Boat age

[GAVMAC321]

It's there any way too tell the age of a zodiac futura mk2 by the rating plate ?

[spartacus]

Post a picture of the ID plate!

The Futura did change shape to oversized tubes a few years ago but if its an older style MkII then the ID plate has a year of manufacture.

[GAVMAC321]

Here you are 👍

[_monkey]

There should be the hull number on the opposite side of the transom to this plate (outside I recall) - the last two digits indicate the year of manufacture.

[Tommyjames]

what age do zodiacs glues start to come apart at.

[Big Al C]

Not very well known.. but if you remove the metal plate that the thumb screws tighten on... on the bombard aerotecs the serial number is stamped into the transom... as before the last two digits are the year of manufacture.

[Fenlander]

>>>what age do zodiacs glues start to come apart at.

From personal experience if Hypalon and looked after 35yrs or more. PVC lucky to make 18-20yrs.

[rik_elliott]

Originally Posted by Tommyjames

what age do zodiacs glues start to come apart at.

My aerotec started to come apart at about 15y.

[fastasfox]

Originally Posted by Tommyjames

what age do zodiacs glues start to come apart at.

I had s Zodiac SiB 2.8 i think and all the seems started to fail The transom failed the floor failed and I dare say the rest would have failed soon after. The boat was a late 80's model and we are talking 10 years ago ish. It all depends on how it's been looked after and if it's been covered from the Sun.
Are you looking at buying one or having seem problems?

[GARYSHORT]

Entirely based upon the care given to the boat, and whether it is stored indoors away from UV. Agree, they can last 35+ years or fall apart in 5-10.

[Tommyjames]

I am traveling around in my rv and plan to go down the Oregon coast next fall. I would be a lot of fun to not only explore camping areas but also the sea. I would need a dependable zodiac to risk taking it out in rouge waters.

Back in the 80's I had a 4 man zodiac but cannot remember the model number. I had a 15hp Evinrude short shaft on it and it was amazing in rough water and planed alone about 30 miles a hour.

Now many decades later I want another one like that one. But I have been warned that many for sale are worn out and I trying to figure out how to best buy a used on. So far all I can say is that I need to figure out what year it was made and visual inspect the seams. Money is a issue so maybe a prime shape 7-10 year old cadet 310 !!! It also needs to separate piece floor boards so I can store in in my rv.

Any help, recommendations or heads up is more then welcome....