Other Rib Sites/Books/Magazines?

zip · 06 November 2007, 14:35

I will be purchasing a Rib soon, and would like to get more information on this type of boat.

Are there any other web sites that pertain to ribs?

Can anyone suggest any books or magazines that would provide me with some more information?

Thank You.

Blair

fast fred · 06 November 2007, 14:59

not sure what kinda info your lookin for Zip. what ever your lookin at see what it sold for new, what it cost now compaired to how it looks and it's price.
best advice Don't take any bodys word on anythin you can not verifie indapendantly for your self. check the manufactures History.

zip · 06 November 2007, 15:27

Fred,

I am just looking for general info. regarding ribs.

I know that at one time there was a magazine about ribs, but it appears as though it no longer exists.

Thanks for your time and input.

jyasaki · 06 November 2007, 15:35

Here; That's about it, unfortunately.

As far as I am aware, most of the mags have gone by the wayside, and not many active websites (especially on this side of the pond) even know what a RIB is.

jky

p.s. Where is Pacific Beach?

John Kennett · 06 November 2007, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Here; That's about it, unfortunately.

Hey, what more could you want?

John

fast fred · 06 November 2007, 17:23

hypolon is your best bet in toob skin on a used hull, from thare be lookin for cracks in the glass ect. it's the price and the shape it's in for the most part, and the histoy of said builder

there are some who Know far more than just what a rib is hear

zip · 06 November 2007, 18:48

jky,

Pacific Beach is in California, USA. It is just a little north of San Diego.

ff,

Yep, that Hypalon does seem to be what most boats are made of these days. Zodiac's for the most part are PVC, but i do see that they are now offering them in Hypalon.

the boat that i am looking at has some small cracks in the glass in the cockpit area where the tubes meet the body of the boat.

jyasaki · 06 November 2007, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Hey, what more could you want?

John

... Had a feeling that'd sound wrong.

jyasaki · 06 November 2007, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

jky,
Pacific Beach is in California, USA. It is just a little north of San Diego.

Ah. Okay, I'm a little further north, in the SF Bay Area.

Quote:

Yep, that Hypalon does seem to be what most boats are made of these days. Zodiac's for the most part are PVC, but i do see that they are now offering them in Hypalon.

You sure of that? Most of the newer boats I see (that are not top-end machines) tend to be PVC. Easier to work with, less skilled labor needed; it's kind of obvious as to why.

Hypalon is a much more stable material (IMO), which justifies the extra cost of hand laying up the tubes.

The only hypalon Zodiacs I know of (Which, I suppose, isn't saying much) are the commercial and military RIBs. Or am I behind the times again?

jky

prairie tuber · 07 November 2007, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Ah. Okay, I'm a little further north, in the SF Bay Area.

You sure of that? Most of the newer boats I see (that are not top-end machines) tend to be PVC. Easier to work with, less skilled labor needed; it's kind of obvious as to why.

Hypalon is a much more stable material (IMO), which justifies the extra cost of hand laying up the tubes.

The only hypalon Zodiacs I know of (Which, I suppose, isn't saying much) are the commercial and military RIBs. Or am I behind the times again?

jky

Nope. You are bang on.

zip · 07 November 2007, 01:11

When i went to a recent boat show, i was told by the reps for Avon, Caribe, Nautica, and Novurania that they were made of Hypalon.

I went in to my local store and looked at a 2007 Zodiac 420, and it was made of Hypalon.

I am just basing my info on what the reps. for these companies told me.

John Kennett · 07 November 2007, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

... Had a feeling that'd sound wrong.

John

fast fred · 07 November 2007, 10:12

thare one more step in joinin hypolon together, it dose have a better overall life span than pvc.

jyasaki · 07 November 2007, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

I went in to my local store and looked at a 2007 Zodiac 420, and it was made of Hypalon.

Zodiac 420's used to be welded PVC tubes. This year (or was it last?) Zodiac changed from their Strongan Duotex fabric (PVC) to what they call Sharc (which is polyurethane.)

Both PVC and PU have a sort of semi-translucent looking, plastic-cy feeling surface; Hypalon has a completely opaque, rubber-like surface (though that may have a protectant applied, making it glossier/slipperier, if that's a word.)

If the boat you saw had hypalon tubes, they may have been custom made, specifically for that boat. One other possibility is that it was an FC-420, which is a professional grade SIB, available in hypalon (and also only through special order, I believe.)

jky

prairie tuber · 08 November 2007, 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Zodiac 420's used to be welded PVC tubes. This year (or was it last?) Zodiac changed from their Strongan Duotex fabric (PVC) to what they call Sharc (which is polyurethane.)

Both PVC and PU have a sort of semi-translucent looking, plastic-cy feeling surface; Hypalon has a completely opaque, rubber-like surface (though that may have a protectant applied, making it glossier/slipperier, if that's a word.)

If the boat you saw had hypalon tubes, they may have been custom made, specifically for that boat. One other possibility is that it was an FC-420, which is a professional grade SIB, available in hypalon (and also only through special order, I believe.)

jky

prairie tuber · 08 November 2007, 12:34

Just to clarify, Zodiac will be using the polyurethane 'Sharc Duotex' fabric only one their recreational boats that are over 6m long. Any of their recreational boat under 6m will contiue to get the PVC 'Strongan Duotex' .

http://www.saltwaterpr.com/asp/story...=3301&lang=ENG

prairie tuber · 08 November 2007, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

When i went to a recent boat show, i was told by the reps for Avon, Caribe, Nautica, and Novurania that they were made of Hypalon.

I'm pretty sure that is correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

I went in to my local store and looked at a 2007 Zodiac 420, and it was made of Hypalon.

I am just basing my info on what the reps. for these companies told me.

I'm pretty sure that is incorrect. I would challenge your reps on that point. Ask them if they would guarantee in writing that if the pro 420 is delivered to you with a tubeset that is not hypalon, they will pay the full cost of having it retubed with hypalon by a North American tube manufacturer of your choice. (ie. Manta, Polaris, Titan, Zodiac Hurricane etc...). You'll see some fast backpedalling.

My local Zodiac dealer is absolutely clueless when it comes to inflatables, but to his credit, he'll admit as much.

ribfan · 08 November 2007, 13:13

A quick visit to Zodiac's web site confirms that all of the Yachtline level boats use strongan tubes. When looking at the site, except for a few scant references they are devoid of much about tube material on the boats. It is only highlighted under "technology". Looks as though they are trying to minimize the fact that they are PVC tubes and convince customers that if it's a zodiac, it must be good! That said, I do like the Hurricane series boats, although I see them as overrated. I think Ribcraft as well as some of the other makers are as good or better.

Bill

www.eclecticwonders.com uncommon art

jyasaki · 12 November 2007, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Just to clarify, Zodiac will be using the polyurethane 'Sharc Duotex' fabric only one their recreational boats that are over 6m long. Any of their recreational boat under 6m will contiue to get the PVC 'Strongan Duotex' .

Didn't see that in my research. Thanks, PT.

jky

Tibs · 12 November 2007, 15:40

Hi Zip, and welcome to Ribnet. The best magazine I have found for RIBs is RIB International, printed over in the UK. They will distribute to the US for a small fee. There was a magazine here in the US called Inflatable Boats Magazine, but you're correct - it is no longer in circulation. I don't think it was up to par with RIB international.

Might I suggest looking into RIBCRAFT. They are located on the east coast, and build / sell direct. They are more commercial grade than most RIBs out there, but make a great boat.

Good luck!