Vintage Zodiac Futura MK2 Sport 4.2m outboard choices

COVENTRY · 17 July 2016, 23:46

I have just acquired a very vintage but useable Futura Mk2 4.2m Sport. I believe it is from 1990. Number on the plate is XDC 3639B 1990, rated for 50hp max.

I have reglued the transom and sorted other issues and will 100% not be putting a 50hp beast on it due to age of boat etc. probably just a 15hp - 25hp two stroke as I will be lifting it on and off each time I use the boat and it all has to fit in my car.

My major confusion is whether to buy a short or long shaft motor for this boat? The transom has a factory made cut out in it which makes me think Zodiac intended a short shaft.

The plywood transom is 15in high from the lowest point of 'V' on the keel, however if you add in the speed tubes, we get to around 18in - 19in overall. I have had other Sibs where the choice was more clear cut e.g. just a standard shaft motor!

As my boat seems to be from the Futura pre-history period, I cannot find a manual or brochure from c.1990 online

. At the moment I am thinking short shaft, but as I have not used the boat yet, I don't know how low in the water the speed tubes sit when on the plane - I guess this would depend on how much weight was being carried on board?

Anyway, pictures are not my actual boat but are the same model/year - excuse the internet grab, but haven't had time to take pics yet...

Any other vintage Futura owners [or anyone else] out there who have any thoughts on this choice? Would it be better to get a longshaft and then raise it up a bit, rather than get a shortshaft and have to cut down the transom if it cavitates at speed [transom is already only 15in] And do people think the motors in these pics are long or short shafts? I'm confused...

jeffstevens763@g · 18 July 2016, 11:51

look on the Ron hale marine site it states short for fastroller and long for the ali deck

Fenlander · 18 July 2016, 12:00

I have thoughts but not a certain answer!

I have a 2002 Zodiac brochure here which states all air floor Futuras (often called Futura FR) are short shaft. The futura S models were short shaft in the 3.5/3.8 models with the 4.2/4.7 models being longshaft. Then there was the Futura sport which at this year had a centre console and was a longshaft.

If your Sport is along the same design as the 2002 Sport the speed tubes are far larger than a standard Futuras hence making it more of a catamaran design on the plane so... I assume... the need for a longshaft.

Pics would help us ID what you have.

jeffstevens763@g · 18 July 2016, 12:15

Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Zodiac Mark 2 Futura Aluminium

is that it mate

office888 · 18 July 2016, 13:27

Shortshaft.

Hold on a moment, I'll scan a copy of the brochure I have.

office888 · 18 July 2016, 13:48

This is from a 1995 brochure, but the info should basically be the same:

Andy1970 · 18 July 2016, 18:43

Hi
When asking the same question for 2005 4.2 futura FR,(with pointy cones) I had differing answers, but guessed that, as the transom had a factory cut out, a short shaft seemed right. On other models some transoms are raised in the middle so guess meant for a long shaft? Anyway I got a short but have found it to aireate a bit, but maybe that's normal when bouncing over the waves fast, i still need a trip out on flat water to confirm I got the right length....
I'm south London based if you want to try a Yamaha 25 2s
Andy

office888 · 18 July 2016, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy1970

Hi
When asking the same question for 2005 4.2 futura FR,(with pointy cones) I had differing answers, but guessed that, as the transom had a factory cut out, a short shaft seemed right. On other models some transoms are raised in the middle so guess meant for a long shaft? Anyway I got a short but have found it to aireate a bit, but maybe that's normal when bouncing over the waves fast, i still need a trip out on flat water to confirm I got the right length....
I'm south London based if you want to try a Yamaha 25 2s
Andy

Where is your cav plate in orientation of with the transom, +/- height in mm?

What trim pin setting are you running the engine at?

Andy1970 · 18 July 2016, 19:23

Cav plate height not sure, will measure it properly at weekend, boat hopefully coming out this Sunday 24 th, Iow sib trip anyone?
Had the trim pin, so engine was closest to transom, but it's been choppy the times it's been to the coast, I know I need to experiment a bit.
A

office888 · 18 July 2016, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy1970

Cav plate height not sure, will measure it properly at weekend, boat hopefully coming out this Sunday 24 th, Iow sib trip anyone?
Had the trim pin, so engine was closest to transom, but it's been choppy the times it's been to the coast, I know I need to experiment a bit.
A

I'd try moving it out by 1 pin position. Maybe 2.

You want a slight bow-up attitude on the Futura platform, to minimize hull drag.

COVENTRY · 18 July 2016, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by office888

This is from a 1995 brochure, but the info should basically be the same:

That is the one! Mark 2 says short shaft so I think that answers it. Thank you so much! It has the red floorboards which are a Zodiac 'composite' apart from the from the front two which are ply painted red.

COVENTRY · 18 July 2016, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by office888

Shortshaft.

Hold on a moment, I'll scan a copy of the brochure I have.

This is why I love this forum.

Thanks again mate.

Northern Pike · 19 July 2016, 03:31

I have a 1991 brochure. It doesn't say what shaft length, but I would say judging by the cut-out in the top of the transom that its a short shaft.
It also says Max. HP 50, Recommended HP 40. I wouldn't use anything smaller than 25 HP if I were you.
And I agree with Richard: Move it out from the transom one or two holes.

office888 · 20 July 2016, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Pike

I have a 1991 brochure. It doesn't say what shaft length, but I would say judging by the cut-out in the top of the transom that its a short shaft.
It also says Max. HP 50, Recommended HP 40. I wouldn't use anything smaller than 25 HP if I were you.
And I agree with Richard: Move it out from the transom one or two holes.

It'd probably plane with a 9.9/15hp!

The "Sport" model had oversized speedtubes on it too...

I miss the Futura Junior 320. 28 mph w/ 9.9hp.

Northern Pike · 20 July 2016, 14:17

According to the 1991 brochure, a Futura Sport will do 50 mph with a 50 HP motor, and a Futura Junior will do 30 mph with a 9.9.

COVENTRY · 20 July 2016, 22:11

I may take you up on the offer of trying out Yam 25. Just have to find the time!