| RIB Power Boats (or Rigid Inflatable Boats), | | | | order for the adhesive to work properly. I use |
| generally require less maintenance that wooden or | | | | 60% as a general guideline, and I have had |
| fiberglass boats. However, there is a task that | | | | remarkable success working in these conditions. |
| requires a unique skill set, not commonly found | | | | Having this part of the equation met gives me |
| among more traditional boat users. The process | | | | the assurance that its okay to go ahead. Often |
| of repairing a leak in an inflatable tube, if done | | | | times, professionals use climate controlled rooms |
| properly, can be a straight forward. However, if | | | | to apply the adhesive. Most folks, however, will |
| the right conditions are not met, the task can | | | | either have to wait for the right conditions, or set |
| prove to be an ordeal in itself. | | | | up their own climate controlled work space. It |
| Today I want to talk about repairing Hypalon, the | | | | goes without saying here that working on a rainy |
| synthetic rubber used in some of the more pricier | | | | day or in close proximity to the water while doing |
| crafts. This includes vessels those used by the | | | | a repair is generally not a good idea. Keeping a |
| government, such as the coast guard, and in | | | | close eye on weather forecast and current |
| commercial vessels, such as whale watch charters | | | | humidity levels are the surest way to get the |
| and sight seeing charter boats. With Hypalon | | | | repair process off to a good start. |
| boats, the humidity level must be 70% or less in | | | | |