Zodiac futura keel

[Gazzago]

Hi all

Managed to pick up a lovely old Zodiac Futura 3.8 fastroller the other day for a bargain price.

Needs a little glue but seems in good condition otherwise.

As this is an old boat and the floor looks like it never had a keel I’m wondering;

1, Did it ever have an inflatable keel?
2, Could I fit one beneath the floor or would the lower floor be too strong and not deform enough to make an effective keel?

Once I’ve sorted the glue I’ll give it a try but this may be up for sale soon yet. We shall see [emoji1]

[Fenlander]

I do know there were several variants of the Futura design and to me there is no slack in that floor to take a keel.

Always been attracted to them... always wanted one... got near a couple... but never quite there.

Edit: Quick bit of research seems to say the Mk.2 & Mk.3 had a central keel but not the smaller Mk.2C. Is yours this model?

[Gazzago]

No I don’t think there is enough slack to take a keel either.

I’ll bet it’s quick though. More like a catamaran with that floor!

[Fenlander]

Which bits need glue?

[Gazzago]

One of the speed tubes and as usual the top parts of the transom.

Someone has used silkaflex on the top transom flaps so that will need cleaning off before glueing. That’ll be a bigger job than glueing it!

[Dave Cowell]

I don't think it would have had a keel as there would be an access hole through the air deck to allow inflation.

It looks clean and tidy, what needs glueing?


We have glue, solvent and fabric in stock if you need anything

[Gazzago]

Originally Posted by Dave Cowell

I don't think it would have had a keel as there would be an access hole through the air deck to allow inflation.

It looks clean and tidy, what needs glueing?


We have glue, solvent and fabric in stock if you need anything

Thanks I’ll look at your site. Where are you based?

[Dave Cowell]

Chorley, a couple of miles from M61 j8

[redken]

Hi, You have a futura concept, they don’t have a centre keel.

[Gazzago]

Originally Posted by redken

Hi, You have a futura concept, they don’t have a centre keel.

Thanks for that. Pretty much what I suspected. Do you know anything about them?

[redken]

Not much to add, need for glue seems to be the norm. Some good tips on utube for that especially if it’s the transom.

[maverick58]

Did you purchase that from someone on gumtree in Gloucester?? If so it looked a Bargain at £600, caught my eye too. Never seen one without a center keel before either.

[Gazzago]

No I got it locally in the North West. Will be going up for sale as soon as I sort a little glue on it I think. Can’t wait to give it a try in the water but busy working lots at the moment.

[maverick58]

I’d be curious to know how it performs with just the 2 keels instead of 3 and straight edged transom creating less drag. How much you selling it for dude???

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Gazzago

Hi all

Managed to pick up a lovely old Zodiac Futura 3.8 fastroller the other day for a bargain price.

Needs a little glue but seems in good condition otherwise.

As this is an old boat and the floor looks like it never had a keel I’m wondering;

1, Did it ever have an inflatable keel?
2, Could I fit one beneath the floor or would the lower floor be too strong and not deform enough to make an effective keel?

Once I’ve sorted the glue I’ll give it a try but this may be up for sale soon yet. We shall see [emoji1]

Attachment 126010Attachment 126011Attachment 126012Attachment 126013

just wondering why its showing a keel on the last pic found this bet they dont then on your model
https://www.usedvictoria.com/ReportS...osition=3&hb=3

[Gazzago]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

just wondering why its showing a keel on the last pic found this bet they dont then on your model
https://www.usedvictoria.com/ReportS...osition=3&hb=3

Those are speed tubes. But they do show a keel on the logo.

[Gazzago]

Not sure how much it’ll be going for. Depends if I repair it or sell as is.

Anyone is welcome to pm me with an offer. But I won’t be giving it away [emoji1]

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Gazzago

Those are speed tubes. But they do show a keel on the logo.

I know they are speed tubes and its like a tunnel hull, later models went for a keel as well some look like they brought the speed tubes closer to the centre of the boat which leads me to believe the latest design with a keel gets over any problems they had possibly very flighty at speed lightly loaded with a lot of air causing problems dont know just surmising.

[Gazzago]

It’s up for sale on eBay if anyone’s interested.