Hello from Oz

[lesleyh]

Hi everyone, I'm lesley and I have recently bought a zodiac yacht line 530 deluxe, secondhand.

I've only managed to get it out on the water once as it's been winter down under but very soon will be out on the Gippsland Lakes. I sure hope the weather is good.

Regarding the drain plug in the cockpit, when is it safe to have it out? And will it drain when the Boat is moving, and does it allow water into the cockpit, if you happen to leave it out and the boat is sitting still.?

We are waterskiers and I imagine the carpet will get quite slushy, when the skiers come back on board, all wet. Hence my question. If anybody knows the answer, I would be most grateful to hear it.

[jonp]

Both the Zodiacs we have drain as you go along at speed but will allow water in when stopped. This is a pain because when the conditions are rough that water which pools at the back will make its way up the front of the boats. You can use the plugs to block them but those are a bit fiddly when you want to remove them to let water out.
My solution was to leave the bungs open and simply fit a Rule pump in the small well area. I brought the wiring up through the engine controls to the dash where I installed a switch. Now when I catch fish I can simply throw buckets of water down the deck to remove blood without having to drive the boat to remove the water.

Also from Aus, where we've used out rib for all kinds of fishing, including marlin tuna and sharks.