Gluing Procedures

[lb_billy]

Hi there,

I just got my first RIB Zodiac, and it's a bit of a project. Someone before me had some problems were the transom met the tubes and tried to seal it up with something that obviously didn't work. I've removed the patches and transom fitting and will begin prepping for glue. I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with:

1. The strip that connects the tubes to the hull seems to be in good shape around most of the boat, except for about 1 foot from the transom (the strip is OK, the seal just broke). Can I re-glue just what I need to, or do I have to remove the whole strip and re-glue the whole thing?

2. What glue do I use for the transom fitting to the transom? The transom, I think, is a fibreglass coating over the plywood (everything seems sound and in good shape).

3. Can I reuse the transom fitting?

4. Can I reuse the strips connecting the hull to tubes, or should I get new ones?

5. What do you suggest I do first, the floor to tubes or transom? The may become obvious to me once I get into it a bit more

Any other advise?

Thanks in advance!

Derek

[John Kennett]

That looks like it might turn out to be a bit of a project. I would start by having hard pull at the rest of strip connecting the tubes to the hull - my guess from the pictures is that it might not be holding on too tight. If it's really solid then you may be OK to just glue back the loose part.

As for the rest, maybe someone else can chip in to help. I'm no expert, and I hate doing this sort of work so I tend to get someone else to do it!

[Patch]

Bite the bullet and peel back anything that is not solid.

That's a bit of a project, but certainly doable. Get it clean, well prepped and masked up and then follow a process to reassemble.

If you don't get it right you will wish you never wasted your time but if you get it right or get it done professionally you'll be out on the water bragging about your new RIB.