Ribcollar Inflatables, Unit 8, Lufton Heights Commerce Park, Yeovil (2026)

24/04/2026

Factory Friday at Ribcollar Inflatables

Hypalon is one of the most durable materials available for RIB tubes. But even the best fabric has a service life.

This Scorpion 8.1m came to us with the surface coating worn thin. The owner made the right call: a complete retube rather than patching a fabric that had run its course.

We retubed using Orca by Pennel & Flipo 866 Hypalon, built to the customer's own design spec complete with Leafield Marine Inflataion and Pressure relief valves . The result speaks for itself. The Scorpion is a serious hull and it looks exactly as it should.

If your tubes are showing their age, get in touch. We can remanufacture your existing tube set to match the original design or give the boat a completely new look.

Get a quote at www.ribcollar.com or call us on 01935 722988.

17/03/2026

🔧 Top Tip Tuesday: What’s your tube made of?
Before you try to repair a RIB tube, make sure you identify the material first. Hypalon / CSM, PVC and PU use different repair methods, so getting it wrong wastes time and money.

🟢 Hypalon / CSM
Often has a more matt, rubbery finish. Usually darker on the inside face. Seams are glued, not welded.
🔵 PVC
Usually looks smoother and shinier than Hypalon. PVC seams are often welded, though PVC can also be glued in some applications.
🟡 PU
A tougher, stiffer tube material. Like PVC, it can be welded or glued, so material identification matters before any self-repair starts.

👀 Quick checks
🔹 Dark grey or black inner face often points to Hypalon
🔹 Welded seams mean it is not Hypalon
🔹 If you are unsure, stop before patching and get the material identified first

At Ribcollar, we manufacture new Hypalon tubes, carry out RIB retubes, and supply self-righting equipment for rigid inflatable boats.
Read the guide: https://ribcollar.com/what-material-is-your-rib-tube-made-from/
📞 01935 722988
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.ribcollar.com

17/03/2026

🔧 Top Tip Tuesday: What’s your tube made of?
Before you try to repair a RIB tube, make sure you identify the material first. Hypalon / CSM, PVC and PU use different repair methods, so getting it wrong wastes time and money.

🟢 Hypalon / CSM
Often has a more matt, rubbery finish. Usually darker on the inside face. Seams are glued, not welded.
🔵 PVC
Usually looks smoother and shinier than Hypalon. PVC seams are often welded, though PVC can also be glued in some applications.
🟡 PU
A tougher, stiffer tube material. Like PVC, it can be welded or glued, so material identification matters before any self-repair starts.

👀 Quick checks
🔹 Dark grey or black inner face often points to Hypalon
🔹 Welded seams mean it is not Hypalon
🔹 If you are unsure, stop before patching and get the material identified first

At Ribcollar, we manufacture new Hypalon tubes, carry out RIB retubes, and supply self-righting equipment for rigid inflatable boats.
Read the guide: https://ribcollar.com/what-material-is-your-rib-tube-made-from/
📞 01935 722988
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.ribcollar.com

10/03/2026

This week we have been re-tubing a 6.8 metre rigid inflatable boat with a new set of Orca Hypalon collars Orca by Pennel & Flipo for a local sailing club. The job included substantial top-side reinforcing to give the boat a harder-wearing finish where it matters most.

• New Orca Hypalon collars fitted
• Substantial top-side reinforcing added
• Practical refresh for an ageing RIB
• Ready for more service with its club and members
• Built with BOSTIK adhesives for long-term marine durability.

A re-tube like this gives an older boat a proper second life when the hull is still worth keeping. It is a smart way to improve appearance, durability, and long-term serviceability without replacing the whole craft.

For more information, contact Ribcollar. We re-tube all makes of boats.
www.ribcollar.com

24/02/2026

This week’s project was a full retube on a 4.8 metre RIB. We designed and manufactured the tube from scratch and installed it start to finish in-house. Finished in Orca Hypalon black with black anti-slip diamond wear patches and straight lifelines. Clean lines. Hard-wearing details. A sharp, professional finish.
• Orca Hypalon black tube
• Black anti-slip diamond wear patches
• Straight lifelines for a tidy, consistent run
• Built for through-life servicing and downtime control

Contact Ribcollar for retubes, new OEM tubes, and refurb work. We manufacture in-house and offer optional extras, from additional cladding and wear patches to specialist parts for military applications. www.ribcollar.com

24/02/2026

New Tube Tuesday at Ribcollar.

This week’s project was a full retube on a 4.8 metre RIB. We designed and manufactured the tube from scratch and installed it start to finish in-house. Finished in Orca Hypalon black with black anti-slip diamond wear patches and straight lifelines. Clean lines. Hard-wearing details. A sharp, professional finish.
• Orca Hypalon black tube
• Black anti-slip diamond wear patches
• Straight lifelines for a tidy
• Built for through-life servicing and downtime control

Contact Ribcollar for retubes, new OEM tubes, and refurb work. We manufacture in-house and offer optional extras, from additional cladding and wear patches to specialist parts for military applications. www.ribcollar.com

06/02/2026

Factory Friday: Ribcraft 5.30 repair and upgrades

It’s at Ribcollar.
This week you’re looking at a Ribcraft 5.30 in for repairs and a tidy up.
The goal was straightforward.
Bring the boat back to a clean, reliable standard.

What we did
• Repaired worn areas on the tubes
• Refreshed details that take day to day knocks
• Added practical accessories to suit how you use the boat
• Finished it off so it looks right again

What this means for you
Small wear points get worse fast once they start.
Sorting them early keeps your boat in use and looking sharp.
Services we cover in house
• Retubes
• Tube repairs
• Wear patches and reinforcing
• Grab handles and safety lines
• Tube sign writing and branding
• Refurbishment work
What does your boat need before the season starts
Repairs, upgrades, or a full retube
If you want advice or a quote, send photos and your boat make and model.
Service options at www.ribcollar.com

Hashtags

06/02/2026

It’s at Ribcollar.
This week you’re looking at a Ribcraft 5.30 in for repairs and a tidy up.
The goal was straightforward.
Bring the boat back to a clean, reliable standard.

What we did:
• Repaired worn areas on the tubes
• Refreshed details that take day to day knocks
• Added practical accessories to suit how you use the boat
• Finished it off so it looks right again
What this means for you
Small wear points get worse fast once they start.
Sorting them early keeps your boat in use and looking sharp.
Services we cover in house
• Retubes
• Tube repairs
• Wear patches and reinforcing
• Grab handles and safety lines
• Tube sign writing and branding
• Refurbishment work
What does your boat need before the season starts
Repairs, upgrades, or a full retube

If you want advice or a quote, send photos and your boat make and model.
Service options at www.ribcollar.com

Hashtags

17/11/2025

Ribcollar will be at Metstrade in Amsterdam from 18–20 November 2025. I’ll be there across all three days and welcome the chance to meet customers, suppliers, and industry colleagues.
We manufacture new Hypalon tubes for commercial, military, and rescue operators.

We support OEM builders with custom collars, complete full RIB retubes, and supply self-righting equipment for rigid inflatable boats. Our work serves Boat builders, professional users, and international fleets that rely on durable tube systems.

If you’d like to arrange a meeting during the show, please contact me directly:
Jason Purvey

📧 [email protected]

04/11/2025

Delivering Excellence: Hypalon Tube Manufacturing and a Commitment to Net Zero

At Ribcollar Inflatables, every Hypalon tube we build reflects over 25 years of specialist expertise. From bespoke tubes for OEM builders to professional RIB retubing for commercial and military operators, our focus is precision, reliability, and performance that lasts.

Sustainability drives our operation. Our Yeovil factory now generates more electricity than we consume, powered by our solar installation. We are also trialling electric vehicles for all local deliveries as part of our ongoing move towards net zero.

This is what modern British marine manufacturing looks like.

📞 +44 (0)1935 722988
📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.ribcollar.com

Ribcollar Inflatables

24/04/2026

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

10/03/2026

24/02/2026

24/02/2026

06/02/2026

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17/11/2025

04/11/2025

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