Dinghy Tube replacement

I have a 2006 AVON 360DL (11'8" 40 HP Yamaha). Needs new tubes (unless I want to add air every time I want to use it) and have been quoted $6000. Compared to price of new 12' RIB by any manufacturer this would be 20 to 25% of a new RIB.
Is this a reasonable price based on your experience? Thanks.

Sounds a bit high but there is more competition for that service down here.

FWIW - here is one price on a new boat.

https://www.inflatableboats.net/avo...easport-360-neo-2021-with-yamaha-four-stroke/

sum escape said:

I have a 2006 AVON 360DL (11'8" 40 HP Yamaha). Needs new tubes (unless I want to add air every time I want to use it) and have been quoted $6000. Compared to price of new 12' RIB by any manufacturer this would be 20 to 25% of a new RIB.
Is this a reasonable price based on your experience? Thanks.

Click to expand...

We replaced the tubes on our Zodiac YL340 tender.

Bought hypalon OEM tubes from Defender for $3600

It took me and another guy 45 minutes to remove the old tubes and install the new ones.

Sure it is reasonable, sure it is only 25% of a new boat but consider this..

It will not last, it is a band aid which may give you a couple years but probably not.

Bite the bullet and buy a new one.

pete

ksanders said:

We replaced the tubes on our Zodiac YL340 tender.

Bought hypalon OEM tubes from Defender for $3600

It took me and another guy 45 minutes to remove the old tubes and install the new ones.

Click to expand...

Similar to our Zodiac those tubes slide in each side of the ridged hull and tie on the front so they are easy to remove and replace.
On most other RIBS like this one they are glued the entire length both inside and out with strips of hypalon - much more labor intense and costly with a better complete assembly but semi-permanent.

If the tubes are just losing air and you really can't find a main leak....there is tube sealant that you put in the tubes and roll the RIB around that will seal the tubes from the inside.


Several people I know have done this and have gotten at least several more years out of use.


Way cheaper than replacing tubes and just as easy. Just not as long lasting but makes the price of new tubes in a couple or more years more palatable. For $50-$75 worth of sealant, to me it would be worth the gamble.


I may try it this year as my one tube has a slow leak.

Pete Meisinger said:

Sure it is reasonable, sure it is only 25% of a new boat but consider this..

It will not last, it is a band aid which may give you a couple years but probably not.

Bite the bullet and buy a new one.

pete

Click to expand...

why would brand new tubes not last more than a few years if the original ones lasted 14 ?

I've had reasonable success with the sealant for small leaks. Bubble check the valves with Windex first.

Best part is the funny looks you get rolling the dingy down the beach!

timb said:

why would brand new tubes not last more than a few years if the original ones lasted 14 ?

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They will and the glass hull as long as the transom doesn't rot should last a lifetime unless very hard use.

timb said:

why would brand new tubes not last more than a few years if the original ones lasted 14 ?

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A retubed boat will last as long as one with new tubes - all else being the same condition.

That sounds like the cost of replacement plus labor. You might want to consider tackling it yourself. It should be significantly cheaper.

smitty477 said:

Similar to our Zodiac those tubes slide in each side of the ridged hull and tie on the front so they are easy to remove and replace.
On most other RIBS like this one they are glued the entire length both inside and out with strips of hypalon - much more labor intense and costly with a better complete assembly but semi-permanent.

Click to expand...

Ahhh I never knew. I just thought they were probably all similar.

Thanks!

We bought new tubes for our Walker Bay Genesis 310. $2100 with shipping. The Walker Bay is designed specifically for replaceable tubes. That said, they fit VERY precisely, and I had to hire a kid from the yard (and a comealong) to help me get it stretched into place. But I made it harder than it needed to be by leaving the outboard on the transom (remote steering).

Good as new now that it's done.

I tried to buy new tubes for my Walker Bay. After almost 3 months of repeated promises followed by repeated excuses for why they couldn't deliver, I gave the hull away and just bought a new Highfield.

One mistake I made was removing and discarding the old tubes before I had the new ones in hand. The old ones would have lasted a few months more. By discarding them I was without a dinghy for much of a season.

danderer said:

I tried to buy new tubes for my Walker Bay. After almost 3 months of repeated promises followed by repeated excuses for why they couldn't deliver, I gave the hull away and just bought a new Highfield.

One mistake I made was removing and discarding the old tubes before I had the new ones in hand. The old ones would have lasted a few months more. By discarding them I was without a dinghy for much of a season.

Click to expand...

We ordered in early May and got them July 1st, so our experience was similar. But their factory was shut down for Covid March - May (I was told) so that wasn't a surprise for me.

smitty477 said:

Similar to our Zodiac those tubes slide in each side of the ridged hull and tie on the front so they are easy to remove and replace.
On most other RIBS like this one they are glued the entire length both inside and out with strips of hypalon - much more labor intense and costly with a better complete assembly but semi-permanent.

Click to expand...

One of the many things I like about my Rendovas (sold my 12' now just have the 14') is the tube arrangement. It is a single structure with 3 bladders and when deflated just slides out from the front for repair or potentially replacement.

I have had the tube off both Rendovas single-handed, using diluted liquid dish soap for lubrication. Had some minor repair done and scuff patches added under the bows as I like to nudge up on the shore to let the dogs on/off. ~A