Commencing Specwar 733 Rebuild

[capntroy]

Hello All,

I'll be commencing the rebuilding of a ZHT Specwar 733 hull in a few weeks and am looking for lessons learned from folks who have done this already.

This will be my fourth refurb on a Hurricane, having done two 640's and a 630, but this will be my first 733.

I've stripped the hull and am planning on installing a pair of 150-200hp 4-stroke outboards onto a bracket and moving the console aft and possibly elevating it.

Any construction notes would be greatly appreciated.

Troy

[jyasaki]

Somebody on here did (I think) a 733 a couple of years ago. I seem to recall they were in the northeast, but I can't place a name. Boat name might have been "War Machine"?

A search through the older posts should turn it up. Even if it wasn't a 733, it should give you some ideas.

jky

[prairie tuber]

I believe that would be Pathalla who owns the War Machine. Bryan Peterson does a fair bit of refurbishing of these RIBs as well.

[capntroy]

I found the "War Machine" posts, it's not a 733, good info though....

[OceanEco]

733's max horsepower is twin 150's..... Although I have see a few with with twin 200's(Opti Max). It sounds like it was a diesel inboard/outboard that you are converting to outboards?? Outboard extensions are the way to go. Sunrider on this forum has re-fubed a few 733's. They are an awesome boat. Good Luck

[sunrider]

Yes, I've reconditioned some of these and the smaller ZHT's, and also the Willard 7 meters which are almost identical as I'm sure you know. With your experience on the other Zodiac's I'm sure you will find the 733 very familiar and I doubt you will run into any unique challenges. Are you looking for a setup similar to the CZ7, with the raised deck, Ullmans or pods, and ergonomic console along with the transom extension?

At the moment I'm working on one that is probably the identical boat as yours, that I've had for a couple of years....also converting from inboard to twin outboards. I like the concept you may be working toward but can't resist playing with some ideas for using the original engine compartment for a multi-use mini cabin/storage and/or head area - and I've also rebuilt the aft deck to mount a Stidd Special Mission Seat. But I've gotten sidetracked by a couple of other projects, including one of the Willards (a jet) that should be ready by spring if this Iowa weather will lighten up a bit (windchills of -20 tonight!).

I would be happy to share any info or resources I might have...just let me know the specifics. best of luck ....
bryan

[learning to fly]

Bryan, do you still have the avon 5.4 You were going to refurb that one too. I have the sister ship of that and am finally deciding on a back seat to have made for it. Its tough when you got a few to finish and cant get to them all

[sunrider]

Yes, I do. I've honestly never had it in the water, or one like it, so really look forward to the day when it rises to the top of the project list. From what our British friends say it must be one of the best designs ever to meet the water...really looking forward to it - and the tubes still hold air even though it's sat for several years now!

[enwulff]

I just refurbished the tubes on a 630 using tuffcoat, they came out pretty good, no need to buy new tubes. I have pics posted on here.

[capntroy]

Bryan, thanks for the information...
I'm going for a setup similar to the whalewatching ribs, with a raised console and coxswain platform as far aft as possible. I might even place it so far aft that the helmsman is nearly standing on the transom.
I read some of your earlier posts concerning the outboard bracket, are you going to fab one yourself from ZHT schematics? Just for grins, did you have ZHT quote you out on one of the brackets? I'll bet it's scary expensive.....
I was fortunate enough to find an unused specwar tube and do some horsetrading for it. I'm sure that will be my last opportunity to save some cash for the rest of this conversion
Troy