Hypalon good for roll up?

[Muaddib1116]

A while ago, I did some research into F-Ribs, which use pvc instead of hypalon, because they say that hypalon doesn't do well when folded.


Now, I'm looking at roll up dinghies and am wondering, does hypalon do well in a roll up? Or is it better to get pvc because rolling/folding it will damage the hypalon? Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

[Reefmagnet]

Achilles inflatables might argue that point...


https://www.achillesboats.com/why-choose-achilles/
(Their custom fabric is essentially "Hypalon")

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

A while ago, I did some research into F-Ribs, which use pvc instead of hypalon, because they say that hypalon doesn't do well when folded.

If you were selling F-Ribs and your take home salary depended on making sales what would you say

We have just sold it, but our Avon Redcrest was probably made in the 1970s. Given the faded yellow bits, its seen a busy life and still going strong so the new owner was more than happy to buy it.

I am more careful not to kink the PVC replacement.

Pete

[NewMoon]

Our hypalon Avon Redcrest was folded and rolled up for almost all of the 18 years we used it on our 26 foot boat. Inflated and then deflated every time we used it. We still have it now, 22 years old. Does not look quite like brand new, but close enough.

[pitlaw]

Hypalon has been used with many Avon roll ups, including mine. I havent seen any problems at all. Its the rub rail made of pvc that separates after 20 years.

[sailing_gal]

I have an Achilles 10' hypalon dinghy. On ocean crossings, it sits nicely rolled up on my deck- no issue.

[stormalong]

I have a Caribe 8 ft rollup. Bought in 2007 and it is still going strong. It gets rolled up every winter and used to get rolled up for ocean passages (I don't do those anymore). It is showing it's age a bit but still airtight and no patches. The hypalon fabric is still good. The rubber rub rails are deteriorating a bit.

[Siberian Sea]

I have a roll up Hypalon made by Achilles. Been in the tropics for years and each time I go offshore it’s rolled up below decks. No problems so far. Matter fact it’s been holding up great and I don’t even have a sun cover. Will buy another Achilles when this one is gone.

[inchcailloch]

Again purely from experience I had one maybe 30 year old. Amazing and well worth the extra cost for hypalon dinghy........until it's stolen as mine was. Only downside it taking it onto a non sandy beach......I now have aluminium hull. Downside space. But I'd certainly have another hypalon roll up again. However for liveaboards I'd say definitely rigid hull with hypalon

[SVPP]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Achilles inflatables might argue that point...


https://www.achillesboats.com/why-choose-achilles/
(Their custom fabric is essentially "Hypalon")

I have had the same Achilles hp floor roll up for the past 17 years and it is still looking unreal I use it twice a week and when not rolled up in the forecastle then it sits on the foredeck under a cover

[roverhi]

Have a thing for Hypalon Avon Redcrests so have bought very nice used ones for each of my boats. Don't know how old they are but Avon's been out of business for a decade or longer. Both look near new and hold air like the new one's I've owned. Over the 40 plus years have owned 5 Redcrests which have spent much of their lives in a bag and have never had a problem with the Hypalon Fabric. The valves have failed, glued on fittings have pulled off but the fabric has never been an issue until they flat worn out and that was only one of the dinghies. Haven't heard of any PVC dinghys that have held up so well.

[Muaddib1116]

Thanks for all the great information. Has most of your experiences been with floorboard, roll-up slats, or air mat bottoms? I'm leaning towards an air mat bottom for the ease of inflation and storage. Is an air mat bottom on a hypalon rollup also made of hypalon?

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

Thanks for all the great information. Has most of your experiences been with floorboard, roll-up slats, or air mat bottoms? I'm leaning towards an air mat bottom for the ease of inflation and storage. Is an air mat bottom on a hypalon rollup also made of hypalon?

Achillies definitely use Hypalon for their high pressure floors, but perhaps more than a few don't. Read the fine print on the specs. Easiest way to identify a hypalon fabrication is to look at the seams. They'll obviously be glued, but will also show the odd fine thread emitting from the composite hypalon along the exposed edges of the material.

[sailingchiro]

I went through 2 pvc boats that separated at the seams while rolled up in a hot boat within 2 years each. Purchased Achilles hypalon and it shows no sign of separation after 2 years. Hoping it will be my last dinghy.