I heard a rumour that Zodiac have just ended production of both their Classic and Futura ranges of boats. Can anyone confirm this? If true, any ideas why? Have the cheaper boats from China taken the business?
Limited demand and Zodiac's wish to streamline their range is what I saw in the press release a few months ago. If you look at their website they are no longer listed.
Bombard (Zodiac) typhoon is a nice alternative to the classic. Nothing replaces the Futura though.
Interesting, thanks. My intitial thought would have been to keep the smaller boats in the range in order to offer an economical introduction to boats and the Zodiac brand itself. I agree about the Futura, especially now Bombard have stopped producing the Aerotec.
I noticed that, though the AKA range seems to be aimed at commercial/ professional users rather than the leisure market. The boats are quite expensive. As you mentioned, the smaller SIBs have now been withdrawn and AKA now offer more larger SIBs in Hypalon with the speed tubes. These seem to be direct competition for the large Milpro SIBs used by e.g. cruise ships (MK5 & MK6).
I noticed that, though the AKA range seems to be aimed at commercial/ professional users rather than the leisure market. The boats are quite expensive. As you mentioned, the smaller SIBs have now been withdrawn and AKA now offer more larger SIBs in Hypalon with the speed tubes. These seem to be direct competition for the large Milpro SIBs used by e.g. cruise ships (MK5 & MK6).
The pics were taken at central marine services that particularly boat was aimed at the fire service I’m sure Jason told me it was an in between milpro and leasure company with zodiac cutting back or trimming the company. The AKA boat was well made but didn’t warrant the over £5000 price tag at the side of an excel at £1400
Cheers. That is quite a price difference. Did a little searching... the 4.3m Hypalon boats currently cost around £7500 and even the 3.8m PVC boats are just under £5000. At those prices I doubt they will sell many to leisure users.
I guess Zodiac will focus on RIBs now, along with the smaller tenders.
Cheers. That is quite a price difference. Did a little searching... the 4.3m Hypalon boats currently cost around £7500 and even the 3.8m PVC boats are just under £5000. At those prices I doubt they will sell many to leisure users.
I guess Zodiac will focus on RIBs now, along with the smaller tenders.
I’ve had zodiac boats and for me I see nothing better on them than the excel or Mercury boats excel are made in Korea not sure about mercury.
Yankee 154
spy-sea-one
