Zodiac - quality!

[Richard B]

Noticed a couple of Zodiac RIBs for sale at a certain boatyard last weekend - 7.3m with a 'rude E-Tec 250 at £50,000 and an 8.5 with a 'rude E-tec at £52,000 Mmmm!

Anyway, these RIBs were in stock, so I couldn't help having a closer look. One of them, sat on it's trailer, appeared to have a "bit of a ding" in the gel coat, so I had a closer look, and instinctively doing what all boys do when encountering a hole, I put my finger in. And in it went! The damaged gelcoat was about eggshell thick, and the inside was all spongy! Time for a sharp exit...

So, if you're tempted to spend £50k+ on a Zodiac, just be aware!

[mavrick211]

is this the normal quality of zodiac ribs dont think i want one if they are like that

they do say some where that they use balsa wood in the construction is that how all the ribs are constructed

when i read about construction methonds and products on the web sites there are alot of different terms that i dont under stand the names or the meaning of using those certain products

is there some where i can go to find out the different core construction methods and components

[fast fred]

balsa wood- super lite, high shear strength.
wood- lite, you can lam, up some strong stringer.
fome- lite, strong, when done right thay are nice.
composite- combo of, could be a mix of the above, and or other stuff, carbon fiber, kevlar ect.

all should be wraped in glass, nicely wraped in glass, with no voids, air pockets, solid, solid.

[prairie tuber]

Zodiac Hurricane makes a high quality, high dollar RIB (Hurricane was originally a Canadian company that was bought out by Zodiac). Also their Military fully inflatables (Grand Raids, FC 470s & Heavy Duty series) are also sturdy (expensive) boats.

Outside of those lines, you'd be better off looking elsewhere.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Noticed a couple of Zodiac RIBs for sale at a certain boatyard last weekend - 7.3m with a 'rude E-Tec 250 at £50,000 and an 8.5 with a 'rude E-tec at £52,000 Mmmm!

Anyway, these RIBs were in stock, so I couldn't help having a closer look. One of them, sat on it's trailer, appeared to have a "bit of a ding" in the gel coat, so I had a closer look, and instinctively doing what all boys do when encountering a hole, I put my finger in. And in it went! The damaged gelcoat was about eggshell thick, and the inside was all spongy! Time for a sharp exit...

So, if you're tempted to spend £50k+ on a Zodiac, just be aware!

Could it have been a dodgy repair?

[Rogan]

Couldn't agree more prairie tuber. We have a Hurricane and a Futura the civilian FC470. Both great and tough boats!

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Could it have been a dodgy repair?

At a guess I would say it's just an air void as a result of not rolling the mat down onto the gel coat properly - usually happens in hard to get at places but can happen anywhere if the laminator doesn't do his job properly!!

[Richard B]

That makes sense... it was in one of the spray rails.

[Alex-341]

As some people may remember at the Rib Raid we drained quite a bit out of our hull, haveing just drained 200l the weekend before.

Turned out that just under the deckdrainers in the transom there was a void leading into the hull. Needless to say letting alot of water in. Anyway the dearler filled it and replaced the deack drainer, warrenty work thankfully.

The pro20 is a rip off for what they are really, pro12 is the best value for money in the range, any bigger and your probably better with a different make.

Cant say its a bad boat though, finish is very nice.

[toby4594]

I must confess to owning a pro 16 and very happy I am with it too,its never going to be a scorpion or revenger but a very capable rib never the less.My only moan is the lack of range,longer trips just take a bit more planning.