Hi There. I'm looking at getting one of these as a Tender for my Next Boat, and have been doing some general research on Tenders, fabrics, etc, and have come across some information that may be helpful. OK PVC is vulnerable to UV Damage, so looked into protective Dinghy Chaps, but theybhave a couple of disadvantages, first, they're hellish expensive, and if left on, can be counterproductive with heating the air in the tubes? Thankfully the Zodiac Tube seams are welded, so no glued seams to soften and seoerate, but on hot days, it's still worth backing off the tube pressure when the tender isn't being used, and just top up with air when going tomuse it. Next, there's a protective coating you can put on PVC, which assists with UV resistance. Probably more than one tbh, but what seems to get the best reviews I've seen so far, is called - 303 Aerospace ? I can't vouch for it personally, as I don't have the dinghy to use it on yet. Next, something that may make the biggest difference, and may be why Customers in the Tropics are getting over 10 years of use with no problems, is to have a UV resisting full dinghy and outboard cover that's fast and easy to fit and take off. There is a USA maker that does them in good fabric, for around 300 dollars, with standard ones for the Zodiac range easyvtonfind with a Google search. I'll have to Sail to the USA to get one, after I get my next boat plus Zodiac though. Worth a thought, such a UV protective cover could likely benefit from the application of that 303 Aerispace to increase its service life as well. Thanks for the look at your Zodiac, it confirms it's what I'm looking for. Best Wishes From Across the Pond, and hoping I've helped to keep your Zodiac looking new for a very long time. Bob. 👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
Thanks you for that info. We are still on Lake Erie, so we haven't been too concerned about sun yet, but we are heading south in a month...so I'm considering making some chaps. I may look into that cover ad well. Tha KS fir the info.
Nice dinghy! I have a 13 year old Zodiac with a flat bottom (hate it) that still is quite firm with no air leaks. The seams on the transom are leaking water and I was looking into getting a new one but decided to get a windsurfing hydro foil for my 60th birthday. I’ll deal with the wet shoes for a couple more seasons. It gets us to our mooring and back.
Now you've had the dinghy for a few years give us a review. How is the PVC holding up? What about size. Was the 300 the right size for the Hunter's davits? What power did you put on it? and was that the right decision?
Absolutely. Great idea. When we get back to the boat this summer, we will most definitely give a review of what we think of the boat. Thanks for the idea.
So far, we've only used a 4.5 and a 6 hp motor...we plan to buy a 9.9 or a 15 in the near future. As far as noise, I didn't really notice any excessive noise from the aluminum, but then again, the motor drowns it out. Thanks for watching.
@@mckenziekeith7434 it did, but barely. It "digs in" pretty hard and rides nose high, so I think I will need to put a whale fin on the motor to prevent that.
@@SailingPauHana thanks a lot for your answer, have fun and enjoy the sea, I think I'll buy one , I'll use it in normal sea conditions I live in playa del Carmen México
![Sailboat UPGRADE 4: How to choose the perfect DINGHY ⛵ [AB Inflatables] Ep. 57](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gYsvly1tU4s/mqdefault.jpg)
Hi There. I'm looking at getting one of these as a Tender for my Next Boat, and have been doing some general research on Tenders, fabrics, etc, and have come across some information that may be helpful. OK PVC is vulnerable to UV Damage, so looked into protective Dinghy Chaps, but theybhave a couple of disadvantages, first, they're hellish expensive, and if left on, can be counterproductive with heating the air in the tubes? Thankfully the Zodiac Tube seams are welded, so no glued seams to soften and seoerate, but on hot days, it's still worth backing off the tube pressure when the tender isn't being used, and just top up with air when going tomuse it. Next, there's a protective coating you can put on PVC, which assists with UV resistance. Probably more than one tbh, but what seems to get the best reviews I've seen so far, is called - 303 Aerospace ? I can't vouch for it personally, as I don't have the dinghy to use it on yet. Next, something that may make the biggest difference, and may be why Customers in the Tropics are getting over 10 years of use with no problems, is to have a UV resisting full dinghy and outboard cover that's fast and easy to fit and take off. There is a USA maker that does them in good fabric, for around 300 dollars, with standard ones for the Zodiac range easyvtonfind with a Google search. I'll have to Sail to the USA to get one, after I get my next boat plus Zodiac though. Worth a thought, such a UV protective cover could likely benefit from the application of that 303 Aerispace to increase its service life as well. Thanks for the look at your Zodiac, it confirms it's what I'm looking for. Best Wishes From Across the Pond, and hoping I've helped to keep your Zodiac looking new for a very long time. Bob. 👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
Thanks you for that info. We are still on Lake Erie, so we haven't been too concerned about sun yet, but we are heading south in a month...so I'm considering making some chaps. I may look into that cover ad well. Tha KS fir the info.
Nice dinghy! I have a 13 year old Zodiac with a flat bottom (hate it) that still is quite firm with no air leaks. The seams on the transom are leaking water and I was looking into getting a new one but decided to get a windsurfing hydro foil for my 60th birthday. I’ll deal with the wet shoes for a couple more seasons. It gets us to our mooring and back.
SV In Like Flynn we had an 8’ soft bottom/flat Zodiac too; it fell apart after 20 years. We glued it back, but that only lasted two years.
Now you've had the dinghy for a few years give us a review. How is the PVC holding up? What about size. Was the 300 the right size for the Hunter's davits? What power did you put on it? and was that the right decision?
Absolutely. Great idea. When we get back to the boat this summer, we will most definitely give a review of what we think of the boat. Thanks for the idea.
Pretty cool! Can you comment on noise/vibration of the aluminum dinghy while underway and what engine you chose to use on it?
So far, we've only used a 4.5 and a 6 hp motor...we plan to buy a 9.9 or a 15 in the near future. As far as noise, I didn't really notice any excessive noise from the aluminum, but then again, the motor drowns it out. Thanks for watching.
@@SailingPauHana did it plane with the 6hp and one person?
@@mckenziekeith7434 it did, but barely. It "digs in" pretty hard and rides nose high, so I think I will need to put a whale fin on the motor to prevent that.
Sweet!
Patrick Childress Sailing has a good you tube video on dinghys that is worth watching. I like how he has a cover to protect it from the sun.
peter Engel thanks, I will check it out.
"That's Dinghy!" HEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHE
How much is the boat cost?
When we bought it, it was about $2500 US
How much did you pay for that one?
$2200. It’s a 2019 model. If they have any 2019 left, I saw they had a sale for $1900.
@@SailingPauHana thanks a lot for your answer, have fun and enjoy the sea, I think I'll buy one , I'll use it in normal sea conditions I live in playa del Carmen México