Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

[Sea Rider]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

It's very difficult with age or being non athlete to climb onboard without a ladder or any other means, the bigger the tubes in diameter the worst. While bathing, one easy way is with fins, just place yourself next to middle tube, flutter vigorously upwards till your naval reaches at least middle tube, lean forward and you are miraculously inside deck. Minuteman, will doubt doing so right now as in the good old days

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Heh...heh...roger that.

It's very difficult with age or being non athlete to climb onboard without a ladder or any other means

Here's an idea I'm going to try after seeing the Sea Rider post/picture above.

Inflatable rope ladder.

1) 2" webbing approx 23' long (red) run through all 4 handles
2) 2" webbing approx 12' long (green) is loose and tied in knots to assist pulling self up

The concept is to place one foot in the red and use the green to pull oneself up and into boat.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Zodie,

Degrading means sanding a bit tube's fabric where suction cups will be glued. The glue that comes with boat is generally a 1 part emergency glue, if it were a 2 part long lasting glue, long time ago glue tube would be dried out. Can place any good quality brand handles compatible with pvc fabric.

To glue extra accesories on tubes in a pro way, will need mek to clean fabric, 2 part glue, proper tools to flaten parts on top fabric to take air bubbles out, correct room temperature and of course skilled aptitudes if wanting glued part to last. My experience recommendation would be to contact a boat shop to do it, tell them where you want all your accesories to be professional glued. Probably an ouuuch price, who said boating was cheap...

Happy Boating

No no, I got a brand new package of Original Zodiac marine glue which is two parts, one tin with glue and one little brown bottle with hardener which are to be mixed together. So you aer saying its not easy then?

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Hi, you say that you want to install 2 more handles, I suggest to have them installed on the inside of the tubes after the transom like in this picture http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_boat_sd330.asp this way will be easier for 2 people to move the boat around.
Now a stupid question regarding the cups for the Bimini top, if they are suction cups why do you have to glue them? If you really have to glue them at least them have this done by a shop, there is allot of stress in them when the Bimini is up and is windy.
Good luck with your project

I cant glue handles inside becasue my boat has two back handles and no front handles .I need to install them upfront so it is easier to carry if we need to when we dont care to use launch wheels.

I never knew boating could be so expensive and such a pain in the hiney.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Gluing handles on the inside of the tube's end cones is for carrying sib without attached engine on transom by 2 people, 340 has a tight space, so probably engine will impede proper maneuverability while using both handles. You have already 2 handles at back, will need 2 more up front.

Happy Boating

I wont put anything back there. I need them upfront. We dont carry boat by handles but when washing sometimes we need to do this with handles and its a pain in the neck as it is now. Plus I blieve the handles will be useful for other purposes.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

I hope I'm not asking a stupid question here, but, do you really need a ladder? Seems like just one more thing to clutter up what are usually tight quarters. I had a 15'-6" Zodiac back in the 1980's that I used for SCUBA diving off the coast here (San Diego). We used to ditch tanks and weight belt and either hand them to someone on board or fasten to a line off the transom and then just swing a leg over the side tube and roll in. It was pretty easy (although I was in my 30's then).

I am no spring chicken and even when I was I still dont think I can scale a 50 ruond tube . I have tried it a difficult thing. I can get up part but not all the way in, and especially with sun tan lation well slipery diperey do. This ladder takes up absolutely ZERO space on the boat as i use it as a bracket to hold the gas tank behind me and it lays flat in the boat and that space is not utilized except for the tank. So its not even noticeable. And my daddy always told me, no questions are stupid questions

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

It's very difficult with age or being non athlete to climb onboard without a ladder or any other means, the bigger the tubes in diameter the worst. While bathing, one easy way is with fins, just place yourself next to middle tube, flutter vigorously upwards till your naval reaches at least middle tube, lean forward and you are miraculously inside deck. Minuteman, will doubt doing so right now as in the good old days

Happy Boating

That is exactly the thing, the Zodiac 340 cadet has 50cm tubes the largest of all the boats in this category, hence my choosing it Its very stable, but getting back in is a no can do. Even with someone atheletic I think it will be a chore.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Heh...heh...roger that.



Here's an idea I'm going to try after seeing the Sea Rider post/picture above.

Inflatable rope ladder.

1) 2" webbing approx 23' long (red) run through all 4 handles
2) 2" webbing approx 12' long (green) is loose and tied in knots to assist pulling self up

The concept is to place one foot in the red and use the green to pull oneself up and into boat.

That may surely work I think. That is about the idea I had more or less but with ropes tieing this ladder.

 

[ZIZON]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Heh...heh...roger that.



Here's an idea I'm going to try after seeing the Sea Rider post/picture above.



Inflatable rope ladder.

1) 2" webbing approx 23' long (red) run through all 4 handles
2) 2" webbing approx 12' long (green) is loose and tied in knots to assist pulling self up

The concept is to place one foot in the red and use the green to pull oneself up and into boat.

Hi pack Rat,
your boat is the same as my boat, it comes with a lot of D rings, just tie it all like this picture, it is very easy for you you get on the boat.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

I am SOO jealous of all those nice d rings and all those handles. I haev to pay thru my hiney to get additional items and also to have it glued on. the boat people said expect 300 euros just to glue it on, 100 euros per hour. that is about how I would like my ladder to be on but its alu not wood.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Yeap, glue 2 up front, the exact place you need them, it's not so difficult to glue, what you need to do is place handles paralell to floor, mark with a pen the contour of the handles where yo want them to be glued, follow gluing instructions, mix well 2 part glue, with a soft mediun brush, brush interior marked handles on tubes and under handles as well, let dry some minutes, repeat procedure once more, let dry untill glue feels tacky to touch.

With extreme care position handles inside marked area, press handles against fabric, place spoon at center and rub spoon sideways, repeat for all handle sides The spoon is to take all bubles out that might be trapped between handle and fabric and glue well. You could use acetone to clean fabric and handles prior applying glue. You don't need lots of glue on fabric nor handles, just spread evenly with brush. Handles are nice for hand teahold while on water next to sib. A pro experienced shop could glue both handles in 1/2 hour.

Happy Boating

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Zodiac340m, do not be afraid of attempting to fasten patches on your boat. Look at:
http://www.boatstogo.com/PVCrepair.asp

There are other good sets of instructions on the web also. You must follow the instructions closely, but it is not rocket science.

You have invested in a very nice ladder, and you will need d-rings to attach it to your boat properly. Forget the "what I would use in place of a ladder" suggestions and concentrate on using the nice ladder you purchased. It appears that there is a snap attached meant to fasten to a d-ring, so the intent of the ladder manufacturer is pretty clear.

It is my understanding that using the proper solvent helps the cement adhere to the fabric, so no sanding of the PVC should be required which would possibly weaken your fabric. Basically you sand hypalon but not PVC. The glue job does require a range of temperature and humidity for the best bond, so you may have to work indoors.

After you mark the location where you want the patch, mask off the area with tape. Do not know if blue 3M masking tape is available in your area, but my dealer uses that product to mask off the area he is glueing.

Go ahead and give it a try. My bet is that a lady will be more careful in following insttructions than most men, so you will handle the project well. Just use a heavy duty d-ring patch.

Here is a video of an actual glue job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOBPYfMywA

 

[galatian]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

The best place to get D-rinsg for the money is West -Marine I've added 6 big ones for $2,99 each and now I'm waiting for 8 litlle one (1") for $o,99 each so if you have relatives here you can get them and have some real glue also

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

The more I think about this, the more I believe you would be best served by attaching your ladder to an eye bolt through the transom. That is simple, inexpensive, and would cause no strain to the boat fabric or floorboards.

You could use a strap around the floorboards as someone mentioned, but that may present problems when inflating the boat.

By doing this, you would not have to decide where to glue on d-rings without putting a strain on the boat fabric.

We have probably overthought this project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab-2QAahn3w

 

[jondavies]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Althought the model is quite simple, the disadvantage is that when climbing on board the bottoms steps tend to go under tubes.

Most of the time I have fins on I can kick back into the boat but I have a stirup ladder for emergencies (eg. MOB). I made one out of rope and with 6" of PVC pipe in the middle for the step. I hook it to an eye bolt on the inside of the transom and I can use the top of the rope to haul myself up as I step up.

The trick is not to make the ladder too long. The step should be just below the waterline (maybe 8" or so). That way it doesn't swing under the boat when you step on it.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

The trick is not to make the ladder too long. The step should be just below the waterline (maybe 8" or so). That way it doesn't swing under the boat when you step on it.

Could be shorter or longer, will depend on the bather's height, climbing onboard fast it's a matter of synchronizing step & belt pull so it doesn't swing under the tubes.

Happy Boating

 

[jondavies]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

I'd say that's too long. Even at 1.9m tall, I find it much easier to board with the stirrup just below the waterline. YMMV obviously.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Zodiac340m, do not be afraid of attempting to fasten patches on your boat. Look at:
http://www.boatstogo.com/PVCrepair.asp

There are other good sets of instructions on the web also. You must follow the instructions closely, but it is not rocket science.

You have invested in a very nice ladder, and you will need d-rings to attach it to your boat properly. Forget the "what I would use in place of a ladder" suggestions and concentrate on using the nice ladder you purchased. It appears that there is a snap attached meant to fasten to a d-ring, so the intent of the ladder manufacturer is pretty clear.

It is my understanding that using the proper solvent helps the cement adhere to the fabric, so no sanding of the PVC should be required which would possibly weaken your fabric. Basically you sand hypalon but not PVC. The glue job does require a range of temperature and humidity for the best bond, so you may have to work indoors.

After you mark the location where you want the patch, mask off the area with tape. Do not know if blue 3M masking tape is available in your area, but my dealer uses that product to mask off the area he is glueing.

Go ahead and give it a try. My bet is that a lady will be more careful in following insttructions than most men, so you will handle the project well. Just use a heavy duty d-ring patch.

Here is a video of an actual glue job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOBPYfMywA

WOW, that is a wealth of information you gave me. I read it all. Was going to use a boat protector just after the boat dried and now I will hold off on it until I glue some of the stuff. Have you personally glued anything on your boat? I will get the original zodiac D rings as they seem really high quality and to squinge on money and get check crap is not worth it.

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

Yeap, glue 2 up front, the exact place you need them, it's not so difficult to glue, what you need to do is place handles paralell to floor, mark with a pen the contour of the handles where yo want them to be glued, follow gluing instructions, mix well 2 part glue, with a soft mediun brush, brush interior marked handles on tubes and under handles as well, let dry some minutes, repeat procedure once more, let dry untill glue feels tacky to touch.

With extreme care position handles inside marked area, press handles against fabric, place spoon at center and rub spoon sideways, repeat for all handle sides The spoon is to take all bubles out that might be trapped between handle and fabric and glue well. You could use acetone to clean fabric and handles prior applying glue. You don't need lots of glue on fabric nor handles, just spread evenly with brush. Handles are nice for hand teahold while on water next to sib. A pro/experienced shop could glue both handles in 1/2 hour.

Happy Boating

The guy at the only place that repairs inflatables said it will be about 300 euros for the 4 d rings and the two handles. And I often wonder IF he will do the job as good as I may try to do it?

 

[zodiac340m]

Re: Where to install a Ladder on a Zodiac SIB?

The best place to get D-rinsg for the money is West -Marine I've added 6 big ones for $2,99 each and now I'm waiting for 8 litlle one (1") for $o,99 each so if you have relatives here you can get them and have some real glue also

WHATTTTT that cheap? Are they compatible to all inflatable boat materials?