Zodiac blown tube--need help

Ribdude · 29 August 2011, 21:19

I have a 2002/2003 Zodiac Medline 3 the last portion / compartment of the tube tore open. The cap is still on there but flapping around.

So I got a few questions

Is it ok to use the Zodiac with the tube in the current state its in?

Can any further damage be done by driving the boat with the tube blown open like that?

Does anyone know someone in the Tahoe area who can repair the tube?

Thanks

Nos4r2 · 29 August 2011, 21:31

Welcome to Ribnet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribdude

I have a 2002/2003 Zodiac Medline 3 the last portion / compartment of the tube tore open. The cap is still on there but flapping around.

So I got a few questions

Is it ok to use the Zodiac with the tube in the current state its in?

No.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribdude

Can any further damage be done by driving the boat with the tube blown open like that?

Yes. Lots.

Ribdude · 29 August 2011, 21:38

thanks this looks like a great forum

thanks for the info NOS4r2

Can I keep it on a buoy until I can pull it out of the water this evening?

Nos4r2 · 29 August 2011, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribdude

thanks this looks like a great forum

thanks for the info NOS4r2

Can I keep it on a buoy until I can pull it out of the water this evening?

I doubt it'll do any harm for a short period.I wouldn't want to leave it like that for long though.

prairie tuber · 30 August 2011, 00:36

How did this occur?

Ribdude · 30 August 2011, 02:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

How did this occur?

I am not sure if there was a tear or hole on the bottom side of the tube or not but I was just accelerating & all of sudden the boat was shaking & I looked back & the cone blew off.

prairie tuber · 30 August 2011, 04:32

You might have run over something floating in the water that had a sharp edge or a pressure release valve for that compartment might have been stuck closed.

With regard to a repair place, maybe google "Zodiac boat dealer California" and "inflatable boat repair California" (search same for Nevada & Oregon as well) it should turn up someone fairly close.

Left Coast STi · 30 August 2011, 05:25

Paul has done some good work on my RIB Wright Repair - Inflatable Boat Specialist . He's in SoCal but might know someone close by.

jyasaki · 30 August 2011, 07:06

Alameda has Sal's Inflatable Services (or something like that). Good guy, though I've luckily never needed his services. Been around quite a while.

Sal's Inflatable Services Inc. Home Page

jky

Ribdude · 30 August 2011, 21:02

thanks guys for the recommendations...

I found an authorized zodiac dealer & repair shop in South Lake
I sent them some pictures & am waiting to hear back on the cost.

I did find this little guy floating around a few weeks back a guy on a Seadoo pwc almost hit it.

Ribdude · 01 September 2011, 23:22

the local dealer just starting doing tube repairs & dont feel comfortable with this job so I got in contact with Sals Inflatable service should hear back from them on a price & estimate on time to do the job

jyasaki · 02 September 2011, 00:36

Where are you located? South Lake Tahoe?

When you're heading back up with a repaired boat, pull over every now and then and let air out of the tubes. The decreasing atmospheric pressure from the Bay Area to the pass on 50 (whatever it's called) will easily overpressure the tubes. Late summer heat in Sacramento doesn't help, either.

Luck;

jky

Ribdude · 02 September 2011, 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Where are you located? South Lake Tahoe?

When you're heading back up with a repaired boat, pull over every now and then and let air out of the tubes. The decreasing atmospheric pressure from the Bay Area to the pass on 50 (whatever it's called) will easily overpressure the tubes. Late summer heat in Sacramento doesn't help, either.

Luck;

jky

thanks jky I know about, Im in North lake .....

I lowered the air in the tubes on the way up every so often & it was amazing how the tubes would be full again.

The first dealership that forwarded Zodiac headquarters the pictures of the tube said that the tube could be repaired but Sal is saying that the whole tube has to replaced yikes

Ribdude · 02 September 2011, 01:08

what are your guys thoughts

Is this something that can be repaired or does the whole tube need to be replaced?

jyasaki · 02 September 2011, 02:17

The question is, would you trust a tube with that kind of damage after a repair?

The existing seams are welded PVC; any repair will likely be glued. Actually, that size, likely stitched and glued. It will probably end up with a sort of Frankenstein look, though Sal will be able to give you more info on that.

I'd go for a tube replacement if that's an option.

jky

Left Coast STi · 02 September 2011, 07:16

Are the tubes PVC or hypalon?

I had a quote to replace the end cones on my Nautica for $700 each it turned out that i didn't need to replace them just repair them. A good repair guy will make a hypalon end cone look like it came out of the factory. I'm not too sure about PVC. Call around and get a few opinions.
I saw Paul of Wright repair the other day and told him you might call him. He would be happy to talk to you. Send him some pictures and maybe he can lead you in the right direction. good luck and keep us posted.

jyasaki · 02 September 2011, 07:31

2002 Medline I would assume to be PVC. Not 100 sure, though, as I don't think I've ever seen one.

jky

Left Coast STi · 02 September 2011, 09:12

Sounds like it's Strongan, a proprietary coated fabric developed by Zodiac.

cgoing · 02 September 2011, 12:30

Ribdude- That is one hell of a big mess. Sal's is one of the best repair shops in the country. They have a good reputation throughout the industry. If they are telling you it needs replacement i would not doubt it. Having been fixing inflatables myself for over twenty year that is hands down an extremely difficult repair to attempt and even harder to make it look good when it is all said and done.
At least your local dealer admitted that they are not comfortable attempting the repair. There are a few dealers I know of that probably would have tried to hack it together and given you back a huge leaking mess. Your best bet is most likely to replace the tubes.

prairie tuber · 02 September 2011, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Left Coast STi

Sounds like it's Strongan, a proprietary coated fabric developed by Zodiac.

Strongan is just zodiac's particular PVC coated fabric. There may be some nuances in the cloth portion of the fabric that may differentiate it from other manufacturers PVC coated fabrics, but it is PVC coated fabric just the same. the medline series uses this fabric.