Installing replacing a transom on your Zodiac inflatable boat

Thank you for joining me on this transom installation tutorial. If you purchased a transom from us at GasHopper or just in the process of installing one on your boat, this tutorial is perfect for you. This process took 3 days to install but can be cut down to 2 days. I choose to do it in 3 days due to other repairs in the shop and making sure everything is sealed up properly.
The boat used is a 1999 Zodiac Mark 2 Grand Raid where the transom was starting to separate in the layers and was a poorly maintained the boat.
Every parts that was glued was prepped before making of this tutorial. All areas getting glued were sanded down with 120 grit sandpaper and wiped down with MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).
When applying the glue shown, use 3-4 layers and follow manufacturer instructions between application times.
If you need a replacement transom for your inflatable boat, we at GasHopper Inc. can replace the one you have with a stronger, epoxy sealed and gel-coated finished one.
Visit our website for more details.
www.gashopperin...
follow us on instagram and facebook
music by audionautix.com

[@dalepeter8392]

Great job, I have a 14 foot Zodiac Hypalon with a rotten bare plywood transom. I will make a new glass over plywood transom use the same glue like your video.

[@gashopperinc]

We make our transoms from highly quality marine plywood which are epoxy coated and gelcoat sealed. We do make the glass ones with wood cores also. But they are usually pricey to make, but all depends on the methods you use and the access to fiberglass supplies.

[@master_Blaster91]

I have just aquired a zodiac MK1C 1988 dinghy the transom board and boat are in good condition only the transom seals that are attached to the inflatable have detached from the inflatable can you give me some advice on how to repair them.

[@gashopperinc]

You would have to send me pictures so I can see what your dealing with.

[@master_Blaster91]

@@gashopperinc how do I do that I would really appreciate your advice .

[@bummegloves5156]

You sir are a badass! Thank you for the vid

[@OSINOWOOlatunji]

What is the best PVC glue materials to use on a transform The names of the glue please

[@atdi72]

Just about to do this job, great vid thanks mate. :)

[@jorgelattof6101]

Hola, me gustó mucho el video. Tengo el mismo problema. Tengo varias preguntas si me quieres ayudar. De qué pintura esta recubierta la madera del espejo? Qué pegamento me recomiendas? Muchas gracias desde Suecia.

[@gashopperinc]

Hope the translation was correct, but the paint we use is a gelcoat paint or epoxy paint for the new transoms we make. Glue, all depends on the fabric of the boat. Z7096 for PVC Z7098 for Hypalon

[@MC-cd8ni]

Thanks for the video. Great info. I have a leak at the unction of the bottom and inner channel of the tube. Its not glued anymore, I can feel air pockets. Do I have to reglue the whole transom?

[@gashopperinc]

Depending on how far the glue has come off, you could get away just regluing that area. But it recommended that you should remove and reglue areas that have come loose to ensure a good bond and strength to the area's getting repaired.

[@chefpetey]

MAY I ASK? What would you think of mounting a SWIVEL SEAT into one of the aluminum floor boards of my CLASSIC MK 1? Feasible?

[@gashopperinc]

I seen it done many time. Either bolt the seats posts to the aluminum floors or use rivnuts and bolt them in.

[@tyfab6288]

Thanks so much for these videos! I am about to do mine soon. What paint do you use on the transom so that the PVC glue does not melt it?

[@gashopperinc]

Great question, we use gelcoat or epoxy paint. Depends on the application and how bad we want to smell the shop up. Gelcoat is bad for that, lately we been moving to the epoxy paint as it's got less odor and smell when in the curing process.

[@tyfab6288]

@@gashopperinc Amazing, thanks for the response!

[@hamishmclaren5886]

I noted in the video you used a PVC glue to glue the hypalon onto the transom and then switched to using a hypalon glue to glue the hypalon-to-hypalon parts. I have a small area of hypalon to repair back into the painted aluminium hull, is a hypalon glue such as Bostik 2405 hypalon glue acceptable to use? I’d appreciate your opinion. I just want to do the job properly.

[@gashopperinc]

You can try to use the Bostic 2405 glue, as I'm sure it's the same as Zodiac Z7098. Zodiac does get there glue from Bostik Adhesives. Only thing, is I'm not sure how well it bonds to aluminum. I know with gelcoat surfaces, the Hypalon Glue will bonds very good. For surfaces I'm unsure of if bonding is questionable, I usually go towards the PVC glues as they seem to bond almost everything together.

[@cerj1979]

Great tutorial, im about to do mine, need to do the transom and couple d-rings... how many oz. do you recommed, 4, 8, quart ????Also you think is necesary to seal the edges around transom and patches to prevent small leaks? just for precaution.

[@gashopperinc]

Thank you. I recommend a pint to quart if doing a complete transom. This way you'll have extra for any other stuff that's needs to be put back on or together. Yes, the more you can seal around the transom the better and will provide extra strength in the process.

[@cerj1979]

@@gashopperinc thanks.👌

[@hkvanx]

nice....what's the purpose of drain hole if you seal shut and cant take them out?

[@gashopperinc]

To drain the boat of course. Every try to drain a boat filled water after a good rain storm? They get pretty heavy and when you try to flip them over, you can potentially rip out a handles or damage the boat. Drain are there for that purpose.

[@TimE-01724]

Am I able to do each section one at a time? Like just the bottom one day then the sides the next, then the bottom flaps, then side support flaps? Or do you prefer to do all at once?

[@gashopperinc]

the more you do in steps, the better the the outcome. we usually take 3 days to do transom installs.

[@juanpa980]

How long did you wait after applying the glue ?

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

It all depends on the glue and the temp of the room you are in. However, usually about five mins or (Until it is tacky like scotch tape)...The only odd thing about this video is that it took THREE days! It really should only take about a few hrs, and then strapped together overnight, then ready.

[@amsterdamrico]

Do you need to let it sit for some time in between the layers?

[@gashopperinc]

Yes, each manufacturer has a suggested waiting time before each layer application, consult there directions when using.

[@davewilliam7324]

Three coats? the stabond directs say two coats. AM I missing something here?

[@gashopperinc]

Not missing anything at all. Some of the older glues wanted 3 layers. Zodiac PVC glues especially want 3 layers. That's why I recommend following the manufacturers directions when using the choice of glue for the install. When in doubt, just use 3.

[@davewilliam7324]

@@gashopperinc Great thanks!

[@droiddullaghan4814]

Yer the 3rd coat😁

[@jos7068]

Can you give a long term feedback about the resistance at sea ?

[@gashopperinc]

What do you mean? In regards to longevity and lasting, these transoms repairs can last at least 5+ years if done properly. I have customers who are going on 10+ years with no issues. But it's how they care for their inflatable. We give 5 year warranty if new transom is purchased, 1 year if using preexisting transom. That's using either of the 2 glues listed in the tutorial. Prep, and clean surfaces are the biggest step to making the glue adhere and last.

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

@@gashopperinc yes, but you also have to make sure that the wood of the transom is dry. That is the most important thing when using the same transom.

[@gashopperinc]

@Camping Wilder yes that is true. Thank you for pointing what I left out. Dry transom is the only way the glue will stick.

[@kizzawizza4013]

It is not the clearest video, but it looks like you didn't clean it completely?

[@gashopperinc]

It was cleaned the best it was gonna get. Can only spend so much time cleaning. Anyways, transom is still strong and client has been using it daily for work.

[@kieranmcgrath6148]

Ah ok so glue off, but stains remain, cheers for the reply, this video will be helpful to me in the next week :)

[@catfish_lude]

Could this handle a 15?

[@gashopperinc]

This is a Zodiac Grand Raid, and is rated for a 40HP, so a 15 wouldn't be a problem.

[@catfish_lude]

@@gashopperinc damm, so I could put a 40 on my 3m🤣

[@gashopperinc]

What's the ID plate call for??? This one is rated for a 40HP max. Yours could be different, just follow what the ID plate says. If you go above the max rated HP, then you could have stability and handling problems.

[@carsonsflyinghigh]

@@catfish_lude I have a 40 on mine....put a fin on er to get up on the step with 4 persons...works well..TILL the GD trasum tore off..

[@catfish_lude]

@@carsonsflyinghigh 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@carsonsflyinghigh]

Great vid..TY....I gone an' fuced up and left the motor up on tilt all winter...she eventually tore the transom off!!! GDI...DO YOU have any thoughts on just reglueing it back on? What product do we use to remove old glue? TX again

[@gashopperinc]

As long as the original transom is solid and no rot, can easily be glued back in. Just have to remove all the old glue and clean the surfaces from any debris or greases, and you should be good to go. Cleaning and prep are the most important for any repairs to these boats.