Inflatable Dinghy Keel protection

[Gypsy]

I have a Zodiac 2.6m dinghy which has an inflatable floor and keel, PVC construction. It has previously been used maily for ship to quay work with only a few times up on a sand beach.

My cruising in the near future will see "beaching" more often so I am thinking about ways to protect the keel seam and the aft sections of the 2 tubes from abbrasion by the sand which will have a high coral content.

I have looked on the web for PVC "tape" such as used on seams for inflatables with a view to double the seam on the keel and provide a sacrificial section for the tubes, but I can't see anything.

Do the forum members think the sand abrasion is a real problem? If so any ideas how to protect the keel and tubes.

I have considered a small RIB but they are mostly too heavy for my wife and I to haul up to the foredeck like we do now so I will probebly just try to get as much life out of the Zodiac as I can.

 

[vyv_cox]

It's not a big problem for us but we are (a) very careful when beaching (b) in the Med, where there is not all that much sharp sand. On previous tenders, particularly solid floor ones where there is a hard point at the corners of the plywood, abrasion was a big problem and we wore right through one. We were able to buy patches of the hull material and glued them on over the areas at risk. Not much use me suggesting a UK source as you are in Oz but there must be similar suppliers over there.

 

[prv]

I have looked on the web for PVC "tape" such as used on seams for inflatables with a view to double the seam on the keel and provide a sacrificial section for the tubes, but I can't see anything.

Well, it must be out there, as that's what my old dinghy had stuck to the bottom to protect it.

Pete

 

[Tranona]

You should be able to glue sacrificial strips as the material and glue is available. In the uK the major supplier is www.polymarine.com but sure there will be a supplier in Oz. You might ask an inflatable repair shop or liferaft service station for a source.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Or you could obtain an old deflatable, and cut strips from it. Boat yard/yacht club tender park? eBay?

 

[ReefMagnet]

I've use neoprene strips available from Clark rubber in the past

 

[TSB240]

I went to our local bike shop was given an old rubber inner tube off a wide tyred mountain bike.

Cut once on the circumference and slit the tube along the length. Made a good sacrificial keel.

You only get one chance to fix it when using contact adhesive.

If yours is a zodiac isnt it made from Hypalon Rubber not PVC?

Steve

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks for all the input. Some ideas there for me.

Tranona: The Polymarine shop is the type of place I would love to have down the road but haven't found one in Sydney yet. There is probably one waiting but I haven't had to think much about the Zodiac before.

ReefMagnet: The Neoprene strip sound promising. I will check out Clarks.

TSB240: Good question. I used to think it was Hypalon but almost everybody tells me it is only the large Zodiacs which used/use Hyp, the rest are PVC. Polymarine suggest a test method to tell the difference. I'll have to try it.

 

[RogerMayne]

The material that they use to repair cuts in "curtainsider" lorries is brilliant. I have had a piece on the keel of my avon for years and its really strong.

 

[Gypsy]

TSB: I just found a piece on the Zodiac website FAQ area which describes how to tell Hypalon vs Strongan (PVC used by Zodiac):

"You can easily repair your boat's minor punctures be it either Hypalon or Strongan fabric. If the puncture is 1cm or larger you should seek advice from your dealer. To find out the fabric of your boat check the buoyancy tube's vertical seams. Since 1985, most Zodiac boats are made from Strongan fabric. If the seams of your boat are glued one covering the other so that you can only see part of the fabric that covers the other section - you have a boat constructed from Hypalon fabric. If the seams are are welded between an exterior reinforcement and an air tight band. What you see is the exterior band with 2 borders - you have a boat constructed from Strongan fabric."

Based on the above, my 260 Fastroller circa 2002 is Strongan (PVC).

Roger: Thanks for that, I should fossick around a truck depot.

Plenty of ways to get into trouble when looking for boat bits.

 

[GrahamM376]

Easiest way to protect the bottom is to fit retractable wheels on the transom.

 

[Gypsy]

Graham - SNAP - That is the way I finally decided to go. After all the angst of finding the right material and glue, I remembered a mooring neighbour showing me his wheels, so I bought them yesterday and they are fitted. He rekons they are the 'bees knees'.
This is the type I fitted www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?item=93243&search123=dinghy+wheeler&intAbsolutePage=1

Thanks to all for your wisdom.

 

[GrahamM376]

Same as mine and a mate's. Unfortunately, the plastic axles are the weak point, we each broke one so have replaced with stainless rod.

 

[Gypsy]

Graham: Interesting, the wheel axles on mine are stainless rods but the swing pivot/axle is still plastic. As the mounting bracket should take most of the load off the pivot axle maybe the manufacturers have decided SS for the wheels is needed but not for the pivot.