Zodiac Mk2 jet boat

[Roflhat]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Always liked that Avon model, not sure if hypalon though. However just a reminder of a comment I made in your previous related thread...

"...what about any aged Hypalon Avon or Zodiac with some added reinforcement? Most of them are quite a shallow V running to no V at the transom. They can be a bargain if untidy but otherwise sound and they are pretty tough old SIBs compared to a modern PVC model"

From what I’ve read they’re all Hypalon, one I’m looking at looks very tidy and inexpensive

[Roflhat]

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

What's the wheel on the front for ?
Not an expert on gluing but would it be better to stick to tubes with less tube inflation ,the inflate to remove ripples 👍

Just a spare wheel for the trailer, I did consider letting the tubes down a touch but would be hard to apply pressure to the bits I’m attaching then. Hopefully be alright as it is

[Roflhat]

Originally Posted by spartacus

You go use Gorrilla tape or such like on the floor, to keep the tension on the floor material. As long as the two surface are clean, I’ve found it’s handy. Use a little petrol to remove any residue when you remove. Remember you have the inflatable keel to put in place under the floor, so it might be okay.

That’s a good idea, will remember for next time! Not that I fancy doing this again, more work than the boat is worth

[Roflhat]

The valves are nickel plated, just with plastic caps

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Got the floor back on, not entirely happy with it as it's difficult to pull it tight and hold it there while the glue sets. So it's ended up around 10mm further in all round the tubes, which has resulted in some wrinkles. Going to do a few touch ups next time on bits that didn't stick so well ~

What glue are you using? You need to be using a two part glue.

The routine is to wipe the glue area with MEK for PVC as a prep right as a second person is mixing up a pot of glue. (MEK is banned in many areas these days and Acetone is about all that is available.) Use Acetone for cleaning wearing thick dishwasher style neoprene chemical gloves, along with a proper respirator.

Set the tube pressure so you can push your knuckles in fairly easily. Like 3/4 psi. You want the tubes softer so you can work the fabrics around, and get air bubbles out.

Get a heat gun and extension cord out and ready to go for handling bubbles, moving fabric around and other issues that will crop up. Also makes the glue removable when bigger mistakes happen and you get to do a redo.

A majority of the people use a roller for pressing the fabrics together. I prefer a scraper I cut down and smoothed into a gentle corner rounded tool, that is awesome for pushing air bubbles out, and pushing fabric down into edges, V's, etc. The heat gun comes into play often.

The glue gets put down with a chip brush, with cut down bristles. 1st coat dries quick and by the time the first coat is done you are ready for a second coat. Now wait...when it is tacky but doesn't fully stick to a glove it is time to assemble.

You only get one chance to install as it should stick immediately and NOT slip. If it slips, it hasn't dried enough yet. Once stuck together you shouldn't be able to pull it apart without tearing the glue off, and most likely it will require a heat gun.

When reinstalling a floor it is easy enough to just start at the transom and work your way forward. Make another batch and go up one side. Then along the other side to the bow. Nothing wrong with making smaller pots and doing shorter sections so you are not as rushed. Trying to do too much at once usually backfires.

[Roflhat]

Yeh that's what I did, two part glue and proper MEK solvent for PVC glue. The bits that have stuck look to have stuck well, just need to do some touch ups. Boat should be alright I think, better than it was anyway

[Roflhat]

Everything back together

[Orwell boy]

Looking great ,well done and very fast

[Steve509926]

Looks good Seamus, what about underneath? Has the sausage keel straightened the floor out?

[Roflhat]

Cheers, turned out not too bad I think. Many hours in it, more than the boat is worth for sure.
Haven't looked underneath properly since putting it back together, a few bits are still wedged in place whilst the glue dries but I'll have a look maybe tomorrow

[spartacus]

Tidy job.

You’ve save another Zodiac from land-fill!

[Roflhat]

Tried it out today, tried the Pioner 11 first with 2 of us aboard only managed 6.8 knots and couldn't plane.
So took the Tohatsu off that, put the tiller back on, moved the electric start and killcord buttons onto the engine and took the steering apart. Tohatsu onto the Zodiac, which took a lot of fiddling about to get the engine high enough.
Took it down to the river and we managed 13.9 knots with the 2 of us and onto the plane at around 10/11 knots. Pretty chuffed. Went a fair way up river too, hit the bottom a number of times and got stuck a couple too but amazingly no damage to the hull.

Need to move the battery further forward and I've now used wedges to lift the engine 5mm and trim it in so it's as close as it can be to the transom to get better flow.