Zodiac mark5 hd

[Mark 5 guy]

Hi all. New here. I have a mark5 powered by a mercury 115 ELPTO. At a glance it seems odd that the marine store mounted the motor 2 holes from it resting on the transom. In other words it can go 2 1/4" lower or deeper in the water. What posts I did find on the subject suggest that many folks deal with improperly set up motors. I am using the boat for diving. It will carry heavy loads and be launched from the beach more often than a boat ramp. Anybody out there have a similar setup?

[Peter_C]

Welcome to RIB.net

Where the cavitation plate is located in relation to the bottom of the hull is the important part. Got a side photo of the two? Put a straight edge on it too. More correctly it is a running at speed check, and the location of the spray plate, along with any cavitation/handling issues. Each hull design is different.

I have one of those fins many will say do not work well, but for diving they work awesome for keeping the boat on plane and getting it there. You have plenty of horse power though.

[Mark 5 guy]

With the motor trimmed perpendicular with the hull the cavitation plate is level with the bottom of the transom. The boat is put up for the week so no photos or tests until the weekend. It's a pita to get all the weight in and out of the boat for sea trials. I guess I will just have to do it by trial and error. I may call the zodiac dealer and see what they say about it

[office888]

Best performance for inflatables is typically obtained at the #2 mounting position.

You want the cavitation plate roughly level with the bottom of the transom, although in the case of Futura tunnel hull style designs, the plate will probably be a little lower..

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Mark 5 guy

It will carry heavy loads and be launched from the beach more often than a boat ramp. Anybody out there have a similar setup?

How do you plan on beach launching? Off the trailer by backing the vehicle in? Carrying it? Large tired dolly? Rollers?

I really can't imagine hand launching anything bigger than my boat around here as our beaches tend to be steep at water level. My boat is recoverable by emptying the boat of most everything, which pulls an additional 100lbs out, plus removing all the dive gear. Also have a bilge pump to remove as much water as possible before wheeling the boat past the surf zone. My trailer has a remote operated winch, to pull the boat back onto the trailer when it is steep. Otherwise it is easy enough for one person to just pick the bow up and set it 3/4 the way up the bunks.

[Mark 5 guy]

I built a wheeled carriage that deploys from the trailer. I then push the entire rig out deep enough to float the boat off. The trailer wheels don't even get wet. It works great. It winches back on by a hand winch. Piece of cake with 2 guys. I can send you a picture of it in action if interested

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Mark 5 guy

I built a wheeled carriage that deploys from the trailer. I then push the entire rig out deep enough to float the boat off. The trailer wheels don't even get wet. It works great. It winches back on by a hand winch. Piece of cake with 2 guys. I can send you a picture of it in action if interested

Please post a picture here for all to see We like seeing peoples creative setups. Plus anything DIY that works is awesome!

Here is my boat ready to go into the water at Little River in Mendocino County. Rear tires stay with the boat and swing up. Front dolly goes back to the tow vehicle/trailer.

[Mark 5 guy]

Here is a pic

[Mark 5 guy]

I can't figure out how to attach photo. Will try later

[Mark 5 guy]

[Mark 5 guy]

I'm not so swift with the pictures deal but hopefully that gives an idea

[Peter_C]

You got the picture up

So do you use a rope connected to a vehicle to pull it back up the beach? How do you move the dolly to the launch location? Do you leave the dolly in the water while you are out boating/diving? You are lucky to have such a protected mild sloping beach to launch from. Where is that cove?

[Mark 5 guy]

Back the whole truck and trailer right to the waters edge. I push the dolly a short distance. Hand winch it mt back to trailer. Park on the blacktop. It is at sunset bay oregon

[Peter_C]

That is one protected cove. I wish we had something like that, although we do have tidal rivers mouths.

Google earth isn't very good for the ocean yet along that stretch of coast. Mostly looks like beaches. I would assume you dive further offshore? Orford Reef looks like a nice spot. What is the vis typically?

[Mark 5 guy]

Vis is anywhere from 2-20'. You never know what your going to get. I have dove near shore at port orford. I have not made it to the reef. Orford and blanco reef are difficult to access. No launch at the port. They sling boats in and out with a crane. Sport boats are last priority and the port is a long ride. With the beach dolly it is about a 20 minute ride. Simpson reef is about that distance south from sunset bay