Retube AB AL9 dingy

[rossny]

I heard somewhere that one could replace the hypalon on a AB 9AL. Anyone know of a kit ? Mine was fire damaged and material burned thru. I would like to save the aluminum bottom. Thanks

[JPA Cate]

Hi, Ross,

We have done that. It was here in Australia, but the principle should work in NY. Contact AB to see if they will ship you the tubes, then an inflatable boat repair place will be able to stick them on for you. If there is a local dealer, that is where to start. It will save you money if you totally clean the hull and polish off the scorch marks.

If not available, then start with an inflatable boat manufacturer or repair place.

We had had the manufacturer replace light weight hypalon tubes on our Gemini (due to it being stolen and set afire), and when they were due again, we went with German pvc, tubes made in China (by Highfield), and installed in Oz, run by Americans, an international project! ;-) Our cost was about 1/2 a complete new dinghy.

Ann

[phorvati]

There are shops that will do it. I did my mercury, (warranty work) in 2006. Its a PITA. Not worth it. Total cost was more then new dinghy. Warranty only covered new tubes. i ended up paying for labor ~1k USD.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by phorvati

There are shops that will do it. I did my mercury, (warranty work) in 2006. Its a PITA. Not worth it. Total cost was more then new dinghy. Warranty only covered new tubes. i ended up paying for labor ~1k USD.

I don't understand... surely 1K$ is less than a new dinghy???

As Ann said above, in both cases of tube replacement, our costs were a bit less than half the cost of a new dink. Our aluminium hull was still quite servicable... and still is two years into the second set of tubes.

Jim

[phorvati]

I payed 1k in labor. Tubes were covered under warranty. It would have been closer to 2k.

[savoir]

If your dinghy is of the hard bottom type then a new one will cost USD3,000 - 5,000. Models with a console cost more. Maybe you are thinking of a roll up.

[Capt.Alex]

Having my 10.5' Novurania done now. It's about a thousand dollars less than a new boat. A new boat would require alterations to my Davits. Love the hull I have so it makes sense for me. YMMV. $3700 to make it like factory new. Local company here in St. Pete.

[phorvati]

My mercury was the smallest rib in the 2004 model sereis. I belive retube labor for center console or larger ribs would be a lot more.