New Member S Wales UK

[Back to the Futura]

Good afternoon forum and thanks for accepting my membership.
Have recently aquired a 1990 Zodiac Futura MK2 GT with a 30HP Mariner 2 stroke outboard.
Its not in great order and have a few seams to repair, that said there are no obvious existing repairs or patches anywhere and little evidence of hard use. I'm hoping to bring it back into service. Biggest issue is a split bow seam and a couple of tube leaks to sort before I can inflate properly to asses the full extent of the project.

Will post a few photos as and when.

Initially looking for a copy of a manual for this model or similar. Have found a couple of old forum threads that relate to this but unfortunatley the links have dissapeared.
Any help appreciated.

NeilW

[Fenlander]

Hi Neil and welcome to the forum. Look forward to hearing how the mini restoration goes and seeing the images. I came near buying a used Futura a couple of times but it never quite happened, always like the look/idea of them though.

[spartacus]

Welcome to the forum.

These are great inflatables, but don't under-estimate the work involved, especially if seams have gone. These boats are over 35 years now, and if it's gone in one place, you can be assured it's likely elsewhere.

Polymarine is a good site for instructions for PVC repairs. It's likely to have the nickel plated inflation valves. The Zodiac Delrin diaphragms and cap seals will probably be required for an airtight seal and are available.

If you're handy - then repairs are possible. Low humidity is essential, with the right 2-part glue and an area that's dust-free with stable temperature. Degrease solvent, masking tape, seam roller, brush, sand-paper. Take your time, preparation is everything.

Areas to look at in particular are the cone ends (rubber deteriorates), speed inflation tubes, keel tube (goes at the crease) and of course transom (separates).

You'll need to get the boat to operating pressure to see that it's holding air, once you've repaired the bow seam.

Keel tube is 220Mbar and main tubes 240-280Mbar

[spartacus]

Manual here for MkIIC: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/28...2c.html#manual

[Back to the Futura]

Many thanks for the warm welcome and the link for the manual. I now have something to work with.

I have been messing around with boats for quite a while and consider myself reasonably handy and resourceful when needed. I bought this project in a moment of madness at a local auction and didn't really do any research at all so I've only myself to balme if it all goes to dust, I really don't want to break it up for spares - it goes against the grain.

I'm pretty sure this is a PVC boat but would be glad of further clarification. The Hull plate says its a MK2 GFT S/N 2329 acode XDC 2494B and dates September 1990.

Have managed to seal the tubes with spinnaker repair tape to be able to inflate to get some shape to it. I have all the floor, covers, fittings, paddles, 10" Bravo pump, original spares kit and rear frame.
My initial assesment as follows:

Floor - Partially detached at bow
Keel tube- good
Bow- split down seam
Slight leak on starboard aft tube (below reinforcing band) but holds air
Major leak on port aft tube(small tear under rubbing strake band)
Speed tubes- leaks on inflation tube interface and valves
Two handles detached
Bow ring and patch completely detached.
Transome completey detached.

More may materialise when I can get some pressure in there but one step a t a time.

I believe that most of the damage was caused by trying to winch it onto the trailer while deflated.

So plenty of work to keep me busy.....

[Pikey Dave]

Now THAT’S a project. Good luck

[spartacus]

So plastic valves. I had a mid 80s MKIIC GT (not a Futura) with nickel plated valves. Seam went under the row lock some years later.

It will be PVC, basically Zodiac’s own Strongan Duotex material. Only the Grand Raid boats or heavy duty MK4 to MK6 were hypalon.

For the transom there are a few threads on repairing. You’ll need extra PVC, plus work on cardboard templates before you cut any material.

I didn’t realise Zodiac no longer make the Futura. AKA Marine which was a subsidiary went on to make them under the AKA brand. Zodiac MilPro went up for sale last year.

[Dry Run]

Welcome

[Fenlander]

>>>I didn’t realise Zodiac no longer make the Futura

It's such a shame that we've seen the near total demise of Zodiac as a SIB manufacturer. When I started sibbing about 17yrs ago they offered the standard Cadet range with alloy floor and the Cadet Fastroller with the high pressure keel linked to the HP floor, the Aerotec, the three types of Futura and the Touring/Classic which was the ultimate in quality alloy floor sibs.

Now they make the Cadet with an alloy or air floor choice... and that's it.

I've always wondered if Honwave were virtually the sole company to blame for undermining Zodiac's market with decent sibs at half/third of the price... and that as a business Zodiac failed to work out how to respond.