New to boating

[SeanKent]

Hi Everyone

I've just bought a SIB (think that's what I have, inflatable keel with alloy floor) it's an old boat, maybe even a classic ? 1983 zodiac m2 C GT in really good condition, seams seem ok. Has the original 25hp outboard it was sold with along with lots of other accessories like the controls etc. I've given it a quick blast in the sea a couple of times now and am very pleased. Hopefully I'll be able to make some of the cruises, seen you have a meet up on the Medway.

Thought I'd say hello/introduce myself, sure I'll be posting some questions soon !

[Copinsay]

Welcome Sean :o)

[Peter_C]

Welcome to RIB.net
I have a similar boat albeit a little newer which is not necessarily a good thing.

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Welcome to RIB.net
I have a similar boat albeit a little newer which is not necessarily a good thing.

Must confess to being a little nervous with regards to the age of mine (had a few classic cars in the past so know that age can be as bad as use). It seems ok though.

There is a small area where the floor attaches to the transom that may need looking at.

I'm also struggling with the steering system, haven't used it with this yet, starting to wonder if its the correct kit for the boat. Seems like there is just a little too much cable, not a lot. I've noticed that the engine turns quite a bit one way but not very much the other, this may just be needing to tweak things a bit. Guess that's the 'fun' in buying from ebay, the head scratching after !

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by SeanKent

Must confess to being a little nervous with regards to the age of mine (had a few classic cars in the past so know that age can be as bad as use). It seems ok though.

There is a small area where the floor attaches to the transom that may need looking at.

Welcome to Ribent
If it's Hypalon, it's quite easy to fix. PVC, not so easy but still do-able.

Originally Posted by SeanKent

I'm also struggling with the steering system, haven't used it with this yet, starting to wonder if its the correct kit for the boat. Seems like there is just a little too much cable, not a lot. I've noticed that the engine turns quite a bit one way but not very much the other, this may just be needing to tweak things a bit. Guess that's the 'fun' in buying from ebay, the head scratching after !

Does the steering cable pass through the outboard tilt tube? Post a pic of the setup- it should be a fairly easy fix.

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Welcome to Ribent
If it's Hypalon, it's quite easy to fix. PVC, not so easy but still do-able.

Does the steering cable pass through the outboard tilt tube? Post a pic of the setup- it should be a fairly easy fix.

here the bit at the rear, where the floor meets the transom

[SeanKent]

Think that's uploaded this time

should be pictures of transom, with bit that looks like it needs some glue and the steering controls

[Landlockedpirate]

Looks in really nice condition, its an expensive steering set up for a sib of that year, they do always turn better one way. Are you sure thats hypalon ?

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Looks in really nice condition, its an expensive steering set up for a sib of that year, they do always turn better one way. Are you sure thats hypalon ?

That makes sense as it does seem to turn both ways just much further one way than the other.

It looks in really good condition to me too (not that I know anything about boats) and came with all the original gear so have the yellow seats, screen etc.

Pretty sure, the guy that sold it seem very sure too (he seems to know a bit and I noticed he's been buying and selling boats and bits on ebay). I also have looked it up and zodiacs of this year seem to be Hypalon. There is also a thread where someone is rebuilding the same boat, he tested his and it was. Hope so as I'd be looking to make any repairs needed myself (looking to give the ribbing a go on a shoe string budget !).

[SeanKent]

and whats everyone else's thoughts on the lose bit by the auto bailer ?

it's lifted away from the transom a bit, not sure whether to just leave it be (see if it gets worse)

Do my best to get some glue there ?

Or pull it back and re-glue ?

[Locozodiac]

You have a extra long wheel control cable, will need to shorten it to match accordingly the helm box and engine distance or buy a new shorter one. Will work much better.

BTW, both yellow marks seen on both tubes are sun's reflections, or fabric is already delaminated ?

Happy Boating

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

You have a extra long wheel control cable, will need to shorten it to match accordingly the helm box and engine distance or buy a new shorter one. Will work much better.

BTW, both yellow marks seen on both tubes are sun's reflections, or fabric is already delaminated ?

Happy Boating

Just sun's reflections !

so these are still available ? any idea where from ?

[RMS]

Originally Posted by SeanKent

Hi Everyone

I've just bought a SIB (think that's what I have, inflatable keel with alloy floor) it's an old boat, maybe even a classic ? 1983 zodiac m2 C GT in really good condition, seams seem ok. Has the original 25hp outboard it was sold with along with lots of other accessories like the controls etc. I've given it a quick blast in the sea a couple of times now and am very pleased. Hopefully I'll be able to make some of the cruises, seen you have a meet up on the Medway.

Thought I'd say hello/introduce myself, sure I'll be posting some questions soon !

We had one identical that we sold about 10 years ago. Same age, but we always ran it off the tiller and deflated it for the back of the car. We ran a Johnson 25 on it that was a Workhorse( commercial version of the Seahorse) went very well and took it everywhere, including south of France. My Dad looked after it so well, it was almost like new when it went.

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by RMS

We had one identical that we sold about 10 years ago. Same age, but we always ran it off the tiller and deflated it for the back of the car. We ran a Johnson 25 on it that was a Workhorse( commercial version of the Seahorse) went very well and took it everywhere, including south of France. My Dad looked after it so well, it was almost like new when it went.

I've been deflating mine and putting it in the rear of my van, have no room for a boat on a trailer. It was part of the criteria I set, something that would pack up easy. Firstly for space and secondly it's easier to deal with if I don't get to use it as much as I hope (first venture into boating).

[RMS]

Originally Posted by SeanKent

I've been deflating mine and putting it in the rear of my van, have no room for a boat on a trailer. It was part of the criteria I set, something that would pack up easy. Firstly for space and secondly it's easier to deal with if I don't get to use it as much as I hope (first venture into boating).

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I hope you have as much fun as we did.One thing to be careful with is the stringers at the side of the aluminium floor sections. The rubber ends can come off and leave a sharp metal edge next to the tube...

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by RMS

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I hope you have as much fun as we did.One thing to be careful with is the stringers at the side of the aluminium floor sections. The rubber ends can come off and leave a sharp metal edge next to the tube...

Thanks, I'll watch out for this !

[Nos4r2]

I don't think you've got anything major to worry about with that bit of glueing on the transom unless it's leaking. That area doesn't take much stress.

Ref the steering, it could be that you've got the wrong link arm fitted, but for now, try putting the link arm onto the hole nearer the motor. That'll give you a little more movement.

[SeanKent]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I don't think you've got anything major to worry about with that bit of glueing on the transom unless it's leaking. That area doesn't take much stress.

Ref the steering, it could be that you've got the wrong link arm fitted, but for now, try putting the link arm onto the hole nearer the motor. That'll give you a little more movement.

Thanks for the reply.

I think it lets water out rather than water in !

I'll give that a try with the steering.

and would that mean I should get away with dabbing some glue under it and just sticking it down rather than pulling it up ?

[Nos4r2]

Unlikely-the joint needs to be very clean. Saying that, it's worth a try-if you don't manage it, then it can be cleaned if you have to remove it to reglue it.