Tube damage.

[ciaranp]

did a little damage to rib tube the other day.

Best described as a tear and small hole on the last compartment near the stern, Starboard side ,Underwater.under strake, half way between strake and where tube joins or sits on hull.Not near any seam. Tear or hypalon just tore back abit like a plaster and small hole where it lifted and is still hanging .
Damage area to be covered is about 2.5 to 3 inch long the most and about 2 to 2.5 inches wide.
Patch on the outside dothe job? Also what to stop it coming off with water pressure

[BogMonster]

Take my advice - if the water touches it, get a pro to do it!

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14037 if you want to know why, and several subsequent threads on the same subject!

[ciaranp]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Take my advice - if the water touches it, get a pro to do it!

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14037 if you want to know why, and several subsequent threads on the same subject!

ye have dropped it to a rib shop.

He said i might get away with just an outside patch. Any thoughts? How big a job is it putting in an inside patch. Do you have to open the seam where one compartment joins the next. Is it worth it for the size of my damage?
What will stop the water pushing off the patch? If he applies the outside patch and pumps it up and it holds the air do you think that will be enough?

[BogMonster]

I am no expert but all I know is that an outside patch did not last any time on my tubes which is why I ended up with the drastic solution that I did! I have a couple of outside patches above the waterline further up the tubes towards the bow. Maybe a pro tube repairer could get a patch to withstand the water battering it all the time, but I couldn't!

[walruz]

I had to do a repair across a seam after one kind sole thought my rear cone would look nicer with a 3 inch cut across it. Because of my location I took advice and was told do an inside patch (doesn't have to be air tight) and then your proper outsdide patch. Over 2 years later and my home DIY fix is still holding air with no probs. My advice is get fresh glue and a little bit of time and you will be able to fix it. It will be MUCH stronger if you do an inside patch first as then the tear is held from both sides.

Ian

[MikeCC]

Another tip I've seen before is to put a fine bead of Sikaflex round the patch. This will fair it off and help stop water working under the patch

[ciaranp]

dropped it to the pro
Doing an inside and outside patch so things should be ok..