New Member From USA Howdy Mates!

[MissnMeZodiac]

First off, Nice to meet you my nameis SAm...

I currently own a 21' 1999 MasterCraft, Inboard 330hp. But before that I owned a 13' Zodiac with Wood floor and a 20hp Yamaha Outboard. That was a Fun boat!

I was thinking Zodia RIB with a 90-150hp Outboard Evinrude. But from reading I hear Hypalon Boats are better than the PVC like the Zodiac?

So, I guees I'm not sure how a RIB will handle compared the Zodiac. Can anyone give me some pointers?

Old zodiac:



Mastercraft:

[Ian M]

Er, Howdy Thought John Wayne had joined the forum
Welcome to Ribnet - watch out, it's addictive.
SIB vs RIB. There are all sorts of aspects. From one who has spent many happy hours bouncing around in a SIB in diving gear, and who after years dreaming now owns a RIB, I'd say it is horses for courses. If the seas that you routinely go out in are benign a SIB can and usually is great fun. As the seas get bigger so a RIB comes into its own with its much softer ride. The down side is that you can feel a little remote from the action in a big soft RIB (not mine mind ). You'll know all this from your Mastercraft though
And yes, for me Hypalon over PVC any day of the week!

[MissnMeZodiac]

"WEll, Howdy there little Pardner!" Yes you are correct about the disconnect. When i used to ride in my Zodiac, I would make the front raise up and a couple of times almost tip her over...lol!

I would hang on to the side tubes, and lay as I would fly at full speed hangning half in and half out of the boat.

Sometimes just cruisin, I would hang my feet into the water as I drove by at idle just lookin at the scenery...

Well, where does a Yank on this side of the pond buy a hypalon boat...lol

I'm going to research, but if you know any yanks let them know John Wayne is in town!

[yoyo]

COOL RV

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by MissnMeZodiac

Well, where does a Yank on this side of the pond buy a hypalon boat...lol

At the hypalon boat store, of course...

Apex, AB, Nautica, and a host of others build hypalon boats; as does the upper end of the Zodiac line (I think they're sold through the military division? One of the more knowledgable Zodiac fans can clear that up.)

In addition, there are a lot of semi-custom hypalon RIB manufacturers - you'll pay a bit more, but the boat will be built to your specs, so it "fits" your use.

Best to poke around on the net until you get an idea of what you're looking for then start asking questions.

jky

[Bam Bam]

Hi MissnMeZodiac, and welcome. I got to ask why you want Hypalon? I know all the hardcore guys prefer Hypalon tubes as they are tough and fairly easy to repair. The Zodiac RIB's have a little trick up their sleeves though. The PVC tubes on a Zodiac are easily removable which makes them easy to repair and should they get trashed you simply buy a new set and slide them on. Also, if you have harsh winters you can remove the tubes, fold them up, and store them indoors and leave just the hull outside. Trash Hypalon tubes and its expensive having new ones fitted. But there are ups and downs with most things.

[Shaz]

Sneaky... maybe it's just that the word 'Hypalon' sounds cool whereas PVC sounds just a little bit kinky....

[ashley]

Ey up from yorkshire this may be of interest to you re, hypalon and pvc



http://www.boatus.com/boattech/inflatables.htm

ash

[no excuses]

keep an eye on Craiglist, thats where I found my avon 5.4searider for a very good price

[Bam Bam]

Originally Posted by Shaz

Sneaky... maybe it's just that the word 'Hypalon' sounds cool whereas PVC sounds just a little bit kinky....

Well you know me Shaz, I love a girl clad in rubber.... How ya fixed?..... That'll be the bilges for me then!