Zodiac tube removal

[jonp]

Has any slipped off their tubes and put them back on.

My 550 pro has a slow leak that I've not been able to find, my thoughts are it's possibly from angle grinder filings that may of got down the side of the tubes after a trailer modification.

If anyone has removed them how many people are needed, there's a zodiac factory video showing 6 people involved in slipping a new tube on a small zodiac.

Jon

[Dave Cowell]

Six people seems excessive, we find three works well with one at bow section and one on each side for both removing and refitting.
Soapy water in the channel helps, more so on the refitting.

[jonp]

Cheers Dave

[office888]

Originally Posted by jonp

Has any slipped off their tubes and put them back on.

My 550 pro has a slow leak that I've not been able to find, my thoughts are it's possibly from angle grinder filings that may of got down the side of the tubes after a trailer modification.

If anyone has removed them how many people are needed, there's a zodiac factory video showing 6 people involved in slipping a new tube on a small zodiac.

Jon

Two minimum.

Throw a moving blanket over the trailer winch post so you don't gouge the tube on it.

Don't forget to disconnect the screws at the bow.

Spray it down with soapy water and PULL.

It helps to have the trailer hooked up, so you're not dragging the boat + trailer all over the place.

Clean and wax the area where the tube sits, and you can almost re-install it by yourself...

[cgoing]

Get a nylon pipe cleaning brush and be sure to scrub inside the track while the tubes are off. Overtime tons of crud builds up
In there . Keeping it clean will make removal and installation a snap.
Depending on the year the bow bolts will either be 4mm Allen screws or philips heads.