Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

[ssobol]

Today I took my Pro II 470 out for the first time. Everything worked well and we had a nice day out. The boat was in the water for about 6 hours and we went about 30 miles, everything from no wake speeds to flat out.

At the end of the day when I hauled the boat out on the trailer, I opened the drain plug for the hull and a lot of water came out. I opened the plug when I was doing the transom straps and after getting the boat secured and all, water was still coming out as I drove away from the launching ramp (i.e. water was coming out for a quite a few minutes).

This boat has a drain plug at the bottom of the transom (exterior of the boat), a drain plug at the back of the deck (interior with a small sump) that drains into the hull, and the self bailer with plug (through the transom).

Some water did come into the boat when I launched it (so much for a one way bailer) but this was removed shortly after we got underway. The drain plug at the bottom may be missing an o-ring, but it does fit pretty snuggly without it. Some water may have got in this way but it shouldn't be all that much.

So I don't know how to account for all the water that was inside the hull. This was the first time the boat was in the water this year. The water was pretty calm and we did not ship any water over the tubes.

I leave the drains open when it is stored. Before I had a cover, I tended to tilt the boat up on the trailer after a good rain and sometimes noticed a fair bit of water coming out, but did think anything much of this (it has been a fairly rainy spring).

I drained the boat the other day then moved it to my driveway for a couple of days to do some work on it. The driveway is sloped and I drove the boat to the launch with the drains open. I'm pretty sure that there was no water in it before we started out toady.

Looking at the boat after I got it home, I did notice that at the back of the hull where the tubes ride, the hull shape is sort of angular (approximating a curve) and the tubes are round. There is some gap there. Looking in the gap I could see that the tube runner that holds it to the hull (fits into a slot) does not go all the way to the end of the slot. There is a 2 - 3 inch section of the slot on both sides that is uncovered with the tube installed. It could be that the slot allows an opening into the hull (although this seems like a rather poor design). I tried spraying water into this slot from the gap at the back of the tube but no water came out the hull drain (perhaps the angle of the spray was not right).

There are no obvious openings into the hull on the underside of the boat.

Does anyone know where this much water came from and how I might prevent it in the future?

In the summer I was planning to leave the boat in the water for a couple of days at a time. But with as much water as was in there after only 6 hours, I don't know if this is possible (the boat is unlikely to sink, but that much extra weight might make it handle quite poorly).

Thanks.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

Place some pics of what you are stating about rear tubes poor design. Are drain valves the ones with a round plug or are guillotine type ? Is your transom for short or long shaft ? Which brand is your engine ? Probably having in water splashes due to improper engine/transom height

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

This picture shows the inside of the boat. There is the drain into the hull and the self bailer.



This picture shows the back of the transom with the drain from the inside of the hull and the self bailer outlet.



This picture shows the slot that holds the tube to the hull. The tube is deflated but is pulled aft as far as it goes. There is still a portion of the slot that is uncovered. I tried sticking a piece of wire into the slot but it didn't seem to go anywhere.



This picture shows the aft view of the boat. The tube is deflated, but if you imagine a spherical object resting against the side of the hull (white fiberglass) you can see where there will be some gaps.



As for water coming into the boat, there was none. The tapered ends of the tubes got wet from the motor at higher speeds. but this did not enter the boat. For the most part the self bailer had the plug in and the sump drain was closed. There was not a accumulation of water in the back of the boat.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

If you have a large bow U ring for towing/anchoring purposes try adjusting inner/outter bolts if with unnoticed play, add silicome on both sides after re tightning them, had my rib entering water through bow locker and into double hull's inside, not a drop now. If this is not the water in issue, close transom drain valve, self bailer plugs, float rib, check for leaks...

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

Don't see any obvious access for water. The front ubolt is a Wichard part but the back side is not accessible. The part of the ubolt that I can see is secure with the black rubber boot snug against the hull. This bolt is out of the water and is only exposed to splashing.

Since the boat hull did accumulate water when sitting on the trailer without a cover when it rained, I suspect that the slot where the tubes slide onto the hull may have a gap that allowed water to run off the tubes into the hull. When in the water part of this slot is submerged so maybe this is where the water gets into the hull.

I am thinking of running some sealant along the slot. I normally leave the tubes on and inflated so this shouldn't be a problem in normal use. If the tubes have to come off, I'll just have to cut the sealant bead.

What would be a good sealant to use? The tubes will protect it from the UV, but part of the bead will be regularly exposed to water.

Thanks.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

Does this rib has removable tubes ? If so, probably water is entering through lateral rails, where tubes are attached/slide to hull side ? Is it the same amount of water entering rib if correctly inflated to it's working pressure 3.5 psi as to seal better compared to not so hard tubes inflation ? Silicone would be a good sealant.

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

This boat does have removable tubes. No matter how inflated the tubes are, there are areas of the tube slot that are exposed to water (particularly at the back end, see pictures).

I can run a bead of silicon along the slot on the top and bottom of the flap. Is there any particular sealant I should use, or is the stuff I can get a Home Depot good enough (i.e. GE Silicone Silicone I Window and Door, exterior grade)?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

Try transparent or white standard window/door silicone, don't know if have exterior grades ? Rinse well salt water and let dry before applying.

Happy Boating

 

[likalar]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

There is still a portion of the slot that is uncovered. I tried sticking a piece of wire into the slot but it didn't seem to go anywhere.

I too think that slot may be the culprit. Sealant will close the slot, but I wonder how watertight the rest of the tube/slot system is. When the wire "didn't seem to go anywhere", did it feel like there's not much of a cavity below that slot? Could you shoot some hose water into the slot to see if the water drains out of the transom drain plug? Maybe the slot just leads to a low volume cavity that is part of the tube attachment system, and not part of the main hull cavity.

Another idea: Any chance of filling the main hull cavity with compressed air from a reversible shop vac or similar? Make sure the rear deck drain plug (not the scuppers) is tightly closed. Force air into the transom drain hole and listen/feel for air rushing out of any areas that are suspect (like the slots, etc). You'll need a helper for this test. Very soapy water applied liberally to the hull and tube attachments may produce telltale bubbles. Best of luck!

Larry

Larry

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

How are the "inner" deck rear tubes attached to transom, do they have a fabric strip glued from upper to lower transom ? if not, you colud glue same and seal water entrance from inside deck than sealing outter transom tubes with silicone ? Although having removable tubes from deck, this is not an issue you will perform constantly...

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

At the back of the boat, there is no real "inside" of the tube. The fiberglass hull rises up so that the inside of the boat is hard. The tubes are held on at the back by the runner in the slot and a fabric tab that is screwed to the top of the transom.

This is a picture of the hull with the tubes off.


In the earlier pictures I posted you can see that the gap between the tube and the hull would be kind of large and would not be easy to fill.

I closed the deck drain and poured some water into the small sump. The water did not go anywhere so it is not getting into the hull than way.

As a first step I am going to just fill the open part of the attachment slot with silicone. The slot extends 3-4 inches past the end of the runner on the tube.

Thanks.

 

[Peter_C]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

The drain plug at the bottom may be missing an o-ring, but it does fit pretty snuggly without it. Some water may have got in this way but it shouldn't be all that much.

I would start right there! A tiny leak will actually allow a lot of water in. Trust me on that one. Having recently flooded my drysuit from a tiny leak I could barely find. Water pressure has a way of increasing the pressure rapidly with slight depth, IE one foot of depth.

Larry had a good idea, but I am going to strongly caution using more than 1 or 2psi of air pressure. Anything more could easily blow the deck right off the boat.

Post back you findings.

 

[josoder]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

ssobol: Did you work this out?
I have a brand new Zodiac Pro 12 with a mysterious water leak in the hull. I'm looking around for tips to where to start looking. Seems like the leak occurs both resting and running, which suggest it is somewhere aft.
Regards
Jorn
Norway

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

Why don't you ask Zodiac directly about this water problem, should provide "hopefully" a tech answer....

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

josoder:

I placed an o-ring on the plug that is at the bottom of the transom that drains the hull interior. I also filled the empty section of the tube slots at the aft of the boat where the tube runners ended and the end of the slot (about 6 inches) with silicon sealant I got from Home Depot.

I recently ran the boat over 200 miles (over a few days) and left it in the water for over 36 hours straight. When I removed the plug only one or two drips came out.

The hull would also get water inside if the boat was on the trailer and it rained (I don't know how this occurred). This problem is also corrected.

My boat has a small sump at the very back of the deck. There is a drain in the sump which opens into the hull. Water can get into the hull this way. I had to use pliers to get this plug secure (finger tabs are kind of small). If your boat has this you might want to check that it is secure and has an o-ring.

 

[josoder]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

Sea rider: Going to . The people to ask (at national agent company) are on vacation. Meanwhile, I'll do what I can to find out where it's leaking.

Thanks for the info, ssbol. My boat doesn't have the drain plug in the sump. Nothing comes out of the boat with the hull drain plug in place.

I'm going leak hunting with the water hose later today. Sump drain one way valves (gasket on outside part) and the aft part of the pontoon-slot are the two prime suspects at the moment.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

The bailer drain in my Zodiac is not really one way. If the boat is stopped or moving slowly, water will come in the bailer unless the plug is securely in place.

 

[Johnny Knoxville]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

I placed an o-ring on the plug that is at the bottom of the transom that drains the hull interior. I also filled the empty section of the tube slots at the aft of the boat where the tube runners ended and the end of the slot (about 6 inches) with silicon sealant I got from Home Depot.

I recently ran the boat over 200 miles (over a few days) and left it in the water for over 36 hours straight. When I removed the plug only one or two drips came out.

The hull would also get water inside if the boat was on the trailer and it rained (I don't know how this occurred). This problem is also corrected.

My boat has a small sump at the very back of the deck. There is a drain in the sump which opens into the hull. Water can get into the hull this way. I had to use pliers to get this plug secure (finger tabs are kind of small). If your boat has this you might want to check that it is secure and has an o-ring.

I have a DL 480 Yachtline.

That screw out drain on the string is usually the culprit. Mine is permanantly sealed with sealant. I too will take on water with the boat uncovered. There are enough places where it can get in. The bilge pump will get rid of most of it. It always will have maybe a quart left and that evaporates eventually or I shop vac it out before winter layup. I would rather that than mess around with the drain plug.

 

[Hurricane 533]

Re: Water in Zodiac Pro II 470

I have a zodiac 533 and I'm also have a very bad leak in my hull even when the baot is not backed into the water very much. I put grease on the drain plug threads and changed some rivets that were in the rail that holds the sponson tubes to the hull. This boat uses the rail system to attach the tubes to the hull and the saltwater seems to corrode the rivets and some were missing the heads on them. I'm also also putting some GLUVIT on the rivet heads and hope it will seep into and plug rivet holes that may be two large. If anyone has a pictue of a zodiac hurricane 533 hull, or one similar with the track system, withou the tubes on I would apprecaite it if you would send me it. Let me know if you had a similar probelm. Thanks Much

I live In Sothern California and openind day of lobster season starts On Oct 1st.
Wish me luck. I will post the results if this works and maybe even if it doesn't