11-25-2010, 08:51 PM
[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Are you one of those guys that can't be trusted with sharp objects...like hooks, knives, fingernails, etc.? [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not sure I would kick very far away from shore until I was confident in the seams and the overall toughness of the skin. I just hate it when you are on the water and hear the sound of bubbles. Even worse is a WHOOSH...followed by that sinking feeling...and cold water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I hope you are going to do some short shakedown cruises at lower altitude and in shallow water before hiking all the way back in to a prime fishing spot only to find out you had an "equipment malfunction".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I guess adding a layer of bulletproof ceramic (like on a Humvee) might destroy the light weight concept.[/#0000ff][/quote]
Of course I'll be doing a lot of testing on the manufacturing techniques and materials used, but it's up to the operator to exercise the appropriate care when using the thing. People for years have been using similarly dainty-skinned pack rafts and even the Del Canty tube without mass extinction.
The urethane that they use to coat the fabric is quite durable really, and the fabric is there pretty much only to reduce the elasticity of the coating and provide a bit of abrasion resistance.
Now drop a 5 lb kitty on it and it may puncture, but so will many "standard weight" tubes. It won't "unzip" unless you drop your machete on it!
As soon as I get my fabric next week I'll be doing a lot of seam strength and burst resistance testing and posting up results. Should be fun!
_SHig
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Not sure I would kick very far away from shore until I was confident in the seams and the overall toughness of the skin. I just hate it when you are on the water and hear the sound of bubbles. Even worse is a WHOOSH...followed by that sinking feeling...and cold water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I hope you are going to do some short shakedown cruises at lower altitude and in shallow water before hiking all the way back in to a prime fishing spot only to find out you had an "equipment malfunction".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I guess adding a layer of bulletproof ceramic (like on a Humvee) might destroy the light weight concept.[/#0000ff][/quote]
Of course I'll be doing a lot of testing on the manufacturing techniques and materials used, but it's up to the operator to exercise the appropriate care when using the thing. People for years have been using similarly dainty-skinned pack rafts and even the Del Canty tube without mass extinction.
The urethane that they use to coat the fabric is quite durable really, and the fabric is there pretty much only to reduce the elasticity of the coating and provide a bit of abrasion resistance.
Now drop a 5 lb kitty on it and it may puncture, but so will many "standard weight" tubes. It won't "unzip" unless you drop your machete on it!
As soon as I get my fabric next week I'll be doing a lot of seam strength and burst resistance testing and posting up results. Should be fun!
_SHig
[signature]