Slow leaks in old RIB

[drlang]

Hi
I am looking at buying an old rib. I have not looked at it yet but the owner says it has slow leak...

It is a Zodiac Hurricane and a 1990. I suppose it my need new tubes or...what do you all think? What should I look for when I view the boat/ Thanks

[ncp]

Tough to say unless you've actually seen the boat and located the "slow leak".

Some are easy fixes, some are not.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Could be as simple as dirt in a valve if it's slow it might just be a pin hole you will know if the tubes are in good condition if not it might be the start of a bigger problem seams de-bonding, fabric failure, etc

Cheers

[drlang]

I have heard that Hurricane tubes are easy to replace. Any comments? Thank you

[ncp]

Originally Posted by drlang

I have heard that Hurricane tubes are easy to replace. Any comments? Thank you

Easy as in the labor to do it? Or, easy to find a used pair at a good price?

Hurricane or Willard Tubes are "easy to replace". Whether bolt on or slide on, it doesn't take more than an afternoon with some friends.

New tubes are easy to obtain - just pony up the $12-$14K and you can get a new set.

[office888]

Originally Posted by ncp

Easy as in the labor to do it? Or, easy to find a used pair at a good price?

Hurricane or Willard Tubes are "easy to replace". Whether bolt on or slide on, it doesn't take more than an afternoon with some friends.

New tubes are easy to obtain - just pony up the $12-$14K and you can get a new set.

Nailed it!

[drlang]

Thanks for all the prompt responses.

The owner says they are slow leaks. What about painting with special paint to seal leaks.

[willk]

Originally Posted by drlang

What about painting with special paint

...googles "special paint" - is very shocked impressed!

[ncp]

Originally Posted by drlang

The owner says they are slow leaks.

Find the slow leak!!! Have the tubes blown up, spray with soapy water. It's very tough to answer the question since a slow leak could be from a bad valve or it could be from a pinhole. One is easy to fix, one is a little more involved.

[drlang]

And thanks again for the help...

I suppose the leaks can be hidden where they rest against the hull??

The boat is 25 years old.

Is it reasonable to take them off the boat and inspect the whole collar?

[Bigtalljv]

I have an '87 hurricane and was able to patch the tubes. My seams were solid and the leaks were all punctures. The old valves did leak too so I replaced them all. If you have leaks against the hull then I'd guess you have seam issues which would be bad.

Pump it up and spray it down. Leaks become very obvious. Slow leaks are small holes, not really slow, they show up in the soap easily.

Jason

[drlang]

I guess any dish soap works as well as any other?

Thanks for the help guys.

Don

[paintman]

Ask the seller if they would be OK with you spraying soapy water all over it & if they'll take the tubes off.
TBH unless you're prepared to factor in the cost of a new set of tubes I'd walk away & look elsewhere.

[drlang]

I will consider what you say.

Is there a source where I can learn how to take the tubes off?

There is a limited used market for these things. I have found few of them.

Thanks

[office888]

Originally Posted by drlang

Thanks for all the prompt responses.

The owner says they are slow leaks. What about painting with special paint to seal leaks.

I will ALWAYS recommend against any type of "paint" on inflatables...they tend to scratch off easily, and unless they are applied with a sprayer, they tend to look very bad.

I would strongly recommend you have the boat surveyed by someone who is experienced with inflatables? The old Hurricane boats have a lot of wood in them... wood rot is a VERY big concern.

[Bigtalljv]

How old? I have an '87 and it's all foam core.

Jason

[office888]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

How old? I have an '87 and it's all foam core.

Jason

Table 1-1-3 of the Owner's Technical Manual specifies the laminate schedule of the boat.

Copy+pasted from the PDF:
Table 1-1-3 733 OBIIO Laminate Schedule
AREA
HULL
TRANSOM
DECK
HORIZONTAL
SURFACE
NOTES
1,3,4,5
1,2,,3,5
1,3,5
Laminate Schedule Notes
LAY-UP
GELCOAT
1 OZ. MAT
2 UNITS 18 OZ.
SYNTACTIC FOAM
IN PLANING STRAKES
1" CORE
1 UNIT 18 OZ.
GELCOAT
1 OZ. MAT
3 UNITS 24 OZ.
3/4" PLYWOOD
1 OZ. MAT
3/4" PLYWOOD
3 UNITS 24 OZ.
PLUS DECK LAMINATE
WHERE APPLICABLE.
GELCOAT
1 OZ. MAT
1 UNIT 18 OZ.
SYNTACTIC FOAM
5/32" COREMAT
1 UNIT 18 OZ.
1 18 OZ. UNIT SHALL BE 1 OZ. MAT AND 18 OZ. WOVEN ROVING
2 24 OZ. UNIT SHALL BE ] OZ. MAT AND 24 OZ. WOVEN ROVING
3 SYNTACTIC FOAM: 1 PART MILLED FIBRE, 2 PARTS RESIN, 3 PARTS GLASS BUBBLES.
THICKEN AS REQUIRED WITH MILLED FIBRES.
4 CORE SHALL BE 1" END GRAIN BALSA.
5 RESIN SHALL BE POLYESTER ISOPTHALIC IN HULL & ORTHOPTHALIC IN DECK.

[Bigtalljv]

Mine is Pre-733 so must be different. I've be into every surface on it and it's all foam, no wood anywhere.

[cgoing]

First off what model is it? Before you buy it you should know as much as possible. Simon the recreational ribs were built at the Hurricane factory so the capacity to says hurricane when in fact it is not a full on Hurricane. There are some models that tubes can no longer be purchased for. Other are much more readily available and in some cases you may even find a rib.net member who has a used set.
Inspect the hull top to bottom very carefully. Some boats have added bouyancy foam which may at this point be waterlogged and need removal. Some boats have an aluminum track that the tube slides into, check that very carefully for corrosion and other possible damage.

God luck with it!

[paul tilley]

if you have the old tubes we can always copy them and make new ones in the UK