Who has the oldest Hypalon tubes?

[rbw156]

There has been much debate about how long Hypalon and PVC tubes last, so I'm keen to find out who has the oldest tubes in both Hypalon and PVC.

Also, when does a RIB typically need re-tubing? Is it 10 years, 15 years, 20 years or even longer?

[gocherhaz]

I've got a 1991 with Hypalon tubes holding up brilliant


Ex RNLI Y-94

[spartacus]

I've got a Zodiac MkII CGT from 1986 (PVC). Seam went under rowlock and failed at cone ends. Repaired - but now languishes in a barn.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by rbw156

Also, when does a RIB typically need re-tubing? Is it 10 years, 15 years, 20 years or even longer?

Depends on the material (its probably wrong to think of even Hypalon as just one thing as there are military/commercial grades, different colours, and some industrial applications have some much rubbing strip and wear patches it is almost double skinned!).

Indoor / outdoor storage.
Latitude / climate.
Covered / uncovered.
Frequency of Use (and inflation when not in use).
Type of use - divers sitting on/going over tubes, v's families on nice seats, v's towing dinghies, v's landing against barnacle encrusted walls.

Probably all contribute to the life.

However if I was "budgeting" for life I would assume:

PVC - ten years unless in very harsh environment.
Hypalon - twenty years unless in very harsh environment, and could be extended with TLC and care.

[office888]

Originally Posted by Poly

PVC - ten years unless in very harsh environment.
Hypalon - twenty years unless in very harsh environment, and could be extended with TLC and care.

I'll add to this.

Based on average use by a non-commercial operator:
100% glued PVC, China origin : ~3-5 years from date of manufacture
Partial glued / thermobonded PVC, China origin : ~4-8 years from date of manufacture
Partial glued / thermobonded PVC, EU origin : 5-10 years from date of manufacture
99% thermobonded PVC, some Zodiac products only : 10+ years from date of purchase...no adhesive to fail. The only worry is UV degradation. Average I have seen is 15 years with moderate use north of 40 degrees latitude.

CSM/Hypalon/Neo :
>20 years, light use and/or north of 40 degrees latitude
15 years, moderate use or between 30-39 degrees latitude
10 years, moderate use south of 29 degrees latitude

[Mextli]

My old Searider was build 1978 so it has got 38 year old tubes tht still hold the air fine.

I own a 1980 PVC eurovinil e2 which has welded seams. Tubes still look good

[MatFromPoland]

Originally Posted by office888

I'll add to this.

Based on average use by a non-commercial operator:
100% glued PVC, China origin : ~3-5 years from date of manufacture
Partial glued / thermobonded PVC, China origin : ~4-8 years from date of manufacture
Partial glued / thermobonded PVC, EU origin : 5-10 years from date of manufacture
99% thermobonded PVC, some Zodiac products only : 10+ years from date of purchase...no adhesive to fail. The only worry is UV degradation. Average I have seen is 15 years with moderate use north of 40 degrees latitude.

CSM/Hypalon/Neo :
>20 years, light use and/or north of 40 degrees latitude
15 years, moderate use or between 30-39 degrees latitude
10 years, moderate use south of 29 degrees latitude

Thanks for this info.
In Poland tubes made from PVC are 2 times less expensive than hypalon (for example SPORTIS).
So if they last 2 times longer results be almost the same in term of expenses I think. Just in case asked this company for re-tube mine boat with hypalon - total cost be 3 000 GBP.

[Bigtalljv]

Pretty sure my tubes are 29 years old. On my zodiac 7m military

Jason

[Squid Boat]

I still have a 1981 Zodiac Mark 1 GT I bought new that looks great, but time to re-glue the floor and r+r the transom seals as they are OEM. Best money I ever spent on a SIB.
Will be a Zodiac customer for life. This is her 1 year ago.

Cheers

[Cypman]

Circa 1976 Humber Guppy SIB, tubes as new and glue still working !!

[headdamage]

I have a 1974 Mk1 Zodiac that is sill in good shape. Our Coast Guard unit is using a 1996 H640 Hurricane and the tubs still hold air though they look a little rough.

[A1an]

1978 Searider.

Still going like a Gaelic song...

[daveb47]

I have a 1988 Humber Alpha which is still going strong.

[ncp]

1989 with some new rubstrake

[berat]

I have a 1986 model zodiac MKIII grand raid. Its hypalon tubes are original and keeps the air very vell. But need a second floor replacement as can be seen in below pictures. There is no sunburn or scrach on tubes they are like new.
Also i m thinking to replace with a rigid fiberglass bottom, i dont know is it worth to do and what costs.

[C-NUMB]

This is a small round tail, according to the stamp produced December 1973. Still going strong but think it has not been used much. Not 100 % this is hypalon or not but definitely not PVC.

[Seaflyer02]

Looking at the valve that looks like what was used on the "Campari" range of inflatables. These were made from a lightweight type hypalon fabric.

[C-NUMB]

Originally Posted by Seaflyer02

Looking at the valve that looks like what was used on the "Campari" range of inflatables. These were made from a lightweight type hypalon fabric.

Yes, can be, it is rather light and the fabric is much more like hypalon than plastic/pvc . Purchased it for 15 eur for using as a beaching dinghy in case of anchoring the "main vessel". It still has original instructions, repair kit and oars....Wonder if those was already made in china as there is no remark anywhere where it was manufactured. This one has originally been purchased in Sweden based on the instruction language.

[Seaflyer02]

Campari in the late 60s early 70s made a range of inflatables from the typical dinghy type through to the transom Seadart which I believe was rated for a 25hp. The Super Mermaid was my first inflatable. This had a bow dodger, windscreen and a transom. I think the max hp was a 6. I don't think they were Chinese possibly Italian. It is a long time ago!

[daveb47]

My first boat was a Campari Bluebird my dad bought us back in the late 70's. Had lots of fun and a good start to Sib's.