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Old 11 October 2017, 18:59   #1
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Engine size for Zodiac Mark 2

Hi, I am in a quandary about the right engine for me and so I will throw the question out there for the forum to offer advice on.

Firstly we are new to sibs and I am getting in to this by accident. I recovered a vintage mark 2 from a skip and i have done the repairs and it is now holding air nicely.

We are a family of four and intend on using the boat to pootle from cove to cove and along the Mediterranean coast or France and spain. It might be nice to tow the kids on a ring later on but just getting out on the water would be great.

Time to source an engine. We are on a budget. We live in France and I am obliged to take a training course (costing around €400) similar to the RYA Powerboat 2 course if I run any engine above 6hp (although this might be a good investment for our safety) It makes me wonder if a 6hp would be any good on this sib and while I understand we could forget towing the kids, it would be a lower cost option. Would it push alone the sib at a reasonable pace? I can always change for a more powerful engine later on if I feel the need.

Alternatively I buy a second hand 9.9 or 15 and future proof the purchase.

Thanks for any help
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Old 11 October 2017, 21:18   #2
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Specs Say 8hp min rec - 20- 25 rec. Id say 6 is too low, 15 + if you are talking 4 up -2 + 2. any training is worth much more than the required piece of paper.
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Old 11 October 2017, 22:01   #3
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Country: UK - England
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Boat name: Nimrod II
Make: Aerotec 380
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Engine: Yam 15 Tohatsu 9.8
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6hp will give you displacement speeds only.

15hp min to give even a half reasonable plane performance with what I'm guessing is 2 adults and 2 children.

What's the SIB length & transom HP rating? Is it an alloy or wood floor?
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Old 11 October 2017, 22:07   #4
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I regularly drive a small aluminium boat with an old yam 2 S 9.9hp that has been converted to 15hp and it's pretty good, with Two/ three adults in. It's a lovely outboard and starts first pull and had excellent power to weight ratio. If you can find one that that type of old Yam would be a good first engine. David
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Old 12 October 2017, 09:50   #5
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Thanks guys. The boat is 4m20 and wooden floored with an inflatable keel. Transom is rated to 55hp!

I just found out that in Spain I can use up to 13hp with no licensing requirement and we usually camp there as it is cheaper and more to our taste so I think a 9.9 (maybe upped to 15 - cheekily) would suit better. The Med can have some proper chop on it (especially in the afternoons when the wind gets up most days) although tides are less of a worry I believe. Getting home against a wind in the afternoon might be a slog with a 6.

Thanks for your help
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Old 12 October 2017, 09:52   #6
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Here she is

Undergoing cone replacements
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Old 12 October 2017, 12:05   #7
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Ahh OK I wasn't sure if the older Mk.2 models were 4.2m as well. That's quite a large heavy SIB so I'd update my thinking to 20hp+ for a decent performance 4 up on the plane.
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Old 12 October 2017, 17:28   #8
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Yamaha use to do a 2 stroke 13 hp just for the reason you are explaining and all it needs is to adjust a screw to up grade it to a 15 hp I know this because I was bidding on one a couple of years back from a dealer
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Old 12 October 2017, 19:10   #9
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One final question, should i be looking for a short shaft or long shaft engine. I think it should be a short shaft, thanks
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Old 12 October 2017, 19:59   #10
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Its a short shaft.

Ive had a Mk2 and would say that if you want to plane you will need 15hp minimum. A short shaft 25hp 2 stroke would be perfect.
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Old 12 October 2017, 20:50   #11
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I'd opt for 25-30hp 2-stroke. Perfect power to weight ratio, will push 2-up with ease and just about on the limit weight-wise if your building boat from scratch and not trailering. Standard shaft shaft given vintage of Zodiac.
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Old 16 October 2017, 17:58   #12
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My suggestion is a minimum 25 HP lightweight shortshaft 2 stroke if available..15 hp will not plane loaded up due to the hull drag.
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Old 17 October 2017, 07:15   #13
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Thanks guys, i think i will do the training course, get my ticket and know i am keeping my family safe and get myself a 25. In the grand scheme of things €400 is money well spent for the knowledge it will give me.
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Old 17 October 2017, 14:17   #14
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1992 Mk IIC Futura GT

1991 15HP Gamefisher....14 kts 8X8.25

1981 Japan built 25HP Mariner... 24 kts ( under propped by at least 2") 10x10.25

1972 Johnson small head 25 HP pin drive.. 23 kts 9x10

all speeds full fuel, 1 person (200 lbs) tiller... estimated 600 lbs total weight

LOVE that 25 Mariner!!
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