Changing a bidon to a semi-rigid boat

Our bidons are extremely durable. Choosing the right material for building the bidon is one of the most important decisions when building a RIB , which is why all our tubes are made of the best PU fabric available. PU or Polyurethane material has much superior qualities of abrasion resistance and ability to cope with extreme temperatures, and this PU material (in 2 different weights) has the unique advantage that it also allows any general fittings, strapping, cladding, handles or lifelines be glued to the pipes. To add to the manufacturing quality, all of our seams on these high grade RIB tubes are welded, a manufacturing method that makes the seams almost as strong as the fabric itself and much stronger than glued seams.

The best materials available, as in every production of a semi-rigid boat, and in particular our TY-700 Achziv model, we chose the best production methods and materials, not the easiest and cheapest. Every custom-built TY-700 Achziv is handcrafted using the highest grade marine materials on the market, and as one of the few RIB manufacturers in the world we make our canisters from 100% polyurethane fabric. A material far superior in every respect to common fabrics such as Hypalon and PVC, which is also why polyurethane is highly recommended by military experts for professional RIBs. In 1993 the US Naval Surface Warfare Center conducted a study on polyurethane and the benefits of using it for rigid inflatable boats. The technical memorandum concludes: "The data show that the Urethane coated fabric is much stronger than the Hypalon coated fabric

The study also states that polyurethane is more correctly defined as an elastomer, meaning it can be stretched repeatedly and still recover to show its original properties - a significant advantage for RIB tubes which are often subjected to large stresses during wave impact."

And she recommends: Urethane-coated fabrics should be adopted as a replacement for Hypalon-coated fabrics in the construction of tubes in US Navy RIBs.

Another study, also by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, confirmed these results in 2001 and further stated that: "Polyurethane coated fabric pipes exhibit better key physical properties than Hypalon coated fabric pipes, better tensile strength, tear strength, Puncture resistance, coating adhesion and abrasion resistance.