Zodiac Repair. Is this a bad idea?

[smoothmove]

On the very last boating weekend last year, I dropped the dinghy into the water and hopped in and just kept going down. the glue joint where the bottom meets the inflated sides let go for at least 3 feet. I was disgusted (and wet) so I just deflated it and put it away for the Winter. It's an 8 foot Zodiac and really hasn't had much use. Returning to the problem now, I'm concerned about whether regluing the joint with a contact cement will be an effective repair, especially considering the fact that the original, factory conditions, joint failed. My eyes keep falling on that tube of 5200 across the room and it has me wondering if this might be the perfect application. We all know what a tenacious bond that stuff creates. What do y'all think? Crazy idea?

Eric

 

[Boatsb]

There is a special adhesive for the seam that has been used for years. The people that repair the inflatables do it by cleaning the whole joint before re-gluing and it lasts for years.

 

[DeeRow]

West Marine sells a two part glue made specifically for PVC inflatable repair. Be sure to check the expiration date on the container before you buy it. Follow the directions carefully and it works well. The challenge is getting the seams to line up and hold while the glue cures. I reglued my Zodiac RIB several times (some times the same seam, sometimes a new seam) to make it last a few more years. The seams that I reglued were the ones that held the tubes onto the RIB. I finally sold it and bought a haphlon RIB.

Mark

 

[REBrueckner]

If PVC is not listed on the 5200 container I'd not waste time trying it....the commercial glues available for repair can be long term fixes if applied correctly to a cleaned, smooth and dry seam in reasonable environmental conditions....

 

[fissioneng]

West Marine sells a two part glue made specifically for PVC inflatable repair. Be sure to check the expiration date on the container before you buy it. Follow the directions carefully and it works well. The challenge is getting the seams to line up and hold while the glue cures. I reglued my Zodiac RIB several times (some times the same seam, sometimes a new seam) to make it last a few more years. The seams that I reglued were the ones that held the tubes onto the RIB.

I went through this exact same thing 2 winters ago on my Zodiac Yachtline RIB. The special glue (there is one for PVC and one for Hypalon) is essential (made in the UK, I think) and as noted, has a short shelf life. I pulled off the bottom tape, then removed all the old sealant (looked and acted like polyurethane) and cleaned it all really well with acetone. Then I generously filled the joint with 5200 and let it dry for 2 weeks. This was of course with the RIB fully inflated. To make the glue work, you absolutely need temperature control. 70 degrees and low humidity which make it a no-no to do outside in the summer! The perfect place? Our foyer in the middle of winter, stays warm and dry. Not real popular with the Admiral, but I had no choice. Fumes not too bad.

So, 2 seasons later and it is still a very strong, leak proof joint. Now I need to do the other side.

 

[stormchaser]

Wow, that sucks. I have an ancient Avon RIB that's still holding air well. Its ugly, but holding up well considering it's now over 20 years old. We use it as out "everyday" around the marina and harbor dink. The BW only cones down when we are away from home port. Is seam failure/leaks a common problem with PVC/Vinyl dinks?

 

[DCMY #92]

In Florida the glued seams on PVC inflatables last about 5 to 8 years whether you use the boat or not. When my first one (Zodiac) came apart at the seams I took it to a very reputable dealer/repair shop. They told me they could re-glue it, but that it would cost more than the boat was worth. I bought the specified 2 part glue from them and did it myself. If failed again not long after. Maybe my fault, but I could never trust the boat again.

I then bought a hypalon Avon with a PVC inflatable floor. The PVC rub rails around the tubes has now fallen off and the dealer says he can glue them back on but they won't stay. Then the PVC floor seams split. Of course Avon no longer makes either the inflatable floor, aluminum floor, or wood floor for my boat. The hypalon tubes are still like new, but this one is also going in the dumpster.

If it was me I would not bother repairing the PVC seams (or buy another inflatable boat of any kind), but it's your call.

 

[egaito]

I guess it depends on who you find to talk with.....

One of the tubes started coming off my AB RIB while I was in Miami. I stopped by the shop of a guy that Mario introduced me to, and he fixed it within about an hour.

There was indeed a particular, 2 part glue he used, and he stripped back a lot of the "tape", cleaning the hull and tubes with a Scotch Brite pad, and even some sand paper to get all of the old glue off. After a wipe down with Acetone, new rubber "tape" was installed on the joint, a few places where seems were starting to separate were fixed, and I was on my way.

It's held for a about a year so far with no issues. I'm sure it's no coincidence that it happened on a part of the boat that is exposed to sun nearly full time.

 

[stormchaser]

Hypalon RIBs seem to last darn near forever, even when neglected (mine was outside upside-down behind the garage for several years.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

5200 may work, but it will not tolerate UV, so if you use it, cover it up with some of that tape or it will get hard and crack.

 

[fissioneng]

5200 may work, but it will not tolerate UV, so if you use it, cover it up with some of that tape or it will get hard and crack.

Good point. I neglected to mention that I glued the tape back over the 5200 filled joint so it is completely covered up.

 

[Carver370]

Since you're in Chicago, I would take it up to Wolfs Marine in Benton Harbor. They have a whole inflatable shop / store there and they fixed my older avon to like new and its lasted for 7 years now and still going strong. Mine came apart where the tubes meet the transom on the hardbottom.

 

[Glory]

I have a 1986 "Dynos" inflatable. It has a patch from screws on a freinds swim platform. The air in it might be 15 years old, it's hypalon.

I also have a 1997 Zodiac YL 340 in the yard with the same problem, it's PVC.

On the Zodiac the tube can be removed with out any tools , just let the air out and it slides off the tracksin the fiberglass hull.

Zodiac doesn't make the tube in hypalon only PVC.

So the zodiac sits on the trailer in my yard, I don't see the value in a new $2,000 tube that will last only 7 ot so years.

I would recomend hypalon if you buy an inflatable. It is sad that a 1986 $700 is, today, in beter shape than a $8,000 1997 Zodiac.

JM

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Hmmmm... ws

 

[Brian Degulis]

I had one that the handles in the bow kept coming off I'd try to pull it up on the beach and the handle would come off and I'd go flying to the ground. The right glue never worked 5200 did.


Brian