Zodiac Hurricane 440

Rogan · 01 April 2006, 20:33

I've been searching for a new RIB and stumbled onto this Zodiac Hurricane 440. It's a 1990 and is going for a really reasonable sum(about 3000 dollars). With a year 2000 trailer and the 40hp merc it sounds like a deal. Does anyone have any thoughts on this little Hurricane. How do they handle compared to a Avon searider. I was surprised they even made such a small Hurricane.

OceanEco · 01 April 2006, 22:07

good ribs a bit of a round hull which slaps a little when you get into the bigger stuff 3-4 footers. seems like a really good deal if everything is in good shape.

dctucker · 01 April 2006, 22:38

Sounds like a great deal to me. I've got ~$5k into my 5.4mR Searider, which is 10 years older, with an even older outboard. And I think thats a bargain.

CAH · 01 April 2006, 22:41

I'd jump on it if this is what you want. 3K is a good deal for a Hurricane. You will get your money back if you decide re-sell in a few months.

Rogan · 01 April 2006, 23:34

It's not really the boat we want but it will suffice while we are saving for something bigger. Especially if it can be sold for the same amount we got it for.

prairie tuber · 02 April 2006, 04:03

Looks like a fantastic deal!!!

Rogan · 02 April 2006, 15:50

Hey guys,
How fast do you think this thing will go? I am sure not as fast as the Mark IIC with a 40hp. I mean this thing weighs 900pounds and the Futura weighs 180 pounds. Do think the 16 year old transom will survive a 60 hp on the back. I just don't want to go and get the thing in FL and find that its no where near as thrilling.

Thanks for the responses
Rogan

Pete7 · 02 April 2006, 16:16

Does seem rather heavy for the size, have a look at this to compare it to. You could always take it for a spin before buying. Mariner 40s are bomb proof if a little agricultural. We have a pair in the dive club that just work year in year out with little love or attention.

http://www.divernet.com/boats/boats497.htm

Pete

OceanEco · 02 April 2006, 19:31

i think you could power it up a bit more. one of my charter boats is a 1990 hull and it locks better than our other rib that is 10 years newer.

check the transom for stress cracks(mostly happens where the inside of the transom meets the deck).

if you do buy it i would drill a 1/4" hole in the transom(not all the way thru and look at the sawdustthat comes out on the drill bit. these transoms have a plywood core and it is a quick way to find out if the transom is rotting(wet sawdust). if it is dry you could power it up a LITTLE more. IMHO.

you should have no problem re selling it at a later date.

boatster_sr4 · 03 April 2006, 06:34

Thats a great deal for $3000. I imagine it would be perfect in the great lakes. You'd be able to handle the chop much better than your futura. It will go slower in the smooth glassy water but when things get too rough for the futura bust out the Hurricane and start having fun. It says its rated for a 50hp too so you can get 10 more out of her. 900 lbs is heavy though. My 5.4 meter searider ( 18' ) is supposed to be 750 lbs and is rated up to 90hp. I think an equivalent size searider to that Hurricane is the Avon sr4.7 which has a rating for 70hp. Seariders are fantastic boats thats for sure but that one you should most definitely be able to make money off of I would think. I say thumbs up.

Rogan · 03 April 2006, 12:44

Thanks for the responses.

Seller is sending me more pics today of the transom and hull. Also the tubes apparently hold air for a long time. Except for one chamber that leaks in 3 days. Sounds good.
I'll post the new pics when I get them.

Rogan · 03 April 2006, 20:42

I just can't understand why this boat is so heavy. I've looked at so many different RIBs in this size category and none of them are even within 200 pounds. Is this thing bullet proof or something! Anyone have any ideas? I've just never seen a boat this size this heavy. The hull must be really thick.

Anyways, looks like we are going to pick the boat up on saturday if all goes well. Some waves building here in Chicago and I've got an ich to go out!

Barfly · 04 April 2006, 07:30

yeah this really is a heavy boat... 408 kg or 900 pounds.. you can leave the rollbar and the sunscreen to win some pounds.. and 40HP is too less I think on such a beast

and max hp is 50.. just place a stronger engine (insurance?!), the transom can carry this... good luck saturday but don't decide too quick!!
Your zodiac now goes faster, I'm sure of that...

boatster_sr4 · 04 April 2006, 08:39

Would it be possible thats the weight with the factory installed motor stamped on there? I have no clue but just offering up ideas. I don't see how its 900 lbs unless like you said its glassed beyond reason.

Rogan · 04 April 2006, 17:40

This thing must be really thick. I am going to go see it on Sat. So I'll report back

Rogan · 04 April 2006, 19:54

Here some more pictures. How does that transom look to you guys. The paint seems to be gone. Is that the bare wood underneath or is that some kind of metal plate? If you look at the transom from the other direction it looks like it's a plate. I can't tell.

any help would be great.
Thanks

Rogan · 04 April 2006, 19:57

Some more pics. The inside of that transom makes me really worried. Looks water logged doesn't it. Somebody seems to have made some kind of pumping system at one point.

dctucker · 04 April 2006, 20:11

That does look like the raw wood in the photos. Odd that it's not better glassed, was it just painted from the factory or has something else gone on? The important question is, is the wood solid or rotten? Impossible to tell from photos... you need a hands on inspection.

The manual bilge pump installation is a bit unusual, but nothing to worry about, IMHO. As always, it's condition of the outboard, tubes, hull, trailer, etc.

jyasaki · 04 April 2006, 21:41

That inside transom plate: Looks like homemade reinforcement to me. Somebody had reason to think that the transom wasn't strong enough, and lifted the motor, bolted on a sheet of aluminum (I think) and dropped the motor back in place.

Can you have a shop take a look at it? Have them do either a moisture meter reading or do some invasive exploration, and see if it is rotting. If it is, see if you can split the repair cost with the seller.

OTOH, I recently sold a 14' soft-bottom Achilles with a Honda 40 (both about 3 to 4 years old) for $5700, so you're still pretty much on the good side of the deal.

jky

Rogan · 04 April 2006, 22:45

I am not too sure that is a sheet of aluminum on the inside. It looks like paint from the inside but a plate from the other side! Doesn't make sense. Maybe that is the original paint and underneath it's glassed in black? Is that possible? Or it is a plate on the inside that was painted black and the black paint is peeling. Could be anything couldn't it. This is driving me nuts!

Thanks for the help
going to talk to the seller tonight.

anyone else have any thoughts?