The buoyancy tube - one of the most crucial elements of all inflatable and semi-rigid boats - is always at the centre of our thoughts.
Continually seeking to improve the design of our boats, working closely with our suppliers and university research, we are delighted to announce the release of a new polyurethane-based fabric, SHARC™ DUOTEX™.
This new kind of fabric is exclusive to Zodiac. It is made up of a polyester rot-proof, DUOTEX™ textile backing ("panama"-type), (2 threads on woof and 2 threads on warp) providing extraordinary strength, and a polyurethane-based coating, giving an especially tough new product.
Very simple to clean thanks to new chemical compounds, the buoyancy tube will look new for longer. Simply wipe with a sponge to restore its original appearance. This new appearance will also be an important benefit when selling the boat.
The textile backing used, as well as the products used for coating, gives the fabric a very pleasant "sharkskin" feel.
Filling up with petrol, moored in a port where the water isn't too clean, products spilled on the buoyancy tube: all these risk damaging the fabric. With its excellent resistance to solvents, oils and hydrocarbons, SHARC™ DUOTEX™ always stays spotless.
Subject to everyday wear (rubbing against quays and rocks, etc), buoyancy tube fabric can end up getting worn out through abrasion or tearing. Thanks to the mechanical properties of its components and the textile framework used in its manufacture, SHARC™ DUOTEX™ provides much higher than average resistance to abrasion and tearing.
The use of polyurethane in the construction of the buoyancy tube increases its resistance to ultraviolet rays, ozone and the cold. Even after many years outside, the appearance and strength of the buoyancy tube will remain immaculate.
The advent of Strongan™ Duotex™ had already increased air tightness in buoyancy tubes, no longer needing to be topped up with air every day. Even better still, SHARC™ DUOTEX™ can retain pressure for several days (depending on temperature variations).
Using the thermobonding assembly principle, invented by Zodiac for PVC fabric, SHARC™ DUOTEX™ also offers constant quality thanks to this industrial process for manufacturing buoyancy tubes.
The strong adhesion of the fabric makes small repairs easy. Just clean the area and stick on the patch provided with every boat.
SHARC™ DUOTEX™ is used for all Zodiac boats over 6 metres as well as the luxury tenders (Projet and Yachtline Deluxe).
