Zodiac WB465 has arrived from Defender

[Projectile]

Shipped to Canada from CT by freight truck. It took less than a week. The boat appeared to be in a factory sealed box (left over 2011 stock). The label still had an AVON logo on it as this boat was made in the UK and branded a Zodiac.

The packaging was excellent, and all of the parts inside look terrific. The aluminum floor boards with the bakelite edges look exactly like the ones on our old MkIIIGR, only they are larger so that only 3 are needed rather than 4. This boat also seems to lack a glued in thrust board. I'm impressed that the build quality doesn't seem to have diminished.

The material that the boat is made out of is definitely lighter grade than our 1981 Zodiac, but it has all the look and feel of our old hypalon boat, and I'm sure that the old one was overkill.

I am disappointed by the foot pump, its hose, the pressure gauges, and the patch kit. They all have deteriorated in quality over the years. The patch kit is especially a joke.

I'll blow it up next week and post some pics, but so far, I am pleased with the service and product from Defender. Hope this boat brings me and my family as many decades of safe, fun, and reliable service as our old Zodie!

[Projectile]

Here are the pics I promised. Box from the Avon factory in GB arrived in perfect condition, and the contents were also all factory sealed and in perfect condition. You can catch a glimpse of the black beauty after I untied the black bag she was wrapped in, though she stayed in the box after that until I could get some help to carry her into the house so that she could warm up. It's probably -5 to -10 degrees C in the garage these days.

[whisper]

Awesome

[Projectile]

After warming up, I unrolled her in the basement to reveal almost all of her black beauty. All that's left is to blow her up, but I think I'll wait until spring because I don't think that I could ever get her packed and rolled up as nicely as from the factory.

Despite being in a box for 19 months (this was left over 2011 stock bought on sale), the material appears to be in perfect condition.

The handles and D-rings inside and outside the boat, as well as the thick black ropes all look to be of very good quality. Same for the D-rings inside and outside the transom for lifting.

The transom height is just a tad under 19 inches - a little short for a long shaft?

This is the most significant purchase I have made via the internet, and I couldn't be more pleased with the service and product from Defender Marine.

I can hardly wait for spring!

[whisper]

Quick, blow it up dude!

[martini]

Drape some throws over it and cushions and tell the mrs it's the new sofa

[whisper]

Every new sib needs to be inflated in the lounge, then you need to climb in and drink a beer!

I'm sure it's in the instructions : thumbs:

[spartacus]

Plus you get exclusive 2012/13 membership of 'boat in the lounge' with such great picture.

Come on... you know you want to!

[Locozodiac]

Take pictures while unfolding sib so to fold back same, fully pump it up, join my club, don't want to be the only loco sibbing in it's lounge with his wife's consent. With 19" you'll need a long shaft engine. Short shafts are for 15-17" height transoms.

Happy Boating

[spartacus]

Fantastic picture Loco.

[prairie tuber]

Congratulations Projectile! Loco and the others certainly have the right idea.

A good number of years ago, my brother and I bought our first SIB (a heavily used ex RCMP one) and the first thing we did was assemble it in the middle of our parents living room (floor boards and all). Mind you, being a Mark 1C, it didn't fill the enire room, but still managed to apall my sister.

This really is the only proper way to Christen a SIB. If you try to smash a champagagne bottle against it, it's just going to bounce back and smack you in the forehead. And then break - spilling champagne all over your living room carpet. For the sake of the carpet, assemble the boat! And post the pictures here.

[Projectile]

Alright. I've succumb to the SIB-pressure. But this is easier said than done with a brand new and very tight boat. Been working on it for over 3 hrs, probably half of which has been spent trying to get the stringers in. Seems impossible. HELP!

[whisper]

[whisper]

Do you need to put it together deflated and then pump it up?

[Projectile]

Nope. Too tough that way. She's pretty soft though.

[whisper]

Try and send a message to Martini, he has an FC 470 if that is similar to yours?

http://www.rib.net/forum/members/martini-2416.html

[Projectile]

Your post prompted me to take more air out of the hull and put a little more in the keel to flatten out the floor boards from below. Mission accomplished! Pics coming soon, but I warn you, this is one big black beauty!

[whisper]

[Projectile]

Kids playin' in the new SIB!

[whisper]