[C320-list] Zodiac

[Jeff Church]

There's not much current here on Lake Michigan, but I'm beginning to think that I'll get tired of going slow with the 2hp motor. The new 3.5hp Tohatsu for $809 seems to be a better value than the used 4hp Johnson for $530. I'll probably go that route. 

Anyone know a good place to buy a Zodiac? The local dealer wants $1195 for a Zodiac Zoom 260 and $1395 for a Zodiac 260S.

Jeff
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Arthur Gates 
  To: C320-List 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 8:27 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac


  I agree that 2hp is not enough and the 3.5hp Tohatsu would be good.  2hp
  will not cut it against current.
  Rollie  #182


  > [Original Message]
  > From: WindSwept <c320_windswept at sbcglobal.net>
  > To: C320-List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
  > Date: 12/19/06 8:40:10 PM
  > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac
  >
  > I have a 1992 2 HP Yamaha (22 lbs) that I have used on a 8'6" inflatable 
  > without problems in wind and chop.  Not much experience with current
  though. 
  > This rig is called the "one-hour" dink.  It takes 1 hour to get anywhere, 
  > but if you are patient you will usually get there.
  >
  > The new 3.5 HP models from Tohatsu, Nissan and Mercury all weigh around
  40 
  > lbs.  They are all the same except for the name on them.  Since it
  appears 
  > weight is the over riding factor, this seems like a better choice.  You
  will 
  > have more power, no 2-cycle gasoline mixing, much less exhaust and noise. 
  > And a new motor with a 3 year warantee.
  >
  > Check out www.onlineoutboards.com.  They have the 3.5 hp Tohatsu for 810
  and 
  > free shipping.  I have a friend who purchased from this website with 
  > complete satisfaction.
  >
  > I plan on buying the 3.5 HP early in 2007.
  >
  > Larry
  > WindSwept C320 #246
  >
  > ----- Original Message ----- 
  > From: "Jeff Church" <jjemail at comcast.net>
  > To: "C320" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
  > Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 7:20 PM
  > Subject: [C320-list] Zodiac
  >
  >
  > Greetings,
  >
  > I'm going to purchase an 8.5 foot Zodiac inflatable and I'm wondering how 
  > small a motor I can use. I'll mainly use the zodiac when we go cruising
  Lake 
  > Michigan and need to transport the 2 of us around an anchorage. I don't 
  > intend to bother with davits or a crane.
  >
  > I've got a few shoulder problems and I don't look forward to lifting a
  heavy 
  > motor off the dinghy transom and up to the stern perch. Anything much 
  > heavier than 40 pounds will probably be a bit uncomfortable, but I'm 
  > concerned that the smaller motors won't have enough power. A new 2 hp
  motor 
  > is around 27 lbs, 4 hp motors weigh about 55 pounds.
  >
  > Do any of you use a 2 horse motor on an 8 foot zodiac? Is it strong
  enough 
  > to push through some wind and chop in an anchorage, or do I really need a 
  > 3.5 or 4 horse to do the job? What minimum horsepower would you recommend?
  >
  > The local Zodiac dealer has a 1996 Johnson 4 hp 2-cycle for sale. He
  wants 
  > $495 for it. I think it weighs 38 pounds. That puts it at about the same 
  > weight as a new 4-cycle 2.5 to 3.5 hp motor. It doesn't have a reverse
  gear, 
  > but that seems to be fairly common in motors that are under 5 hp. Maybe
  this 
  > motor would be a good choice?
  >
  > Thanks and Happy Holidays
  >
  > JeffC
  >
  >