Ok I have three now…

[Blackdog76]

I started out with an Achilles 10 ft, loved it but wanted more room. Then recently bought a Zodiac Grand Raid. The Zodiac has about 2 ft of extra length and is a lot wider inside which is nice. But now, and this is Facebook marketplace’s fault. When I look at something, it keeps sending me related material, I found another Achilles. Couldn’t pass it up. Came with a trailer. It’s a SD-156. Massive boat compared to what I’m used to. Not going to keep all three but I’m torn between the Zodiac and this new Achilles. The Zodiac is definitely nice with the intercommunicating valves and I can fill it from one port. But the Achilles is huge inside. Tons of room for at least 6 adults and lots of gear.

[spartacus]

The Zodiac MKII GR is a good workhorse. It's old granted, but it's hypalon, inter-communicating nickel valves. If you have the aluminium floor - that's what I would choose. Perfect engine would be 40-50hp 2-stroke. Throw a back of sand up front if it's just you that's out. I see it needs some remedial work - so don't leave it too late or you're chasing your tail. Check cone ends on sponsons and transom of course. All known weak points.

[Blackdog76]

Yes the Grand Raid has the aluminum floor. The Achilles also has an aluminum floor. It’s a beast of a boat. The transom is a plywood center that’s fiberglassed in. At some point someone did a horrendous repair at the top where the tube meets. There are also some stress cracks that I’m in the process of grinding out and soon to be epoxied.

[Blackdog76]

Also have three motors now. 2004 Mercury 9.9, 2011 Mercury 20, and a 1988 Suzuki DT40. The 9.9 is what I had on my 10ft Achilles. Runs great. The Merc 20hp I paid a lot for, but it’s a 2011 and never been ran at all. Still has the break in procedure tags. The Suzuki DT40 was free and seems to be in good shape but has been sitting since 2013.

[Blackdog76]

In order
9.9
20
40

[Blackdog76]

The Suzuki 40 is very rough. Anyone have any experience with the DT40?

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Blackdog76

The Suzuki 40 is very rough. Anyone have any experience with the DT40?

Not a great engine in their day imho quite common to have oiling issues & prone to overheating due to salt /corrosion build up probably the least desirable of the bigger makers of that era.

That said if it's still running 30 ish? years on its maybe not done that bad & you can use it till it doesnt work any more

[Blackdog76]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Not a great engine in their day imho quite common to have oiling issues & prone to overheating due to salt /corrosion build up probably the least desirable of the bigger makers of that era.

That said if it's still running 30 ish? years on its maybe not done that bad & you can use it till it doesnt work any more

I just spent all day cleaning the DT40 up. Lots of debris in the engine case but the motor itself looks in decent shape. I pulled the carb and looks really good. I removed and cleaned everything with carb cleaner and compressed air. I broke a nipple on the fuel pump and noticed a broken throttle linkage end so I'll replace those, replace the fuel lines and see if it fires up.