Sticky inflatable dinghy

[alanporter]

I have a fiveyear old inflatable made by Zodiac under the brand name OMC. A sticky glue-like material is exuding through the fabric onto the outer surface, making the boat look an absolute mess. OMC has gone out of business and, as Zodiac built it to OMC specifications and not their own, they won't accept any warranty liability. Has anyone had this experience ? and how did you deal with it ? Ordinary inflatable cleaners won't even touch it. Suggestions most welcome.

Alan Porter

 

[ccscott49]

I have had the same problem, but with a zodiac one, I think it's the actual fabric breaking down in the sun, the only way I can get it off, is with jif kitchen cleaner, forget the inflatable boat cleaners, useless. The only thing to stop it is a cover so far. Zodiac just don't want to know. It's one of the new ones, not hypalon, there own plastic reinforced stuff, which is designed, so they can be welded, instead of glued, making them cheaper to produce, but in my opinion not better than the old ones. I will not be buying another zodiac! That is for sure and now avon is owned by them, I guess they will go the same way.

 

[Chris_Robb]

You get the same problem with anything plastic left out in the sun. Typically fenders and plastic covers to guard rails all go sticky eventually. Hypalon - the old traditional material for making inflatables was very good in the sun. the new plastic requires to be kept out of the sun.

Not sure that you can do anything about it, as this is actually the chemical decomposition of the material in the sun.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Time to replace it...

Mine went the same way - left exposed to the light all the time. The next thing you'll find is that tiny 'pin-holes' start appearing everywhere. So unless you want an unreliable tender that looks like a patch-work quilt then you must replace it. Buy a cover for it at the same time if you intend to leave it out and inflated - it'll be cheaper in the long run!

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Time to replace it...

Mine is only three years old!! Is that all a £2900 Zodiac lasts, 3 years? I'll be a very pissed off bear if thats the case, I could have bought 2 "cheap" ones made of hypalon for that! I will next time! The handles came off mine within two years, I found no glue underneath them, just around the edges, I will never buy another Zodiac, that is for sure, even the kips on the fitted bags are aluminium, they lasted 9 months, Zodiacs answer, "they are not designed for salt water, sir".

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Time to replace it...

Mine is only three years old!! Is that all a £2900 Zodiac lasts, 3 years? I'll be a very pissed off bear if thats the case, I could have bought 2 "cheap" ones made of hypalon for that! I will next time! The handles came off mine within two years, I found no glue underneath them, just around the edges, I will never buy another Zodiac, that is for sure, even the zips on the fitted bags are aluminium, they lasted 9 months, Zodiacs answer, "they are not designed for salt water, sir".

 

[JerryHawkins]

Re: Time to replace it...

Mine was a Quicksilver which I got second-hand 3 years ago and it looked old then! I've just replaced it with another Quicksilver (270 Airdeck - just under £700).

Hypalon is the expensive stuff, PVC is the cheaper stuff. Equivalent Avon to mine is nearer £1,400, but would be much more resistant to UV than the PVC is (Zodiacs are PVC - different manufacturers call their material something different - usually with a name ending in "TEX"). I would rather buy 2 @ £700 than 1 @ £1,400 in case (a) it gets nicked or (b) gets damaged in other ways. At the end of the day, you 'pays your money and takes your choice'. I don't think I'd be tempted to go for the £300-£400 ones - there are still good and bad PVC ones!

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Time to replace it...

The hypalon boats are normally now cheaper than the Zodiacs and Avons, (remember Zodiac now owns Avon) But the Zodiacs are PVC. The hypalon boats were expensive, because they were labour intensive, in France and UK, but built elsewhere with much lower labour rates, they are cheaper and don't need expensive laser welding techiniques etc. They can be glued with two pack glues and cut with normal tools. The next boat I buy, will be hypalon, one of the cheaper far east or eastern europe ones, hand built, I'll have a damn good look at them and will also buy a RIB next time, (less fabric toi wear or deteriorate. I really am not happy with this Zodiac and only bought it because I had an old model, which was still in excellent condition after six years, but I wanted a new one, mistake! I should have kept the old one, is was hypalon! You live and learn I guess.

 

[Joe_Cole]

Try Polymarine. I've found them very helpful and knowledgable on all things inflatable.

Sorry, I haven't got their number to hand. If you can't find it shout up and I'll dig through the archives.

Regards

Joe Cole

 

[sparkie]

I had exactly the same problem with a 1985(!) model I bought 4 years ago- at the time it was confined to the (black) bottom but has recently spread to the (orange) sides. The black probably the first to go due to absorbing more UV (??). Sticky deposit that reappeared no matter how well I cleaned it.

Anyway, spoke to Zodiac, who were very helpful, and suggested thorough cleaning of surface and then repainting. Contacted Polymarine, they sold me some MKS (I think- the label's fallen off) solvent cleaner and some black flexible boat paint. Worked a treat- two coats I think from memory did the trick- it's lasted four years so far anyway and I'm just about to do the sides before next season. Other colours are available I think, so you should be able to get a match.

Good luck

Don't despair!

Sparkie

 

[FlyingSpud]

Re: Time to replace it...

Watch out for the size of the sides with the cheap inflatables, they are often a smaller circumference and as a result you get soaked, I know, last one I gought was a cheap far eastern type. I have replaced it now, with an Avon..