Coming apart at the seams

[ChrisParish]

Hi folks,

I went out today on my Zodiac 310. Had a great day, caught a fish and made it to the Isle of Wight.

Upon returning, however, I discovered that my lovely old boat was coming apart at the seams.

Any suggestions as how to best tackle this repair?

[Andy B]

Unfortunately Chris, glue failure on older Zodiac's is a well documented problem.
I'm not saying it can't be repaired, but you'll probably end up chasing the problem all the way round the boat!

It may be that this old girl has had her day....

[Andy B]

I have a rotten feeling you are right.

However, if today was it’s Swan Song we had an ace morning - I even caught my first ever fish from a boat.

I think I will try and repair it, remove the transom and re-install. I have nothing to loose as it’s a right off otherwise.

[Andy B]

I have nothing to loose as it’s a right off otherwise.

Only time, and there are worse ways to spend it other than mucking around with boats.

[Pete]

Shame about your boat Chris, but a cracking day catching your first boat caught fish

[ChrisParish]

Shame about your boat Chris, but a cracking day catching your first boat caught fish

Yeah, I’m a bit annoyed but my new T38 is due any day now!

Going to get the Zodiac fixed up and give it to my brother.

[Martin]

Sad news chris as she's a great looking little boat.
As Andy rightly says, We've all heard many a tails unfortunately of the older boats letting go at the seams.

Great to see you got out ti the IOW though and caught a fishy too

Martin

[fastasfox]

I had an old 2.5m zodiac with this problem. I have been desperately been searching for a video I once watched on youtube of this kind of repair (it was an American fella with proper rubbish music) but the instruction was spot on.
Go to your local Chandler and ask for Hypalon glue. peel the tubes away from the transom and clean all debris off it then dry. Using Acetone (nail polish remover...the stinky one) clean off all old glue, I found using a brillo pad helped. Then scuff up the surface to be glued (key). Make sure your tubes are topped up with air. Coat the area on the tube to be glued (best to use pen to mark round where the transom touches the tube) coat both the tube and the transom rubber with a layer of glue and let it dry for 1/2 hr or so. repeat these steps until both surfaces have had 4 coats of glue. during the last application let the glue go tacky (touch with back of your nail) fix tube to transom making sure you have good contact then using a ratchet strap all the way round the tubes and transom and tighten it up until you have firm pressure o the joint but don't over tighten. Leave the boat for 2-3 days then release the strap. repeat this process on any seems or fixtures that are coming loose. What have you got to lose? give it a go.

You either have to be Rich or Resourceful....and I aint Rich.

[ChrisParish]

Thanks for the advice. My Dad and I are going to have a crack at fixing it - exactly as you described.
We’ll take photos and let you all know how we get on