2011 Zodiac MK 1 - Thoughts?

[SoCalPescador]

Found a used 2011 model for approx. $1200. Owner purchased new and used one time. Then stored (indoors garage) until now. He claims it is in excellent like new condition.

How is the Strongnan Duo Tex material after 10 years?
What are the potential issues with this boat?
Thoughts on this model and its quality?
Repairs still possible if needed?

 

[Sea Rider]

Found a used 2011 model for approx. $1200. Owner purchased new and used one time. Then stored (indoors garage) until now. He claims it is in excellent like new condition.

How is the Strongnan Duo Tex material after 10 years?
What are the potential issues with this boat?
Thoughts on this model and its quality?
Repairs still possible if needed?

Strongan Duotex it's a nice french PVC fabric, well cared for can last for years to come. Need to determine if the fabric is already dried, hardened or still flexible. What's the size ? Can always repair anything inflatable if know how to do it. The only down issue will be if the 2 part glue it was assembled with it's not severely dried as to begin to have ungluing parts such as d'rings, handles, life line, rub strake, internal air baffles and seams being the last 2 the worse to repair. Inflate that Sib to it's recommended working pressure, min 3.0 PSI and hand shake strong all the mentioned parts to check if still holds well, if not, stay away from it as will be dumping money into the deep blue if pan repairing it to a working condition. Post pics to have a look ?

Happy Boating​

 

[SoCalPescador]

It's a 3.5M Mk I Classic series
Was this model constructed using heat welding or glue?

 

[Sea Rider]

It's a 3.5M Mk I Classic series
Was this model constructed using heat welding or glue?

Which year is it ? Zodiac usually builds their inflatables by traditional hand gluing. Did you know that the seam welding procedure uses a gluing tape, sandwiched between the 2 pieces that forms the tube, then the partial pre glued tube is passed between 2 hot rollers for final bonding. Personally don't swear by heat welding, the 8 inflatables that have owned over the years which were hand glued with high quality 2 part glue none achieved ungluing issues due to being correctly inflated all year round.

Happy Boating​

 

[Lars Farbs]

Which year is it ? Zodiac usually builds their inflatables by traditional hand gluing. Did you know that the seam welding procedure uses a gluing tape, sandwiched between the 2 pieces that forms the tube, then the partial pre glued tube is passed between 2 hot rollers for final bonding. Personally don't swear by heat welding, the 8 inflatables that have owned over the years which were hand glued with high quality 2 part glue none achieved ungluing issues due to being correctly inflated all year round.

Happy Boating​

Butt welding first attaches an external polyurethane strip centered over seam (hot air 280C); this is for strength. The second down stream set of pinch rollers hot weld the inner film strip (230C), providing the seal.