Orca Hypalon Colours for RIB Tubes
The full Orca Hypalon colour range for RIB tube retubing, collar replacement and new tube manufacture. Both Orca 828 and Orca 866 share the same main colour range across five surface finishes.
- 40+
- 5
- 2
- Belgium
Colours available across the Orca Hypalon range.
Surface finishes: Smooth, Fabric Impression, Perlage, Carbon and Honeycomb.
Grades covered: Orca 828 and Orca 866. Both share the main colour range.
All Orca Hypalon fabrics manufactured by Pennel & Flipo in Belgium.
Orca Hypalon is available in over 40 colours across five surface finishes. The primary colours, the greys, orange, blue, black and white, are generally held in stock.
Both Orca 828 and Orca 866 share the same colour range, so the colour decision is separate from the fabric grade decision. Choose the colour here, then discuss grade with us based on the boat and how it is used. For weight, strength and application guidance see our Orca 828 vs 866 guide.
- Colours available
- 40+across five surface finishes
- Generally in stock
- Primary coloursgreys, orange, blue, black, white
- Specialist colours
- Order-inadds to the standard lead time
- Both grades
- Same range828 and 866 share the colour list
Want to see the colour in the hand before you commit? Ask us for a physical Orca Hypalon swatch. On-screen colour is never reliable enough for a match.
Request a physical swatchOn-screen colours are approximate. Display calibration, lighting and the age of existing fabric all affect how a colour reads against your boat. The hex value under each swatch below is an indication for screen only, not a colour specification.
Five finishes available for 828 and 866.
The finish affects appearance and, in some cases, how the fabric is bonded. Smooth is the most widely used and carries the widest colour range.
NB = Non-Buff. The fabric does not need sanding on the reverse before bonding. FI = Fabric Impression. Lower-sheen textured surface, often specified for commercial and military applications.
Smooth (Matt)
Widest colour range. Clean traditional RIB appearance. Easiest for colour matching on retubes.
Fabric Impression (FI)
Lower sheen, textured surface. Standard for military, commercial and professional applications.
Perlage
Patterned textured surface. Often used for wear patches and tubes where a different visual effect is wanted.
Carbon
Satin technical look. Popular for custom builds and high-specification collar replacements.
Honeycomb
Black and Military Grey only. Available for both 828 and 866. Different surface pattern to Carbon.
Orca Hypalon colours in smooth finish.
The smooth finish carries the full colour range and is available for both 828 and 866. This is the most commonly specified finish for leisure and commercial retubes.
Both Orca 828 and Orca 866 are available in the full smooth colour range below. The colour list is identical for both grades. Where a colour is marked NB or FI, this refers to the fabric reverse preparation or finish variant.
Whites & Greys
Blacks
High-Visibility & Rescue
Greens
Neutrals & Warm Tones
Blues
On-screen colour representations are approximate. Final shade varies with display calibration, lighting and the age of existing fabric. Request a physical swatch for colour-critical match work. NB = Non-Buff. FI = Fabric Impression.
Additional Finishes: Perlage, Carbon and Honeycomb
Perlage, Carbon and Honeycomb finishes are available in a reduced colour range for both 828 and 866. Perlage: Black, Military Grey, Artic Grey. Carbon: Black, Military Grey, Ocean Blue. Honeycomb: Black and Military Grey only. Contact Ribcollar for specific availability.
Stock colours and order-in colours.
The primary colours are generally held in stock. Specialist and less-common colours are ordered in from Pennel & Flipo, which adds to the lead time.
Where the colour is in stock, it has no effect on the retube lead time. Where it has to be ordered in, the tube cannot be cut until the fabric arrives, so it is worth deciding the colour early rather than at the point of booking.
| Colour group | Availability | Effect on lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Generally in stock | None. The most specified colour and the one we hold most of |
| Greys | Generally in stock | None for the common greys. Military Grey and Artic Grey are regular stock items |
| Whites and off-whites | Generally in stock | None for the standard whites |
| Orange | Generally in stock | None. Held for rescue and commercial work |
| Blue | Generally in stock | None for the common blues |
| Reds | Usually order-in | Adds to the standard lead time. Worth confirming when you book |
| Greens | Usually order-in | Adds to the standard lead time |
| Warm neutrals and tans | Usually order-in | Adds to the standard lead time |
| NB and FI finishes | Varies by colour | Confirm at quotation. The finish narrows the colour list |
Stock holding changes through the year, so treat this as a guide and confirm at the point of quoting. If the boat needs to be back on the water for a fixed date, tell us and we will specify from what is in stock.
How each colour family ages under UV.
All Orca Hypalon carries the same CSM coating and the same UV resistance. What differs between colours is how visible the ageing is, not how fast the fabric degrades.
This is the question owners ask most often. A red tube and a black tube have the same service life. The red one simply shows its age more obviously, because pigment shift is easier to see on a saturated colour than on a dark neutral.
| Colour family | How it shows age | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Least visible change. Gradual loss of depth rather than a colour shift | The safest choice if you want the tube to look consistent for twenty years |
| Dark and military greys | Very little visible change. Chalking shows as a lightening of the surface | A wipe down and a Hypalon-safe dressing restores most of the appearance |
| Mid and light greys | Low. Surface dulls before the colour moves | Hides scuffs and pontoon marks better than white |
| Whites and off-whites | Colour holds well, but marking and staining show readily | The maintenance issue is dirt, not fade. Expect to clean it more often |
| Orange | Moderate. High-visibility pigments soften over years of strong sun | Still the right choice where the boat has to be seen. Common on rescue craft |
| Reds | Most visible of the range. Saturated reds shift more noticeably than neutrals | Consider it where the boat is stored covered or ashore out of season |
| Blues | Moderate. Mid and light blues show more movement than dark blues | Dark blues behave much like the dark greys |
| Greens | Moderate | Less common on leisure boats, so matching an aged green later is harder |
Two things matter more than colour choice for how the tube looks in ten years: whether the boat is covered when not in use, and whether the tubes are washed off with fresh water after use. UV exposure is the main driver of fabric ageing whatever the colour.
Which colours suit which type of RIB?
Black and Military Grey age better under UV, show less surface fading over time and suit a wide range of applications from leisure to commercial.
Practical guidance on choosing the right Hypalon tube colour for your boat and its use. Black and Military Grey are the safest all-round choices for most boats.
The finish matters as much as the colour in some applications. Smooth is the most versatile. Fabric Impression is the professional and military standard.
Leisure RIBs
Black is the most specified colour for leisure boats. It ages well, hides UV fade and holds its appearance over time. Smooth finish is standard. Carbon finish in Black or Ocean Blue suits custom builds.
Yacht Tenders & Day Boats
White and off-white tones complement a yacht's hull or deck. Smooth finish is standard. Lighter colours will show surface ageing more visibly over time than darker options.
Commercial & Patrol Craft
Military Grey and Black in Smooth or Fabric Impression are the most common specifications. FI is preferred where a non-reflective, working appearance is required. Both colours are available in NB and FI variants.
Rescue Boats
High-visibility colours for rescue and RNLI-type applications. The correct colour may be dictated by the operator's specification, so confirm before ordering.
Military Specification
FI finish gives a non-reflective working surface appropriate for operational craft. Contact Ribcollar if a specific military colour is required outside this range.
Sea Safari & Charter
Dark professional colours work best for passenger RIBs. Carbon finish in Black or Ocean Blue is often specified for charter boats where a premium presentation matters.
Colour by application.
| Application | Recommended Colours | Recommended Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Leisure RIB | Black, Ocean Blue, Military Grey | Smooth |
| Yacht Tender | Ice White, Off White, Cream White | Smooth |
| Commercial / Patrol | Military Grey, Black | Smooth or FI |
| Rescue | Orange Silvano, Yellow Sunflower, Etna Red | Smooth |
| Military | Army Green, Military Grey, Black | FI |
| Sea Safari / Charter | Black, Dark Blue, Military Grey | Smooth or Carbon |
| Custom Build | Any smooth colour, or Carbon range | Smooth or Carbon |
Can Ribcollar match existing tube colours?
Send photos of the existing tubes and we will advise on the closest match available.
In most cases yes, if the original tube was built in an Orca Hypalon colour still in the current range.
Bear in mind that original tube colour will have aged and may have faded under UV, particularly on older boats. What you see on the boat may be noticeably different from the swatch. We will tell you honestly where an exact match is unlikely.
For partial retubes or collar replacements where one section is being replaced alongside existing fabric, we always recommend requesting a physical swatch before committing to a colour to avoid a visible mismatch.
If you do not know the original tube specification, look for any documentation from the boat builder or previous tube supplier. Ribcraft, Avon, Humber, Tornado and most major RIB manufacturers used Orca Hypalon, so the original colour is likely within this range. If you are replacing tubes rather than matching an existing set, you can choose your colour at retube.
Common colour questions.
What Orca Hypalon colours are available?
The Orca Hypalon range includes over 40 colours in the smooth finish, covering whites, greys, blacks, blues, greens, high-visibility colours including orange and yellow, and a range of warm neutrals and earth tones. The full smooth colour list is available for both Orca 828 and Orca 866. Fabric Impression, Perlage, Carbon and Honeycomb finishes are available in a reduced selection.
What finishes are available on Orca Hypalon?
Five surface finishes are available: Smooth (widest colour range, most common for leisure and commercial work), Fabric Impression (FI, lower sheen, often used on commercial, military and patrol craft), Perlage (patterned textured surface, reduced colour range), Carbon (satin technical finish, popular for custom leisure builds) and Honeycomb (Black and Military Grey only for both 828 and 866).
Are colours available in both Orca 828 and Orca 866?
Yes. Both Orca 828 and Orca 866 share the same main colour range. The colour choice does not depend on which grade you select. The grade decision is separate and is based on boat size and application. For guidance on which grade suits your boat, see our Orca 828 vs 866 guide.
Can Ribcollar match my existing tube colour?
In most cases, yes, if the original tube was made in an Orca Hypalon colour still in the current range. Send us photos of the existing tube and we will advise on the closest match. For colour-critical work such as partial retubes where the new section will sit alongside existing fabric, we always recommend confirming against a physical swatch.
Which colours suit commercial and rescue RIBs?
Military Grey and Black in Smooth or Fabric Impression are the most common specifications for commercial and patrol craft. Rescue applications typically use high-visibility colours including Orange Silvano, Yellow Sunflower and Etna Red. The correct colour for rescue service RIBs may be dictated by the operator's specification, so confirm before ordering.
Can I get a physical Orca Hypalon colour swatch?
Yes. Contact Ribcollar with your boat details and we can advise on colour and grade. For colour-critical or match work, we recommend confirming against a physical swatch rather than relying on on-screen colours, which vary with display calibration, lighting and the condition of your existing fabric.
Which Orca colours are kept in stock?
The primary colours are generally in stock: black, the greys including Military Grey and Artic Grey, the standard whites, orange and the common blues. Reds, greens and the warm neutrals are usually ordered in, which adds to the lead time. Stock holding changes through the year, so confirm at the point of quoting, and tell us if the boat has to be back on the water for a fixed date.
Do some Orca Hypalon colours fade faster than others?
All Orca Hypalon carries the same CSM coating and the same UV resistance, so the fabric itself ages at the same rate whatever the colour. What differs is how visible that ageing is. Black and the dark greys show the least change. Reds show the most, because pigment shift is easier to see on a saturated colour. Whites hold their colour well but show dirt and staining more readily.
Is Orca Hypalon still made?
DuPont discontinued the original Hypalon brand in 2010. Orca, made by Pennel & Flipo in Belgium, is the industry-standard successor. It uses a CSM/CR compound and is widely referred to in the trade as Hypalon. It remains the benchmark material for RIB tube manufacture and is the fabric Ribcollar uses across all retube, repair and new build work.
What does NB mean on Orca fabric?
NB stands for Non-Buff. It means the reverse of the fabric does not need sanding before bonding. This is relevant to fabricators and workshops during tube construction and repair work.
Not sure which colour or finish is right for your boat?
Send us the boat details, photos of the existing tube and a note on the intended use. Ribcollar will advise on the right Orca Hypalon colour, finish and fabric grade for the job.
Orca Hypalon Colour Chart for RIB Tubes – 828 and 866
This page lists the full Orca Hypalon colour range for both 828 and 866 grades, including all available surface finishes. Use it to choose the right colour and fabric specification before booking a retube, collar replacement or new tube build with Ribcollar