[C320-list] Zodiac

[Jeff Church]

Guys,

I like the fact that the hi-pressure floor is easier to install but I'm not sure that it amounts to a major factor unless you are doing long distance cruising and need to store the dink on deck. My current thinking is that I would inflate the dink on the dock at the beginning of the season and leave it inflated 'til haul out. It seems unlikely that I would sail in such huge seas that I couldn't tow the dink and needed deflate it.

Last season I traveled 400 miles 2 guys who towed 8' zodiacs behind their boats. We encountered 6 footers and 25-30 knot winds for about 8 hours. They just pulled the bow of the dink up onto the swim platform. No need to deflate it.

Is the hi-pressure floor durable and as stable to step onto as the plywood? Can I pull the engine off the transom and set it down on the floor while I get into position to move onto the swim platform, etc? 

Jeff 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Pat Moriarty 
  To: C320-List 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 11:32 AM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac


  I will agree on the floor installation being a problem with boards. I 
  have an inverter and use a small vacuum to inflate and deflate in 
  just seconds. I then bring the pressure up with just a few strokes of 
  the pump. Everyone stands around and goes damn why didn't I think of 
  that. I then can use the vacuum for messes and water pickup. One tool 
  many uses, also use it on the dog with a Flowbee to cut his hair.

  Pat
  At 11:19 AM 12/20/2006, you wrote:
  >Jeff,
  >
  >I have the 8.5 ft Zodiac currently. I sometimes tow it across San Pedro
  >Channel (about 30 miles), and sometimes leave it on the foredeck. It tows
  >well. You simply have to position it correctly behind you. I use a Yamaha
  >4hp 4 stroke, that weighs about 45 lbs, and plan to get a Garhauer lifting
  >davit. It is not difficult to move from the boat to the dinghy and back,
  >if you're careful and use a tether.  I've seen folks use a vang attached
  >to the end of the boom to aid in the process.
  >
  >As far as flooring is concerned, I would never have a wood floor. Mine is
  >inflatable, with a inflatable keel as well. I've had four adults in it
  >without issue in the coves at Catalina Island. I've seen too many folks
  >struggle trying to install, and remove those wood floors. Some folks have
  >12 volt inflating devices to aid in inflating the craft. Others just use
  >good 'ole foot power.
  >
  >Also, I never tow it with the outboard on it.
  >
  >Wes
  >Spring Fever
  >former 320 #790 now 387 #53
  >
  >
  >
  >              "Jeff Church"
  >              <jjemail at comcast
  >              .net>                                                     To
  >              Sent by:                 "C320" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
  >              c320-list-bounce                                          cc
  >              s at catalina320.or
  >              g                                                    Subject
  >                                       [C320-list] Zodiac
  >
  >              12/19/2006 05:20
  >              PM
  >
  >
  >               Please respond
  >                     to
  >                 C320-List
  >              <c320-list at catal
  >                ina320.org>
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >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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  Pat Moriarty
  PSI Urethanes Inc
  PH: 800-888-5156  Fax: 512-837-8733
  Please visit our web site at
  www.psiurethanes.com