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Tube construction
This has to be the most talked about matter concerning inflatable boats. In your best interest, here are 3 simple questions which could change your view forever - it is based on true facts, and the fact that the technology exists to make inflatable boats completely reliable, whilst many manufacturers choose not to make use of the latest techniques & materials.
Question 1: Which tube fabric is the best?  
Answer: One which can be thermo-bonded. The first point of deterioration, often resulting in tube failure, is the glue in the seams, not the fabric. There are many different fabrics, offering different levels of durability at vastly different costs. Some expensive 40-year old derivatives can only be glued, whilst a 5 times stronger and years more durable seam is achieved through thermo-bonding.
 
Question 2: Is it true that Hypalon is the best fabric?
Why have Du-Pont, the inventors, recently stopped producing this fabric? It is a good fabric, but it's weakness lies in the glued seams. Proof of how much faith manufacturers have in this fabric is that ever since thermo-bonded construction became available on more modern fabrics, is that every hypalon boat thereafter was issued with standard automatic pressure relief valves. Why are the US Coast Guard and Navy no longer opting for Hypalon? Simply because modern fabrics offer better reliability, and are less expensive.  
Question 3: So which fabric is best for my application?  
We have been researching tube fabrics since the early 1980's, looking for the toughest, most versatile, low maintenance and cost-effective fabrics in the world. Although there are many fabrics we use and can recommend for specialist applications (ie Poly-Urethanes or Elvaloy), the one we have been using for almost 20 year without a single premature fabric failure, is Valmex - manufactured in Germany. It is as strong and durable as any comparative fabric, and will last longer than most.

All facts considered (UV, tear strength, useable life, thermo-bondability, ease of repair, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, ozone resistance, air retention and more) this is the best value for money option for most users. Falcon does also offer Elvaloy and other modern fabrics for specialist applications - our pledge is to always render the best fabrics and the most durable tubes in existence.
 
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