Total failure retubing the Liveboat "Seeker"

[springtide66]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Amusing how one of the rather common consoles is a 'Gemini Accessory' too. That pic gets everywhere

Sod all aumsing about the company Nos!!!

[yorfuoj]

I re-tubed a lot of Ribs, my opinion is : unacceptable work if it were done like explained by the customer.

Reason(s) :
- glue-to-fabric compatibility : it is a must, hypalon glue cannot fit pvc or PU, was it the right glue ?

- glue age : most glues last ONE YEAR from manufacturing date, when not opened and correctly stored. Check for the date, it must be printed on the can.
Shops do not hesitate to sell 3 years old glue ...

- glue quality : I know several very good "2 components glue for hypalon", but I know ONE for pvc.
There are others for sure, but I don't know them ...
The one I know comes from South Africa, it works perfectly on pvc and Hypalon. maybe PU.
When used as recommended, it is stronger than the fabric itself !

Directions for use :
- clean locally the pvc fabric with acetone or MEK, dry with air gun
- apply the glue (pre-mixed with 5% of hardener), one layer on each fabric stripe (2 for hypalon)
- heat slightly to remove possible condensation
- let return to ambient, then connect both sides - no adhesion occurs unless heating starts, with a heat gun (Leister).
- adhesion starts around 30/35°, this is very helpful to place the parts in the perfect position
- but full strength is obtained when 60/65° is reached


- ambient working conditions : clean surfaces, dry air, fresh glue with the right % of fresh hardener, clean hands, gloves ...
When one has to glue in an opened garage, with rainy weather outside, great care must be taken to avoid condensation occuring just after the glue is applied, and into the glue bowl itself ... so small quantities at a time !

The same when one wants to glue hypalon.

For a good job, a closed garage is a must, with air conditionning system to keep the air dry and around 18/20°C.


Picture attached : see Tomcat 750 with new tube

[diverdad]

I am sorry to say I have a similar tale of woe about Jack Bowran and Gemini Industries.
I will post more pictures in due course but I can confirm that the pvc tubes put on my 7.5m Crompton seasprint are a COMPLETE DISASTER.
Every time I put the boat in the water I get a puncture in at least 1 of the 4 tubes.
On the last jolly out to sea the rear starboard cell punctured, then the outer tube came away from the transom, I only just made it back in, again!

I feel I cannot use my RIB for diving for fear of surfacing one day and having to go back down to the seabed to retrieve my RIB!

Jack is as slippery as a slug and kept fobbing me off.
Trading standards are not interested- they are complete wasters.
I am now saving for Hypalon which is what I should have done in the first place.

The images are of RIB with the new PVC tubes fitted, I was so excited they looked the bees knees, I had spent a fortune on this RIB.
I bought it as a hull (which was damaged) and rebuilt the entire thing, console, bottle rack, wiring electronics etc.

The 1st picture is after the 1st outing and the 1st puncture, the 1st of many to come!

I have now not used my RIB in over a year.
Jack your a lousy human being.

Lee

[codprawn]

Paul Tilley or Henshaws are the best bet - top quality and have very good reputations.

[chewy]

I spoke to the lad who advertises them on eBay.
Was giving all the sales speil and I asked if it was Gemini, got told no. The photos on his advert and the ones on eBay were the same. He finally explained that they were Gemini tubes but not to believe everything you read on the web!

Wouldn't trust him, he can't even tell the truth on a simple enquiry.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by chewy

......they were Gemini tubes but not to believe everything you read on the web!

Don't listen to horror stories by past customers, they don't reflect the quality of wank-sorry-workmanship!