Advice on old Zodiac

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Great to see the pictures Andi. You should be really pleased with what you've achieved.

Much appreciated, you guys have been really supportive!

[User name]

Originally Posted by AndiD

Funny you should ask. Short funny story.
So I'm fishing with light spinning gear - medium light rod and 12lb braid. It would probably handle a 20lb fish. Not long after we left the boat ramp, I was still a bit stressed as I was getting used to the feel of the boat, and checking to make sure everything was ok. But we were in the shallows so I wasn't too concerned.
My wife went back to steer and I started fishing in the front. 5 min in, I hooked into something giant. I knew instantly that it was way above what my rod/reel/ line setup can take. It started taking line like I had hooked a truck. I was hoping it would break off quickly and I would save as much line as possible. But, to my absolute horror, it started pulling the boat so fast towards the horizon and deep water that I imagined us being rescued somewhere in Africa. It absolutely didn't make sense how it was able to pull the boat at 4-5 mph. Mind you, this lasted like 30 seconds, but it felt like 15 min. Until I realized that my wife was all gung ho about it, yelling "get him, get him!" and that she had set the motor on max speed to chase the fish. Jesus!! As soon as she gave in to me cowardly begging her to stop the damn thing or put it in reverse, the fish broke the line in a second. So, yeah, I already chased Moby Dick on my first outing! Pretty sure it was a shark, stingrays are heavy but don't take off like this.
Other than that, a couple of nice speckled trout

Excellent way to break in your new boat! Bring some heavier gear next time.

Yeah, surely gotta be a shark in that part of the world. I only had the luxury of fishing there once but we had 4 nurse sharks in a short space of time and the sheer power of them was mind-blowing. You're spoiled with access to some great fishing species over there.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by User name

Excellent way to break in your new boat! Bring some heavier gear next time.

Yeah, surely gotta be a shark in that part of the world. I only had the luxury of fishing there once but we had 4 nurse sharks in a short space of time and the sheer power of them was mind-blowing. You're spoiled with access to some great fishing species over there.

Indeed I am... But it took me quite a while to get used to it. I am originally from Romania, and met my American wife there 16 years ago. So basically I moved overnight from 12in trout fishing in the Carpathian mountains to sharks and giant alligators and swamps. Didn't feel safe for a few years, for sure...

[AndiD]

Hello again, we are 2 months in after the repair and the floor is solid. No edge starting to peel. I have had around 10 outings and they all were great (except for the upward V in the floor from the keel pushing on it, on which I created another thread). So far HH66 is doing well. Fingers crossed.
Nevertheless, I decided to take this boat to a friendlier environment - Georgia mountains, where I spend the summers. Less UV, and much less heat. Hopefully I'll get to restore a hypalon boat before next winter in FL.
Quick question - I have noticed when cleaning the Zodiac with 303 that there are some minor chips on the bottom of the tubes. Like short scratches, not too obvious, but enough to feel them with your fingernail. Looks like from small rocks. No leaks. Looks like the surface of the material. Should I add some liquid PVC or very small patches preventatively, or am I overthinking it?

[Steve509926]

Don't think they will cause a problem but I'd be tempted to use Stormsure/Aquaseal

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/suffs-on-sib-90749.html

[User name]

Originally Posted by AndiD

Hello again, we are 2 months in after the repair and the floor is solid. No edge starting to peel. I have had around 10 outings and they all were great (except for the upward V in the floor from the keel pushing on it, on which I created another thread). So far HH66 is doing well. Fingers crossed.
Nevertheless, I decided to take this boat to a friendlier environment - Georgia mountains, where I spend the summers. Less UV, and much less heat. Hopefully I'll get to restore a hypalon boat before next winter in FL.
Quick question - I have noticed when cleaning the Zodiac with 303 that there are some minor chips on the bottom of the tubes. Like short scratches, not too obvious, but enough to feel them with your fingernail. Looks like from small rocks. No leaks. Looks like the surface of the material. Should I add some liquid PVC or very small patches preventatively, or am I overthinking it?

I wouldn't bother unless you can see the canvas fibres from inside the fabric. It's likely just cosmetic.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Don't think they will cause a problem but I'd be tempted to use Stormsure/Aquaseal

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/suffs-on-sib-90749.html

Just what I had in mind Thank you!

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by User name

I wouldn't bother unless you can see the canvas fibres from inside the fabric. It's likely just cosmetic.

I don't think t goes that deep, but to alleviate paranoia and give myself a project, Aquaseal seems like a good way to go. Thanks!

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by AndiD

I don't think t goes that deep, but to alleviate paranoia and give myself a project, Aquaseal seems like a good way to go. Thanks!

Mix it with Cotol240 up to 50% and it will soak into the threads completely sealing them, and lay down flat so no bumps. Won't take much to seal things up. Work fast once mixed.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Mix it with Cotol240 up to 50% and it will soak into the threads completely sealing them, and lay down flat so no bumps. Won't take much to seal things up. Work fast once mixed.

I bought the accelerator already, thanks!

[User name]

Originally Posted by AndiD

I don't think t goes that deep, but to alleviate paranoia and give myself a project, Aquaseal seems like a good way to go. Thanks!

Can't do any harm, though one downside might be if it comes to selling the boat in the future, a potential buyer might fear there's a more substantial repair going on underneath. If you don't plan on selling it then that may be a non-issue.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by User name

Can't do any harm, though one downside might be if it comes to selling the boat in the future, a potential buyer might fear there's a more substantial repair going on underneath. If you don't plan on selling it then that may be a non-issue.

Good point and it crossed my mind - I doubt it will be sold again It's an old lady

[AndiD]

A couple more questions for you kind gentlemen.

First a quick update - been using it in Georgia in fresh water. What a great boat! The floor is as solidly glued on as the day I did it. Fingers crossed.

Question 1 - is there a specific inflation order for the tubes (baffles safety)?

Question 2 - I've been trying to be creative and find a place for the battery box that would give me more room in the boat when my wife joins me fishing. Is it possible to put a sort of a well anchored "plank" BEHIND the transom, across the ends of the tubes, and put the battery on it? I am thinking glue-on D-rings and straps and a bolt on system for the battery box to secure it. Would it be to rear-heavy? Battery box is a total of 25lb (LiFePo4), and the trolling motor is 17lb on the transom, so no heavy weight in the back.
Thank you!

[User name]

Originally Posted by AndiD

A couple more questions for you kind gentlemen.

First a quick update - been using it in Georgia in fresh water. What a great boat! The floor is as solidly glued on as the day I did it. Fingers crossed.

Question 1 - is there a specific inflation order for the tubes (baffles safety)?

Question 2 - I've been trying to be creative and find a place for the battery box that would give me more room in the boat when my wife joins me fishing. Is it possible to put a sort of a well anchored "plank" BEHIND the transom, across the ends of the tubes, and put the battery on it? I am thinking glue-on D-rings and straps and a bolt on system for the battery box to secure it. Would it be to rear-heavy? Battery box is a total of 25lb (LiFePo4), and the trolling motor is 17lb on the transom, so no heavy weight in the back.
Thank you!

What are the dimensions of your battery?

If you're only using a small electric trolling motor then you could probably fashion up a hanger bracket from steel flat bar to hold the battery on the transom just like the motor (you can actually buy battery hangers like this also). If space is an issue, you can also move the motor out of centre without any detrimental effect on one of those.

Obviously you'll want to ensure the battery is well mounted and protected from water ingress too.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by User name

What are the dimensions of your battery?

If you're only using a small electric trolling motor then you could probably fashion up a hanger bracket from steel flat bar to hold the battery on the transom just like the motor (you can actually buy battery hangers like this also). If space is an issue, you can also move the motor out of centre without any detrimental effect on one of those.

Obviously you'll want to ensure the battery is well mounted and protected from water ingress too.

Thank you for your input. Huh, didn't think about that. Battery is in a box that is 12x12x13.
I thought moving the motor out of center would affect the tracking/steering of the boat...

[Peter_C]

I know the OP said currently fresh water but...Lithium and salt water do not mix well at all. I have watched a few canister light batteries get destroyed from leakage. There are even videos of Tesla cars on fire underwater. Make darn sure your "battery box" is 100% sealed.

If it were me I would probably put the battery up against the inside of the transom on the port side, as I like to sit on the starboard side. That would leave plenty of room for feet inside the boat. Could also use something like a Pelican case that fits super tight to the battery itself for space savings.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

I know the OP said currently fresh water but...Lithium and salt water do not mix well at all. I have watched a few canister light batteries get destroyed from leakage. There are even videos of Tesla cars on fire underwater. Make darn sure your "battery box" is 100% sealed.

If it were me I would probably put the battery up against the inside of the transom on the port side, as I like to sit on the starboard side. That would leave plenty of room for feet inside the boat. Could also use something like a Pelican case that fits super tight to the battery itself for space savings.

Thank you for the input. That's what I normally do when I am alone in the boat, but I am looking to place the battery externally just for when there's someone else with me and it gets crowded.

I put something together just to exemplify what I mean. A plastic or aluminum cross board anchored securely to the tubes and the battery box anchored securely to the cross board.
It's important to mention that my top speed is 4.5 mph, and there is rarely any wind or waves on the lakes I fish.

[User name]

You could certainly cut a sheet of ply to span across there and add the cut-outs needed for the motor. It could rest on the top of the transom and you could glue on some seat mount style straps to secure it on the tubes on either side, so you have 3 points of contact.

Something like this.


And on the underside of the ply you could have some of these seat hooks to grab into the straps above.

[AndiD]

Originally Posted by User name

You could certainly cut a sheet of ply to span across there and add the cut-outs needed for the motor. It could rest on the top of the transom and you could glue on some seat mount style straps to secure it on the tubes on either side, so you have 3 points of contact.

Something like this.


And on the underside of the ply you could have some of these seat hooks to grab into the straps above.

brilliant idea!!! Thank you!
Any idea about tubes order of inflation?

[User name]

Originally Posted by AndiD

brilliant idea!!! Thank you!
Any idea about tubes order of inflation?

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just pump them up in increments and the baffle will be fairly balanced. I usually pump each tube up until it takes shape but is still a little soft, then go around again and bring them up to the required pressure.