Now I am looking for a boat!!

qcamel · 04 August 2004, 06:52

I have kinda reached a decision on a boat but thought I would throw out a question for some general comments and advice. I will use the boat for general pleasure boating but will from time to time ski from it. I may also do the occasional dive and certainly look to trailer the boat to differant/warmer areas for an easier life!! I guess I will expect to run with no more than 4 or 5 people but would prefer a slightly less commercial vessel than some I see, however it will be used in the North Sea!

I have found an ex demo dealer supplied Zodic Pro Open 5.5 with a 90hp Suziki engine. Comes with all new warranties/electronics/trailer and lighting and a £4k saving. Boat is being viewed on Friday and although she looks great on the web pics I hope she is big enough for the local enviroment and solid enough in construction. What do you all think?

Ollie

Nauti Buoy · 04 August 2004, 07:43

Hi

I used to have an Avon 5.6 Open Adventure, with 90hp Suzuki 4 Stroke and found it to be excelent. It sat 6 people comfortably and easily did 35 knotts, the 90hp 4 stroke was really economical and exceptionally quiet and found that with a day of reasonably heavy playing towing water toys and cruising I used about £45 fuel which going by some ribs is excelent going. I found it nice to tow and easy to lauch single handed, (mind you have been doing it for a while). Hope this is of some use to you and enjoy it.

Bilge Rat · 04 August 2004, 07:44

Hi

Zodiacs are nice well built boats that have a good reputation and pedegree, the new models (and possibly the older) have removable tubes so if the tube gets damaged it can be removed for repair fairly easilly, if your planning to tow arond a lot a 5.5 metre boat is a reasonable lenght, fairly light and will tow easilly and be easy to launch and recover, i'd go for the jocky seat lay out though as the bench seat or the silly stand up thing they supply wont be comfortable in anything less than a flat sea, you back will thank you for it i promise, (unless of course the boats all ready laid out as you've stipulated its been used as a demo !!, in which case i'd talk to the dealer as this seating adjustments can be made i believe)

Suzuki are a good solid engine and as its newish i'd assume its comming with a full warranty.

Daniel TD5 · 04 August 2004, 07:46

zodiac are very good boats

i don,t own one but it was one of my top three

i would still look about 4k sounds good but you may find a better deal
i saved £1800.00 on my 4.5m boat as it was last years model
also look at valiant they are doing a offer at the moment

dan

Bilge Rat · 04 August 2004, 08:05

Dan he the man said he wanted a good boat

See you at the weekend...... where i'll probably break down and require a tow

Daniel TD5 · 04 August 2004, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

Dan he the man said he wanted a good boat

See you at the weekend...... where i'll probably break down and require a tow

you are giong to have to be nice to me as you need a nice 4x4 to recover at the slip
so valiant must be the best boats in the world and bilge rat agrees

dan

MeMe · 04 August 2004, 09:38

......a Zodiac Medline 4.8 for some time now and have been more than happy with her capabilities in any conditions. The Pro is a superb bit of kit and well set up for exactly the purpose of use you describe. Good Luck.

Bilge Rat · 04 August 2004, 16:07

So Meme thats why you want to sell it ay

PS sad to see you going

Bilge Rat · 04 August 2004, 16:09

Dan

I might launch somewhere else on Sunday, that slip way looks a bit dirty and exposed to me, are you bringing all the food as was going to suggest Phil shouts us F&C in Yarmouth as theres a good chippy

....forget abou this around the island stuff i'm just going for the food and beer

MeMe · 04 August 2004, 16:19

.......to move into a 6 mtr Zodiac Medline (fingers crossed)

Gazza · 05 August 2004, 22:23

sold my Zodiac after only 6trips and brought a Rib-x 575 with a Suzuki 4 stroke 90 hp....

Very good on fuel, has 7 proper seats, tows both biscuit and skier with ease and tops out at 40 knots with four up.....

Handles rough sea much better than my Zodiac did and uses about £20.00 of fuel a day......

Comes with lots of extra,s......

Looks really good....

A tows really well.....(on the road )

In short does exactly what is says on the packet....

Its worth considering

regards

Gazza