Orca Colour Swatch and Hypalon Colours for RIB Tubes
If you are comparing Hypalon colours for a retube, repair or new collar build, the swatch matters. At Ribcollar, we use Orca engineered fabrics because they are built for rigid inflatable boats and offer strong UV resistance, dependable ageing performance and a wide choice of proven marine colours.
This page gives you a clear Orca colour swatch guide, explains the main finishes and helps you choose a practical colour and fabric grade for your boat.
Why Ribcollar Uses Orca Fabric
For RIB tube manufacture and replacement work, you need a fabric that holds up in sun, salt, abrasion and regular use. Orca engineered fabrics are designed specifically for RIBs and inflatables, with CSM-based outer coatings intended for long-term marine exposure.
- Strong UV and weather resistance for boats kept outside
- Suitable for leisure, commercial and professional RIB applications
- Available in different grades for different boat sizes and duty cycles
- Wide colour and finish range for matching existing tubes or updating the look of a boat
Orca 828 vs Orca 866
The two grades most commonly discussed for RIB tube work are Orca 828 and Orca 866. The right choice depends on boat size, operating environment and how hard the boat is worked.
| Fabric | Surface mass | Typical use | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orca 828 | 1340 g/m² nominal | Mainstream replacement tube and collar work | Many private boats, yacht tenders and lighter-duty commercial work |
| Orca 866 | 1565 g/m² nominal | Heavier-duty RIB tube manufacture and professional use | Commercial, rescue, patrol and harder-worked craft |
Orca Fabric Finishes for RIB Tubes
Orca offers several surface finishes across the range, including smooth, Fabric Impression, Perlage and Carbon. The finish affects how the tube looks and feels, and it often helps define whether the boat has a working, leisure or more premium appearance. Smooth remains the most common choice for many retube and replacement tube jobs because it gives a clean traditional RIB finish and makes colour matching more straightforward.
Orca Colour Swatch for Smooth Hypalon Colours
These are the smooth Orca colours most often discussed on Ribcollar projects. They work well for retubes, repairs and collar replacement, and cover the most practical choices for leisure, trade and professional RIBs.
These swatches are intended as an on-screen guide. Final shade can still vary slightly with screen settings, lighting, age and finish.
How to Choose the Right Hypalon Colour for Your Boat
- Look at how the boat is used, whether leisure, commercial, rescue or patrol
- Decide whether you want a close match to the original tube or a full visual update
- Consider how much dirt, abrasion and wear the tubes will see
- Check how the tube colour works with the hull, upholstery and deck layout
Need Help Choosing an Orca Colour?
If you are deciding between Hypalon colours, send us the boat make, model, length and a few clear photos. We will guide you on the right fabric grade, finish and colour for the job.
Useful Internal Links
RIB Retubing for full tube replacement and collar renewal.
New Hypalon Tubes for replacement collars and fresh tube builds.
RIB Repairs for repair assessment and repair work.
What Material Is Your RIB Tube Made From? for help identifying Hypalon, PVC and other tube fabrics.
Contact Ribcollar to send photos and get advice on the right specification.
Need technical help and advice?
Contact Ribcollar for advice on all aspects of rigid inflatable boat tubes, retubes, repairs and refurbishment.
