Baby zapcats?

Nos4r2 · 07 October 2020, 00:59

Anyone ever tried one of these?

Yes,I know it's Chinese.

Yes, I know the deal with Chinese stuff and I wouldn't put a Chinese motor on anything, but this is basically a baby zapcat... At 3.35m and rated to 25hp it'd be a loony toy, and small enough and fully inflatable so could viably be a yacht tender... :o

https://lianyaboat.en.made-in-china....-for-Sale.html

Obsidian · 07 October 2020, 06:47

Looks like a bucket full of fun!

Roflhat · 07 October 2020, 08:53

How much are they?
Ceasar do make a 3.2m thundercat, can take up to a 30hp although folk have stuck 50's on them. Probably a better investment, if you buy a new one you could even make a profit if you sold it in a couple years

Nos4r2 · 07 October 2020, 09:20

Cheap. Caesar couldn't compete. With free shipping as well if I don't mind waiting for it to come by sea.

Hence asking-it looks like a bucket full of fun, but I'd rather not bin a several hundred quid on an unknown, though if it's decent I might.

I think it's basically one of these with a set of speed tubes on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkyByR0sUlQ

Roflhat · 07 October 2020, 09:33

Wow that is cheap!
A few thundercat folk have gone for chinese boats, mostly guys in Aus. They do alright, will still give you 70% of the full experience but as you say at 40% of the price. I reckon a new Ceasar 3.2m would be £2k by the time it reaches your door.
Just watch out for silly issues, one guy got one and the foot straps were facing the wrong way, only way they would work is if you sat facing the transom

Searider · 07 October 2020, 10:58

I've got a friend looking at importing some of these - do you think there would be much demand?
He would be partnering them with outboards sourced in the UK.

Nos4r2 · 07 October 2020, 11:15

Not sure, i'm struggling to find correct info, though it now appears the ones like the Saturn with speed tubes on are only rated up to a 9.9hp.

At that point I'm wondering if it's worth it-would it even come up onto the speed tubes with a 9.8 Tohatsu or equivalent?

Got enquiries on prices on both the ones with the GRP bow and the one without that takes 9.9hp.

smallribber · 07 October 2020, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Anyone ever tried one of these?

Yes,I know it's Chinese.

Yes, I know the deal with Chinese stuff and I wouldn't put a Chinese motor on anything, but this is basically a baby zapcat... At 3.35m and rated to 25hp it'd be a loony toy, and small enough and fully inflatable so could viably be a yacht tender... :o

https://lianyaboat.en.made-in-china....-for-Sale.html

Clicking the link says they are unavailable. Where did you see the Price. I would love one and would hapily take the risk if it were in the 100's of pounds

Nos4r2 · 07 October 2020, 18:08

Just had an email from the manufacturer, the lianya ones are no longer in production, so all that's available as far as I can find is the Caesar version (called the Baby Pencil) or the Saturn-like ones with speed tubes, though I'm a bit dubious of those as they're only rated to 9.9hp.

jeffstevens763@g · 07 October 2020, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Just had an email from the manufacturer, the lianya ones are no longer in production, so all that's available as far as I can find is the Caesar version (called the Baby Pencil) or the Saturn-like ones with speed tubes, though I'm a bit dubious of those as they're only rated to 9.9hp.

Bit like the takakat started at 15 hp down rated to 10 up only one reason IMO

HDAV · 07 October 2020, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Anyone ever tried one of these?

Yes,I know it's Chinese.

Yes, I know the deal with Chinese stuff and I wouldn't put a Chinese motor on anything, but this is basically a baby zapcat... At 3.35m and rated to 25hp it'd be a loony toy, and small enough and fully inflatable so could viably be a yacht tender... :o

https://lianyaboat.en.made-in-china....-for-Sale.html

Looks a lot more fun than these https://zegomarine.co.uk/zego-boats.aspx

Roflhat · 08 October 2020, 09:14

You'd want a GRP nose or the whole boat would flex around. Have you had a look on Alibaba? Used to be loads of companies in China producing zapcat replicas

Nos4r2 · 08 October 2020, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roflhat

You'd want a GRP nose or the whole boat would flex around. Have you had a look on Alibaba? Used to be loads of companies in China producing zapcat replicas

Yes, found a 3.1m version rated to 25hp on Alibaba, contacting the company now.

I think that could be a tad insane.