Tube Refurbishment and Rib Length Measurement

[diver 1]

Two (maybe daft) questions

1) How it the length of a rib measured? Front of tube to transom, overall length of tubes, etc, front of hull to transom, etc?

2) The tubes on my rib are leaking slightly at the seam between the front chamber and the side chamber. Its a tricky area to repair. I believe they are hypalon tubes. I have atempted a patch unsucessfully. Are there any ways top repair from the inside? Can anyone recommend a company in the southwest (near Bristol) who might be able to re-seal this area? Or ways I can do it myself. Is there some form of car tyre sealant product that can be sprayed inside a tube?!

Thanks

[Vandad]

Good question!

The overall length of a rib is usually from bow to the stern of the boat. This is usually used in Marinas (to calculate the cost of mooring etc, and they also include the tilted outboard as well).

But as for retubing, they mainly care about the langth of your "Hull" not your Tubes. your rib may have extended rear buoyancy tubes and they should be included in measuring the overall length of the tubes.

if you want to get a quote, take a photo of your rib and then write the measurements on it (use microsoft paint or something like that). Have a look at this:

http://www.humberribs.co.uk/assault-specs.html

They need all those measurements to quote you. Also, measure your draft.

[PeterM]

Or look at what one of the experts suggests :

http://www.henshaw.co.uk/default.cfm/loadindex.83

A quick email to Henshaw with your boat type and length is usually enough for them to quote - they have done nearly every type of RIB out there at some point.

[paul tilley]

ribs are measured by overall tube length NOT hull length ,Henshaws are nearest to Bristol ,i am halfway between plymouth and exeter ,you need to confirm make and size of rib and that you have hypalon ,pvc or polyureathane tube . regards paul .www.tidel.biz

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by diver 1

Are there any ways top repair from the inside?

Can anyone recommend a company in the southwest (near Bristol) who might be able to re-seal this area?

Or ways I can do it myself.

Is there some form of car tyre sealant product that can be sprayed inside a tube?!

The best way to get an answer too all those is to post a photo of the offending area.