Zodiac futura sport

[Jackc]

Hi looking for opinions on the zodiac futura rib/sib . I'm looking at one with a center jockey console and 50hp 3 cylinder two stroke Yamaha engine. Wondering has anyone experienced how these boats handle and what kind of speed to expect.
Regards
Jack

[Vipermax80]

Jack

I owned one many years ago, white tubes, yellow console 4.2m with a yam 50HP 2 stroke, manual start.

Top speed with a standard prop was about 40mph.

Great on a flat day, but like many inflatables with fitted consoles they don't like waves (and to be honest a 4m searider with a 50hp is going to beat the futura hands down when it gets a little rough)

Check for stress factures where the console is bolted to the deck and rubbing at the bow end of the deck, as the nose did like to flex when pushed hard.

Speed tubes also seem to suffer from air leaks, will some folks using emergency tyre repair foam to solve the problem (but will limited results).

David

[Jackc]

Hi David,

Thanks very much for the reply appreciate Will go and see the boat and inspect for any stress or damage to it. I understand it would not cope aswell as a rib however the speed tubes (hijackers) do interest me as they are something different.

Thanks
Regards
Jack

[Landlockedpirate]

I owned the identical one to Vipermax, and echo everything he said.

I bought mine new and it was the only one the dealer sold, I wonder if we are talking about the same boat ?

It was fast and fun though, bounced like mad and great handling. I had a couple of new consoles under warranty due to stress fractures.

At the right price Id have one again for the grin factor alone, as long as I only needed to use it on flat calm days.

[Vipermax80]

Don't suppose you were in the pub trade?

[Landlockedpirate]

Yep, I kept it in a garage next to the pub.

Guess I sold it to you, small world.

[Vipermax80]

I remember it well, even think a free pub meal was thrown in to seal the deal. Its got to be nearly 15 years ago? And it cost me just about every penny I had, being in my final year of Uni. You were playing with a big hard boat and some fancy trailer braking system if I remember rightly.


Both of us shouldn't have sold that little boat as it was in mint A1 condition. I got around Anglesey on it several times, skied and kneeboard off the back, great fun and cheap to run.