Slip on versus glue on Tube-set

[iwasphotographed]

Hello everyone, I am new to this site as a member, but I've been following for several years now. I am the owner of a photography business located in the Columbia river gorge in the United States. I have been photographing the action of wind sports for the last 11 seasons from the zodiac pro 500. I am in need of replacing the pro 500 as it has over 2000 hrs. on it and has been experiencing delaminations with the stringer. Three repairs later it's become an effort in futility and needs to be replaced.

The Columbia river can be quite big. I am out when conditions are rough with wind speeds in excess of 45 mph. Water is well overhead. And I'll put five days a week on the water starting in June through September.

I have been loyal to zodiac and I'm shopping a new pro 5.5. I am not sure if that's durable enough and lack knowledge if the Highfield might be a better choice.

Please help me with this decision. Glued on tubes or slip-on. As a business owner with subscribers I must be able to make repairs. I'm used to pulling the tubes to repair a flat.

That's said, what's the opinion on durability of the Highfield with hypalon tubes?. What's the durability and ease of repairing a glued on tube set? What's the life of a glued joint?


Hulls

What say ye? Aluminum for extremely rough conditions or fiberglass? What can the Highfield take??

My concern is keeping the boat on the water for six months straight. And being able to make repairs on my own.


Thanks to you all for your help.

[LittleSumpin]

Hello iwasphotographed, I have compared both brands extensively & I can tell you the Highfield hull is about as strong as it gets. Have you look up close and personal to the hull construction? They use very thick gauge marine grade aluminum plates. If your on the river a lot, this is great peace of mind. I have been looking at ALL the RIBs generally available here in the states, researching and visiting manufactures as well. Been up to the Cadillac Highfield location, I have test drove both mid size Zodiac's and Highfields. In the end I placed an order for a Highfield sport 560 ( almost went with the Patrol 540 ). The hull is covered for 5 years and the Hypolon tubes for 10. As for glued tubes vs. slip on tubes, I can't speak to about replacement. I do know that most are glued and believe that the slip on tubes are more a marketing item as I never hear anyone replacing them really. Hope this helps :-)

[jonp]

Owned a 2014 Zodiac pro 550 and currently own a 500 pro 2016.

Looked into the pro's and cons of slide off tubes against glued and consulted a Navy rib tube builder and repairer to ask opinions on them. In his opinion the costs of getting glued tubes removed and make is often getting close to a new boat and at the end of the day you still have an old boat. This is something you may of seen reflected on here where people have given up on rebuilds after sinking large amounts of money into their projects.

On both the 550 and 500 Ive been able to remove the tubes and get them back on myself, Im 60, not the strongest build and have spinal disabilities but still mange. The cost of a tube set is quite reasonable, to the point I did consider having a set in a different colour as a bit of fun making people think I had another boat!!!!!

Build strength, well according to the Navy tube builder, he gave me great confidence in that side of things.

I cross coastal bars in waves of true 2m+ and feel confident in these little boats. Yes heading into strong winds off the top of large swells can get under the front of the boat, however driving to the conditions comes into play in any sea state.

Any repairs to tubes can normally be done without removing tubes from any boat. UV damage can be reduced by using uv protectants and covering the boat when not in use.

Ive watched so many videos where people claim to be testing their ribs in adverse conditions only to be disappointed when there's not even breaking white water in the videos. The only person Ive seen test (Test) in conditions like I often experience is this guy in the ribtec boats OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée

I would personally be happy to own another Zodiac, perhaps the 650 next time.

[iwasphotographed]

Originally Posted by LittleSumpin

Hello iwasphotographed, I have compared both brands extensively & I can tell you the Highfield hull is about as strong as it gets. Have you look up close and personal to the hull construction? They use very thick gauge marine grade aluminum plates. If your on the river a lot, this is great peace of mind. I have been looking at ALL the RIBs generally available here in the states, researching and visiting manufactures as well. Been up to the Cadillac Highfield location, I have test drove both mid size Zodiac's and Highfields. In the end I placed an order for a Highfield sport 560 ( almost went with the Patrol 540 ). The hull is covered for 5 years and the Hypolon tubes for 10. As for glued tubes vs. slip on tubes, I can't speak to about replacement. I do know that most are glued and believe that the slip on tubes are more a marketing item as I never hear anyone replacing them really. Hope this helps :-)

Thank you!

[iwasphotographed]

Thank you! I ultimately chose to go with a high field instead of buying a second zodiac. It might be a gamble, but it looks like a good one.

[iwasphotographed]

I ultimately made a decision to go with Highfield PA600. It was a tough decision to change from a slip on design tubset to a glued on. But after reflecting on the amount of repairs over 12 seasons, with a slipped on tube set, I recognize that all of the repairs were between the tuebset and hull along the attachment rope. I've had three repairs. All of them are from debris picked up while trailering or use. From trailering rocks will work their way in between the tube set and the hull sit there and pierce the tube. All of us who have slip on tubes know about the debris that builds between the tubes and hull. Definitely a decision that kept me up before placing the order. And as a note, go to a trade show. If zodiac is there they would likely be the only slip on tube sets shown. At least the shows I've been to..

Should have the boat in a couple weeks. PA 600 with suspension seats. This will be the ultimate photo boat on the Columbia Gorge.

[LittleSumpin]

You can't go wrong with a Highfield ( perhaps I am a little bias ).
I too have spent many hours ( actually years ) looking over countless other options and choose the Highfield at the end of the day. I even visited their operations in Cadillac Michigan. I probably know more about Highfelds then most dealerships !
#daretoadventure