[C320-list] Zodiac

[Jeff Church]

Kirk,

I think the Zodiacs are neoprene. Zodiac also owns Avon and those are hypalon. 

The 260 can be had with several floor options. I'm thinking of going with the plywood floor. If I was going to do more long-term cruising I'd want something that was easier to store and inflate on deck. One of my priorities is that the dink have a very stable floor making it easy for my passengers to step into. 

Who else manufactures a good quality inflatable? 

Jeff


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kirk McCullough 
  To: C320-List 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 10:03 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac


  Those seem like good prices, I assume they are for neoprene, not hypalon. 
  The air floor is a great feature, they weigh less than a solid floor and 
  perform very well. Does the 260S have an air floor?

  There are many inflatable manufacturers around these days, so have a good 
  look around.

  Kirk

  Boomerang #124
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Jeff Church" <jjemail at comcast.net>
  To: <argates2nd at earthlink.net>; "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
  Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 7:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac


  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
    >
    >




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