adopted a zodiac z131; transom detaching on one side

discord · 27 March 2013, 21:23

Hi,

I recently adopted a zodiac z131 series 1944. I don't know that much about the boat, not even sure if it's made of PVC or hypalon or PU...

On one side one of the tubes is detaching from the transom. The previous owner attempted a repair which failed.

I'm looking forward to getting this zodiac on the water, however I think it would be best to repair it first.

I don't know anything about attempting such a repair, so I was looking for advice first. I should probably inqure what type of material and go from there.

Hopefully I can repair it myself without too great an effort.

discord · 30 March 2013, 01:00

I guess americans are not welcome around here.

Nos4r2 · 30 March 2013, 01:28

Course you are, I thought I'd replied to this. I suspect it was while I was having ISP trouble and it didnt appear.

Have you got any more pics of this? I'm just about to do almost exactly the same job on a Zodiac Zed31 that a mate's picked up for a song, but I'm not sure if your boat is Hypalon or PVC (Decitex). It's a different colour to any of the Zed series inflatables I've seen.

You'll need a new black rubber channel. The one you've got is dead and that gluing job was never going to work properly. The gluing etc is covered very well here if it's PVC:-

Zodiac Dinghy Transom Repair « Polymarine Paints, Adhesives, Parts & Accessories

If it's Hypalon, it's a bit easier and takes less time.

discord · 30 March 2013, 05:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Course you are, I thought I'd replied to this. I suspect it was while I was having ISP trouble and it didnt appear.

Have you got any more pics of this? I'm just about to do almost exactly the same job on a Zodiac Zed31 that a mate's picked up for a song, but I'm not sure if your boat is Hypalon or PVC (Decitex). It's a different colour to any of the Zed series inflatables I've seen.

You'll need a new black rubber channel. The one you've got is dead and that gluing job was never going to work properly. The gluing etc is covered very well here if it's PVC:-

Zodiac Dinghy Transom Repair « Polymarine Paints, Adhesives, Parts & Accessories

If it's Hypalon, it's a bit easier and takes less time.

Thanks for the reply. I'll take some more pictures from a better camera. Maybe I should contact zodiac, they might know the material from the model / series #.

I looked at the instructions you linked above. It shows the whole transom being repaired. Will I have to redo the other parts? Currently the rest of the transom looks in good shape to me.

Nos4r2 · 30 March 2013, 08:26

You won't need to do both sides or the bottom, but you'll need to do the whole side the damage is on as that whole rubber piece needs replacing.

Locozodiac · 30 March 2013, 13:57

Better change both transom holders for new ones as a one time job, that work must be done at a work shop who knows his business in the event you are a newbie. Needs proper solvents to clean and prepare gluing area, 2 part Hypalom or PVC glues, correct room temp and proper tools. Could be a expensive work....besides this issue, is the sib in general good condition ?

Happy Boating

discord · 03 April 2013, 18:49

I'm itching to get out on the water and might wait on the repair. I'm going to give it a bath today. I'm wondering what home products would be good to clean it. I've seen people reccomend both mr. clean magic erasers and gojo pumice cleaner. I'm thinking both are abrasive cleaners and give a light sand. Maybe that's not a big deal for an old boat. Any other reccomendations ? white vinegar ?

discord · 03 April 2013, 19:41

Searching the net I believe I found that the material is PVC / Strongan

Boat: 1998 Zodiac of North America Serie Z 131 SR

Nos4r2 · 03 April 2013, 23:35

Do a search for TFR on here-it's truckwash- but in the US it has a different name.

discord · 04 April 2013, 01:56

I gave her a good scrub, just used some carwash formula I had in the garage. Tried putting her together but didn't look for a manual or anything. I was trying to pack the boards in from rear to front with no luck, attaching the side rails at the begining. Just found this

Zodiac Zoom boat assembly - YouTube

and going to try it this way. It appears that they put the rails on at the end.

Nos4r2 · 04 April 2013, 05:32

Yep,thats how to do it. It's probably a little easier to do it with a small amount more air in the tubes than they've got though.