Advice needed - Zodiac MK3 Futura

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Ahoy there! I´m wondering about buying an 19 year old Zodiac MK3. Are there any users here with experience with these boats at this age?

[dhaglund]

There are tons of posts on here regarding older Futuras. They all say that a 20 year old PVC boat needs regluing of the floor or transom or both.

I have the Futura IIc myself which is the smallest Futura, and it is somewhat portable. Myself I can't see the use for a non-portable SIB. If it's going to stay on the trailer a RIB is usually the better option for many reasons.

Futuras are cool and fun boats and if you want to give it a try go ahead. But make sure you basically only pay for the motor and trailer. Older SIBs aren't worth much.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Thanks for the info

[User name]

I have some of them that I've been renovating. They're a great boat. At that age they can often have glue issues with the floor and transom. The failed glue causes trapped water that eventually rots out the transom. If it's not rotten then the gluing job is doable by your average Joe. If it needs a transom then that complicates things a little. It's 40mm thick, weighs a lot and there's some slightly complicated compound curves on its edges.

Was that one previously belonged to search and rescue/emergency services? One of mine had the same outboard combo and that reflective strip at the rear of the tubes. I don't think that's factory.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

The current user has had it for only 4 years, but it doesn´t seem to have seen much action. However their is no maintenance book with the motor but the current owner says he has changed gear and motor oil yearly. I will go and look at it again tomorrow and listen to the motor.

[spartacus]

There’s bigger issues here. Someone has literally drilled a hole large enough a London bus could get through in the ply transom under the build ID plate.

The MKIII is a big boat and given the console and leaning bolster I assume are bolted to the aluminium deck panels. Would be interesting to know what lurks underneath, as it won’t have been dismantled any time soon given structure set up.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Good point. I will definitely have to inspect it properly. The asking price is about 2.800 GBP, that includes the trailer. Living in Iceland, these boats are usually expensive.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

So the motor sounds good but the speed tubes have been removed. I guess then the boat acts as a regular SIB. The glue on the transome/tubes looks good though.

[dhaglund]

What's year, size and overall condition is the engine?

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Honda BF50A with a 13” steel prop, 2004. Looks in good condition, the sound was good running with water muffs. But I would still like to test the boat in the sea. The anoids are in rather good condition, new water impeller last air, new waterlock two years ago.

[dhaglund]

I sounds to be a good deal if it performs alright when sea testing.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Yeah, it seems like a decent enough boat to start with 👍

[Peter_C]

I too didn't spot the Speed Tubes and wonder about them? That is what makes the boat handle and ride nicely.

That hole in the transom screams idiot for which other "repairs" on the boat may be similar. The hole is not a big deal to fix with an Epoxy and some filler material. It won't cause any structural issues. My bigger concern would be how the console is mounted and if there is corrosion around the bolt holes. Stainless and aluminum don't play well together in salt water.

On a smaller SIB I am not sure I would want a console like that but that is me, and I do prefer a console for comfort of longer distance driving.

I bought a Zodiac MKII Futura Sport GT with speed tubes and spent about 40 hours fixing the floor plus transom, while making a few improvements. It was a lot of labor, but nothing compared to what my friend and I have into my current AB rib. For the right reasons I wouldn't hesitate to do the job over again. If anybody ever offers me a smaller Futura that needs a floor repair I would take it in a heart beat, for traveling inside my van.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Yes, the hole in the transom is pretty ugly, the is one cable that goes through it that connects the depth meter but it seems like something was installed in this hole before. However the transom looks good, no rot to be seen and the glue to the tubes looks good. Do you know of these speed tubes are still available and how bad of a SIB it is without them?

[dhaglund]

Originally Posted by Johan_Silverbeard

Do you know of these speed tubes are still available and how bad of a SIB it is without them?

Don't worry about the speed tubes if you buy this boat. It would be a major job and expense to replace them given that you could actually find them, which I doubt.

But make sure to get them if he still has them. They can be used for patch-material at least.

I have an old spare Futura IIc without speed tubes. I've only tried it for a few minutes but it handled fine.

If you buy this boat it would be a good idea to remove all floor boards to be able to inspect and clean underneath. The inside floor may need a little gluing and gravel and sand can cause extra wear if in the wrong spot.

[Johan_Silverbeard]

Few more pics - The plan is to test the boat this week. Thank you all for the info/tips.

Originally Posted by dhaglund

Don't worry about the speed tubes if you buy this boat. It would be a major job and expense to replace them given that you could actually find them, which I doubt.

But make sure to get them if he still has them. They can be used for patch-material at least.

I have an old spare Futura IIc without speed tubes. I've only tried it for a few minutes but it handled fine.

If you buy this boat it would be a good idea to remove all floor boards to be able to inspect and clean underneath. The inside floor may need a little gluing and gravel and sand can cause extra wear if in the wrong spot.