Looking for advice!

[Ajsimp]

Hi, I have been offered a 2002 zodiac pro open 650. It needs a refurb, and I have a few questions and would appreciate any help!

1. The tubes are wrecked, I have heard they are not too difficult to replace, any idea what cost for replacement tubes?

2. It has been fitted with twin Yamaha 80 4 strokes, any opinions on this setup? Would the weight be a bit too much? Would I be better holding off and getting a single engined setup with an aux engine?

Thanks for all your help!

[Last Tango]

That you're asking these questions makes me think that this is maybe a step further than you want to go.
I'd say it's worth what the engines are worth and you have to be confident of their condition or you could be writing a blank cheque.

[John Kennett]

I think the Pro Open has slide-on tubes so replacing them isn't a major job. I don't know what the replacement cost would be though.

The twin 80s are going to be heavy on a boat that size, but may be OK. If you sold the two of them you should be well on the way to buying a suitable single to replace them. A 150 would go very nicely.

[Ajsimp]

Thanks,
I am a mechanic, so I'm not really worried about the engines themselves, I am just curious what peoples opinions on the setup with the twin engines?
I will be fitting the tubes myself and it is just the purchase price of the tubes themselves that I was wondering about?

[paintman]

Quick Google:
Zodiac Replacement Tubes for Pro 650 / Pro Open 650 RIB $8699.99

Few others, but no prices given so you'll need to speak to them. Couple of starters:
Zodiac Rib tubes & replacement collars
Zodiac - Avon - Zodiac Milpro Genuine Replacement Rib Tubes | www.penninemarine.com

There's a thread here which started in 2012 & suggests the USA going price then was circa $6-8k plus shipping costs:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f45/zodiac-...2-a-49803.html

[Gobuchul]

Twin 80's are very heavy for that boat.

Zodiac state a maximum weight as 240kg, a current Yamaha F80 weighs 160kg. I would be having a good look at the transom.

http://www.kesher-yami.co.il/upload/Zodiac_ProOpen.pdf

It appears to be fairly straight forward job to replace the tubes but they are not cheap.

Personally, I would be looking for another boat, there is a 550 Pro Open on Facebook, that looks like a steal, I put a link in the Ribs for Sale section. Not connected to me in anyway but I wish I had seen before I bought my boat last month!

These are the pages from the Open Pro manual that describe how to replace the tubes. It's a pretty crap manual to be honest, not at all clear.

[spartacus]

Replacement Zodiac tubes aren't cheap, especially on an Open Pro 650. Yes it transforms the look, but everything else, wiring, electronics, batteries and fuel systems undoubtedly will need updating if it's not already been done given it's a 2002 boat.

A 2014 Zodiac Pro Open is €22,500 (France)
https://www.apolloduck.com/advert.phtml?id=495900

Closer to home then this is at Redbay boats:
Pre-owned Boats - Redbay Boats

Similar size, hardly run-in Yamaha 150.

[Phil M]

Tube replacement isn't too complicated, but it's really a 2 man job, hard work and you'll need a lot of washing up liquid to lubricate the guides and channels. It took about an hour and a half to re-fit the tubes on my 530 Pro.

Phil

[willk]

Whoever "wrecked" the tubes will have given similar love, care and attention to the rest of the boat...

Ultimately it depends on the cost to you. Twin 80s 4T on a 6.5m won't be very exciting OR economical. I bow to superior knowledge on the transom ratings.

[office888]

Originally Posted by Ajsimp

Hi, I have been offered a 2002 zodiac pro open 650. It needs a refurb, and I have a few questions and would appreciate any help!

1. The tubes are wrecked, I have heard they are not too difficult to replace, any idea what cost for replacement tubes?

2. It has been fitted with twin Yamaha 80 4 strokes, any opinions on this setup? Would the weight be a bit too much? Would I be better holding off and getting a single engined setup with an aux engine?

Thanks for all your help!

New, $8k-10k for CSM/CR tubes.

Regular Pro 650 tubes will fit as well, so you could probably get some PVC tubes for about $4k.

[GuyC]

PD may be along shortly as he has experience with twin engine set ups but based on what he has possibly said previously twin 80's will be like a single 130 or similar which might be a bit underpowered for that boat. Unless the rest of the boat is set up for the twin i.e. separate systems, the benefits are probably outweighed by the disadvantages - cost, weight, performance.

Being able to fix them yourself is definitely a benefit but parts will be expensive.

[Pikey Dave]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Wot he said +1[emoji106]