Hypalon options - help?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Ever tried putting a full cover on a boat on a swing poring in a strong wind and getting in a dinghy? I have on a dory a good few times. Not fun or easy.

Plus if you leave it for weeks on end, if it blows a gale you'll return to either a shredded or no cover that probably set you back >£1k. We gave up.

Our console cover to protect electronics and gear was £600 alone. Go for that and jockey covers.

The tubes just need UV protectant and/or we put meguiars car wax on. RNLi often use it. Protects from sun, looks great and beads the water stopping ugly salt marks. However tubes become slippy. Fine on a big rib with seats, not so good on <5m rib where you sit on tubes!

(Not sure how it would work on fabric impression!!)

If you leave it on a swing mooring all season you have to accept its in the elements and will age far more quickly than anywhere else.

Countering that depreciation...

...you'll save >£1k per annum in marina fees and also have use of it in minutes rather than having to launch and /or pay for storage/launch.

[Hatbat]

Thanks for your comments HUMBER P4VWL.

There is no marina/dry stack option. So swinging mooring it is - I'm very lucky to have one, 15 year waiting list! That said the mooring is £500!

My plan was to only put the full cover on if we'd be away for a few weeks and use a console/seat cover the rest of the time (expensive on covers but easier!).

I did note last week that none of the ribs had full covers on on the moorings, they do look like a nightmare!

Kate

[willk]

Originally Posted by Hatbat

Ok, so my favourite combination is the dark blue and grey wear patches...........

I've been strongly recommended to get a full cover for long periods unused on the mooring.

Very nice

Good idea - although the cover will solve all the tube related problems but bring some of it's own. I'd suggest one made from light weight fabric that is relatively easy to fit from onboard...

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by willk

I'd suggest one made from light weight fabric that is relatively easy to fit from onboard...

Something like this springs to mind-but you need the correct type of rubbing strake to use the hooks shown.

[raymillard]

I wouldn't worry about colours. Just get decent Hypalon tubes and they'll last and last. My 97 Avon 311 Rib is in white. Yes, it gets dirty and is the devil's own job to get clean, but the tubes are as good as the day they were made.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Something like this springs to mind-but you need the correct type of rubbing strake to use the hooks shown.

Nice, but can you imagine trying to put that up whilst on a mooring, bouncing around in waves then finishing it whilst half in a dinghy.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Nice, but can you imagine trying to put that up whilst on a mooring, bouncing around in waves then finishing it whilst half in a dinghy.

Yes. Easier than fitting a blue ebay cover, and I've seen that done solo while afloat.