Convert an inflatable to a rigid hull

gmpr · 28 July 2009, 16:39

I am new here and new to this!

I have an "achilles" inflatable boat (around 9ft) that was the dinghy of my unlce's 36ft TIARA. He bought a new inflatable beacause the achilles hull (rubber hull, not rigid) have a hole on its bottom (about 9-10 inches). The rest of the boat is in good condition: tubes, transom, inflatable keel, etc. It just takes a lot of water inside, but obviously doesn't sink.

My question is, it possible/good to make a rigid hull (fiberglass/wood, etc.) for this boat? Where I can found more info about this?

What you expericed in this recommend, do it rigid or just repair the holes and have some fun? What max. hp engine could be used with a rigid hull (achilles recommend 8hp for normal rubber bottom)?

I am not experienced with RIB's, but have some skills in projects like that, as auto paint shop, fabricating, etc.

The boat is one like this...

chewy · 28 July 2009, 17:05

Just patch it. You could make a hull and attach the tubes but it wouldn't be worth the hassle.

Poly · 28 July 2009, 17:07

you should certainly be able to repair it. if you feel adventurous you could put a rigid hull on it - but it would be a lot of effort, compared to patching. either way you'll need to work out what the material is - I would guess PVC - so you get the right glue.

m chappelow · 28 July 2009, 17:32

if you say it has a long cut in the bottom ,stitch it with rot proof line /nylon fishing line ,first before glueing a patch on ,

gmpr · 28 July 2009, 17:35

The material is hypalon. I already contacted the manufacturer (Achilles) and they told use 2-part hypalon glue...

What website and/or advise to buy the glue for the US?

What about hypalon fabric?

It is good to paint the boat to give it a better look? I don't want the paint peel, etc.

Poly · 28 July 2009, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmpr

The material is hypalon. I already contacted the manufacturer (Achilles) and they told use 2-part hypalon glue...

What website and/or advise to buy the glue for the US?

What about hypalon fabric?

It is good to paint the boat to give it a better look? I don't want the paint peel, etc.

search here - I am sure the topic of glue etc in the USA has come up before. In my opinion a boat needs to be really bad before it looks better after being painted (especially a year later), and the transformations some people have posted just by serious cleaning can help most "tired" boats.

jyasaki · 29 July 2009, 15:33

NRS sells Clifton Glues. I usually keep some on hand (has a year shelf life, I think), but never had to use it.

There are other brand you can use as well: Polymarine (stay away from the one-part stuff, though), Weaver, several others.

Sort of depends on where you are located, and you didn't put a location, so...

NRS also has some pretty good repair procedures on their site.

www.nrsweb.com and look under Repair/Care.

jky