Views on the Cabin Rib Zodiac N-Z0?

[mjkinch1]

Did anyone read the article in september MBM on Cabin Ribs? I quite like the Zodiac N-Z0, it looks pretty good as a day boat, and the review was good apart from the comment on power. I was thinking about a RIB or maybe a small cuddy sports boat anyway as an option for day boating, and the idea of a RIB with the addition of a dry area and a loo for the ladies makes it look a good package, and the pricing is pretty OK as well.

It seems to cover the odd overnight, the good day out, ski-ing and fishing, and good handling, and with a better engine, could be a nice package, and I can dry store it or tow it.

For those who havent seen it, its nearly 7m, with a 3.2m beam, and is priced from £37,000 - currently it has a 225hp outboard, although it looks as though there may be a faster option available.

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/dieppenautic/Photos/ZodiacN-ZOa.JPG



Any one seen one, or got any views?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Did anyone read the article in september MBM on Cabin Ribs? I quite like the Zodiac N-Z0, it looks pretty good as a day boat, and the review was good apart from the comment on power. I was thinking about a RIB or maybe a small cuddy sports boat anyway as an option for day boating, and the idea of a RIB with the addition of a dry area and a loo for the ladies makes it look a good package, and the pricing is pretty OK as well.

It seems to cover the odd overnight, the good day out, ski-ing and fishing, and good handling, and with a better engine, could be a nice package, and I can dry store it or tow it.

For those who havent seen it, its nearly 7m, with a 3.2m beam, and is priced from £37,000 - currently it has a 225hp outboard, although it looks as though there may be a faster option available.

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/dieppenautic/Photos/ZodiacN-ZOa.JPG



Any one seen one, or got any views?

Is that you, Martyn? I trust you are well


I was very interested in the cabin RIB test too. I ran a Revenger RIB last season in the UK but we quite quickly got fed up with the lack of shelter and toilet facilities so I sold it this season. These cabin RIBS seem to offer a good compromise between the seaworthiness and practicality of a RIB and the accomodation of cuddy cabin sports boat. I have had a seatrial in the Shearwater 860 and it is ballistically fast and has a thoroughbred Ring hull but it is quite narrow beamed and, therefore, feels a bit flighty at high speed which might scare your passengers. You can't compare the 860 with a sports cruiser of similar length because the accomodation is restricted by the narrow beam and there are no galley facilities although a heads is optional. But the sprayhood works well and as a driver's boat, it's a peach
The N-ZO seems a different kind of animal to me. It's much broader relatively than the 860 and therefore has more accomodation and the built in heads and sink is a plus. You could imagine overnighting in the N-ZO but maybe not in the 860. My only concern with the N-ZO is that the beamy hull might slam in a head sea but only a seatrial would confirm that. The price seems excellent too but obviously will rise when they fit a larger engine. I'm certainly going to take a look at it myself

 

[grumpy_o_g]

n-ZO RIB at Salterns - warning - lots of pictures

There was one at Salterns today, presumably ready for SIBS by the sign on the back - it did look quite nice I have to say.

The cabin looks minimal from the outside so I guess they've done a good job of packaging. Compared to other RIBS nerby (OK they were Goldfish and the like) it does look very beamy but I guess that's partly down to width of the the tubes.

Apologies for the poor quality of the pictures- I only had my iPhone and the light was going. The camera shake is down to the fact I was driving and was on water (which in Salterns is about the same price as Guinness any where else )

 

[mjkinch1]

thanks for the pictures

Hi Mike

Yes its MartynK, havent figured out why the forum nows uses my login name but there you go. I really missed boating this year, and although I will go back to a bigger boat, I want something I can drag into the sea very quickly if its a nice day, and keep swmbo happy with the shelter. Its does seem a good price although already exploring twin engine options is upping the game, but its seems by the pictures a good alrounder - little steps at the back for swimming, decent area for fishhing, and a sun lounge area. Also with a ski pole it covers the fun side with skiing or towing toys - and its still a Rib.

The MBM review commented on the 'lack of slamming' when they took it out, and apart from teh engine size, they gave it a good review, and its set apart by its price as well.

Thanks Grumpy for the pictures its the first set of pictures I have seen at all angles, and against the other boats it seems quite dinky - really appreciate you posting them. Although the boat looks beamy, I think its exaggerated by the tubes, the actual hull is a deep V hull at 22.5o , and also has a built in fuel tank and a self draining cockpit.

The recommended engines were the 200 single, but it can take 2 x 150 which I thought seemed quite fast, although the article hints they may be reviewing that upwards.

The pictures look like the very model used in the MBM review, I hope I can get down to SIBS to see it, otherwise a couple of more local dealers will have it in stock from September.

MartynK

 

[Firefly625]

I have got to say those photos taken make the boat look far better than in the MBM test, it looks quite a futuristic rib design.... or is it just me ?

Having covered sooo many mileage in a small zodiac rib in the 80s still have a soft spot for them. But are they still as good as they were?

 

[captainalex]

I saw this in the flesh eariler in the year when it was launched at Ribex. It's an interesting design and certainly experimental by Zodiac, the cabin felt very spacious and you do have to remind yourself the rig is only a touch over 7m. Of course being Zodiac and given the price, the fixtures and fittings don't set the world alight however this would hardly be an expense to change. Cockpit wise- it seems a decent layout if not a little tight, the only thing it lacks is more storage around the helm area. I believe it has received decent press since its launch, the boat pictured above looks identical to the PMS demo that was at Ribex, so i would imagine it will travel to Southampton. I'd be interested to hear how it handles

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I thought it was quite a nice looking boat, looks compact rather than small. Agree that it does look a touch IKEA in places - the plastic table mounting in the cockpit not only looks a bit cheap it loooks guaranteed for a stubbed toe or two. Surely a nice flush mount is better.

The one thing that I couldn't see was any fitting for a canopy. Given the outdoor galley this seems to limited the market in the UK a bit.

That's definitely the show boat - you can just about see the sign on the transom ready for the show.