[C320-list] Zodiac
Jeff Church
jjemail at comcast.net
Wed Dec 20 14:22:01 PST 2006
Thanks Wes (and everyone else who helped).
After much cogitation over all the comments, I think I'll go with a Zodiac instead of one of the cheaper brands, and I'll get the Aero floor. The Aero floor would probably be a little more convenient than plywood because we could stow the dink deflated for the first 3 or 4 days of a trip. The first few harbors on our route are crowded marinas that can be a pain to maneuver in and out of. After that, we end up anchoring out in more rural areas where we could easily inflate the dink and use it to get to shore.
The local dealer wants $1450 for the 2007 Zoom 260 Aero and he'll sell me a Tohatsu 3.5 for $929. I can save a couple of hundred bucks if I buy online, but I'd rather buy from a local guy with a good reputation and hope for better service.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: Wes.Giles at averydennison.com
To: C320-List
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Zodiac
Jeff,
I think the inflatable floor is as stable as the wood floor. I set the
outboard on the floor from the swim platform then to the dinghy transom
and in reverse when leaving. I've never had a problem. The floor is very
stiff and strong when fully inflated. One other thing. I know the
inflatable floor is not slippery when wet, but I don't know about the wood
ones. You do make a good point about leaving it inflated for the season.
If you don't inflate and deflate each trip it doesn't much matter how
difficult the process is if you only do it once a season.
Regarding your comments about pulling the nose of the dinghy up to the
swim platform underway, I do the same when necessary.
Wes
"Jeff Church"
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g
Subject
Re: [C320-list] Zodiac
12/20/2006 10:20
AM
Please respond
to
C320-List
<c320-list at catal
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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
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