OK there were a few recent posts asking how to glue PVC. Aparently from the detremental effects of being in the sun. In my experience, I had a PVC dinghy that was several years old & even with the limited sun exposure of the Northwest, she deteriorated to a sticky, cracked leaking mess. I'd like to hear from some folks in the Southern Lattitudes who have much more experience with the sun and it's affects on inflatables. Do you use PVC inflatables where the sun is everpresent? how do they hold up? What about hypalon? Thanks, in advance. I'm looking to see how my new PVC dinghy should be cared for to extend the life (and if my next one should by hypalon).
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Hypalon's the only way to go
Why would you buy a dink and then cover it with Sunbrella? Hypalon doesn't need a cover.
Why would you buy a dink and then cover it with Sunbrella? Hypalon doesn't need a cover.
Hypalon in the sun
In answer to the question on Hypalon in the sun as being bulletproof, I only have the 8 years of experience in the hot tropical sun. The Hypalon dinks do suffer from the incessant UV rays, not by getting gummy, but aging and cracking of the material. The experienced long term sailors down here do cover their dink whether it is PVC or Hypalon. These are cruising sailors who keep the dink in the water or on deck continously. Perhaps Toronto or weekender dinks can be long-lived with no protection (as can those in CA), but this sun is HOT enough to pop seams in a dink if attention is not given to tube pressure. I believe the poster stated "how can my new PVC dink be cared for to extend the life". Since he has a PVC dink, the cover is certainly one way preferable to going out and buying another new Hypalon one.
In answer to the question on Hypalon in the sun as being bulletproof, I only have the 8 years of experience in the hot tropical sun. The Hypalon dinks do suffer from the incessant UV rays, not by getting gummy, but aging and cracking of the material. The experienced long term sailors down here do cover their dink whether it is PVC or Hypalon. These are cruising sailors who keep the dink in the water or on deck continously. Perhaps Toronto or weekender dinks can be long-lived with no protection (as can those in CA), but this sun is HOT enough to pop seams in a dink if attention is not given to tube pressure. I believe the poster stated "how can my new PVC dink be cared for to extend the life". Since he has a PVC dink, the cover is certainly one way preferable to going out and buying another new Hypalon one.
Hypalon and UV protection
I recently went through this on this site about a month ago. I decided to go with hypalon. Some dealers claim that hypalon only outlasts PVC by a few years and recommend that you apply a product by "303" to give it extra UV protection. I have chosen to cover mine, as it is stored on deck, just to keep the birds and other stuff off. Check out this link for a more technical opinion.
I recently went through this on this site about a month ago. I decided to go with hypalon. Some dealers claim that hypalon only outlasts PVC by a few years and recommend that you apply a product by "303" to give it extra UV protection. I have chosen to cover mine, as it is stored on deck, just to keep the birds and other stuff off. Check out this link for a more technical opinion.
Choose hypalon and you won't have to worry
I sold a Calypso (now they're called Apex) dink, hypalon of course, four years ago and saw it again this summer, still perfect except the new owner had replaced the wood floor. I bought that dink in 1993 and it did seven or eight trips south. I have a 10'06" AB Rib in FL. It has been outside in the sun, never having been north of Charleston, for the last three years. When the boat is stored for the summer the dink stays on the davits. Still looks like new. Try that with a pvc dink. I have seen lots of canvas covered dinks, invariably they are pvc. The original poster wanted to know if his next dink should be hypalon, it would be foolish to get a pvc one.
I sold a Calypso (now they're called Apex) dink, hypalon of course, four years ago and saw it again this summer, still perfect except the new owner had replaced the wood floor. I bought that dink in 1993 and it did seven or eight trips south. I have a 10'06" AB Rib in FL. It has been outside in the sun, never having been north of Charleston, for the last three years. When the boat is stored for the summer the dink stays on the davits. Still looks like new. Try that with a pvc dink. I have seen lots of canvas covered dinks, invariably they are pvc. The original poster wanted to know if his next dink should be hypalon, it would be foolish to get a pvc one.
Still need a response?
I believe the original post was about protecting a dinghy whether PVC or hypalon. The relative merits of hypalon Vs. PVC seems to be the result. No argument there. Covers will protect either material, but have other uses to the active cruiser. Having cruised down to Mexico many times I can attest that covers are used on dinghys there. So many islands and accessible beaches means most cruisers tow their dinghys behind the sailboat. The cover protects the hypalon/PVC from rubbing on the sailboat when at anchor, against docks, and from loads of sand deposited on the tubes. Either material is kept much cleaner by the cover. That it offers UV protection is a bonus especially for PVC. Boaters that rarely leave the slip probably don't understand the need for a dinghy cover and few have them. Mexico cruisers use their dinghys a lot. After all, these dinghys just need to get us from the mother ship to the beach for the beach party!
I believe the original post was about protecting a dinghy whether PVC or hypalon. The relative merits of hypalon Vs. PVC seems to be the result. No argument there. Covers will protect either material, but have other uses to the active cruiser. Having cruised down to Mexico many times I can attest that covers are used on dinghys there. So many islands and accessible beaches means most cruisers tow their dinghys behind the sailboat. The cover protects the hypalon/PVC from rubbing on the sailboat when at anchor, against docks, and from loads of sand deposited on the tubes. Either material is kept much cleaner by the cover. That it offers UV protection is a bonus especially for PVC. Boaters that rarely leave the slip probably don't understand the need for a dinghy cover and few have them. Mexico cruisers use their dinghys a lot. After all, these dinghys just need to get us from the mother ship to the beach for the beach party!
Cover and 303
We use a cover with the dingy is on the davits and spray 303 when it is uncovered for long period of time. 303 lasts about 6 weeks. Almost time for a new cover because the sun has really eaten it up after 9 years. Dingy is good shape.
We use a cover with the dingy is on the davits and spray 303 when it is uncovered for long period of time. 303 lasts about 6 weeks. Almost time for a new cover because the sun has really eaten it up after 9 years. Dingy is good shape.
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