Hi, a little advice please for complete novice

[Zed_Head]

Hi all, completely new to boating but after spending quite a bit of time in the Lake District last and this summer i decided to buy myself an inflatable for use mainly on the lakes and the odd run out on saltwater.

I bought an old Hypalon Zodiac Zed (1980's) that can take a max 10hp motor that has a transom of 15".

The person i bought the boat off was also selling an Evinrude 15hp long shaft in pristine condition at a price i couldn't refuse. The weight isn't an issue as the 15hp Evinrude weighs the same as the 9.9hp now i know mounting the motor on this size transom will cause some issue's (not to mention the extra 5hp in power!) so im wanting advice on the following really

Should i:

a) Sell the motor and buy a short shaft

b) raise the transom 5" using marine ply bolted and glued to existing transom to lift the motor

Will raising the transom create any issues with handling etc and also would the extra 5hp be dangerous?

Many thanks, Zed Head

[Polwart]

I would be tempted to just stick it on and live with it!

If you are planning to use it in the lakes then a 10 mph speed limit will prevent you getting too keen with the power anyway.

I suppose there might be too much back pressure in the exhaust from being too deep - but I doubt on a sib with an ickle engine you will notice. To my mind raising the transom is a whole heap of potential problems that then puts the bigger thrust on the end of a bigger leaver. Put it as high as the mounting screws will let you - and possibly stick some 1" timber in any gap - but screwing and gluing is probably unnecessary.

Don't be surprised if you decide to upgrade after a year - in which case you already have the next size up of engine! If you sell it they are like rocking horse poo and you'll never find another.

If you are worried about overpowering the transom you can probably derate the engine to 9.9 easily enough (find the instructions for going the otherway and reverse - it will be a temporary thing!) or just modify/adjust the throttle stop so you can't get full power.

The issues with overpowering are largely warranty and insurance etc (once you've dealt with the practical stuff of the transom falling off!). With such an old boat the former is obviously irrelevant. Insurance could be an issue - but I'd guess most SIBs aren't even insured so your cover will be better than most!

There may of course be someone on here with a 9.9 short shaft looking to swap...

[Nos4r2]

Are you sure that Zed is Hypalon? The 80s one I had definitely wasn't.

[Zed_Head]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I would be tempted to just stick it on and live with it!

If you are planning to use it in the lakes then a 10 mph speed limit will prevent you getting too keen with the power anyway.

I suppose there might be too much back pressure in the exhaust from being too deep - but I doubt on a sib with an ickle engine you will notice. To my mind raising the transom is a whole heap of potential problems that then puts the bigger thrust on the end of a bigger leaver. Put it as high as the mounting screws will let you - and possibly stick some 1" timber in any gap - but screwing and gluing is probably unnecessary.

Don't be surprised if you decide to upgrade after a year - in which case you already have the next size up of engine! If you sell it they are like rocking horse poo and you'll never find another.

If you are worried about overpowering the transom you can probably derate the engine to 9.9 easily enough (find the instructions for going the otherway and reverse - it will be a temporary thing!) or just modify/adjust the throttle stop so you can't get full power.

The issues with overpowering are largely warranty and insurance etc (once you've dealt with the practical stuff of the transom falling off!). With such an old boat the former is obviously irrelevant. Insurance could be an issue - but I'd guess most SIBs aren't even insured so your cover will be better than most!

There may of course be someone on here with a 9.9 short shaft looking to swap...

Yes that was my main worry by putting extra pressure on the existing transom if i heightened it, i obviously won't be opening the throttle to full but then again i didn't want to be meandering across the lake at a couple of miles an hour scared if i go any faster i'd flip the boat. I think my main concern was stability, by having the motor lower (the transom bracket to cavitation plate is 22" btw) in the water i was thinking if i set off too fast then the front of the boat is going to rise sharply out of the water with a chance of flipping Another thing i forgot to ask, i'd like to fit a kill cord (just incase!) how easy is this to do?

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Are you sure that Zed is Hypalon? The 80s one I had definitely wasn't.

The guy i bought it off said it was, and i've looked inside the tubes and its the same colour as the outside. Is there another way of checking? It's an early 80's Zed which after researching online Zodiac made hypalon zeds upto 83ish?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Zed_Head

Yes that was my main worry by putting extra pressure on the existing transom if i heightened it, i obviously won't be opening the throttle to full but then again i didn't want to be meandering across the lake at a couple of miles an hour scared if i go any faster i'd flip the boat. I think my main concern was stability, by having the motor lower (the transom bracket to cavitation plate is 22" btw) in the water i was thinking if i set off too fast then the front of the boat is going to rise sharply out of the water with a chance of flipping

Either find out how it is restriced in the 9.9 version (probably a <£5 part) or restrict the throttle opening and gradually back it off to where you are happy with for the correct "yee-ha" level.

Another thing i forgot to ask, i'd like to fit a kill cord (just incase!) how easy is this to do?

Pretty simple. How old is the engine that it doesn't have one? You'll be able to buy a retrofit kit on ebay. If there is already a "stop switch" (red button) then it is just a quick job with a drill and some wire crimps (use good waterproof connectors with heatshrink as kill switches are notorious for failing due to dodging connections). If there is no stop circuit just now then post more details of the engine and I am sure someone will be along to advise where best to wire it.

[LWman]

Which lake do you go on? Im up there quite a few weekends of the year & im also new (ish) to boats. In the middle of looking for an engine for mine, which is seeming impossible to find one to fit the bill!

[Zed_Head]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Either find out how it is restriced in the 9.9 version (probably a <£5 part) or restrict the throttle opening and gradually back it off to where you are happy with for the correct "yee-ha" level.

Pretty simple. How old is the engine that it doesn't have one? You'll be able to buy a retrofit kit on ebay. If there is already a "stop switch" (red button) then it is just a quick job with a drill and some wire crimps (use good waterproof connectors with heatshrink as kill switches are notorious for failing due to dodging connections). If there is no stop circuit just now then post more details of the engine and I am sure someone will be along to advise where best to wire it.

Im unsure the exact year the engine is all i know is "1980's" there is a stop switch next to the pull cord and i have a friend who's an electrical genius (his words not mine) so looks like i can call in that favour he owes me

Originally Posted by LWman

Which lake do you go on? Im up there quite a few weekends of the year & im also new (ish) to boats. In the middle of looking for an engine for mine, which is seeming impossible to find one to fit the bill!

Coniston at the moment, i have friends who are in a long distance swimming club and i look out for other boats etc. I haven't had the Zed on the water yet as i want to get the transom/engine issue sorted first. When thats done i'll be registering for use on Windermere aswell. I also fancy a trip out on saltwater to a nearby island where you can camp etc but im waiting for another heatwave

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Zed_Head

The guy i bought it off said it was, and i've looked inside the tubes and its the same colour as the outside. Is there another way of checking? It's an early 80's Zed which after researching online Zodiac made hypalon zeds upto 83ish?

What colour is it? The PVC ones are beige with a blue spray deck.

[Zed_Head]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

What colour is it? The PVC ones are beige with a blue spray deck.

Its beige with a brown spray deck, the seams are glued rather than heat welded were early PVC boats glued? i haven't tried an aceytone test yet as i don't have any.

[LWman]

Originally Posted by Zed_Head

Coniston at the moment, i have friends who are in a long distance swimming club and i look out for other boats etc. I haven't had the Zed on the water yet as i want to get the transom/engine issue sorted first. When thats done i'll be registering for use on Windermere aswell. I also fancy a trip out on saltwater to a nearby island where you can camp etc but im waiting for another heatwave

Nice, the nearby island wouldnt be peel island would it?
You wouldnt catch me swimming in them lakes! haha, cold is only half of it. Im around ullswater usually every other weekend or more, but plan to get on windermere at some point to do some pike fishing.