Buying my first Zodiac #3432

[badsign]

I'm looking to buy a Zodiac 15' inflatable
Code XDC , M83F , Model 3432
It is sitting on a homemade trailer and the tubes are holding air
is has a 9hp outboard on it, wood floor,wood transom
looks like a 20 plus yr old boat , but I just want to use it to go diving in my Calif
coastal waters.
II think I can get it for 300.00 dollars as it has to be moved from its current site.
the registration shouldn't be more that 300.00 so that puts me in about 600.00
Any pro's or con's or do's and dont's I should be concerned about.
I just want it to be a nice little dive boat that I can use about 4 times a year
gary

[Locozodiac]

I just want it to be a nice little dive boat that I can use about 4 times a year

A 15" sib definitely is not a little dive boat. Will need to get yourself at least a 30 HP engine to move that beast confortably, the 9 HP will be usefull only for plottering around or as a back-up engine. Look for air leaks on tubes, valves, keel.

Happy Sibbing

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

A 15" sib definitely is not a little dive boat. Will need to get yourself at least a 30 HP engine to move that beast confortably, the 9 HP will be usefull only for plottering around or as a back-up engine. Look for air leaks on tubes, valves, keel.

Happy Sibbing

Agree with Locozodiac. Depending how many divers (based on a minimum of 2) are in the boat - you're going to need a bigger engine. It'll be short shaft. A 15' SIB should be able to take up to 50hp comfortably. Also look at some way of securing gas cylinders. The floor is removable - so you will be able to rig something up to secure from underneath.

[badsign]

well I got it for 500.00.
pick it up tomorrow and me and my buddy will go through it
and see what it needs.
any suggestions on what I should do to it to get it into a good dive / abalone boat

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by badsign

well I got it for 500.00.
pick it up tomorrow and me and my buddy will go through it
and see what it needs.
any suggestions on what I should do to it to get it into a good dive / abalone boat

Buy a sib trailer and a bigger engine, minimum a 30 HP, a side tube protector, fabric or whatever to protect tubes when outting or entering sib with diving gear and a ladder.

Happy Sibbing

[badsign]

here are some photos