New boat incoming Quicksilver 420 HD + 20HP Mercury

Jasperj · 04 June 2021, 14:56

Hi all,

Recently subscribed to the forum and was from the beginning of the purchase of the Zodiac doubting to sell it and buy new.

Just pulled the trigger today on getting a brand new setup and went for the Quicksilver 420 HD with 20HP Mercury EFI outboard.

Despite every store being sold out and not expecting any new stock I've managed to secure a boat in stock and an outboard incoming in July.

The only worry I slightly have is that the overall quality of the Quicksilver will be less than the solid build Zodiac and that this can cause disappointment of selling the Zodiac...

the devil is in the details.. so I really hope this will not be the case as depreciation is not my friend

Fenlander · 04 June 2021, 15:44

That will be a nice outfit. The quality will be fine and probably no worse than a Zodiac at the same price.

Jasperj · 04 June 2021, 16:45

Fenlander thanks again for your response.
Somehow it seems that the quicksilver fabric feels a bit more plastic then the solid rubbery fabric of the 2005 zodiac. But I’m very excited about the brand new EFI motor.

Going to investigate scotty accessories for mounting a fish finder and gps without drilling to the transom

jeffstevens763@g · 04 June 2021, 18:19

Good build quality I had the Mercury 365HD same boats mine was PVC welded they went back to the quicksilver name couple of years back with lighter boats around 20 kg not sure if the floor is lighter (it was heavy on mine ) or a new material. Gurnard had a 420 glued PVC lasted about 12-14 years not sure, they are as good a zodiacs IMO.
Your zodiac possibility hypalon not PVC

Jasperj · 04 June 2021, 18:43

Thanks for responding Jeff.

Thought from my research that all zodiac futuras were pvc and not hypalon. But I could be wrong.

I’m looking forward to unpack the quicksilver. It’s still at the dealer awaiting a loan outboard, picking it up somewhere next week probably. First need some space in the garage to store everything.

jeffstevens763@g · 04 June 2021, 19:46

I was under the impression there was an upgrade possibly not, but for the money expensive when you see quicksilver and excel doing the speed tubes now too for far less. I think you’ll find the quicksilver sluggish at the side of the futura depending on what you want but they are very caperble boats with plenty of room. Enjoy put some pics up when you have her set up Jasper

Jasperj · 04 June 2021, 22:43

I’ll will definitely put some photos up from the new setup. Luckily we had the zodiac for a very short time and only cruised at 6kmu speeds so the quicksilver won’t feel sluggish

Jasperj · 15 June 2021, 18:08

Picked up the boat today. Have a 4 hp mariner four stroke loan outboard from the dealer until the 20 hp Mercury gets delivered. Expect the motor somewhere early July.

Everything is still in the car, hope to get it setup tonight or tomorrow. It’s quite a big package. And unfortunately the floorboards don’t fit in the boot flat on the ground…

Jasperj · 22 June 2021, 20:11

So everything is still packed in it’s original state.
Just decided to do some mods to the trailer first. So replaced all rubber pads with new blue ones, these supposedly not leave rubber marks on the boat, new wrench band & hook and new trumpet rollers.

Now I’m eager to inflate the boat and get the trailer adjusted to the new boat and get it out ASAP for its maiden voyage.

Jasperj · 22 June 2021, 20:14

Two blue pads that can be lifted to support the transom.

In total 4 of these trumpet rollers to support the tubes.

Jasperj · 23 June 2021, 21:29

Finally had some time to inflate the boat.
It's a beast.... took me quite some time to set it up and still not 100% happy with the result and the way it goes. Believe it should take less time then I spent now. But, hey, there's for everything a first time.

Here are some photo's of the boat.

Brinormeg · 23 June 2021, 22:16

Looking good

Jasperj · 23 June 2021, 22:24

All your insider tips on easy assembly are more then welcome.

Now I’ve struggled heavily with the side stingers, that’s what the sidebars locking the floorboards are called I believe.

Also the bow floor pieces seem to live their own live and don’t go ip slow and nice toward the bow but decline in between the two bow board.

Brinormeg · 23 June 2021, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasperj

All your insider tips on easy assembly are more then welcome.

Now I’ve struggled heavily with the side stingers, that’s what the sidebars locking the floorboards are called I believe.

Also the bow floor pieces seem to live their own live and don’t go ip slow and nice toward the bow but decline in between the two bow board.

When i was looking at ali floor sibs (before i went air floor) I watched a video on youtube and the guy had attached a few eyes and rope to pull the parts together and another used washing up liquid to help bits slip together.
But seems that its down to practice as much as anything and at least with the trailer you wont always be setting it up and down every use

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn4cRkX3xTU

Jasperj · 23 June 2021, 22:53

Do probably want to take it down… the garage is now completely full with boat. That’s far from ideal, so I’ll probably will be inflating at home and put it on the trailer for transport and launching.

Saw some nice YouTube clips in thé meantime, these give the indication that it could be done in a reasonable 20 min.

I’ll give it some practice and want to switch over to an electric pump ASAP. :-)

Then I’ll will look into my plans for some upgrades. Want to have some goodies installed amd get excited from the scotty fishing accessories

Wazzajnr · 23 June 2021, 23:15

Get one of these (no affiliation just credit where it's due)
I bought one and it's revolutionised my setup.
You can be getting other things ready whilst it does its thing.
Brilliant bit of kit

Jasperj · 24 June 2021, 05:16

Hi wazzajnr,

Thanks for your reply! Think there’s a link missing in your post?

Wazzajnr · 24 June 2021, 07:49

Sorry, my bad!

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Force-...-Inflator/29WA

Jasperj · 24 June 2021, 10:26

Thanks! Looks good with its own battery

Wazzajnr · 24 June 2021, 10:31

Really is a great bit of kit.
I blew up our 3.2 sib and 3 paddle boards, then a couple of top ups during the day then deflated them all at the end of the day all on one charge.
It was close to flat by that point but still impressive.
I think the bravo has a slightly higher output so will be a bit quicker but the force 4 one is far from slow.
If I remember this weekend I'll try and get a video of it.