Rowlocks for Zodiac Dinghy

[catmandoo]

These plastic abominations slip on to the oar shafts and have a pintle which slips into a hole on the hinged part attached to the dinghy with a gate type locking arrangement . Unfortunately they keep breaking off after a time - UV / salt water ? Any body know where I can get replacements ?

 

[Eccles]

I whent through 4 sets in a season - was advised by Zodiac that I obviously used too much force - I said that when you are trying to row into a head wind and/or tide you need a fair amount of power - their response was that French yachtsmen do not row - they paddle from the bow so the rowlocks are not an issue!

Answer to your problem (and mine) don't buy Zodiac!

 

[owen]

agree completely. however they have changed the design slightly and the plastic pin now has a central reinforcing steel bolt. so far it has lasted.

 

[claymore]

I got replacements from the firm I bought mine off at the Boat Show
Nottingham Offshore marine
0115 961 2336

 

[AlJones]

Send Dave at

www.sailroom.co.uk

an e-mail.

He has access to Zodiac spares via his contacts, I know cause I've purchased said items in the past.

I have no commercial interest in this company, just recommend good service.

Al.

 

[Stemar]

If you put your back into rowing, the new type still bend /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Also, you can knacker the plastic "circlip" that's supposed to hold the oar in by using bent pins. I've lost so many oars towing the dighy that I don't fit 'm any more, but keep em in a bag in the dinghy for when the engine decides it doesn't want to play any more, in the (probably forlorn) hope that I'll be able to row out of trouble.

I won't be buying another Zodiac either

No connection, just a dissatisfied customer.

 

[Robin]

I must have been lucky with mine in 3 years because I haven't yet broken one and usually row rather than motor, but I took the precaution of buying a spare just in case. I noticed that one of the French Chandleries (Accastillage Diffusion, Big Ship or U-Ship) sells a normal type of plastic rowlock that fits the Zodiac and allows the use of normal oars or the 2 part Avon style wooden ones, might be a solution?

 

[achwilan]

Commercial answer... former models had wooden oars you could use! unfortunately they were a bit more expensive than modern shitware...

 

[Sixpence]

Many thanks for your comments Al , yes we can help , and e mails have been exchanged to that effect . I try not to read PBO forum too often because I get jumped on when I try to help people out with spares and other parts , but in this instance your post may well have resulted in that help anyway

 

[efonitwxrtv]

Despite the plastic pin now having a central reinforcing steel bolt, I agree with Stemar; if you put your back into rowing, even the new type bends. As far as I can see, this wouldn't happen if the locking device on the rowlock support attached to the dinghy remained locked and held the rowlock pin securely in position. Unfortunately, the locking device, which depends for its locking ability merely on its lacklustre spring-type effect, is not sufficiently positive. As a result, the rowlock pin rapidly (i.e. within a few strokes of the oar) works its way free of the lock mechanism, allowing it to rise free of the locking mechanism; thereafter, the continued rowing movement causes the pin (despite its steel core) to bend at its weakest point, i.e. the thin portion of the pin, which is by now clear of the lock and emerging from the locating hole on the rowlock support (the part which is attached to the dinghy). I explained this to the dealer from whom I purchased my dinghy, and as a result Zodiac sent me replacement rowlocks and rowlock supports. Unfortunately, these appear to be identical to the ones which have let me down already. As far as I can see, a re-design of these parts by Zodiac is long overdue. Until the parts are re-designed, I will have no confidence in the ability of my dinghy to withstand robust rowing. I'd be interested to learn of other Zodiac users' experiences in relation to the effectiveness or otherwise of the locking mechanism.