10-08-2005, 11:40 AM
[cool][#0000ff]As I mentioned, most of the materials are pretty stable...at least in modern craft. Not sure about the old Fishmaster tube. If you have replaced the zippers, hopefully they were sewn with nylon thread. If not, then you CAN develop future seam failure. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Even good nylon sewing jobs can come apart after while. That is probably the main problem I have had with tubes over the years...seam separation. Different makers have different warranties. Some are for one year, some for five and some really don't give you more than just a cheap price.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had to learn to sew a long time ago. Nothing fancy, but I know how to push a big needle loaded with heavy nylon thread. I've repaired a lot of zippers, seams and pockets over the years. Heck, I even had to repair a D-ring attachment on the bottom of my Super Fat Cat. It was one of the 4 D-rings installed for backpacking the craft. One of mine ripped off and I used a combo of heavy thread and epoxy to put it back on. It will be there long after the rest of the craft is disintegrated.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Back to the subject. Extreme cold is not as bad for tubes as high heat. Most of the materials can easily survive below freezing temperatures and not degrade. Just don't take a frozen tube and start bending it. You can crack stiffly frozen air chambers. Wait for the spring thaw before you play with it again.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All that being said, it is hoped that you guys love and respect your "float buddies" enough to try to provide a nice place for them to snooze through the winter. They don't ask for much, and they give so much enjoyment. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Even good nylon sewing jobs can come apart after while. That is probably the main problem I have had with tubes over the years...seam separation. Different makers have different warranties. Some are for one year, some for five and some really don't give you more than just a cheap price.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I had to learn to sew a long time ago. Nothing fancy, but I know how to push a big needle loaded with heavy nylon thread. I've repaired a lot of zippers, seams and pockets over the years. Heck, I even had to repair a D-ring attachment on the bottom of my Super Fat Cat. It was one of the 4 D-rings installed for backpacking the craft. One of mine ripped off and I used a combo of heavy thread and epoxy to put it back on. It will be there long after the rest of the craft is disintegrated.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Back to the subject. Extreme cold is not as bad for tubes as high heat. Most of the materials can easily survive below freezing temperatures and not degrade. Just don't take a frozen tube and start bending it. You can crack stiffly frozen air chambers. Wait for the spring thaw before you play with it again.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]All that being said, it is hoped that you guys love and respect your "float buddies" enough to try to provide a nice place for them to snooze through the winter. They don't ask for much, and they give so much enjoyment. [/#0000ff]
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