New tubes source for RIB re-build!

[Zagato]

There is one main tube supplier who apparently sells it's tubes to most of the RIB manufacturers like Humber etc. I wanted to price up replacements and wondered if anyone could provide contact details!

It's also an exercise to see where the money goes in a new one, e.g. 9K for a 6m RIB in basic form ready to build up. Just trying to break down how much a hull and tubes are then the labour on top.

You see refurbished hulls with new tubes for sale for 4K in the same ready to build up state I know the hulls won't be as good but 5K is a big difference...and I quite like the idea of building up my own rig if i could find a good enough hull

What do you think?

[Starovich]

i would have thought that major builders would make them in house, or they would loose profit. Smaller builders may not have the time/skills to build them so may buy them in.

I know some of the refurbs are tube builders buying hulls and building tubes in-house for resale.

Barnet Marine have prices on there web site for different tubes. and I'm sure other builders will give you quotes if you ask.

As to old hull/new tubes v new hull/new tubes you cant compare prices.

Remember you need to add in bits like seats, fuel tanks, re flooring, transom replacement, new stainless fittings, all may or may not be included on a refurb, this will drastically change the value.

There are some threads on here with pics of rebuilds, some are extreme strip down build up, some are tube replacement, they are not the same.

[GordyP]

Tubes for my 6.7m from Henshaws were about £5k unfitted.

[Jus]

I very recently requested a quote from Ribcraft to re-tube a 4.8m boat. They gave a detailed breakdown, including prepration work of about 2.8k all in.

[Poly]

I would have though humber were making there one tubes - but I could be wrong.

The lower volume manufacturers will be buying tubes from a specialist. Henshaws (posts on here as Christopher) is probably the "biggest" but Tidel (posts on here as Paul Tilley) can't be far behind. Keeping it on RIBnet, then RibShop and Ed Carter (Ribraff) supply tubes too. Eurocraft and SIS also make tubes. As Startovich says Barnet Marine supply tubes too and helpfully have prices on their website. Humber, Ribcraft and some others will retube their own, or other's boats.

Make sure you are comparing like with like on tube quotes. You need the tube, the rubbing strake, and furniture (like handles, lifelines, cleats etc), possibly patches in high wear areas, then fitting to the boat itself.

[Zagato]

Many thanks