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Boat's, boat's, boat's

instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited September 2002 in General Discussion
Only have a second, but I wanted to see if anyone here has had any experience with a Zodiac type boat. I'm looking for a river running rig and am interested in some feedback along with maybe some leads???? It has to be a quality raft with a strong motor mount (was looking at an inflatible yesterday that took a 65horse) none of that cheap kiddy stuff.

Thanks
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Comments

  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Used a couple of 14 footers on the Bering Sea when I worked for the Dept. of Fish and Game. I think you would really like the rigid bottomed ones. Get a 16 to 18 footer with a 50 hp four stroke and you'll have enough to use on Cook Inlet also.

    AlleninAlaska

    http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com

    He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
    -- Thomas Paine
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What Model do you want to know about?
    Aries Taurus Gemini CancerLeo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn
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    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used a 15'6" Grand Raid Zodiac for years, in Mexico. A 55 hp Johnson with electric start and tiller arm. We would use a tank of air to fill the boat, launch through the surf and scuba dive the kelp beds. The wooden floor boards would start to break after about 3 years and we got the Alum. floor boards and had no problems after that. Great boat. Took it from San Pedro to Catilina Island (26 miles) a couple of times. Towed it from San Diego to San Nicholas Island behind a 28' boat, and used it to dive from.

    "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."
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  • instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Any idea as to what these things run on the used market? Main thing I'm looking to mount is a Go-Devil prop for shallow water and debris/rocks in the rivers. I would prefer one of decent size (14'-16') for addl bodies and float hunting.

    Some people just shouldn't be allowed to breed
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  • instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Any idea as to what these things run on the used market? Main thing I'm looking to mount is a Go-Devil prop for shallow water and debris/rocks in the rivers. I would prefer one of decent size (14'-16') for addl bodies and float hunting.

    Some people just shouldn't be allowed to breed
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  • beachmaster73beachmaster73 Member Posts: 3,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Zodiacs currently used by the SF community which replaced the old RB-7's will handle a 60 hp motor with no problem....but for what do you need that much power? Also I'll second the remark about the aluminum deck boards...they truly stiffen the Zodiac and improve performance...especially going through the surf zone. With two foot pumps you should be able to fill the boat in about 15-20 minutes of hard pumping, so you don't really need an air tank..it just makes it a little easier. If you are looking at a used boat make sure your bladder valves DON'T leak through. Best way is fill up one bladder on one side and a bladder on the other. Ensure there is no leakover into the empty bladders until you turn the valve to equalize the bladders. Believe me it can be a pain in the butt replacing the bladder valves...and fairly expensive. Also check the hard rubber crossover hoses leading from the stern sponsons down to your keel bladders....they shouldn't be rotted or cracked....fairly easy fix but indicative of very hard use. Also the stainless steel external check valves should be inplace on the hard rubber crossover hose...if they are not your keel will lose air with the sponson(not a good thing) or if you rip a keel in coral your sponson will deflate in a couple of minutes along with the keel. Caps should be attached with string to each inflation valve. Lack of caps indicate someone wasn't taking good care of their boat. Also look at condition of sponsons inside the boat where they rub against the deck bladder. If there is a lot of rubbing damage to the rubber surface it was probably caused by a lot of sand left in the boat after deflation and insufficient cleanning before reinflation. Make sure aluminum deck board pockets are not ripped or torn from rough insertion of deck boards Can't think of anything else right now...that stuff was sort of off the top of my head from years of watching idiots destroy Zodiacs. If you have any other kind of generic questions I'll try and answer them...I don't know crap about money values of used boats. Beach
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    instrumentofwar--good to see you again buddy. My computer chewed up the phone number two days after I talked with you. Can you email it to me again? idsman75@peoplepc.com

    P.S. I managed to swing into 13fister country and spend a few days out that way. I saw your pistol.....I touched it.......I was tempted to take it to the range and.....sorry. I'd never do that. Ain't H&L's great?
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    You should be able to pick one up in Anchorage for about 1200 to 1500 without a motor. There used to be a Go-Devil dealer in Fairbanks. Don't know if he still exist or not.

    AlleninAlaska

    http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com

    He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
    -- Thomas Paine
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  • ItGoBangItGoBang Member Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go to,boattrader.com

    It will hurt you, More than it will hurt me..

    Life Member... N R A

    Thanks for all the help!
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  • ItGoBangItGoBang Member Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    SORRY!! It's Boattraderonline

    It will hurt you, More than it will hurt me..

    Life Member... N R A

    Thanks for all the help!
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  • PelicanPelican Member Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yo dong: That is a very pretty boat, but where do they grow them real smooth trees it is built from?

    The Almighty Himself Entrusted the Future of All Living Creatures to a Wooden Boat.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -"Audemus jura nostra defendere"
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