tube protection

[behavin]

i have just renewed the top sections of my tubes with new blue hypalon after the original tops got really faded and thin.
i have a feeling that some of the damage was done by me being a bit keen with the cleaning of them as every time i cleaned them you loose some colour. the sun has played its part also.
what i was wondering : what can i put on the new fabric to give it a good UV barrier ? obviously it doesnt need cleaning as its new .

over all i'm really happy with the results as i did it all myself.

before:

Attachment 71420


basically i have covered the top of the tube with new blue, which i cut into sections, taped each seam, taped along the inside edge of the patches, re glued the life rings and cleats on, added new grey wear patches on top and finally a 6 inch black strake round the outside to cover the gap.

after:

[mick]

Looks a tidy job

[behavin]

side on complete with rubbing strake

hull is clean again now and the engine back on

[behavin]

before side shot

[behavin]

this is the reason the boat came to come out of the water.

the broken piece is the pivot bracket. it seems it has corroded and fractured along the line of 2 grease nipples.

to get at this the whole engine needed dismantling. and on doing so we found the lower leg to be corroded also, particulary around the drive shaft bearing...

so the whole thing apart and back to together again with new o rings,gaskets,anodes and the new swivel bracket and leg. cost....

result.... i'm calling it a major service