Rubbish Zodiac rowlocks replacement?

[rex]

I am now on the third design of rowlock for my Zodiac Cadet FR310 airdeck dinghy. The originals were all plastic pins which bent then snapped off. Zodiac redesigned them with a metal reinforcement in the pin which didn't bend, it just snapped. The latest ones are a big, beefy stainless steel pin which is unbreakable. Sadly the Zodiac "engineers" fixed it to the plastic rowlock with a little screw that tears the plastic! I have found other posts and it appears Zodiac are not interested and don't care that they make a totally unseaworthy and dangerous boat that is not fit to use on a duck pond. I obviously woldn't buy a Zodiac but this came as a tender with the boat and I wonder if others have managed to modify them to make them useable. Or are they just suitable for filling with water and using as a paddling pool for the kids. Having nearly been blown out to see whilst rowing in ever decreasing circles I won't be using it as a tender again unless there is a cunning solution. Many thanks

 

[Supertramp]

Same concern. I am at stage 2 and I agree about the design. Above F4 I am trapped on board unless I use a motor!

If my dinghy lasts (and it's doing OK at over 20 years), I would remove and add Avon rowlocks, gluing the hypalon/rubber to primed pvc.

But at £100 for the rowlocks, £35 for the glues plus sourcing a pair of proper oars I will probably buy an Avon with the proper rowlocks.

 

[billyfish]

Oh my word. I always wanted a zodiac when I got one I couldn't believe how shit the rolocks were. I changed mine several times as they broke. Sorry no solution I went back to a trusty avon Redcrest which I had for years and have just upgraded to a avon 250 air floor and it's brilliant . Avon redcrest for sale

 

[Stemar]

This is exactly why I didn't get another Zodiac when the first one came to its end, and one of the things that persuaded me that it was at its end. Unfortunately, I got an Excel, largely because of the light weight, but the towing eyes and bow handle attachments were far too weak, tearing within a couple of years.

 

[Sandy]

I wonder if they expect everybody to use a motor?

 

[lustyd]

I wonder if they expect everybody to use a motor?

If that was the only issue with Zodiacs I’d agree but far from it. I think they expect people to just look at them on davits or on the swim platform of large motor yachts.
That’s assuming the unsuspecting owners manage to blow the bl***y thing up with their utterly stupid valves, of course.

 

[neil_s]

It's quite a few years ago now, but I shortened a pair of standard galvanised rowlocks to fit the sockets on the Zodiac I owned then. Also used a pair of real oars. It really zipped along! I have done the same on the old Redcrest I have now.

 

[B27]

These people seem to stock many different rowlocks
Plastic Collar 35mm with Metal Pin 35mm

Maybe they have something compatible?

 

[yotter]

Same issue here. My solution has been in place for a few years now and so far so good, I can row in a strong wind. A number of years ago, an engineering pal made new collars out of stainless steel. I am not at the boat just now, but these may slide/fit over the plastic ones, will have to take a closer look. I also regularly replace the screws which go into the pin which bend over time, I use hex head A4, its easier to tighten up with an allen key. My latest preventative maintenance was to recently order and fit new aluminium tubes (my only mistake was that I am not sure if they are anodised or not). The new tubes are at least double the wall thickness of the originals. I will try to remember to take and post some photos when at the boat at the weekend.

 

[mattonthesea]

I got some non-zodiac replacement ss rowlocks. Worked well for several years until the corner seams came away from the transom!

 

[penfold]

Rowing flubbers is never going to be a rewarding experience but no maker has ever bettered the Avon pattern rowlock.

 

[lektran]

I've recently ordered stainless steel push button clips to replace the rusty ones that connect the plastic blade to the oar.

They were sold in packs of 8 so I have six to spare, if anyone wants a free pair send me a message and you can pick them up from me at Haslar.

 

[B27]

Rowing flubbers is never going to be a rewarding experience but no maker has ever bettered the Avon pattern rowlock.

What's more rewarding than rowing to the pub?

 

[Stemar]

What's more rewarding than rowing an inflatable dinghy to the pub?

Rowing one of these to the pub?

No, I haven't got one, I have to put up with rowing a horrible flubber, which is why I use the outboard far more than I like.