Removal of Zodiac Tubes

[toe72]

Any advice would be appreciated on removing my Open Pro 650 tubes. My plan is to deflate the tubes entirely, try to undo the screws near the bow and somehow muscle the tube off in one easy shot.

How many strong hands do I need to muster?

Any trick on accessing those screws near the bow?

...looks like the bolt rope has come unglued from the main tube. I'm getting water jetting up between the hull and tube. Very wet. Also have a small slow leak I can't find in the back quarter section. Time to go get some TLC...or new tubes.

[cgoing]

If you deflate the tubes , they should be able to slide forward about six inches. Once they are forward you can flip the bow up and access the bolts which are under the tube. You should be able to pull them off with two people. I would highly recommend spraying the bolt rope area down with some soapy water before attempting to pull them off.

Best of luck!

[engarom]

Its pretty easy to get them off. Getting them on again is a different story!
Spray the bolt rope down with extra soapy water. I just got some dish soap from the 99 cent store and squirted it right in between the hull and tube. Spray a little water and they pratically fly off! Same process for getting them on again.

[matt h]

as said, easy enough job. make sure you undo the bolts up front and the ones hidden away in the bow. semi deflate the toobs plus a bit more to hold the shape. and push the beading in with a firm wack of your hand. do that all the way along to ensure the beading is not locked in the hull slit.. i used spray lube to help slide better...use 2 people min . and start at the back and pull forward 4 inches at a time work towards the bow.pull quickly and sharply and it will just get slacker. the last 5 ft pull from the bow and it will slide of.... i found if you pull from the front it just gets tighter and the toob beading locks in the groove.
good luck

[toe72]

That's great advice. thanks a lot.

I know there are bolts under the bow (under a flap) -- are there others?

t

[pookaboag]

I have same boat and same problem. I think the rope
Pulls away when driving with not enough air in the tubes.
We're you able to remove and reinstall?
I tried once by myself and failed!

[toe72]

Originally Posted by pookaboag

I have same boat and same problem. I think the rope
Pulls away when driving with not enough air in the tubes.
We're you able to remove and reinstall?
I tried once by myself and failed!

I pulled the tubes off easily. I was more worried about than I should have been. Three people helped.

My rope has become unglued from the tube, so it had to be repaired professionally. The tube is still at the shop.

It wasn't a pressure issue for me.

Good luck