[C320-list] Zodiac
Gary Malcolmson
gary at dupreeinc.com
Wed Dec 20 16:14:45 PST 2006
Jeff,
I'd just like to throw in my $.02. One thing to consider is the
material. My previous boat purchase included a relatively (1-yr old or
so) West Marine brand inflatable that I believe was mfg'd by Zodiac. It
was the standard fabric, not hypalon. When it was about 5 years old the
fabric was starting to reach, what I'd consider, the end. It became
sticky and there wasn't anything you could do about it. Now, granted, I
didn't cover it (nor did the previous owner) and it was exposed to the
elements all year long since we're in So. California.
With our current boat we opted for a Mercury brand inflatable (see:
http://www.inflatableboatbuys.com/mercury%20air%20deck.htm) that has
hypalon material and an inflatable floor. We went with the 2.5 Yamaha 4
stroke; works fine for us - just won't win any races. Was the lightest
I could find that had a forward and neutral gear 9and only 4 stokes are
available in CA. The engine weight is a factor--I just move real
carefully when putting the motor on. I think your choice of the Tohatsu
is just fine. The only thing that I'd ask your dealer is what is
available in hypalon. Perhaps where you are and how you use it, and if
it's not all year long, it won't make a difference. But it is something
to consider.
Good Luck
Gary Malcolmson
C310 #230 "Rhythm"
Jeff Church wrote:
> 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"
> <jjemail at comcast
> .net> To
> Sent by: "C320-List"
> c320-list-bounce <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> s at catalina320.or cc
> g
> Subject
> Re: [C320-list] Zodiac
> 12/20/2006 10:20
> AM
>
>
> Please respond
> to
> C320-List
> <c320-list at catal
> ina320.org>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >--------------------------------
> >The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity
> >to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or
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> >information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient
> >is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the
> >sender and delete the material from any computer.
>
> Pat Moriarty
> PSI Urethanes Inc
> PH: 800-888-5156 Fax: 512-837-8733
> Please visit our web site at
> www.psiurethanes.com
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------
> The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity
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