This week at Ribcollar, we have been re-tubing a 6.8 metre rigid inflatable boat with a new set of Orca Hypalon collars for a local sailing club. The project included substantial top-side reinforcing and has given the boat a much-needed refresh, along with a practical extension to its service life.
For many owners and operators, a RIB retube is the right solution when the hull remains sound but the existing tubes are worn, tired, or beyond sensible repair. Rather than replacing the whole craft, a new collar set gives the boat a stronger inflatable system, a cleaner finish, and a better platform for future use.
A practical refresh for a hard-working 6.8 metre RIB
This boat came in needing more than a cosmetic improvement. The brief was to fit a new set of collars in Orca Hypalon and include substantial top-side reinforcing to improve durability in a key wear area. For a sailing club boat, that matters. These craft often see regular launching, recovery, crew movement, and day-to-day contact that takes its toll over time.
By re-tubing the boat with a fresh set of collars, the end client now has a RIB that looks sharper, feels properly refreshed, and is better suited to continued service.
What was included in this re-tube
- New set of Orca Hypalon collars
- Substantial top-side reinforcing
- Replacement of the ageing inflatable system
- Refreshed appearance and improved serviceability
Using Orca Hypalon remains a sensible choice for this type of work. It is widely recognised in the RIB sector for durability, long service life, and repairability. Where a boat is worth keeping, a properly built Hypalon collar set gives you a sound long-term answer.
Why a RIB retube makes sense
A full RIB tube replacement is often the best route when old tubes are no longer worth chasing with patch repairs. Once fabrics become heavily worn, porous, delaminated, or tired around seams and fittings, repair work starts to become poor value. That is when a retube becomes the more practical option.
For clubs, commercial operators, and private owners alike, the benefits are clear:
- Extends the life of a sound hull
- Improves reliability and appearance
- Allows new reinforcing and layout changes where needed
- Provides a fresh base for future repair and maintenance work
- Restores confidence in the boat’s inflatable system
That is why we continue to see strong demand for new Hypalon tubes and collars across a wide mix of boats and users.
Built around the boat and the job
No two boats are used in exactly the same way. A club boat has different wear points and duty demands from a patrol boat, a sea safari RIB, or a private leisure craft. That is why the detail matters. Reinforcing, fittings, finish, and the overall collar design all need to suit the use of the boat, not only the original shape.
On this 6.8 metre RIB, the top-side reinforcing was an important part of the job. It adds extra protection in an area that sees repeated contact and wear, helping the new collars stand up better in service.
More than appearance
A good re-tube always improves the look of the boat, but the real value sits in getting it back into proper working condition. A boat with new collars is easier to present, easier to maintain, and better placed for years of future use when the rest of the craft is still worth investing in.
That is particularly relevant for local clubs and organisations. Replacing a full boat is expensive. Retubing gives you a way to restore function and extend service life without taking the bigger capital step of buying new.
Ribcollar retubes all makes of boats
Ribcollar supports customers across RIB repairs, retubing, replacement collars, and specialist inflatable work. We work on a wide range of rigid inflatable boats and support private owners, clubs, commercial operators, and trade customers from our Yeovil workshop.
If your tubes are tired, damaged, or beyond sensible repair, a retube may be the right next step.
Talk to Ribcollar about your boat
If you need advice on a re-tube, repair, or replacement collars, contact Ribcollar with your boat details and photos.
Email: sales@ribcollar.com
Phone: +44 (0)1935 722988
Website: www.ribcollar.com
We re-tube all makes of boats.