A few years ago, Zodiac modified the Grand Raid line significantly: bow shape, valves went from intercommunicating to Leafield C7, no glued in thrust board anymore, and a few other things. (In contrast, the Zodiac Heavy Duty line continues to have all of the classic Zodiac characteristics, many of which are shared by the Zodiac FC series.)
It seems to me that these changes make the Zodiac Grand Raid much more like an AVON boat, particularly the AVON Workboat series (like the one I just bought).
I'm speculating that Zodiac had the Grand Raid line manufactured in the AVON factory in the UK. Can anybody confirm? Are Zodiac Grand Raids still made in France, or in the UK in the AVON factory?
Projectile,
The current Zodiac Grand Raid is made in Spain at the Figueres factory. Not in the UK.
The Zodiac Workboat 465 that you bought from Defender, was built at the GB factory.
The pre-fix on your HIN plate/serial number on your Workboat (and other boats today) shows the country of origin for the boat.
GB- Great Britain
ES-Espagne [Spain]
Attached is a capacity plate from a current Grand Raid that arrived here recently (a custom-built White Hypalon version).
Wish that my capacity plate said "Zodiac Milpro" on it. Despite the fact that the Workboat Series is a Zodiac Milpro product and it's made of a heavier and stronger material than the Grand Raid, has larger buoyancy tubes and load capacity than it's Grand Raid cousin, my capacity plate says "Zodiac Marine and Pool".
Sheesh.
(Don't know why I care, but I do. It's not particularly rational...)
Also wish that my transom was pre-drilled for launching wheels...
What's the point of having a costly heavy duty Zodiac when it will be used for family recreational purposes & perhaps fishing. Zodiac Grand Raid is a much tough boat than any conventional standard sib. Zodiac Milpo costs a fortune, are you trying to emulate Rambo ?
I haven't been diving in over a decade, but I still love my Rolex Submariner, and will never get rid of it. It's overkill, for sure.
I'll never do any serious off-roading, but I'd love to have a Land Rover Defender.
And I LOVE big black milpro inflatables. If I could afford it, my dreamboat would be Martini's FC470, or perhaps even an FC530, though that size is really getting into RIB territory.
... That's me, I guess.
