Life Span of PCV or Polyurethane Tubes

[thomas]

I have picked up a Valiant (DR450 I think) for the engine, it's in a bit of a mess and the hull, although sound, needs a good clean up.

One of the tubes is loosing air, but don't look in bad shape, I don't have it here at the moment so cant find out where it's leaking, but was wondering what the life span of the tubes should be? and how best to fix, I read a lot of conflicting advice about how easy these things are to repair - I've stuck a few patches on in my time and not had any problems.

[Polwart]

It depends who you listen to. The best hypalon tubes should be good for 30 years with a little tlc along the way unless abused a lot, pvc tubes are usually suggested as a ten year life and maybe less in hot places. Some people say polyurethane is in between, some say it is as good as hypalon. The difference seems to be hypalon will start to become porous as it ages whereas pu the seams start to go and are not economical to fix as you end up chasing the weakspot round the whole boat and rebuilding all the tubes. So if your seams are ok it sounds like they still have life left.

[jyasaki]

I think Zodiac has a 10 year warranty on their PVC tubes (or did about 5 years ago, anyway.) Should give you some sort of idea.

jky