west marine hypalon or pvc??

[surfbird]

Hello all,

I just bought my first inflatable. west marine SB 12.0W model
It needs some help on the bottom material very worn and fabric showing through.
Anyone know what type of material this model is? What year this boat is?
Any sugestions on repairing the bottom? liquid rubber?
Thanks

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: west marine hypalon or pvc??

Generally pvc is a rugged tiny dotted or square fabric, Hypalon is a plain soft fabric, which one do you have ?

Happy Boating

 

[Peter_C]

Re: west marine hypalon or pvc??

PVC will have the main tubes thermo bonded with the bottom of the boat and the transom glued on. You should be able to tell the difference quickly. Hypalon is totally glued up.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: west marine hypalon or pvc??

You can have tubes, oar locks, handles thermo bonded but boat's bottom fabric is generally hand glued to lower transom and side tubes, even Zodiac manufactures using same process. Will have my doubts for a newbie to tell wether is hand glued or thermo bonded, to plain eye both looks same.

Happy Boating

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: west marine hypalon or pvc??

Thermal bonding will often leave a raised point along where the bond occurs. If done properly, the raised point will be along the edge of the material where it is not readly apparent...Unless you look for it.