Zodiac sponsons

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

I think for the navy, the higher abrasion & puncture resistance of PU, is the greater priority even if the PU tubes might need replacing earlier than hypalon tubes. I believe those Wing PU tubes are for the big USN RIBs.

Apparently not. According to this, the USN uses hypalon (some with a kevlar base) on their big RIBs;

http://dibboats.com/milboats.html

[crusoe]

Just got back from North Wales after having the new sponsons fitted (supplied free of charge under warranty by Zodiac)

They are slightly different than the original ones with a deeper rubbing strake, 2 extra grab handles. The anchor roller setup has been re-designed and the medline logos re-positioned.

The fabric is also the new Sharc material which looks and feels like the dogs wotsits

Considering that the rib was just coming up to the end of its 5 year warranty when Zodiac agreed to do the work, I can only applaud their excellent customer care

Tomorrow I will upload a few photo's of the rib before and after its re-tube.

[prairie tuber]

Kudos to Zodiac for not doing a song and dance about it.

[crusoe]

Here are a couple of photos - one showing the hull and one showing off the new sponsons.

The job in total took approx 3 - 4 hours and was a 3-man job! There was a fair amount of pulling, lifting and tugging involved, with a liberal amount of fairy liquid being used to aid the sliding on of the sponsons.

Zodiac were also kind enough to issue me with a 7 year fabric warranty.

[floater]

looks very smart !!

good on Zodiac makes a change to hear a pleasent outcome of a fault

Andy

ps were in wales is your site iam over near Criccieth

[crusoe]

ps were in wales is your site iam over near Criccieth

Were at a small village called Pontllyfni 9 miles out from Caernarfon.
I've spent a good few years boating around Cardigan bay area,
this year the rib is based on the Menia Straits

[BumbleAbout]

Very interesting - I'm looking at the Zodiac Futura (there seem to be quite a few second hand ones around which are 10 years old) and I'm worried about the PVC whereas the newer ones have the same PU sponsons.

Am I mad to be looking at 10 year old PVC sponsons (i.e. they might start degrading rapidly in the next few years) ?

[prairie tuber]

I suppose it would depend on the general condition and asking price. If the boat hasn't had alot of use and UV exposure, and the fabric seems to be supple when being rolled and unrolled, then maybe there is a good deal to be had. There are also ex-military 16' Futura Commandos (made of 1880 dtx hypalon) out there that get sold for a fraction of their new price. Sturdy boats, but a little heavier (330 lbs with floorboards), but still quite manageable.

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by crusoe

Zodiac were also kind enough to issue me with a 7 year fabric warranty.

I hope other manufacturers look at how honoring a warranty can result in so much goodwill. I am amazed that Zodiac would offer a new warranty on the replacement tubes. Good for them. The odd time I have had a product repaired or replaced under warranty, the item was only covered for the duration of the original warranty...

I suppose the downside of this, is that Zodiac's prompt response would suggest that the tubes really can't be repaired. This should be a concern to anyone with one of these that is past the warranty period...

The boat looks great Crusoe... Enjoy her!