Ducati John
Cadet
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 8
Hello everyone. As you can see by my name, I'm a motorcycle enthusiast and a boat admirer. My Dad was the boat guy, years ago owning a 35 or 37' Chris Craft and a 32' of an unk brand. I suppose he picked up the boat bug as a Merchant Mariner during WWII. Before he passed away last year he would show up and work on the Liberty ship thats docked in San Francisco, I think the name of it is the Jeremiah O'Brian. It was the exact kind of boat he served on during the war. He told me he believed he was the only volunteer worker on board that actually served during the war.
Anyway, I'm a new owner of a 1995 Zodiac Z131 and I've gotten pretty obsessed over it these past few days. I guess you can say it was in pretty decent shape, because after I got it home I filled it with air and it held it pretty much all night. The boat was filthy, so I set about cleaning it after learning what chemicals not to use on it. I do have some materials laying around since I was in the detail chemical and related business for over 20 years before I retired recently. Most of my free time is taken up with the motorcycle hobby, but I'm kind of excited now to have the opportunity to pursue some boating as well. I proceeded to mix up some degreasers and washed it really good, I also inspected it for any obvious leaks or damage after I dried it. The boat surfaces and seams appear to be in good shape considering the year of birth, except for some fabric starting to show through on the underside of one of the tubes. I think within a couple weeks I'll be doing paint duty on it with the product Tuff Coat, looks impressive. Because of UV damage the side bumper material is pretty chewed up looking, its sticky to the touch and looks like its been scorched with a blow torch. I noticed quite a bit of material separation, the black colored floor and the black colored seams need to be cleaned and glued back together in a bunch of spots. I believe I have what I need information wise to proceed with that part of the restoration.
Yesterday I sanded, degreased and painted the transom with grey porchpaint by Sherwin Williams. I rolled the dice a little on the product, but I had it laying around for painting the floor and ramp of my enclosed motorcycle trailer so I figured why not the transom? Its kind of a pliable paint and very waterproof appearing and to the touch as well. The outcome was very nice. My next step as I have indicated will be to clean/prep underneath the black rubberized material and then glue them back into place. After that I'll likely prep and paint the hull with the Tuff Coat product.
What is bothering me is the condition of that thicker striped rubberized bumper that runs the whole length of the boat, its chewed up. I don't know what to do with it yet.
I'm going to download the owners manual for the 5HP Honda 4 stroke that came with the boat, it appears to be in excellent condition. At that time I'll do whatever is required in terms of maintenance and then stick it in a barrel and see how it runs. I have every confidence it will run like a Honda.
Now for my questions and wish list:
1. I know there is replacement material for that bumper, but I'm apprehensive about removing the old stuff. Could I just glue over the new material over trhe old? It might be a little on the thick side, but at least it will look better cosmetically.
2. I've looked but cannot find bench seating. In fact finding in the accessory department is a chore. I would like to have at least one bench seat and it seems to me I could glue on the supports for the bench if it comes as a kit. Is there anything out there in the form of simple seats for the boat, two of them? Is there such a thing? Seems to me the boat looks uncomfortable with all you have is a wooden floor to sit on.
3. I have the wooden floor and there are five pieces accompanied by two aluminum side supports and 4 or so connecting slates. There is one floorboard missing so I can't assemble anything at this time. My brother gave me the boat and he only owned it a short while, during that time it was in a storage shed. Hopefully he can find the missing piece, otherwise I'll have to make one.
4. Is there a way I can download or obtain an owner's manual for the boat?
5. The oarlocks or swivels are missing and there is no accomodation for clamps to secure the oars on the tubes. Seems this boat didn't have oar clamps, every Zodiac inflatable I have seen pictures of have some sort of oar securing mechanism. Whats up with that? I did find an outlet for the oarlocks, or whatever you call them, so I'm covered there.
6. Is there an aftermarket plug for the transom that is larger than stock? The stock plug feels like it will leak easily.
I really appreciate any input regarding the above, so far I've enjoyed the information and discussion on the website. When I get done with the boat I'll post up some pictures of it. One of my first adventures will be to head out of Monterey Harbor and settle in the bay to do some bottom fishing for Sole. About 30 or so years ago I took my wife and a friend out of that harbour in my 11' Sevylor rubber boat, powered by a 24 lb Minn Kota electric motor and went fishing. I recall catching many Sole and frying them up later that night, man were they good! The only problem was no restroom facilities out there and I had to go into shore a couple times in order to accomodate my wife when nature called. That and the fact the boat moved at about 1 mph made for a long day. But it was fun. I took that boat to many places, both on lakes and another time I launched it in Sausalito and motored around Angel Island. It got a little touchy in the afternoon with the winds picking up, it was a challenge just getting back to shore. You do this stuff when your young. I have no qualms about taking the Zodiac out to Monterey Bay again, I wouldn't do it in the previous boat.
Anyway, I'm a new owner of a 1995 Zodiac Z131 and I've gotten pretty obsessed over it these past few days. I guess you can say it was in pretty decent shape, because after I got it home I filled it with air and it held it pretty much all night. The boat was filthy, so I set about cleaning it after learning what chemicals not to use on it. I do have some materials laying around since I was in the detail chemical and related business for over 20 years before I retired recently. Most of my free time is taken up with the motorcycle hobby, but I'm kind of excited now to have the opportunity to pursue some boating as well. I proceeded to mix up some degreasers and washed it really good, I also inspected it for any obvious leaks or damage after I dried it. The boat surfaces and seams appear to be in good shape considering the year of birth, except for some fabric starting to show through on the underside of one of the tubes. I think within a couple weeks I'll be doing paint duty on it with the product Tuff Coat, looks impressive. Because of UV damage the side bumper material is pretty chewed up looking, its sticky to the touch and looks like its been scorched with a blow torch. I noticed quite a bit of material separation, the black colored floor and the black colored seams need to be cleaned and glued back together in a bunch of spots. I believe I have what I need information wise to proceed with that part of the restoration.
Yesterday I sanded, degreased and painted the transom with grey porchpaint by Sherwin Williams. I rolled the dice a little on the product, but I had it laying around for painting the floor and ramp of my enclosed motorcycle trailer so I figured why not the transom? Its kind of a pliable paint and very waterproof appearing and to the touch as well. The outcome was very nice. My next step as I have indicated will be to clean/prep underneath the black rubberized material and then glue them back into place. After that I'll likely prep and paint the hull with the Tuff Coat product.
What is bothering me is the condition of that thicker striped rubberized bumper that runs the whole length of the boat, its chewed up. I don't know what to do with it yet.
I'm going to download the owners manual for the 5HP Honda 4 stroke that came with the boat, it appears to be in excellent condition. At that time I'll do whatever is required in terms of maintenance and then stick it in a barrel and see how it runs. I have every confidence it will run like a Honda.
Now for my questions and wish list:
1. I know there is replacement material for that bumper, but I'm apprehensive about removing the old stuff. Could I just glue over the new material over trhe old? It might be a little on the thick side, but at least it will look better cosmetically.
2. I've looked but cannot find bench seating. In fact finding in the accessory department is a chore. I would like to have at least one bench seat and it seems to me I could glue on the supports for the bench if it comes as a kit. Is there anything out there in the form of simple seats for the boat, two of them? Is there such a thing? Seems to me the boat looks uncomfortable with all you have is a wooden floor to sit on.
3. I have the wooden floor and there are five pieces accompanied by two aluminum side supports and 4 or so connecting slates. There is one floorboard missing so I can't assemble anything at this time. My brother gave me the boat and he only owned it a short while, during that time it was in a storage shed. Hopefully he can find the missing piece, otherwise I'll have to make one.
4. Is there a way I can download or obtain an owner's manual for the boat?
5. The oarlocks or swivels are missing and there is no accomodation for clamps to secure the oars on the tubes. Seems this boat didn't have oar clamps, every Zodiac inflatable I have seen pictures of have some sort of oar securing mechanism. Whats up with that? I did find an outlet for the oarlocks, or whatever you call them, so I'm covered there.
6. Is there an aftermarket plug for the transom that is larger than stock? The stock plug feels like it will leak easily.
I really appreciate any input regarding the above, so far I've enjoyed the information and discussion on the website. When I get done with the boat I'll post up some pictures of it. One of my first adventures will be to head out of Monterey Harbor and settle in the bay to do some bottom fishing for Sole. About 30 or so years ago I took my wife and a friend out of that harbour in my 11' Sevylor rubber boat, powered by a 24 lb Minn Kota electric motor and went fishing. I recall catching many Sole and frying them up later that night, man were they good! The only problem was no restroom facilities out there and I had to go into shore a couple times in order to accomodate my wife when nature called. That and the fact the boat moved at about 1 mph made for a long day. But it was fun. I took that boat to many places, both on lakes and another time I launched it in Sausalito and motored around Angel Island. It got a little touchy in the afternoon with the winds picking up, it was a challenge just getting back to shore. You do this stuff when your young. I have no qualms about taking the Zodiac out to Monterey Bay again, I wouldn't do it in the previous boat.
