SR4 Retubing, PVC or Hypalon?

[Dave Cowell]

£5k is overpriced, compare the £2k PVC price with a more realistic £3-3.5k and make your decision

[Bushrider]

Originally Posted by Livid

PU seems to last a bit longer than hypalon

My 2 cents -
The hypalon tubes of my recently acquired SR6 are more than 30 years old and the way they look they will still live longer than I do .

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by craig_c

Hypalon all day everyday

Your boat will be more robust, easier to patch if needed and most importantly far far far easier to sell if you want to change.

Theres a reason you still have a 1980s searider with original tubes. Hypalon is just so tough!

When the tubes are off you should just go all out and strengthen all you can especially the transom. I had one turn to mush on me so if the time and money is there just get it done

Give Henshaws a ring speak to Chris....and negotiate a deal is my 2nd piece advice
I've seen and been involved with 4 re-tubes with them now and never had any issues...and can only echo their already great reputation.

[beamishken]

Speak to Dave Cowal at north west ribs for a quote likely to be £1-1.5k cheaper than henshaws
And still does a good job

[Livid]

Ok many thanks for all the advice, I'll keep looking around because I don't want to make the choice quickly and end up regretting it later

[RoyP]

Originally Posted by Livid

ill think about it, i try and treat my rib a bit carefully, but lifespan is a very important consideration for me. PU seems to last a bit longer than hypalon but i'll have to do more research. I got quoted 3300 by those people for tubes and structural work which seems reasonable

I am looking for a retube and definitely considering the PU. I have seen some of the work by XS RIBS who are in the running. They are also very close in location. I have tried to contact Tilly numerous times, but they never reply, so they out of it.

[Livid]

I've seen a few xs ribs in the wild and they've always looked very well put together so the guys I'm talking to currently do have a leg up, I very rarely need tube repairs so I'm leaning towards PU, last time I needed a tube repair was when I cracked off one of the original valves a good few years ago now

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Dave Cowell

£5k is overpriced, compare the £2k PVC price with a more realistic £3-3.5k and make your decision

,,, and Dave will do a 1st class job [emoji6]

[matt h]

Speak to henshaws in yeovil or whatever they are called as they had a couple of sets they wanted rid of

[HDAV]

As for other stuff have you watched the Harry Dwyer videos on YouTube of an sr4 refurb?

Transom, deck finish, gel coat may all need doing along with things like electrics, steering, seats covers (don’t get tractor seats) etc.

[Livid]

I did see those, liked everything about it except what he did to the dashboard, it was too cluttered imo. I'm going to keep it simple, original dash, replace the broken trim gauge with a voltmeter, done. And yeah the seats on mine are original and are well past it, saw some very nice seats on vetus but they were too wide so I'm going for some nice high back folding ones, because originals like harry got are probably about as easy to come by as hens teeth

[Locozodiac]

If going for PVC retubing would recommend the German 1.2 mm Mehler fabric if possible to get in UK. Very tough fabric, holds UV punishment really well. Much thicker than the thinner Hypalon fabric offered.

Happy Boating

[RoyP]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

If going for PVC retubing would recommend the German 1.2 mm Mehler fabric if possible to get in UK. Very tough fabric, holds UV punishment really well. Much thicker than the thinner Hypalon fabric offered.

Happy Boating

I am still looking at options, I am quite fortunate that Sea Fury has its own garage at home. its protected from all the elements. Its has and will be washed and cleaned after every use.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

If going for PVC retubing would recommend the German 1.2 mm Mehler fabric if possible to get in UK. Very tough fabric, holds UV punishment really well. Much thicker than the thinner Hypalon fabric offered.

Happy Boating

Are you refering to the Mehler Valmex the highfields are made of ? that is certainly a superb tough finish and having had a highfield, mine still looked new at 4 years old ,mind you probhably be anti on here as probhably would,nt be a simple repair patch in your shed like hypalon, which many see as the most important factor

[GuyC]

Many people look at the commercial, military and UK built RIB's and base their tube material choice on that. Those markets are still dominated by hypalon although PU is growing in popularity.

The idea of being self sufficient when it comes to repair is also appealing although I believe you can repair PVC in the aforementioned shed.

[Livid]

Originally Posted by GuyC

Many people look at the commercial, military and UK built RIB's and base their tube material choice on that. Those markets are still dominated by hypalon although PU is growing in popularity.

The idea of being self sufficient when it comes to repair is also appealing although I believe you can repair PVC in the aforementioned shed.

I'm very incompetent and can't wire a plug without blowing something up or taking someone's eye out, my preferred inflatable repair method is a square of duct tape then a professional patch done by someone who knows what theyre doing

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by Livid

I'm very incompetent and can't wire a plug without blowing something up or taking someone's eye out, my preferred inflatable repair method is a square of duct tape then a professional patch done by someone who knows what theyre doing

You sound like ideal management material for BAE Systems