tube pressure??

[brinky]

Hi all and a merry Christmas...

A quick question about tube pressure, now the temperature has dropped the tubes on my rib have gone very soft.. Unfortunately the rib has to live outside with a cover over it. Is it best to leave the tubes soft or should I inflate them to keep their shape, and is snow and frost likely to do any harm?

Thanks Paul

[alystra]

Hi Paul. My RIB has been kept outside with a good cover on for the ten years I've had it. So far no problems with the tubes or anything else.

I usually leave the tubes as they were when I hauled out for the winter. They do go very soft, even sag a little, because of the low temperature.

If I have to climb aboard regularly - like if I'm doing some work aboard - I pump them a bit to stop the deflection as I climb on. A sunny day, even in midwinter, makes a big difference in tube pressure, so I never put very much air in. Like I said, no problems so far.

Cheers Tony

[jambo]

Hi Paul like Tony I also keep my rib outside all winter in the west of scotland not too far from Tony. I have had no bother with tubes or hull except for the usual deflation due to temp. Before I did keep it outside as I had kept it inside I phoned Ribcraft for advice and especially as to frost and low temps and was advised that the boat and tubes would not be effected in any way.
Hope this helps.

J

[matt h]

likewise, i keep mine in a garage (cos its tiny) and i keep them to 2.5 PSI but ive never had a boat suffer due to the cold and frost, i do make sure however if they are left outside that they are pumped to the right pressure, which is normally to 2.5

[Hightower]

Only thing you have to be careful of is not deflating the tubes when the weather warms up in the spring if you've been using the RIB though the Winter months. I'm usually a bit paranoid about checking during this time of year as I'm sure you are only too aware how much the pressure goes up in the tubes when thet're sat in warm Sun. Could be a BIG mistake if unchecked.

[chewy]

Mines covered in snow at the moment and fine. Its pumped so the tubes are firm, not rock hard but not floppy.

[alystra]

The cold and snow has made mine very droopy.