How long to expect hypalon RIB to last?

SpearRib · 18 January 2015, 01:02

Im curious, if you picked up say a well looked after 10 year old hypalon RIB, with a few minor cosmetic issues, brought it back to life with elbow grease. How long would could you hope the boat may last for?

Of course along the way there will be glueing needing done and more elbow grease and maintenance?

Im referring to say sub 5m ribs here.

jyasaki · 18 January 2015, 02:42

I've seen 20 year old hypalon SIB's routinely carrying divers.

jky

Bigtalljv · 18 January 2015, 03:04

I have 29 year old tubes on my 7m. They had punctures but the seams are solid.

Jason

SpearRib · 18 January 2015, 03:38

so how do you know when hypalon is shot. is it when it gets that porous look to it and doesnt hold air? i saw a sad avon like that, was only 20ish years old but was a small 10ft rib and the guy had it outside in the sun 24/7 and never washed it.

so theoretically hypalon boats can last as long as any other type of boat provided they are covered and washed?

Robert Bradley · 18 January 2015, 06:01

I am interested as well. I purchased a 10'2 avon this past week that had a canvas cover over the tubes. (was used as a dingy on larger sailboat) Although pasty the tubes are in good condition. I think the year on the boat is a 2001.

Is there a particular product that is recommended for maintaining the life of hypalon tubes? Wax etc?

Will definitely be keeping it covered while not in use but am hoping to get a good decade out of her!

kubcat · 18 January 2015, 07:57

Our boat is 2004, the hypalon tubes look faded and have the odd patch, but hold air perfectly and I expect will last for a very long time.

Nos4r2 · 18 January 2015, 11:15

my 1974 Avon Redcrest is still in regular use-albeit not in my posession.

jyasaki · 19 January 2015, 01:48

Hypalon is generally 3 layers: An inner neoprene layer (airtight), a fabric weave (dimensional strength), and a hypalon outer layer (sun and chemical resistance.)

As long as the hypalon retains most of its protective properties, and the whole bonded sandwich doesn't start falling apart, the rest should be OK (as long as the glue holds - that's a different matter.)

jky

Peter_C · 19 January 2015, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

I've seen 20 year old hypalon SIB's routinely carrying divers.

jky

I have a 23 year old PVC boat that carries divers. The glue failed and was replaced, but I plan to get more than a few years of service out of it. If not in the tropics and the material is well cared for I would expect a LOT more years from a hypalon built boat

Mercury · 19 January 2015, 08:40

My SR 4 is over 40 yrs. old, but unfortunatly I have to give the tubes a couple of blasts with the pump once a year.

At the moment it is with Edd Nugent having the transom replaced, and I must say he is doing a brill job..

SpearRib · 20 January 2015, 00:10

wow thats awesome. i find things like handles go quickly. the hypalon covering them tends to tear. which seems common on anything over 10 years. easy fix though id imagine with the right glue?

office888 · 20 January 2015, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

wow thats awesome. i find things like handles go quickly. the hypalon covering them tends to tear. which seems common on anything over 10 years. easy fix though id imagine with the right glue?

Hypalon and neoprene have fairly low tear resistance. Hypalon handles are pretty much cosmetic. You'll notice that commercial boats instead have poly lifelines or Epdm rubber handles.

Most hypalon comes with a 10 year fabric warranty. The manufacturer typically expects the material to last 15-25 years.

My Zodiac FC470 is a 1990. It's fraying at the edges and has creamer leaks around the seams, but it will still hold operating pressure for several days at a constant temp. It takes about a month to hit 1.5 psi.

SpearRib · 20 January 2015, 01:27

is it normal to get the odd fray from under the material, even when a boat is fairly new? like a piece stray cotton?

its ok to just snip them?

Searider · 20 January 2015, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

is it normal to get the odd fray from under the material, even when a boat is fairly new? like a piece stray cotton?

its ok to just snip them?

Yes and yes.

Searider · 20 January 2015, 09:33

My Scorpion tubes were shot through UV degradation at 17 years old. However the boat was only kept under a cover for about 4 or 5 years.

The tubes on my 1978 Searider were pretty good when I sold it at 30 years old. It was always kept under a cover ashore.

It's the sun that kills them!

office888 · 20 January 2015, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

It's the sun that kills them!

No cleaner / protectant or using the wrong cleaner / protectant can have the same effect.

A little 303 Aerospace Protectant goes a long way.

doggypaddle · 20 January 2015, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

is it normal to get the odd fray from under the material, even when a boat is fairly new? like a piece stray cotton?

its ok to just snip them?

singe em off with a blow torch or hot air gun

SpearRib · 21 January 2015, 01:07

what the lol.

of course one must be careful trimming with a baloon, pop. i have a pair of snips that are rounded at each end. prob safest option.

jyasaki · 21 January 2015, 04:15

Re: exposed threads: I've used scissors, a lighter, and a pocket knife. Eventually gave up and left them. Nobody really cares.

jky

BogMonster · 21 January 2015, 08:00

As said, it's the sun that kills them. Particularly a problem down here under the hole in the ozone layer!

I think it's been scrapped now but a chap I know had a new Humber here and I think it was stored outside permanently, last time I saw it a few years back the tubes had literally lost almost all of the outer layer and there was fabric showing everything - they were absolutely shot. I don't know how old it would be last time I saw it - would guess somewhere in the 10-15 year range. It's why mine lives in the garage!

Interesting to read the comments about fraying threads, I have some hairs around my wear patches and had been pondering whether it was too risky to deal with them!