why are these Zodiac 733's so expensive?

zip · 09 February 2011, 01:27

I have a Novurania 430 that i have had for a few years now, and am thinking about stepping up to something a little bigger.
I bought my 430 for the primary reason of being able to moor my boat on the dinghy docks at Catalina Island.
It is perfect for that use, but it can be a little bit of a rough ride crossing the channel in less than calm conditions. I can really get the crap kicked out of me, probably cuz it is so small. I still get a kick out of telling people that i came over from the mainland on it. They usually think that i am nuts or lying.
Anyway, i pretty much dig the rib thing, and considering purchasing a bigger boat.
I took a look at the 733's, and whew, almost 40k for something that is used.
Can anyone tell me why they are so pricey? Think i would notice a big difference in going to the island? Any other recommendations for other boats?

thx

Zip

zip · 09 February 2011, 01:41

don't know if i have posted this before.

Screaming04 · 09 February 2011, 04:18

They're a commercial duty boat that sells new for $150,000+ Most of the ones that you find for sale were sold at government auction and refurbished.

Set up an account at the GSA auction website, you can have it email you when they become available. They come up at auction in San Diego every year or two.

They end up going fairly cheaply at auction but refurb costs get up there. Wiring is stripped out, fuel tanks, no engines etc. Costs add up quickly.

PS difference to the island would be significant, most sea worthy 24 footer you'll ever find. 6m would be a decent choice if you can find one... 150-200 hp instead of 250-300 (1/2 the fuel consumption)

zip · 09 February 2011, 04:42

i've seen those boats at the government auctions, and they are really beat up. Willards seem to be a popular boat too.
I've seen them both with the i/o, and the outboards. differences between the set ups?
i'll check out the 6m, but kinda like the idea of more room on the bigger boat.

thx for your input

Screaming04 · 09 February 2011, 05:28

Room like this?

I wanted outboards so that I could beach the boat if required without worrying about a leg. I've never driven an i/o rib but I think the outboards have a "sportier" feel. I know that my boat when it was equipped with an i/o and a 250ish hp diesel made around 40mph... now it does 50.

zip · 09 February 2011, 05:34

exactly.

do you know how much fuel you use in an hour at cruise?

how does the single i/o diesel compare to the twin ob?

Screaming04 · 09 February 2011, 06:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

exactly.

do you know how much fuel you use in an hour at cruise?

how does the single i/o diesel compare to the twin ob?

Cruise is 2mpg if I'm lucky at 40mph 10 gph x2 = 20 gph I could slow down or run on one but what fun would that be?

50 mph = 30gph = 1.66 mpg = more gas in an hour than you burn in a day.

From what I recall a 315 yanmar burns 8-9 gph at cruise. A single four stroke outboard would give similar fuel burn of 10-12 gph

I'd use 1/2 the fuel if I bought a new four stroke single but I can buy a lot of gas for $20,000

BTW people frown a bit when I use the dinghy dock.

Rogue Wave · 09 February 2011, 16:07

I love it so true!

jyasaki · 09 February 2011, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screaming04

From what I recall a 315 yanmar burns 8-9 gph at cruise. A single four stroke outboard would give similar fuel burn of 10-12 gph

Geez, my F115 burns about 6-7 gph at cruise. Gotta love diesels...

Quote:

BTW people frown a bit when I use the dinghy dock.

LOL; I'm sure they do. You do have the advantage in the typical American impression of "Any boat with inflatable tubes is a toy", though.

jky

Starovich · 09 February 2011, 17:07

bah! Yanks with fuel prices so cheap... why worry bout how many gallons it use?

- $3.2 per gallon , we are paying $2.25 per Litre!

(if my math is correct)

martini · 09 February 2011, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starovich

bah! Yanks with fuel prices so cheap... why worry bout how many gallons it use?

- $3.2 per gallon , we are paying $2.25 per Litre!

(if my math is correct)

or $8.50 per US gallon

zip · 09 February 2011, 18:36

50 mph??!!!
i can't even imagine going that fast. When i am going 25 in my 4m, it feels like 50.
holy cow!

i definitely wouldn't be allowed on the dinghy dock anymore. 14 ft is the limit, but the boat would be big enough to moor on a ball, or anchor out. It also appears to be large enough to sleep on and have room to bring a smaller dinghy on to go ashore.

any opinions on the i/o diesel versus ob? you definitely lose some deck space with the diesel.

thanks for your input and advice.

what do you think of this one?

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...g_id=1569&url=

Screaming04 · 11 February 2011, 07:54

That boat has been for sale at that price for 2-3 years.

zip · 11 February 2011, 15:36

And i am going to guess that maybe it is priced a little high?
I don't know why someone would want to keep it on the market that long.
If it isn't selling, drop the price.

This one has been bouncing around between brokers for the last year here in Southern California. Not sure what the story is on it. Price looks comparable to others, but not sure if that is what they normally sell for. Anyone have experience with those motorcycle style seats?

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...icane-97563688

pathalla · 11 February 2011, 16:32

Looks like a ex- coast guard boat. Typical setup.

zip · 11 February 2011, 17:43

how are these seats for comfort?

Stoo · 15 February 2011, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

Can anyone tell me why they are so pricey? Think i would notice a big difference in going to the island? Any other recommendations for other boats?

Let me share a comparison that might help. I have a Hurricane 590. A friend has a Bombard RIB which is about the same length and width. Comparing them is a bit like comparing a Hummer to a Ford Explorer... same general idea, but the one is just entirely different.

My boat is rated for a 150 and flies. His is rated for a 90 and chugs in anything other than flt calm.

In the Great Lakes, we get a lot of close waves. In dead calm, he flies, I'm a little sluggish. At 6" chop, he runs well, so do I. In a 1' chop, he's getting banged around, I'm starting to have fun. In a 2' chop, he's down to a crawl and getting the stuffing pounded out of him and I am pounding through the waves and tossing a lot of water.

At 3', he's probably not going out, but he's likely dropping by. At 4' and up, he hasn't untarped his boat, and I'm out playing in the waves and going diving...

I have a range of 130 miles with my inboard tank. He has a range limited to the Jerry cans he can carry.

Every accessory on his boat will break of you bang into it. Mine will break whatever hits it.

On the other hand, he paid about $30K new. Mine is probably $110K new. He pulls his with a V6 Ford Escape. I need a V8 Tahoe. And so it goes.

It all depends what you need... and want.

I became hooked on Hurricanes when I went whale watching in a 733 with twin 150s years ago. They are amazing boats and if I had the money, I'd own one.

achille2124 · 15 February 2011, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

Let me share a comparison that might help. I have a Hurricane 590. A friend has a Bombard RIB which is about the same length and width. Comparing them is a bit like comparing a Hummer to a Ford Explorer... same general idea, but the one is just entirely different.

My boat is rated for a 150 and flies. His is rated for a 90 and chugs in anything other than flt calm.

In the Great Lakes, we get a lot of close waves. In dead calm, he flies, I'm a little sluggish. At 6" chop, he runs well, so do I. In a 1' chop, he's getting banged around, I'm starting to have fun. In a 2' chop, he's down to a crawl and getting the stuffing pounded out of him and I am pounding through the waves and tossing a lot of water.

At 3', he's probably not going out, but he's likely dropping by. At 4' and up, he hasn't untarped his boat, and I'm out playing in the waves and going diving...

I have a range of 130 miles with my inboard tank. He has a range limited to the Jerry cans he can carry.

Every accessory on his boat will break of you bang into it. Mine will break whatever hits it.

On the other hand, he paid about $30K new. Mine is probably $110K new. He pulls his with a V6 Ford Escape. I need a V8 Tahoe. And so it goes.

It all depends what you need... and want.

I became hooked on Hurricanes when I went whale watching in a 733 with twin 150s years ago. They are amazing boats and if I had the money, I'd own one.

Great comparison, you're right on the money. Hurricane is hard on the body all the time, but it flies over the worst seas.

I had the chance to use 733 with twin 150's for 2 years (1 year Coast Guard and 1 year Whale watching captain) and nothing I've tried since is comparable, NOTHING!. In fact I loved so much that boat that I decided to make a career in Zodiac RIB sale. Telling you how much I love these boats would take a whole website so...

I get asked all the time prices for Hurricane and I give customers a reality check when I tell them the price. Example: A well motorized and well equipped 590 will turn around 130K$ CAD and a Hurricane 733 with CG configuration will turn around 250K$ CAD, a Hurricane 930OB will turn around 330K$ CAD....

I think most of the reasons for these high prices are that most of these boats are custom made and custom designed, made to accomplish specific task, very VERY high standard of quality, lots of custom hardware, north american employees salary rates, most of the time full production etc....

Hurricane is not luxury, its quality. I think we're are not used to pay more for quality in RIB, we're used to pay more for luxury and that is why people are questionning Hurricane's pricing.

zip · 15 February 2011, 23:44

Stoo,

great analogy.

why are you sluggish in calm conditions?

most of my usage is in the open ocean, so it is rarely calm conditions. sometimes i can't see over the next wave and i frequently get airborne. it is 37 miles from Dana Point to Avalon Harbor, Catalina Island. I would like to make the trip a little quicker, and not get beat up so much. My 14 footer does OK, but i am sure a 733 would probably do a lot better job.

would you go with the i/o diesel, or the twin ob?

Achille,

Why do you say these boats are hard on the body all the time? am i gonna get the crap kicked outta me on these too?

what is a 930ob? i googled it, and nothing came up.

thx for the input.

Stoo · 16 February 2011, 02:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

why are you sluggish in calm conditions?

I think it's just because the hull is so deep and the boats are heavy. They like a little air under them to run easily.

We dive in the St Lawrence River now and again. It's fairly flat water there, and the area is filled with flat-bottomed bass boats. These guys pass me easily, until it kicks up, then its a very different story.

I have never had my boat in the big salty water, but I know it would be a blast in big see swells. That's what they are designed for...

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

My 14 footer does OK, but i am sure a 733 would probably do a lot better job.

I suspect you aren't even close to appreciating the difference. A 733 with 2 x 150s is just a beast. It takes off and just never stops. You probably don't need to up-size as far as a 733. A 640 or even a 590 would make mincemeat out of that run.