Zodiac Futura 2 help

[shrek25]

Hi All, I've been after a zodiac Futura for a while now and today I finally went to see one locally. Unfortunately when I saw it the transom had fallen off, what I want to know is what is it worth in its current state, the boat was made in 99, it has a mid 90's 25hp mariner on remote and the trailer is only a few years old. If I was to buy it I would want to undertake the work myself an I've had a bit of experience gluing inflatables being an Rnli ILB mechanic.
Thanks
Tom

[Landlockedpirate]

Difficult to value as a package, but I can tell you what the boats worth on its own.

Last year I sold a 1999 Futura MK2C Fastroller on ebay. It was listed as spares or repair, because all the glue was starting to fail (although it was still together) and it was no reserve and 99p start. It went for £470.


If you are happy to do the repairs (dont forget the floor will need doing as well) I think its worth £1500-£2000. Considering the rig would have been nearly 5k new, its not a bad price.

[Peter_C]

Around 6 years ago, I bought a 1992 Zodiac MKII GT Sport with a 40HP and a trailer in trade for $1450 in dive gear. The glue had failed like the one shown above.

If the transom looks like that the rest of the floor will need replacement.The tubes themselves are thermo-bonded and will not fail. I spent at least 40 hours performing the repair.

[SpearRib]

Well I had a 2006 futura mk2, 2006 30hp and 2006 trailer, with a new fiberglass transom freshly installed offered for $1500GBP and I didnt get much positive feedback at that price so they must sell much cheaper.

[shrek25]

Well I've offered him £1250, just waiting for him to get back to me. Would this be a fair offer?

[shrek25]

Well I've now got the boat, what's the best thing for cleaning it as the tubes are very grubby? I'm in the process of now removing the transom compleatly. Would it be worth replacing the transom, if so can you get other materials other than wooden ones?
Thanks
Tom

[captnjack]

Not sure why you'd replace that perfectly good transom. I'd look at removing all the associated flanges and clean up what you have, then just re-glue it. Unless of course you find that its delaminated, then replace.

[shrek25]

I've now taken the transom off, it's not in to bad a condition so will just let it try out then I'll clean it off.

[Peter_C]

I would recommend pulling the floor off too. If the glue hasn't failed there yet it will, and the last place you want to find out it is failing is out on the water.

[shrek25]

I was going to do the floor but the previous owner had large patches put on the underside to protect it when being dragged up the beach.

[Peter_C]

I can't tell by your photos but he very last blurry one makes it look like they overlapped the floor? You could just peel the second layer back a little bit, but if it is double secured by the protecting layer...run it!

[shrek25]

I've started to clean of the glue residue, this is going to take longer than expected lol. I've noticed that the transom has started de laminating so it's going to need replacing, I was wondering if I there is any other material other than wood that I could make one out of. I like the idea of a black plastic one.

[shrek25]

Is there no material other than wood used to make transoms?

[Landlockedpirate]

I have never seen any other product used for the transom, but that doesnt mean something else wouldnt work.

But plywood is cheap, easy to find and easy to work, so why reinvent the wheel ?

I would think the problem with most hard plastics would be getting a suitable glue to stick it to the boat.

[uffdave]

I used plywood to replace a transom on a similar zodiac. 2 layers of 3/4inch marine ply with epoxy resin as the glue and then epoxy coating of all surfaces after shaping should stop it from delaminating again. Also gave it a real good bonding surface the mounting pieces all adhered real well and has held up well to two year of Lake Superior use. Do you still have this boat? I need a few measurements if possible I am restoring one now also.

[shrek25]

Hi, yah still have the boat, not started repairing it yet, waiting for the weather to warm up. What dimensions are you after?

[Captain Pepe]

I own a Zodiac Futura mark 3 in Mexico Gulf Cost.

It is very important when you tow the boat and when you aré using it to hace THE correct pressure on tubes. Under inflación damages the transome.

Also when boat not in use and store put on the botom part of the engine (near prop) something that will help relief weight from the transome. Or store the engine apart.

[Captain Pepe]

My problem with transome in zodiac futura is that it starts to un-glue.