On Sun, 22 Aug 2004 20:06:29 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Just hand pressure is usually fine to apply a patch. Using a roller
creates good contact. 2-part adhesive is better. Bad news is that PVC
inflatables have a pretty bad reputation for exactly what you are
describing and it will just get worse. Two, choices. Either get a
pair of chaps to cover the tubes and keep the UV off, or chuck
the thing and get a hypalon inflatable.

There is a third alternative for decaying PVC...Zodiac, I'm looking at
you....and that is replacing the tubes and keeping the RIB portion (a
portion of RIB?).

I bought a mid-90s Zodiac YL310 RIB in 2000 and immediately got a
cover for it. It consequently hasn't got much worse, but some of the
structural patches are coming loose and of course, the tubes are
filthy looking. I consider this in freshwater a positive benefit, as
mine was the only Zodiac in my row not stolen in the last three years
(or had an obvious attempt, anyway...maybe it's just the old-school
Honda BF100 that drives 'em away).

Anyway, the RIB bit is good enough to recycle, and when I go south, I
will get 17" tubes (stock is 16") made of Hypalon and cut slightly
longer with stock Zodiac valves and custom hardware and tie-downs
appropriate to davits and rougher conditions than Lake Ontario. Cost:
about $2,200 Canadian, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a new
RIB. I'll probably go to a Yamaha 15 at that point, too.

Hope this helps,
R.