Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

[Applepip]

Hi, I recently purchased my first boat a Zodiac mark 1 classic, I knew it wasn't an immaculate boat but it seemed reasonable on my second outing on the river I noticed that the outer layer of the inflatable tubes had blistered to a couple of areas on the underside, as I started to remove the loose areas of the top layer it was soon clear that it peeled back very easily over a large area, almost a whole section of tube,(i hope to attach some photographs) the tube "material" beneath seems in perfectly good condition but I am not sure what to do next, I know the sensible thing would be to take it to a professional but was hoping that I might be able to do something myself as I am on a tight budget, I really need some advice on what caused this and what I should do next......
Thanks

 

[likalar]

Re: Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

Ouch, tough break! Delamination like that is an indicator that the lifespan of the boat is pretty much finished, IMO. You could probably clean it and re-coat it with some rubberized sealant, but truthfully, I think it's time is up. This is, of course, not good news, but lives depend upon the integrity of an inflatable's fabric, and this fabric looks seriously compromised. Could it be merely a poorly applied coat of paint that's peeling? Are you absolutely sure this is a Zodiac Mark boat?
Larry

 

[Applepip]

Re: Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

Ouch, tough break! Delamination like that is an indicator that the lifespan of the boat is pretty much finished, IMO. You could probably clean it and re-coat it with some rubberized sealant, but truthfully, I think it's time is up. This is, of course, not good news, but lives depend upon the integrity of an inflatable's fabric, and this fabric looks seriously compromised. Could it be merely a poorly applied coat of paint that's peeling? Are you absolutely sure this is a Zodiac Mark boat?
Larry

Thanks for your thoughts Larry, yeah its definitely a Zodiac Mark one, its exactly the same as this one... http://members.quicknet.nl/t.turhan/yz.htm
I know it has been generally used in the sea but has been stored for the last two years by the previous owner, there are no defects on the upper side of the tubes only the underside, there is a sort of pitting to areas, i have attached another photo of the bow showing this (the boat is now deflated) the loose material is definitely the original outer skin, not paint, the tubes hold air well apart from some leakage from the valves, and as I said the exposed fabric of the tubes is immaculate apart from some minor discolouration......I hear what you are saying about the inflatables fabric being integral to the boats safety however the boat will only ever be run on a slow flowing river and will never be more than 20 metres from the river bank, I have done a bit of research and i think that a rubberised paint may be the way forward, maybe like Tuffcoat or a UK equivalent??
Mark

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

The tech issue with your Zodiac is that's a 24 year oldie, that sib was manufactured in France around 1988, if the upper fabric is completely peelable, remove outer skin and coat with proper inflatable sealent paint available at boat stores. This MK2C was never used, client bought it new and stored it indefinitely untill his son found it some time ago.

Due to its age as it was manufactured December 1988, boat parts as cones, oar lock & holder, floor fabric, etc were completely unglued due to dried out glue, has cost long hours and extreme patience to reglue back all parts, looks in mint condition, still has some tech isues, compartments bunks are unglued too, so probably will need to be used as it is and live with it. Nothing is eternal....

Happy Boating

 

[Applepip]

Re: Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

The tech issue with your Zodiac is that's a 24 year oldie, that sib was manufactured in France around 1988, if the upper fabric si completely peelable, remove outer skin and coat with proper inflatable sealent paint available at boat stores. This MK2C was never used, client bought it new and stored it indefinitely untill his son found it some time ago.

Due to its age as it was manufactured December 1988, boat parts as cones, oar lock & holder, floor fabric, etc were completely unglued due to dried out glue, has cost long hours and extreme patience to reglue back all parts, looks in mint condition, still has some tech isues, compartments bunks are unglued too, so probably will need to be used as it is and live with it. Nothing is eternal....

Happy Boating

Thanks guys, I have contacted a local Zodiac repair specialist and they are hoping to source a suitable sealant paint, then its a case of ride it till it dies I guess, I've got faith in the old girl.....Watch this space..

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

Check with West Marine, have 2 good products, a internal tube sealent and external tube coating, for your peace of mind could apply both and extend the life of that nice oldie...

Happy Boating

 

[Applepip]

Re: Help! whats wrong with my Zodiac??

Hi Guys,

Just to let you know I stripped the affected tube of the outer PVC complete and painted it with Polymarine superflex and it seems to be doing the job, I have probably clocked 40 hours since the repair and its looking good....ironically last night I noticed the other tube has started to peel so I am going to repeat the treatment and am feeling pretty confident.....thanks for your help!