New Tube Tuesday at Ribcollar – Retube
This week’s job was a full retube on a 4.8 metre RIB. We manufactured the tube from scratch and installed it start to finish in-house. The spec was Orca Hypalon black, black anti-slip diamond wear patches, and straight lifelines. The result is a clean, professional finish that suits commercial use and keeps the boat looking right.
What we did on this 4.8 metre RIB Retube
A retube is not a cosmetic quick fix. It is a structured rebuild of the inflatable system, with the aim of restoring reliability, handling, and through-life serviceability. On this job, we:
- Removed the existing tube assembly and prepared the bonding surfaces on the hull and deck.
- Manufactured a new Orca Hypalon tube set in black, built for the boat’s geometry and fitting points.
- Installed straight lifelines for a tidy run and consistent handhold along the tube.
- Added black anti-slip diamond wear patches in the working areas most likely to see contact and abrasion.
- Checked alignment, inflation, and finish, then completed final detailing so the tube lines sit straight and true.
If you operate professionally, the difference is simple. A properly built and fitted tube reduces the chance of nuisance leaks, patchwork repairs, and repeated downtime. It also makes future repairs easier because the build is consistent and the protection is in the right places.
Why Orca Hypalon for commercial operators
Orca Hypalon is a common choice for professional RIB owners and boat builders for a reason. You get a material that is well proven in harsh operating profiles. For many operators, the decision comes down to three practical points:
- Bonding and repairability. When you need a repair, you want predictable bonding characteristics and repeatable processes.
- UV and weather resistance. The boat sits outside, gets washed down, and sees sun, salt, and fuel handling. Material choice matters.
- Through-life cost. A tube that holds its finish and takes repair well tends to cost less across the service life, even if the upfront cost is higher than lower-grade materials.
Material selection is only one part of the outcome. Patterning, seam layout, preparation, and installation quality are what make the finished job look right and last in service.
Wear patches: protection where you need it
Wear protection is not about covering the whole tube. It is about putting the right reinforcement in the right place, based on how the boat is used. On this build we fitted black anti-slip diamond wear patches. These do two jobs:
- Abrasion resistance. They take the scuffs from docks, ladders, kit, and repeated contact points.
- Grip where crew step and brace. Anti-slip texture helps when the tube is used as a working surface during boarding, line handling, or alongside work.
On a 4.8 metre boat, you often see crew using the tube edge to move around the boat quickly. If you add sensible wear protection early, you reduce the need for reactive patching later.
Straight lifelines: small detail, big difference
Lifelines are one of those features that tell you whether a tube was built and installed with care. A straight, consistent run improves:
- Handling and safety. Crew and passengers get a predictable handhold, especially when moving forward or boarding.
- Appearance. Clean lines matter. On a fresh retube, misaligned lifelines stand out immediately.
- Maintenance. A neat installation is easier to inspect and repair if it takes a knock later.
On this job, the straight lifelines sit cleanly and support the overall look. The black-on-black finish also keeps the boat looking sharp and purposeful.
What “in-house manufacture” means for you
Lots of firms say they do retubes. Fewer control the full build and fit process under one roof. When we manufacture in-house, you benefit from:
- Build control. The same team handles patterning, cutting, preparation, bonding, and finishing.
- Consistent spec. Wear protection, fittings, and detailing follow a repeatable standard, not a best-efforts mix of parts.
- Clear options list. You choose the right extras for your operating profile, not a one-size template.
- Support for future work. If you need a repair later, we know how the tube was built and what materials were used.
For commercial operators, that last point matters. You want repair decisions that are quick, sensible, and based on what is on the boat, not guesswork.
Optional extras we can build into your tube
Every operator uses their boat differently. That is why we offer a range of optional extras. Depending on your boat and your tasking, you can specify:
- Additional cladding and targeted wear patches for high-contact areas.
- D-ring patches, handles, and lifelines set out to match your deck layout.
- Rubbing strakes and protection to suit docking and alongside work.
- Signage and refurb work to bring the whole boat back to a professional standard.
- Specialist parts and layouts for military applications where required.
If you are a boat builder, we also supply new OEM tubes manufactured in-house. That includes repeat builds for established models and one-off builds for refit projects.
What to send us for a retube quote
If you want a quote with no back-and-forth, send the basics up front. It saves time for you and it means we quote the right spec, not a vague worst-case estimate.
- Boat make, model, and hull length.
- Photos of the full boat, plus close-ups of the transom corners, bow, and any problem areas.
- Your preferred tube colour, or tell us your operating profile and we will propose a spec.
- Any extras you want included, such as wear patches, lifelines, handles, D-ring patches, rubbing strakes, or signage.
If you are not sure what extras you need, we will keep it practical. We will recommend the protection that matches how you use the boat, not what looks busy in photos.
Contact Ribcollar
If you need a retube, new OEM tube supply, or a refurb package, contact Ribcollar via www.ribcollar.com.
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