Advice on possible Zodiac futura purchase

[fredyflame]

Hi

I have been offered a Zodiac futura 3.8m built 2001 with Yamaha 15hp 2 stroke engine late 1990's, trailer, and never used streering console for £2150. Is this a fair price as I am new to boating and realy have no idea. All items look in great condition no repairs on boat apart from tiny one on floor and no marks on engine.
Also been told that engine is much sort after -


Any help would be great as the person needs a deposit soon

Thanks

Anthony

[ian parkes]

sounds quite expensive for that age . it would have to be really mint to fetch that .

the 2 stroke 15 - 30 hp are sought aftrer and hold thier money if good .

you mention a repair on the floor , presume its an air floor , watch that . also the consul, is no use on an air floor . and i don't think a normal rib consu will work in a futura , it had a frame work set up for steerring wheel use . but you are better off with a tiller steer on that size of boat .
does the motor have a tiller steer at present , or does it need setting up with a steering system and consul ?

My opinion is look around over the winter and you will fin something newer .

You could buy a brand new honda 3.8 sib for 750 leaving the rest for a decent trailer and used engine

[fredyflame]

Thanks for the advice Ian
The engine does have tiller steering
Why would we be better off with tiller steering?
The Gentleman does say the wheel is for that boat just never fitted
Are the Honda as good as the Zodiac? and the futura with its hull seams to offer smoth ride in the write ups

He wants 950 for the motor it looks very clean in the photos

He said the patch on the floor is solid
Is an air floor better or worse than an aluminium one?

[lockieboi]

Originally Posted by fredyflame

He said the patch on the floor is solid
Is an air floor better or worse than an aluminium one?

There's argument for both.
A solid floor SIB which I use is a lot more rigid and provides a stable platform.

The air floors are better if being packed away after use.

The air floors also need a lot of pressure which is why the patch would possibly be a concern.

A tiller steer setup on that size SIB is more practical as a console (which you can't attach to a air floor) would take up a fair amount of space.

Hope this helps.

[ian parkes]

fredy as lockieboi says re tiller steer etc and air floors

the engine will probably fetch 900

The air floor on the futura is seperate , and drops in place between the tubes the futura i had used to pop the air floor out at the rear when it got choppy

as for honda vs zodiac , the zodiac is a tougher more expensive boat but i would much rather have new honda or similar than a 10 year old futura
as for better ride , there isn't much in it , have owned both and bought the futura because of the hijacker hype , all sibs will bounce your kidneys out in anything but flat water , they take the sea well and are seaworthy and very capable but you need to be too. Its like being a pillion on a motocross bike , how long can you hang on .

[fredyflame]

To clarify the motor does have tiller steering

I have taken on board all thats been said and think I will hang on and perhaps look for a more modern boat with solid floor as I dont need to roll it
Cheers

[Peter_C]

Just so you know, the tubes on most PVC boats are thermal welded and will not fail, but the glue for the floor, transom, and everything else will. Seems to be around year ten when the glue starts failing.

[spartacus]

Seems expensive to me, however it's the engine that will hold the price.

There's a mint 2007 Yammie 15hp 2-stroke at Pennine Marine for £1650.
Pennine Marine Ltd > PREOWNED BOATS AND OUTBOARDS, RIBS & ENGINES

There's also a 2000 Futura at Bridger Marine with seating and remote steering, with a mint Yammie 40hp and trailer for £3750. It has the aluminium floor, wich adds a degree of rigidity as the boat is flighty especially with larger engines.
John Bridger Marine

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Just so you know, the tubes on most PVC boats are thermal welded and will not fail, but the glue for the floor, transom, and everything else will. Seems to be around year ten when the glue starts failing.

Early Zodiacs (late 80s) the seams were on the top of the tubes. The lace cuff and row lock were added on top of this, so it was a difficult repair if the seam gave way. This seam was prone to expansion and contraction from being in the sun all day. Later models were produced with the seam underneath. More of an issue with yourselves state-side... where you actually see the sun!

Agree with glue failing at transom, cone ends and on the inflatable keel end. Easy enough fix if repair is carried out with 2-part PVC glue in right conditions.

[ian parkes]

New Tohatsu 3.5m Sportsboat Inflatable with 20hp Engine | eBay

I also saw a tidy tohatsu 25 2t on ebay earlier today for 995 you could buy a new sib and trailer for that for about a thousand

[henryfreston]

that is too expensive. I bought a 2006 2 stroke tohatsu 25hp with 30hours, a 4m aluminium floor honwave and trailer all in mint condition for £1700.

[Sharkbyte]

Forget the price for a minute. What are you looking to do with the boat?

IMO, if you want something that can be packed away and taken to the beach for a bit of fun on a sunny, calm day, look for an air floor boat with tiller steering.

If, however, you want something to do some proper miles in, when conditions are anything but perfect, go for a hard floor boat with console steering. Often a small trailer is most practical, also.


There's no way I'd have done anything like what I use my Futura III for if it was an air floor with tiller. It eats miles in all manner of conditions, and was well worth the premium price.

[ian parkes]

I much prefer the tiller , you can do a lot more with tiller steer like play in surf and hang on in the rough easier , once you master it .
Plus there is so much more room in the boat . and you can just lift the engine off and carry it if need be .
Thats surely why the rnli and other small rescue boats use tiller steer .

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I much prefer the tiller , you can do a lot more with tiller steer like play in surf and hang on in the rough easier , once you master it .
Plus there is so much more room in the boat . and you can just lift the engine off and carry it if need be .
Thats surely why the rnli and other small rescue boats use tiller steer .

Agreed. For tricky water conditions, a tiller is the far better way to go.

I do agree with sharkbyte about the hard floor.

[azzurro]

Interesting point that of tricky conditions and tiller. I really felt confident this summer with 1,5 meter waves. I guess tiller allows you to change direction faster than steer, never thought about that.

In Spain tiller outboards are not allowed beyond 20hp. I understand that tiller steering a flat bottom boat (not Futura) faster than 20 knots can be dangerous... in fact I adjust my 20hp engine tiller to "hard turn" to avoid these accidents.

[Sharkbyte]

Each to their own, I guess, but there's no way I'd be doing 30 mile + offshore fishing trips with tiller steering.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Sharkbyte

Each to their own, I guess, but there's no way I'd be doing 30 mile + offshore fishing trips with tiller steering.

You wouldn't catch me more than about 10 miles offshore, tiller or not (i have a tiller) Then again our ocean is unforgiving and ever changing.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Sharkbyte

Each to their own, I guess, but there's no way I'd be doing 30 mile + offshore fishing trips with tiller steering.

Why not , you seem to have an idea that a tiller affords less control or ability

from your vidios you appear to be sat side by side on what looks like a bench seat ? you wouldn't cope with anything like the conditions you can holding a line with one hand and the tiller with another with your legs braced as shock absorbers .

It takes a longer to get used to a tiller i agree but in a small rib or sib its the best way for rough sea controll just watch some vids of lifeguards or the RNLI or zap cat racers .
as for cruising distance just set the friction screw and all you need is one hand resting on the tiller .
if you have a steering damper which is necessary i think for a 40 or 50 then its even easier . I use a bungee cord system from the tiller to the side of the boat and it works very well .

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by azzurro

Interesting point that of tricky conditions and tiller. I really felt confident this summer with 1,5 meter waves. I guess tiller allows you to change direction faster than steer, never thought about that.

In Spain tiller outboards are not allowed beyond 20hp. I understand that tiller steering a flat bottom boat (not Futura) faster than 20 knots can be dangerous... in fact I adjust my 20hp engine tiller to "hard turn" to avoid these accidents.

Interesting. In North America there are lots of +200 hp tiller outboards.

I have been in some large rapids conditions a few times where if I were using remote wheel steering and a lever throttle, things would have gone very badly.

[azzurro]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Interesting. In North America there are lots of +200 hp tiller outboards.

I have been in some large rapids conditions a few times where if I were using remote wheel steering and a lever throttle, things would have gone very badly.

I may be wrong and spanish limit may be 25hp.
But +200hp seems like a Conan adventure.