Ribcraft - questions about tube repair and gelcoat crack

quaoar · 01 August 2009, 17:07

I've had a used Ribcraft (6.5 meteres) for about half a year now - boat is from 2005.
Had a thread here earlier with a transom failure for the same boat... Which was repaired by a local company this spring.
But now I have another problem. The tubes are starting to come a little apart at the back ends. I've included a picture taken at the end of the left tube.
At first I thought it was just the fender list starting to come off, but from the picture you can see that the entire outer rubber layer, which the fender list is attached to, is coming off from what I think is the inner tubing( ? )
This is also starting to happen on the end of the right tube.

You can see some left over glue from when I first tried to fasten the lower corner of the fender list which was a bit loose earlier. But as the whole outer layer is pulling apart, that didn't help much.

I've started to grind away loose rubber and old glue from the outer layer. Planning on trying to glue the layers together again... If there is a point in this? Or should I just start to save up for new tubes?

As for the crack in the gelcoat. Someone half-dropped a scuba tank there. I'm most curious about if someone knows any color code / name for the "light grey" color for the gelcoat?
I thought I could fix this by grinding the area smooth. Wash with Aceton. Then apply "Gelcoat Sparkel", and finish it off with something like "Penguin Rubbing / Hardwax"

chewy · 01 August 2009, 18:03

That tube looks shagged.
Not sure how long the material is guaranteed for?

doggypaddle · 01 August 2009, 18:06

That looks like delamination failure of the hypalon.
probably best take it to an expert for an opinion on that.
got any more pictures?

chewy · 01 August 2009, 18:46

Doesn't Orca have a 5 year warranty. You may be best talking to Ribcraft and been nice to them.

quaoar · 01 August 2009, 19:17

I'm not where my boat is located now, but I can probably take some more pictures later. Probably have some more lying around too...

Probably going to try and sell the boat later. Tired of Ribcraft boats now...

chewy · 01 August 2009, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by quaoar

I'm not where my boat is located now, but I can probably take some more pictures later. Probably have some more lying around too...

Probably going to try and sell the boat later. Tired of Ribcraft boats now...

How many Ribcraft have you owned?

Chris · 01 August 2009, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

How many Ribcraft have you owned?

What's that got to do with it?

If I bought a 4 year old boat that has the issues quaoar has experienced I would not want another.

Mollers · 01 August 2009, 21:50

Something sounds odd here. Ribcrafts don't fall to bits, especially ones so new.

alystra · 01 August 2009, 22:28

Something is really wrong. 4 year old tubes should be in perfect condition, certainly no de-lamination like that. I would consider taking it to Ribcraft and moan. In view of the many hypalon boats that are over 30 years old and still in excellent condition, and I've got two, I would consider your boat to be not of merchantable quality. I would certainly require a detailed explanation as to what has happened - and repair at a very reasonable rate.

Are you certain you have a Ribcraft? Could it be counterfeit?

ribraff · 02 August 2009, 00:04

You should have spoken to Ribcraft first.

chewy · 02 August 2009, 06:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

What's that got to do with it?

If I bought a 4 year old boat that has the issues quaoar has experienced I would not want another.

What I was getting at if he owned a few and was having trouble with them than fair enough.
From what I can see is he has bought a dog, didn't see it before he bought it and is now paying the price.
Each time he has a problem he airs it on here rather than contacting Ribcraft.

Jizm · 02 August 2009, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribraff

You should have spoken to Ribcraft first.

Indeed, they are usually more than helpful.

PeterM · 02 August 2009, 14:02

Key thing is its a 'USED' boat - potentially used & ABUSED ? As said I dont think any Ribcraft at 4/5 years old would fall apart if it was treated 'normally'.

If it was in warranty I am sure Ribcraft woudl look at it, but as said , not only have the bridges been burned , but then blown up for good measure ? Its not down to Ribcraft to make sure someone who buys a used boat at 4 years old without looking at it gets everything fixed !

matt h · 02 August 2009, 16:10

totally agree with above, i think RC have been superb in this situation""

Jon Brooks · 02 August 2009, 16:36

Most def worth a chat with boy's at Ribcraft. Tubes like that after 4 years have had some pretty rough treatment. Has someone power washed it over and over again? Have seen them fail like this if that is the case.

Call the boys see what they can do to help.

Regards

jace · 03 August 2009, 14:19

Hi

We use either the Aerazur or the Pennel Orca Hypalon, which is pretty much as per most Rib manufactures who use Hypalon.

Yes if it was a fabric issue we would take it up with the manufactures. However it’s impossible to tell without seeing the boat.

Please contact me if you need assistance, however we would need the boat at our factory to complete the repairs.

Jason