Buying an old zodiac

mallen · 10 September 2018, 08:23

Hello

I am considering buying an old zodiac classic mk 2 but I’m having trouble determine how old it is as I don’t have the HIN.

I have attached some photos of the boat ( I don't know how to upload them to this page)

Could you please help me determine the age.

Martin

Fenlander · 10 September 2018, 08:33

Sometime in the 1990s? By around 2000 they had changed the Zodiac logo.

brveagle · 10 September 2018, 15:15

I would guess early to mid 90's.

my 1996 zodiac mk2 has some small differences than what you posted.

mallen · 10 September 2018, 15:47

So early 90's. Now the big question: is it anything worth or will I most likely end up with a couple of separated pieces of pvc within a few years?

brveagle · 10 September 2018, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mallen

So early 90's. Now the big question: is it anything worth or will I most likely end up with a couple of separated pieces of pvc within a few years?

Some of the forum experts can chime in, but i believe this model mk2 is hypalon. If it was PVC, it prob wouldn't still be around.

I am in the USA, so i am sure prices are not comparable, but i would recommend an older hypalon zodiac compared to a new pvc inflatable.

my two cents.

Orwell boy · 10 September 2018, 17:07

sorry to appear a little dim here but would,nt the CE 06/ 07 refer to the year 2006 2007 ???

spartacus · 10 September 2018, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

sorry to appear a little dim here but would,nt the CE 06/ 07 refer to the year 2006 2007 ???

This is not a 2006/2007 boat. What you're looking at is a MKII Tourer S, probably circa late 80s or early 90s.

Couple of things that give this away. Zodiac renamed the Tourer the Classic, plus the hull plates they use now come with XDC prefix which were apparently introduced in 1994. The badge is original logo design too.

Question earlier about hypalon material. Not as far as I'm aware. These were PVC boats. Grand Raids were manufactured in hypalon with inter-communicating inflation valves.

C-NUMB · 11 September 2018, 08:00

If the plate is original, probably a 1994 or later. On the plate there is the text "directive 94/25/CE " That directive is dated 16.06.1994 so the plate is probably older than that. Maybe the specification was known before, so can be slightly before but doubt much before that date? Looking at spartacus message it would make sense that it is a ca 1994 boat.

mallen · 11 September 2018, 08:17

Thank you all of for helping me.
I’m going to make the 250 km drive up to take a closer look at it this weekend. Is the glue between transom and pontoons the major concern or are there any other areas I should pay special attention to? I know pvc doesn’t last forever but living in Denmark the UV index never gets really high and as far as I know, Zodiacs have a good reputation due to their welding methods.