Zodiac Boat Patch?

My customers have a zodiac style dinghy. An inflatable with a wood transom and rigid plastic bottom. It developed a leak where the rubberized fabric overlaps in one place or two. not the air holding compartments, but in a place that is near the stern by the deck. Water just comes right in. I tried to reglue it with a standard bicycle patch kit glue; it didn't work. Then I tried using 5200 marine caulk on it, apparently didn't work.
I think I saw a segment of "How It's Made" that showed how they glue these type of boats up.
Any leads on where I can get a patch kit that will be effective?
I went around the Point Pleasant area to a lot of marine stores last year and nobody had a clue.
The happiness of a nine year old boy depends on your collective knowledge!
NEPA: Your All-Purpose Forum

thanks,
Dan

Dan, are they using it for play, or emergency purposes? Either way, it sounds like it has dry rot, and time to buy a new one.

Hi Dan, If you can take a picture (of the area inside and outside) we will be able to give better help.

The leak is at the base of the transom where the three different materials come together?

Water and dampness will be a big factor in fixing the leak, ie: if the area is damp or has mold, 5200 will not work very well.

If you can scrape/ sand/ clean under the fabric and wash with Denatured Alcohol the 5200 will stand a much better chance of holding.
The denatured alcohol will help DRY the area.
Also heat the area with a heat lamp or hair dryer B4 you apply the 5200.
I would try the FAST SET 5200, one hour cure VS 7 days.
PC 12

PC, How come you aren't working on boats today?....and are playing computer-man? Anything new on the AA or an AHS?
......some folks think winter is over, but we still have a way to go. We keep burning, just to keep the mosquitoes away!
Bob told me that they are thinking of having a woodchuck woken up on March 1st in Ft Kent, and if he sees his shadow, there will only be 6 months of winter left!

Dan, make darned sure that you don't drink any of that denatured product, it causes blindness....if it doesn't kill you!

:pepsi:

whistlenut wrote:PC, How come you aren't working on boats today?..

:pepsi:

Hi whistlenut, I would be building boats but I may have broken a bone in my foot.

If I clean my foot with denatured alcohol and apply 5200... Do you think that will help?
PC 12

Only if you can get it dry and keep it dry for 48 hours after the repair has been made. Ouch on the broken bone!
It's not the broken bone, it's the pain thing that distracts you! You must have some 'snortin' glue primer around, a small shopping bag.......'Stoker Stud' says that is how he gets into the dirigible. I'd still be afraid of the open flame, however.

Now if only you had an AA of AHS, EFM or keystoker.......one member said there is a Harman out past Rochester available for 4,400, brand new. Sandblasting with a broken foot could be counterproductive.....especially if a stoker part goes "crash".

One thing to remember about boilers (just like women,) some are better than others, but every single one is just' Marvelous'. Steam or Hot water? Sorry Dan, didn't mean to hijack the thread...even briefly...

there are different types of material. zodiac and avon are now merged. we had a shop in st pete that did nothing but repair inflateables. I don't have access to the name right now. usually someone at a west marine could give you good advise tho on repair of them.

Thanks guys!,
This little boat has been neglected for the past few seasons, it's stowed under the front porch of my customer's trophy shore house. It's getting sticky and I would suggest to them to get a new one but they're always going to try to get me to fix something before they get something new. Kind of ironic since they are so freaking wealthy. Thanks for the link, that is a lot of information. I have to figure out if it's hypalon or pvc. I sent to West Marine for both kinds of repair kit, so I'll keep you posted. They use their shore house for a couple months in the summer and then forget about it. One of the northeast's major realtors owns the house next door, amazing overclass neighborhood. Anyway, will give it a try.

I upgraded to the new high pressure floor type as a dink for the sail boat and it is amazing how stiff and well it works. pack them away with corn starch and let breathe to avoid the sticky...

Dann757 wrote:Kind of ironic since they are so freaking wealthy.

It is time for them to stimulate the economy.

Thanks for all those with disposable income..we all get to stay alive through another slow period. If it weren't for the wealthy, it might be a real challenge to maintain our lifestyles. Only problem is all the new college grads don't want to retrace our footsteps, and want to go to the head of the class, financially. I'm happy if they can, but our country is getting top heavy with "Chiefs", and we should not forget that we really do need more "Indians". Like the Queen bee...and worker bees.

I wonder if those Zodiacs are in use off Somolia? Looks like they got a German and British ship recently. I did see a pic of a drug smuggling Zodiac with 6- 250hp outboards. Dam, that must suck down some fuel. 100+ mph...what a ride.
Perhaps that is why Devil can't calm down, he is overstimulated (read, beat to crap) chasing the 'bad guys'.

Dan, If the boat is just for fun, fix the Zodiac and buy a ZAPCAT.

The ZapCat is all about FUN!





PC 12

Dan,
I had Avon infatables growing up. Avon's made in England, Zodics made in France. Basically same material. I often patched the Avons. It came with a kit. Check any distributer of either make boat. Obviousley the kits cost good amount but once patched, like new.

I had the 10' Avon Redseal and the smaller 9' Avon Red....something. My mother worked for a distributor in Phiily on Market St. It was great fun, boating and especially getting deep discounts on boating supplies. Brings back great memories of the Rehoboth Bay, Love Creek & Delaware River. I had a 4hp Evinrude too.