hypalon vs pvc

[gettinthere]

looking for a new rib. is UV resistance the only main difference between fabrics? If I went PVC I could make a full set of chaps to protect the PVC from uv.
hypalon ribs are in short supply or VERY expensive. PVC are significantly less expensive and readily available. The price difference alone is worth considering a shorter lifespan PVC. If I can extend that life significantly then it makes sense to go PVC.
thnx Ed

PS, using the android app and I don't find any search function. ??

 

[dlochner]

Hypalon, now CSM, has more UV resistance and I believe puncture resistance. Our fenders are inflatable CSM fenders and we beat the crap out of them over the past year and they held up well. The downside to CSM is weight, much heavier and cost.

Aluminum RIBs seem to be the rage. I keep hearing rumblings about warrantee problems with the tubes separating from the aluminum hull. Apparently aluminum will oxidize quickly which affects the glue bond between the tubes and the hull.If you are considering aluminum, do your homework.

 

[gettinthere]

I have heard many stories about the aluminum issue. I plan on going fiberglass.
Good chaps will protect topsides from wear and punctures, I plan on aintifoul paint for the bottom minimizing barnacles which can definitely abrade the fabric. I am also going to try to add ballistic nylon to the bow all the way under for scrape protection.

 

[dlochner]

I have heard many stories about the aluminum issue. I plan on going fiberglass.
Good chaps will protect topsides from wear and punctures, I plan on aintifoul paint for the bottom minimizing barnacles which can definitely abrade the fabric. I am also going to try to add ballistic nylon to the bow all the way under for scrape protection.

We put a keel guard on ours. Works well. It is thick piece of plastic that seems impervious to rocks. Still get some chips elsewhere on the bottom, but those are easy to fix.

 

[gettinthere]

I'm more concerned about abrading the fabric.

glue vs welding of pvc seams looks to be an issue...

 

[RoyS]

My PVC roll up is 14 years old. I am near Boston and my inflatable is always in the sun during the sailing season. I do not have any kind of of a cover. The PVC fabric has held up fine. We often leave the dinghy on the beach of various islands or floating near the water edge of the beach. Have one repaired bottom puncture that never leaked again. I paint the bottom to stop hard growth. Bottom line; PVC works for me.

 

[jviss]

hypalon ribs are in short supply or VERY expensive

I'll say! Data point:
AB 9VL at Defender:
2016: $3,724.00
2022: $4,932.00

That's a 32% increase over 6 years.

 

[Brian D]

I'm like RoyS. I have a Mercury 220 Rollup PVC that is about 8~9 years old, but I keep it in the bag when not in use. It will only get direct sun when I am out and about on the boat or in the dinghy. Otherwise, it stays indoors. I have had to make only one minor repair with a tiny hole in the floor. I used shoe glue (Shoe Goo I think) to do the repair. Hasn't failed my yet.

 

[gettinthere]

My PVC roll up is 14 years old. I am near Boston and my inflatable is always in the sun during the sailing season. I do not have any kind of of a cover. The PVC fabric has held up fine. We often leave the dinghy on the beach of various islands or floating near the water edge of the beach. Have one repaired bottom puncture that never leaked again. I paint the bottom to stop hard growth. Bottom line; PVC works for me.
View attachment 207724

Are your seems welded or glued?

 

[gettinthere]

The Highfield PVC are a very high grade PVC and they weld the seems. Around $2600 vs $5500 hypalon plus shipping.
Defender wants $400 for shipping. Ugh

 

[RoyS]

Are your seems welded or glued?

Unknown. It was made by Mercury. No issues with seams.