Swapping inboard for outboard?

[barnman]

I am looking at buying a late '90's zodiac 17' aluminum hull inboard rib. The inboard motor needs replacing and i was wondering if it would be a lot simpler to yank the old inboard and mount a new outboard on the boat? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks Brian

[johndoe007]

Originally Posted by barnman

I am looking at buying a late '90's zodiac 17' aluminum hull inboard rib. The inboard motor needs replacing and i was wondering if it would be a lot simpler to yank the old inboard and mount a new outboard on the boat? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks Brian

The one on fleabay? The transom requires a taller top and a outdrive bracket you can see the ones on here that some have made for their 733's it's a major undertaking.

[johndoe007]

Originally Posted by johndoe007

The one on fleabay? The transom requires a taller top and a outboard bracket. You can see the ones on here that some have made for their 733's. it's a major undertaking. I also looked at that one and parts for that yanmar are impossible and that jet drive is no longer in production.

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[ncp]

Depends on how much you'll pay for the hull and if you're good at aluminum fabrication or you're going to have to pay for it. Anything is possible, I just wouldn't think that it would be cheap. (IMHO, it would need to be custom and full flotation, not just an Armstrong or Porta Bracket)

[barnman]

Yes its the one in ebay. Thanks for your input. I would like to get an aluminum hull but i think this one is too far to consider. Are the aluminum hulls hard to find? Brian

[johndoe007]

The good news- it's a zodiac and its aluminum

The bad news- the yanmar is shot and the jet drive may work but they discontinued it 3 years ago and as soon as it breaks your sol.

Overall it's probably a 12-15k usd restoration as you need a trailer, engine, and out drive of some sort, or will shortly.

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[barnman]

you think the tubes would need replacing? I not sure what the cost would be to replace them. Brian

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by barnman

you think the tubes would need replacing? I not sure what the cost would be to replace them. Brian

Hypalon lasts for 30 years+

New Tubes for a 733 10-12K My guess for a 17 would be around 6-8K

Ribs aren't cheap to build... as someone once told me: "first we build a fibreglass boat, then we build an inflatable boat, then we put them together." You're basically buying/fixing up two boats; a sib and a fibreglass boat.