Hello Everyone:) and HELP

Curryzz · 29 February 2012, 15:50

Hi Guys,

I am new to boating, I am a bit of a petrol head as far as owning 8 different Honda Type R,s since I was 17, I am now 25

Basically last year i bought myself a Quicksilver 380HD with a 25hp Mercury engine, I had so much fun on it with friends

Towards the end of 2011 I sold the Quicksliver and bought a 2006 Nissan Navara with a tow bar

So what Im getting at is I have 6-8k to buy myself a new toy for the water

I have seen a Zodiac 4.2 with a 40hp Suzuki engine on Boats and Outboards that looks perfect for me but it seems there is not many around, I don't want to buy something I can't get parts for etc.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/r...trailer-PAL222

I need some guidance to what 4m rib I can buy and be confident its the right decision, its alot of money for me but I want to do it while I am young

actions · 29 February 2012, 16:44

Hi,

I have a Zodiac Pro 420 fitted with a 40 Hp Honda 4 stroke, both 2005. In terms of parts for the rib, dont worry, they are still in production and you can buy anything you want for the rib from a drain bung through to a new console or tubes etc. Loads of Zodiac dealers can get you parts if needed, but save up first, if its boat related add a few zeros on the cost......

For example - Chas Newens Marine-Boat Hire-Boat Film Hire-RYA Training
and also - http://www.zodiacmarine.co.uk/

The engines i'm not so good with but by the looks of it its not that many years old and parts should be readily available. Again there are a few businesses on here that will help you out or your local outboard dealer will be able to get parts easily.

(EDIT - Just seen the main site and that its listed as 2006 - You wont have any issues with parts for the engine at all).

The actual boat itself is really good. Im certainly very pleased with it and it got a lot of use last year. It handles well, is comfy and certainly zips along with the 40 on the back. With the setup i have allows for sitting or when bumpy standing with ease.

A friend of mine also bought a Zodiac Pro 420 and is really pleased with it. He has a 50 2 stroke mariner and it does have the edge over me but he also uses a lot more fuel doing it.

Here is a link to a quick video of the two of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKcVkOUrDZ0

There is also this one i found which was taken by a passenger on a day trip when we tagged along

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehWLl...eature=mh_lolz

but it gives you an idea.

You will see on the way back the chop got up a little bit and i had to stay in the wake of the larger boat. The Zodiac could handle it with ease but just not at the speeds the two others were doing as it would have been too dangerous both for me and the boat.

Overal, really happy with the boat and you wont be disapointed if you do go for it. I'm sure there will be a few more ideas on ribs coming your way soon from other members too, just comes down to what you want. Its up for £6250, thats what i paid a year ago for a virtually unused boat and engine which had about 20 hours on it. I reckon given the current climite theres a deal to be done there. Any other questions ask away.

Couple of pics for good measure too

Curryzz · 01 March 2012, 14:04

Thank you for such a helpfull reply.

I have been on both the websites you mentioned.

Shame the ones for Sale are all a bit far up to go and view

Where did you and your friend buy yours from?

I am still wondering if I should stretch to the 500 or keep to the 4.2, I was outside messuring the garage last nite, 6 meters, need to fit the trailer in and close the door

I will probably be sending you a PM soon if you dont mind with a couple questions.

Thanks again

Paul

9D280 · 01 March 2012, 15:05

Curryzz, welcome!

Getting trailers in garages is a fine art! Two things to take into account:

1) The engione may protude past the end of the toobs, so your 5m boat suddenly becomes 5.3m.

2) Is the trailer braked? If not you are instantly at an advantage as the braked hitch adds about 0.5m to the rig.
Having said that, with some clever mucking about with the winch post and always having the engine hard to port or stbd, and a bit of old carpet screwed to the back wall to protect the engine I managed to get a 5m boat with engine poking out the back by about 30cm on a braked trailer into a garage that is 5.7m long! There's pics of what I did to the winch post in here somewhere....

Curryzz · 01 March 2012, 15:24

Thanks for the Welcome

I intend on getting a trailer that has not got braking to be honest but more now you say it may make the trailer longer.

Id be interested in reading your thread if you can find it.

I am a little worried about this as its important for me to get the boat in the garage so i can maintain it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

Curryzz, welcome!

Getting trailers in garages is a fine art! Two things to take into account:

1) The engione may protude past the end of the toobs, so your 5m boat suddenly becomes 5.3m.

2) Is the trailer braked? If not you are instantly at an advantage as the braked hitch adds about 0.5m to the rig.
Having said that, with some clever mucking about with the winch post and always having the engine hard to port or stbd, and a bit of old carpet screwed to the back wall to protect the engine I managed to get a 5m boat with engine poking out the back by about 30cm on a braked trailer into a garage that is 5.7m long! There's pics of what I did to the winch post in here somewhere....

PeterM · 01 March 2012, 15:40

I've got my 4m in my garage on a trailer - I'll measure it overall tonight & post the length.

A frame height to fit a std garage door also needs to be thought about - but if you dont have one dont worry!

Curryzz · 01 March 2012, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

I've got my 4m in my garage on a trailer - I'll measure it overall tonight & post the length.

A frame height to fit a std garage door also needs to be thought about - but if you dont have one dont worry!

That would be great if you could

What about the width, I guess the trailer is the widest part?

Does that clear the garage door with much space?

Paul

actions · 01 March 2012, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curryzz

Thank you for such a helpfull reply.

Where did you and your friend buy yours from?

No problem

. Here we go again

. I travelled a huge distance from Kent to North Wales to get mine. It was a 12 hour round trip, but well worth it to get the boat i wanted. Virtually no use and no hours at all, where as some local ones were tatty for similar money. My mate got his from Cornwall but got his delivered by the brokers. A big risk if you ask me for buying without testing but its paid off for him. That was from buyarib.co.uk, i for one would always want to see it, test, it, check it, feel it, etc etc etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curryzz

I am still wondering if I should stretch to the 500 or keep to the 4.2, I was outside messuring the garage last nite, 6 meters, need to fit the trailer in and close the door

I will probably be sending you a PM soon

If you can afford the 500, afford a bigger engine, more running costs and get it in your garage then go for it. It will certainly handle better (i think?) If you can try both out (easier said than done) that would be ideal. However if you check the seating layouts i dont think you will gain any extra seating compared to the 420.

PS no probs with a pm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curryzz

What about the width, I guess the trailer is the widest part?

In terms of my garage, the 4.2 fits in snuggly. Length wise i have a couple of feet either end, allowing the wife access to the tumble dryer

and me access at the back to the lawnmower etc. However be aware that if you have an up and over door it doesnt hit your engine. I dont think i could get a longer boat in as the door would simply hit the cowling.

. Also check the height of any consoles etc, i have a nats wisker between the door and the frame for this and the vhf post. Of course it was all measured to fit, well actually it was bloody sheer luck it fitted......

In terms of width, your tubes will be wider than the trailer, mine certainly is. I was going to look at a ribcraft 4.8 but i would have had to let the tubes down each time to get it in, which would have been a pain.

SteveHall · 01 March 2012, 20:16

I worked out what would fit, then I took the draw bar off the trailer and down to a trailer company - the company who make the RAC dolly towing devices - and they cut the bar, and added some pins and bolts so that it can be removed when in the garage. It also adds a little to the security if the tow hitch and draw bar from the winch forward have been removed.

matt h · 01 March 2012, 20:41

I had the 500 version which i completely re rigged and changed a few things around .....37knots with a 60 and gave reasonable return on fuel and for a small lightweight Rib it was good fun really!!

PeterM · 01 March 2012, 21:04

measuring done !

Whole rig is 450cm ....

boat itself is 4.05 with about 5cm of engine sticking out the back of the tubes , and the drawbar is 40cm out the front.

I did ask BHG to make it as short as possible and it has no fancy gadgets to shorten it.

Pete

HUMBER P4VWL · 01 March 2012, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curryzz

Hi Guys,

I am new to boating, I am a bit of a petrol head as far as owning 8 different Honda Type R,s since I was 17, I am now 25

I daren't ask why! crashed, blown up, stolen......

Based on that type of car, I guess speed/acceleration is your bag. An overpowered SR4 sounds like your best choice!!

Or just get a jet ski.

9D280 · 02 March 2012, 09:41

Garage Doors: Usually 2.1m wide. Thankfully the rib manufacturers have realised this, and a lot of the 4/5m hulls are 2m beam. Not a lot of error margin, but they'll fit!

As for trailers, unbraked you shouldn't have a problem, as most are small due to the fact they can't take a lot of weight (max unbraked tow is 750Kg, and ony then if your car weighs 1.5 tons minimum.) For a 4m you should be OK unbraked unless you are hitching it to the back of a Vauxhall Nova or similar. Width wise Unbraked I would be amazed if it didn't fit through, braked axles are a whole different kettle of fish - I only found 2 that would go through the door......

Here is the winch post thread:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f49/setting...sr4-36200.html
I should add that I have since added a 3" spacer between the winch & the post so the pull for mthe winch is now forward. The "clever" bit is getting the winch about halfway down the braked hitch - saved me about half a metre.

actions · 23 March 2012, 22:35

What was the result then. Did you get a rib? if so which one?

Sent from my galaxy s2

EnglishLes · 24 March 2012, 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by actions

Hi,

Couple of pics for good measure too

http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....3&d=1330533610

Does the big fan help it get on the plane?

horacebat · 24 March 2012, 08:21

Ahhh the windfarm! Next stop the forts!

actions · 24 March 2012, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnglishLes

Does the big fan help it get on the plane?

Like you wouldn't believe. Its just a little tricky getting it in the garage.

Sent from my galaxy s2

actions · 24 March 2012, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by horacebat

Ahhh the windfarm! Next stop the forts!

I think that day it was southend on sea. Took advantage of the smooth sea.

Sent from my galaxy s2

Curryzz · 24 March 2012, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by actions

What was the result then. Did you get a rib? if so which one?

Sent from my galaxy s2

Currently Still looking, Went to Pacer marine in Aldershot last weekend to have a look at a 5.0

spartacus · 24 March 2012, 19:05

I used to have a Zodiac Pro 7-man, now renamed the 420. They're good boats, but have a relatively shallow v hull, so your backside will be airborne in a F4/5. I had a Yamaha 40hp 2-stroke. It will take a 50hp, but with two-three people on board it was fine. Personally I'd go for the biggest boat you can fit in your garage and the 500 is best paired with a 60hp, power-trim, etc. If your set on Zodiac... check these out.

Pennine Marine Ltd > PREOWNED BOATS AND OUTBOARDS, RIBS & ENGINES