Retubing
A New Lease of Life for Your RIB
Retubing is the process of removing and replacing the inflatable tubes on a RIB while retaining the original hull. Over time, tubes can degrade due to UV exposure, saltwater, fuel spills, abrasion, and general wear, leading to air leaks, seam failure, and reduced safety. Retubing restores the boat’s buoyancy, handling, and appearance, often extending its usable life by many years at a significantly lower cost than replacing the entire vessel. It is an ideal solution when the hull remains structurally sound but the tubes have reached the end of their service life, allowing owners to upgrade to modern, high-quality materials such as Orca Hypalon for improved durability and long-term performance.
Our Retube Process
Assessment & Measurement
We begin with a thorough inspection of the hull and existing tube layout to confirm that the structure is sound and suitable for retubing. Key measurements are taken along the full length of the hull to establish correct tube diameter, taper, cone geometry, and overall alignment. This stage ensures the new tubes will sit correctly on the hull, maintain proper balance, and preserve the boat’s original handling characteristics.
Precision Templating
Using the hull as a reference, accurate templates are produced for each tube section. This process captures all critical details, including cone angles, chamber lengths, rubbing strake positions, handles, and valve locations. Precision templating is essential to achieve a clean fit, consistent symmetry, and a professional finish once the tubes are installed.
Hand-Built Tubes
Each tube is hand-built using Orca Hypalon, a premium fabric known for its durability and resistance to UV, abrasion, and marine chemicals. Professional-grade adhesives and proven bonding techniques are used throughout construction, with careful attention paid to seam quality, chamber layout, and reinforcement in high-wear areas.
Installation & Finishing
Once complete, the new tubes are bonded to the hull with precise alignment and secure adhesion. Valves, relief fittings, and accessories are installed, and all seams are rigorously checked. The tubes are then fully inflated and pressure-tested to ensure airtight integrity before final detailing and delivery, leaving the boat ready for reliable service on the water.
Materials We Use
At HG Marine, we use proven, professional-grade materials to ensure every retube is strong, durable, and built for long-term marine use.
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Orca® Hypalon Fabric (828 & 866)
Tubes are built using premium Orca Hypalon fabric, selected to suit tube size and application. Both grades offer excellent UV resistance and durability, with strong resistance to fuel, oil, and abrasion. -
Tube Fittings & Finishing Components
We supply and fit cone end mouldings, rubbing strake, and rubber handles as part of the retube process where required. These components protect high-wear areas, improve handling and safety, and give the tubes a clean, professional finish. All fittings are selected for compatibility with Hypalon tubes and are securely bonded for long-term durability in marine conditions. -
Professional Adhesives
We use Bostik2402, a trusted two-part adhesive widely used in professional inflatable construction for strong, reliable bonds.
All materials are selected to work together as a complete system, resulting in a retube that looks right and performs reliably in real marine conditions.
F.A.Q.
Retubing is the process of removing the old inflatable tubes from a RIB and replacing them with new ones, while keeping the original hull. It restores buoyancy, safety, and appearance when the hull is still in good condition.
If the tubes are suffering from UV damage, air leaks, seam failure, or general material breakdown, retubing is often the best long-term solution. It’s ideal when repairs are no longer cost-effective.
Yes. Retubing typically costs significantly less than replacing the entire boat and can extend the life of a RIB by many years.
We build tubes using premium Orca Hypalon (828 and 866), along with professional-grade adhesives and fittings designed for marine use.
Most RIBs can be retubed, provided the hull is structurally sound. We always carry out an assessment before work begins.
Yes. During retubing, handles, D-rings, rubbing strake, and other fittings can be replaced, repositioned, or upgraded to suit your needs.
Absolutely. Retubing is widely used in commercial, rescue, and workboat sectors where durability and reliability are essential.