Tubes won't hold air

[j.i.wilson]

I am seeking some advice from you experts.

My RIB refuses to hold air in the starboard tube, both for and aft.

The tubes are PVC with a rubber (?) bladder. The stern starboard tube had been reported many times. This time it has started to leak air again after only one trip. I need to short this out.

I know the real and long term solution is to do re-tube. However I cannot afford that at the moment (estimates vary from £3k to £5k.

So I would like to do a more pennant repair.

I think the problem may be some rough seams on the inside of the PVC covers. Certainly most of the repairs seem to be in that area.

Would it be viable to put a rubber sheet over the offending seam to protect the bladder?

Where do I look for written advice on doing repair to PVC tubes?

Thanks in advance

Btw. RIB is 5.5m

[Ribshop]

They are Gemini tubes; you are really fighting a losing battle.

[Nos4r2]

Retube it.

[j.i.wilson]

Ok.

Given competent DIY, and a well equipped workshop, is a DIY re-tube a realistic proposition?

Hope so!

[paul tilley]

we sell lots of tubes with fitting kits for home completion worldwide