Advice on Zodiac Pro 12 Man

Bam Bam · 27 September 2009, 15:56

Yep, my little Zodiac YL380 deluxe tender is up for sale and I'm looking for a new tub for next year. I've only had the YL380 for about eight months, we bought her as a family boat as it had 5 proper seats - just to see if we would like Ribbing (and then some). The wife also likes to go trench crawling now and again so it had to look nice too. We are currently considering the Zodiac Pro 12 Man with bench seat and console with seat to the front with possibly a 90hp 4 stroke hung on the back. Obviously this would be a great improvement over the YL380 in a choppy sea of which is my reason for upgrading. Zodiacs seem to be mid market price as I cant afford a Humber, Searider, Cobra etc, but I also don't want a cheap and cheerful boat that will only last a couple of seasons. Anyone got any advise, experience of the Pro 12 Man, comments (keep em clean) most welcome. I want to make sure I get the right tub this time.

spartacus · 28 September 2009, 07:56

The Pro 12-Man is based on the an open-plan layout (same across the range) so that seating configurations can be tailored depending on use. The current 12-man Pro is available in PVC Strongan fabric, or a limited edition Hypalon material which will provide better wear-resistant characteristics. They're relatively scare on the second-hand market, however there are a couple for sale at Wills Marine. The bench seat is okay for general leisure use but opting for dual Outhill jockey seats will offer more comfort and security, especially in anything F5 and above. Expect to pay £12-18k depending on level of specification and condition.
http://www.willsmarine.co.uk/products/preowned/boats/

If you have the cash...
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/YAM076

codprawn · 28 September 2009, 13:47

Why not get something 2nd hand? You will get a far better boat for your money.

Nos4r2 · 28 September 2009, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Why not get something 2nd hand? You will get a far better boat for your money.

Agreed-let someone else take the initial depreciation hit and have the hassle of running in a new engine.

Bam Bam · 28 September 2009, 17:19

I think second hand is definitely the way to go. Like you say, let someone else take the hit. I need it as a family boat as well as for fun and cruising with you guys but can anyone tell me if it's any good on the lumpy stuff?

chewy · 28 September 2009, 18:03

Not as good as other boats of the same size, plus the tubes are PVC not hypalon.
If it was my money and knowing roughly what sort of boat your after a RIBcraft might suit you. You can get smart ones to keep your better half happy and they still handle well.
Some of the Humbers might be ok too although I haven't seen many with the bench seat, saying that you can add one easy enough.

Bam Bam · 28 September 2009, 18:31

Nice one mate, now I've got to trawl the net to find out the benefits of Hypalon over PVC. Just when I was going to sit down and have a cold one..... Nah.... the cold one wins lol.

codprawn · 28 September 2009, 19:41

Look at the for sale section here.

all depends on your budget but for the price of the new zodiac you could have this

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30858

Ribtec with a 225 - know which i would rather have!!!

Bam Bam · 29 September 2009, 17:27

Thanks Codprawn, but that's a bit out of my price range mate. We have made our minds up that we will buy second hand and have a budget of around 10k but will got to 12k for the right boat as long as its not too old. Chewy has PM'd me a couple of links to give me an idea of whats on offer and I'm impressed but I've got to get the cash from the sale of my boat first. The more boats I look at the better an idea I will have on what to go for so keep the suggestions coming please. Cheers.

chewy · 29 September 2009, 20:30

Get it stuck for sale on here to mate, I can vouch how comfy the seats are!

Bam Bam · 02 October 2009, 17:11

Just had an offer to look at a Hydrosport 636 when I go to the SR gathering in October has anybody any experience good or bad of this boat?

chewy · 02 October 2009, 17:29

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...Hydrosport+636

Bam Bam · 03 October 2009, 08:40

Thanks Chewy, I saw that when I started trawling for info on the 636/Animal 21 and it does appear to be quite a good boat but unfortunately its out of the window. I've just seen the price of a 3 year old Animal and its well out of my league.... Anybody want to buy a wife and 2 well behaved kids??? Ah em!

vassilis7ps · 20 November 2009, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Just had an offer to look at a Hydrosport 636 when I go to the SR gathering in October has anybody any experience good or bad of this boat?

I have got one from roughneckmarine.nl it is great even at rough sea check my video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPsIhlcmTl8

Bam Bam · 21 November 2009, 17:37

Hey vassilis7ps love the video, nice boat too!

GUELAN · 22 November 2009, 20:38

I have a PRO 12 since 2006. The advantages of this boat are the space inside the boat, the fuel tank inside the hull, and the cables hidden inside the hull. Therefore, it's easy to clean it.