Hypalon no longer available?

[RAD]

This is not an issue of the 303 but rather a defect in the manufacture of the PVC material. Zodiac had and perhaps still has a major issue with this. I owned one and it took them two years to fess up to the issue and replace my boat. A good quality PVC boat will not turn sticky in under two years as ours did.

Very interesting MS.......although my dink is 10 yrs old I've been dealing with this sticky situation for years ya think there's a case here if I bitch to WM where I bought it?

 

[Steve Dion]

I think that this is an issue with most PVC inflatables. I had 3 Mercury Marine PVC's. The last one lasted because I gave it to my son and he kept it stored in the bag except when he used it.

Very difficult to repair and the sticky material as well as the problem with abrasion is a real problem. Using protectants did not make it survive either.

Save your money and purchase "hypalon" or the equivilent.

I can tell you that the WM "hypalon" units have very thin fabric.

Typically you get what you pay for.

 

[Capt. Kermie]

MDR Inflatable Top Coat Paint

No joke. The paint is a rubberized paint and is available from Defenders. I have used it on my zodiac which is about 15 yrs old. It really looks good and they also make an antifouling paint for the bottom. It comes in white, red or gray. Check it out.

OK, I not only checked it out, I bought it and used it. So far so good, it covered all the sticky residue and made the PVC like new again. :dance:
I bought a quart, after a thorough cleaning I painted the outer tubes and floor and made the dnighy a two tone gray with some white. I let it dry overnight then rolled it up and put it away. A month later I brought it out, unrolled and inflated it and the paint was still intact. I now have it in the water out in the sun and the paint is still holding fine I give the paint a two thumbs up because it is working for me.

 

[zeehag]

dupont sold patent when it got to be public domain and is not the same stuff. now it bubbles and does weird stuff. the old hypalon is the tough stuff-- but ye cannot find except in older avons and such.