Zodiac Pro II 500 lifting points

[Fairbarnacle]

I recently purchased a used 2000 Zodiac Pro II 500. It will be used for oceanographic research and will be primarily launched (I hope) via a jib crane at the end of a pier.

The boat has two U-bolts mounted inside the boat near the bow (see picture) and was hoping to find information on whether they should be used for lifting purposes. I cannot see the backing plate to determine this myself and was hoping that it was a factory installed item that can be trusted. A factory manual would be helpful.

I also need to install two lifting points at the transom but I assume I can through bolt an eyebolt. Waiting on specs for this one (https://shop.inflatableboatparts.com...latable-boats/)

[Fairbarnacle]

I can't figure out how to embed a picture. Here is a link to the bow rings.



https://photos.app.goo.gl/9uXY9bKXXZz889xv8

[spartacus]

I'm not convinced.

I've loaded your picture so others can see. That looks like a conventional bow U bolt. Not sure if they have accessed the recess for the plate via the bow locker, but that location is going into a fibreglass void, so there's no structural integrity, especially if you're lifting up to 500kg with engine, fuel and kit, etc.

Looks more to me like a tie-down area for an additional tank or kit.

Interesting link here: https://www.rib.net/forum/f8/lifting-eyes-13414.html

[Fairbarnacle]

Thanks Spartacus. That's a good link, couldn't find it in my searches. I am also concerned about these points due to not knowing what they are attached to in the void. I cannot see the other side in the bow locker.

[spartacus]

Thanks for the pictures. There's no stainless plates on the hull?

You could try deflating the rib collar to see if there's any work on rail where the tubes attach near these points.

Again it's difficult to tell, but normally with these lifting points you have a spreading plate on the reverse, penny wachers, nylock nut behind the U bolt. On a transom you also have the security of going thorough plywood, not simply attaching to fibre-glass sheet into a void.

[office888]

Those are factory lifting points.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by office888

Those are factory lifting points.

Interesting - they must be done before the deck and hull are sandwiched. Be interesting to see a picture of the reverse.