Old Zodiac, what do I need for repair?

[NicolasMelis]

Hye!

I'm into boating a long time already but I'm totally new to inflatables. Last week I got an old Zodiac from someone who had cleaned up his storage unit. He said it was packed very well and away from sunlight (actually away from any light).

I inflated it but it leaks. The starboard and bow tube are leaking very slow, but the port side one quite fast. The keel tube is good.

I would like to give it a try to fix it but I don't know what I need. I've searched a while to figure out weither the boat is hypalon or PVC and it seems like it's pvc since the inside is also red and on some sites they said hypalon is grey or black on the inside. Also it seemed to scratch if I rubbed it with sandpaper. But I'm not sure. I posted some pictures below.

So what do I need for repairing this boat and do I have a chance to succeed and maybe still have a few summers of fun with this boat?

Thanks in advance,
Nicolas

[Fenlander]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Glue failure is the problem with old PVC Zodiacs and usually this means the seams to the transom and those of the floor peel. You need to give then a good tug to see if any peel apart.

On the more modern Zodiacs the tubes are electro welded on the seams and they never leak. I wonder if yours are or an earlier glued style?

Re the leaks the only think to do is inflate and soap it all over to find the bubbles. Put pictures here of the leaking areas for more advice.

Worth making absolutely sure it's not te valves/caps leaking??

[spartacus]

What you have there is a MK 1 GT, 1985. Maximum 25hp (standard shaft outboard). It is PVC (Strongan Duotex).

Looks like it's the HD floor (aluminium). Do you have the floor sections?

Regards repairs, there's good news and bad news. The good news is it can be repaired with 2-part Polymarine glue with the right preparation and ambient temperatures. The bad news is depends where it's leaking.

Surprised the keel tube isn't leaking - they normally fail at the thermobonded glued end at the transom. The other potential bad news is the seam for this boat runs under the rope lace cuff, so if it's gone they're notoriously difficult to repair. Also if it's the cone ends, it can be done but can be difficult. The positive side is it's been stored, out of sunlight.

Fenlander's suggestion regards the soapy water is a good start to pinpoint. The valves do leak if the rubber diaphragms are old, and indeed the valve cap insert and rubber gasket. All are still available via a main dealer.

Pressure wise, get the tubes to 240mbar and the keel to 220mbar, that's their operating pressures. Hopefully you have a pressure guage. These boats need to be kept inflated at these pressures for best performance.

Thought you'd be interested in this.

Even back in 1987 - these boats still commanded a King's ransom! £1,426.

Glad to see you still have the pennant on the bow. I used to break mine off regularly with ropes.