a patch over the seam area and glue a similar patch on the other tube.

Any tips and advice would be appreciated.

The rib is around 15 years old and this is the first time the seams have leaked I was wondering if this will be common occurence now due to its age. Are we only delaying the inevitable that it will need re-tubed?

[BogMonster]

You are into a world of pain, get an expert to do it, it is a black art that us mere mortals cannot master!

Do a search on here for my tube problems a couple of years ago to see why...

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

You are into a world of pain, get an expert to do it, it is a black art that us mere mortals cannot master!

Do a search on here for my tube problems a couple of years ago to see why...

I think I agree. I patch is relatively easy, a seam repair is a bit trickier. Also, seam failure at sea is rather catastrophic.

[doggypaddle]

I would get an expert to do it, whilst in theory its easy, (or at least the physics are) in practice its a nightmare. It would be easer if you had as many arms as Ganesh,
I have stuck quite a few patches on the searider, some quite big uns sucessfully, the process of which left me wondering, how the hell do you do a seam repair without glueing yourself to the boat??

[Rogue Wave]

I can fix that and I'm no expert! so I think you could do it yourself. the key to a good job is preparation get it properly abraded.

That is quite a big parting of the seam did you open it up a bit or did this happen at sea in one go. If so where you hammering it and were the rear tubes well in the water.

also is there any delamination or polymerisation of the Hypalon (the breakdown of the material) it doen't look like from the photos.

if you want to fix it I'll send you some instructions later I haven't got the patience to type them right now

Also what is that Shite on the tubes

[ryza00]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I can fix that and I'm no expert! so I think you could do it yourself. the key to a good job is preparation get it properly abraded.

That is quite a big parting of the seam did you open it up a bit or did this happen at sea in one go. If so where you hammering it and were the rear tubes well in the water.

also is there any delamination or polymerisation of the Hypalon (the breakdown of the material) it doen't look like from the photos.

if you want to fix it I'll send you some instructions later I haven't got the patience to type them right now

Also what is that Shite on the tubes

Hello,

I dont think there is any breakdown in the material it still looks decent considering its age.

The parting was only slight but by the time we got back to base it had opened up more.

Our diving club is pretty strapped for cash by the time we pay our marina fees so if we can save some money by carrying out a succesful repair ourselves then it is worth a go in my books.

I dont know what the shite on the tubes it has been there for the past couple of years Iv been a member. I think the rib used to sit in the water full time during the summer months.

If you could send me the instructions it would be apprciated.

Cheers!

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

the process of which left me wondering, how the hell do you do a seam repair without glueing yourself to the boat??

Erm - from my experience, you don't

I ended up glued to the boat AND with an un-repaired seam.

[Ashton]

PM Sent

Originally Posted by ryza00

Hello,

Im looking for some advice on repairing our tubes. The seam has come away at the cone section of the tubes as you can see from the pictures.

We are going to attempt to glue it back together ourselves to try and save some money. The plan is to glue the seam together then glue a patch over the seam area and glue a similar patch on the other tube.

Any tips and advice would be appreciated.

The rib is around 15 years old and this is the first time the seams have leaked I was wondering if this will be common occurence now due to its age. Are we only delaying the inevitable that it will need re-tubed?