Restoring tubes Avon 5.4

bowfront26 · 02 July 2016, 00:56

Hello there,
I am looking at an 1983 Avon 5.4M tomorrow and hopefully bringing it home. I live in Santa Barbara Ca, and will be using this boat for diving near shore and also taking out the channel islands. The hull, transom, and floor supposedly have no cracks or major issues. The tubes hold air except the rear left chamber which has a leak. Apparently goes soft in 36 hrs. I'm not in need of a pretty boat, but if needed, can old tubes (sat in sun) be reasonably restored? Or is it just recommended to replace tubes... not sure if that is even an option over here (USA). I'm waiting to hear back from our RIB specialist on if they can order and install replacement tubes for this boat.

Very excited about this boat and the possibility of restoring and or changing a few things.

J.W.W. · 02 July 2016, 04:21

First wash the boat with a light soap and some bathroom cleaner to remove all chalk from seams. Flush with large amounts of water and allow to dry. Then polish. The 3M Fast Cut is perfect for this purpose. Clean the complete tube set with this. You'll be suprised of the result!

cgoing · 03 July 2016, 12:53

Yes the new tubes can be ordered in the US thought Zodiac Milpro. They are no longer offering the style tubes that are on your boat. It would now be a replacement tubeset that looks just like the new sea riders being built and sold new today. No more gray rubrail, all black rubrail now.

ncp · 03 July 2016, 21:22

Yes, light use of a magic eraser works well too.

willk · 03 July 2016, 21:47

Replacement tubes for this boat are readily available in the UK from several reputable manufacturers (from pattern). They pack small but would be subject to import tax in the USA. 1983 is REALLY old for hypalon tubes!

bowfront26 · 04 July 2016, 14:36

Thanks everyone

idsebby · 04 July 2016, 21:46

If it sat in the sun in California I would say they are toast! Literally! Chances are you will have to retube. Gonna be brittle and dried out. I would say internal baffles are gone to. Make sure you check all chambers before buying. If your going 100 yards off shore and diving probably be fine. If your going to Channel Islands retube.