RIB repair

CraigDiver · 05 December 2006, 20:02

Hi,

I have just purchased a Flatacraft Force 4 Commercial RIB (yes, my first boat and very excited)

However, needs some repairs before can hit the water.

The tubes have partially came away from the GRP hull (still attached on internal seam. I have purchased a quantity of Hypalon solvent & adhesive from Polymarine but need some advice on how to re-attach and seal the externals of the tubes to the hull (Does it have a tape between tubes and hull and then taped externally to hold tubes to hull?).

My concern is, when I inflate the tubes they sit about an inch away from where they should be attached to the hull, therfore when I deflate them, glue them, tape them back on and re-inflate, there will be constant stress trying to seperate the tubes and hull? Any thoughts???

If anyone knows of any books on the subject, that would be very useful (done quick search on amazon with no luck).

CraigDiver

paul tilley · 05 December 2006, 21:37

partially in flate the tubes and rebond the strips to tube and hull making sure you prepare sufaces properly when glu is cured inflate to working pressure

CraigDiver · 05 December 2006, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul tilley

partially in flate the tubes and rebond the strips to tube and hull making sure you prepare sufaces properly when glu is cured inflate to working pressure

Thanks Paul,

What holds the tubes to the hull, are the tubes directly glued to hull or/and externally taped? There looks like a bit of a previous bodge (bodge as in, huge amounts of glue and lack of preparation) of glueing tubes directly to hull with a 2" wide bit of black tape sandwiched in-between.

I do believe in preperation, do I want to sand down the outersurface of the hypalon to the reinforcing cloth to get best adhesion?

Paul, Where can I get a method statement for attaching tubes to hull?

Please can you PM me with an approximate cost of you re-attaching the tubes to the hull (It's a Flatacraft Force 4 Commercial - solid hull, no front hinged bit)

Cheers

CraigDiver

paul tilley · 06 December 2006, 07:13

Craig we are just about to retube a 6mtr flatacraft it looks as if the tubes are held on with an internal tape glued to a vertical upstand inside the boat and an external tape under the flange to the tube .when preparing the fabric remove old glue and take the shine off the rubber surface do NOT sand down to the woven fabric if possible .give me a call on 07815 144 269 in the evening if you want more advice .regards paul