Hello all, I picked up a 5 year old Zodiac 340 Fastroller over the weekend that appeared to be in good shape until I deflated it for the first time. My understanding is that there are 3 tubes + keel + floor. However, when I opened just the side valve to deflate it also deflated the front chamber (what I think is a separate chamber).Has anyone here ever dealt with a compromised bulkhead? If so, what did it cost to get it repaired (I'm assuming this is something I won't be able to do myself).Thanks.
Brion, Before you panic about having a blown out bulkhead, pump the rear (side) tubes up to about 1 1/2 psi (about 1/2 regular pressure). Leave the valve open in the front section. Leave the boat sit in an area where the temperature is stable for 24 hours, then check to see how firm the tubes still are. If they haven't sagged a whole lot I wouldn't worry about it. A bit of seepage is quite common. Remember the bulkheads are really only there to let you get to safety in the event of a tube puncture, not to spend the day on the water with a flat tube. Let me know what the results of your test are?Cheers, Snow.
Hello all, I picked up a 5 year old Zodiac 340 Fastroller over the weekend that appeared to be in good shape until I deflated it for the first time. My understanding is that there are 3 tubes + keel + floor. However, when I opened just the side valve to deflate it also deflated the front chamber (what I think is a separate chamber).Has anyone here ever dealt with a compromised bulkhead? If so, what did it cost to get it repaired (I'm assuming this is something I won't be able to do myself).Thanks.
OOPS!!
Sorry, what I meant to post was...............
You have got me a bit worried.
I too have just brought a used Fastroller (3.1).
I think I only have two tubes that inflate (the main side ones) as it is a smaller boat. I too have an inflatable floor and keel.
When I inflated it in my garden both tubes seem to blow up from the one valve. The instructions did say that each tube should only be inflated 50% before doing the other.
What is the construction of the tubes? Is each tube completely separate from each other.
I am confused.
thanks
There is a fabric baffle between the two tubes. As the boat nears the end of its life the baffle fails. The baffle can also fail due to pumping one tube up to full inflation without having any air in the other tube.
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Elvin
My answers are like Zen...It may not be the answer you want, but it is generally the answer you need.
My Three Rules:
1) Look in your service manual first.
2) Have basic mechanical skill.
3) If you are confused, take your engine into a dealer.
Bulkhead repair?
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