Gemini tubes

[Nickbotnia]

I know that this has been covered by others, but I thought I'd put my experiences with Jack on too.
I bought the Sam Robinson/Gemini tubed rib some 4 to 5 years ago.
Sam told me it was a Ring 21 hull & he had bought the moulds from Mike Ring.
Gemini Industries supplies the tubes to Sam who fitted them.
I left it in my garden uncovered that winter.
during the cold spell, the tubes simply fell off the rib!
I then got a company in essex to fit the tubes properly, they warned me about the issues with these tubes.

For reasons I now can't explain, I did nothing with the rib till last week, when I decided to assemble it.
Me & my 12 yr old son took it out last saturday at Rye, first time the rib had seen water, all very exiting!, no leaks, floats well, looking good: engine runs well (150 Mercury XR6)
go out to sea, had a long run in her, very impressed with performance (I think the boat is pretty light for it's size 7+m)
We were out at the Fairway buoy, when the coxwain says "Dad is the tube meant to flap like that", sure enough the starboard rear tube had deflated.
This was a new experience for both of us, quite character building in fact.
Making sure we kept planing, we zoomed back into Rye (sorry Mr HM). (Boat stayed afloat even when statonary...)
Stitching had failed on both cones, on starboard side, the innertube had burst, the port one close to failing, with innertube showing.

Spoke to Jack at Gemini Industries, "stitching had rotted due to me leaving boat outside & I had over pressurised the tubes". He offered to send me patches & stitching to repair it my self. "the factory is in Belgium & we dont have facilities to repair here, & I only returned to England to retire"
The tubes were underinflated if anything, as I couldn't find an adaptor to pump them up, nothing came with the boat.
Their website says stitching is good for ten years....
Moral: buy cheap buy twice
Been quoted £4k for hypalon, anyone got any ideas??

[martini]

Yes you should never leave a boat outside, that's just asking for trouble. What were you thinking?

[bedajim]

Get a few more quotes and see how they stack up

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Get a few more quotes and see how they stack up

Yep and make sure that Paul Tilley is one of them !!

[doggypaddle]

Yep, make sure you speak to Paul, He is genuinely really helpful, He talked me through repairing my tubes several times, probably wasted hours of his time
I can't comment personally on his tubes, as i have never had any, but his reputation speaks volumes.
You certainly wont need to keep a Tilley tubed boat in the dry

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Yep and make sure that Paul Tilley is one of them !!

I'll second that. Great chap who does a great job !

He is on here and here's his site : http://www.tidel.biz/

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Pablo

I'll second that. Great chap who does a great job !

He is on here and here's his site : http://www.tidel.biz/

Thirded

[Polwart]

I wonder if it is worth filing a report with the MAIB (you are under no obligation to). Total failure of a tube is clearly a safety incident (although fortunately most ribs will float without a tube attached).

I don't expect they will take an interest in a single case (although they might) but failure of manufacturers to secure jockey seats has resulted in their investigations in the past - so equipment failure on leisure craft is something they will look at. If everyone who has major tube failure at sea from Gemini (or any other brand) reports it - then a pattern will emerge which I am sure would raise an eyebrow.

There may also be questions about the CE ratings of any rib supplied (new) with defective tubes. Although technically that is an issue for trading standards MAIB seem better placed to ask the questions.

[A.C.]

[QUOTE=Nickbotnia;365482] I know that this has been covered by others, but I thought I'd put my experiences with Jack on too.
I bought the Sam Robinson/Gemini tubed rib some 4 to 5 years ago.
Sam told me it was a Ring 21 hull & he had bought the moulds from Mike Ring.


Not sure who Sam Robinson is but I know Mike Ring and Mike has never sold any moulds to Mr Robinson or given him permission to copy his design.

[steveplumber]

that man talks utter bollocks he is very much working. he told me he cuts the patterns and
his wife sews them. seems to me every tube he sells/ makes are faulty if he was retired he wouldnt be updating his website and taking calls. he is a crook. his poorly made tubes and promises put lives at risk just so he can make a quick buck i hope somebody gets hold of him and make his life hell.