Zodiac Projet 350 Rib as a tender - any good?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I have been offered a 2005 version of the above jet rib for €7000. Is it any good? What about the price? Fair or not?
I must say that reading all the negative comments on this forum about jet RIBS does put me off and I do favour an o/b engined tender. Can anyone recommend a good o/b engined RIB 3.0-3.5m long to act as a tender. Got to be capable of pulling a ring with a fat barsteward in it (ie me) and seat 4 (not at the same time obviously) and be light enough to drag up a beach out of the waves

 

[Nick_H]

I don't know if the Projet shares the Avon's reliability and design faults, but it'll be a 2 stroke, so will definitely be noisy and smokey (much more so that a 2 stroke outboard even). I'm also pretty sure it's heavier than the Avon 2 stroke, probably about 300kgs-ish I think, which means 3 or 4 people needed to drag it up the beach. 7,000 euro seems on the high side for a 5 yr old version, you can buy 5 yr old Avon's for not much more than half that.

On the RIB/outboard question, it's the dragging it up the beach requirement that introduces the main constraint, assuming you mean with two people without breaking your backs. Lots of the flasher looking ribs are 180-200 kgs excluding engine, so tend to be the same weight as a jet rib by the time you've fitted the outboard.

The other factor is how tall you are, as the bench seat with steering pedestal types don't have enough knee room for tall blokes, so I've always had centre console RIBS. Also, if you need to tilt the outboard to store on the bathing platform, it's best to have a short shaft transom and the transom further forward, to reduce the amount the outboard leg sticks out to the side. The Avon 3.4m rib f'rinstance is long shaft, whereas the Zodiac the same size is short shaft and transom forward, so is a foot shorter with the outboard tilted. The Avon is a better boat though imo, less slamming.

The Walker Bay is popular on here, but wouldn't suit me due to the knee room issue, but may work for you.

For ringos you want 30hp min, and amongst the popular makes I think it's mostly about weight. At 30hp the Honda is quite light, at 40hp the Yam seems to have it, but maybe others have caught up or overtaken in the last couple of years.

 

[MapisM]

Got to be capable of pulling a ring with a fat barsteward in it (ie me) and seat 4 (not at the same time obviously) and be light enough to drag up a beach out of the waves

4m would be too long I suppose?
Because if not, you'd be shocked by what a 40hp yam can get out of this thingie.
Also with 4 onboard (at the same time, obviously!). And at 110kg, it's as light as it gets, in spite of its size.

 

[jfm]

I have been offered a 2005 version of the above jet rib for €7000. Is it any good? What about the price? Fair or not?
I must say that reading all the negative comments on this forum about jet RIBS does put me off and I do favour an o/b engined tender. Can anyone recommend a good o/b engined RIB 3.0-3.5m long to act as a tender. Got to be capable of pulling a ring with a fat barsteward in it (ie me) and seat 4 (not at the same time obviously) and be light enough to drag up a beach out of the waves

A 2005 will have the yam 83hp 2 stroke. Perfectly good if cared for, nightmare if not. If not looked after, the tips of the impeller corrode/stick to the inner face of the jet tube. This requires disassembly and filing/angle grinding, which can leave a gap at the tips and makes them run slower. Plenty of bodges like that on the 2nd hand market. There isn't much other maintenance as the engine has no water pump, no oil or filers, and (I think) no belt. So hardly anything to do except clean the plugs and grease the moving linkages/steering. Smokey as others say

e7000 is way too much. 4500 more like

The Zodiac projet is about 6 inches wider than the Avon 320 jet, and heavier. That helps it work as a people carrier, but you cannot take it up the beach as it is around 350kg. Its beam means it might hang out a lot over the aft of a F53 bathing platform - I'd check the fit very carefully before buying, and also check the passerelle weight limit obviously

For e7000 I'd prefer a new RIB and new outboard, but each to their own on that!

 

[jfm]

At 30hp the Honda is quite light, at 40hp the Yam seems to have it, but maybe others have caught up or overtaken in the last couple of years.

Yup, I think a quick summary of 30/40hp is

1. Honda is lightest, very nice engine but carbs
2. If you want EFI then it has to be Merc or Yam, both very nice. 4 kg heavier than suzuki
3. Merc wont do short shaft EFI with power trim however. Only longshaft
4. So if you want shortshaft, EFI, power trim, it has to be Yam 30 or 40 (same engine). The current Yam, 2009 onwards with EFI, is a lovely smooth quiet motor and comes with a keyfob immobiliser to stop tender getting nicked while it's on the beach and you're doing something else

Suzuki is way too heavy in this horsepower bracket, the last time i looked

 

[Nick_H]

For a lightweight rib i'd put engine weight above everything else in terms of importance. My Zodiac only weighs 70kgs, plus maybe 15 for the console, so the Yam would weigh the same as the boat! The Honda is about 10 kgs lighter, and I still need a bag of ballast in the bow of the RIB, or it sits with the bow in the air. If I was dragging the boat up the beach regularly, i'd get a 50 kg 2 stroke, if I could find one.

 

[asteven221]

FWIW I have a Zodiac 340 rib, with a flat floor double skin, which I used as a tender and for playing around on. It's now gathering dust in my back garden as I don't use it any more. Anyway it's heavy and a real struggle to lift (even with no engine) for two strong guys. Beaching it is okay, but you have to be careful if the tide goes out! I had a 20hp Yam on it and got a GPS derived 27mph no bother. Also pulled toys easily and fast. I ain't no lightweight myself and with 2 up at say about 30 stone between us, it is still fast enough to pull a toy along quite nicely. Great fun in fact. It's rated for 25hp so that would be even more fun! Hope that is some help in your decision making.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

4m would be too long I suppose?
Because if not, you'd be shocked by what a 40hp yam can get out of this thingie.
Also with 4 onboard (at the same time, obviously!). And at 110kg, it's as light as it gets, in spite of its size.

Mmm, do I want a tender with ASS written on the side? At 4m maybe it's a bit long

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I don't know if the Projet shares the Avon's reliability and design faults, but it'll be a 2 stroke, so will definitely be noisy and smokey (much more so that a 2 stroke outboard even). I'm also pretty sure it's heavier than the Avon 2 stroke, probably about 300kgs-ish I think, which means 3 or 4 people needed to drag it up the beach. 7,000 euro seems on the high side for a 5 yr old version, you can buy 5 yr old Avon's for not much more than half that.

On the RIB/outboard question, it's the dragging it up the beach requirement that introduces the main constraint, assuming you mean with two people without breaking your backs. Lots of the flasher looking ribs are 180-200 kgs excluding engine, so tend to be the same weight as a jet rib by the time you've fitted the outboard.

The other factor is how tall you are, as the bench seat with steering pedestal types don't have enough knee room for tall blokes, so I've always had centre console RIBS. Also, if you need to tilt the outboard to store on the bathing platform, it's best to have a short shaft transom and the transom further forward, to reduce the amount the outboard leg sticks out to the side. The Avon 3.4m rib f'rinstance is long shaft, whereas the Zodiac the same size is short shaft and transom forward, so is a foot shorter with the outboard tilted. The Avon is a better boat though imo, less slamming.

The Walker Bay is popular on here, but wouldn't suit me due to the knee room issue, but may work for you.

For ringos you want 30hp min, and amongst the popular makes I think it's mostly about weight. At 30hp the Honda is quite light, at 40hp the Yam seems to have it, but maybe others have caught up or overtaken in the last couple of years.

Thanks NickH. I've gone off the idea already because I've seen the weight and it's 350kg which is far too much for dragging up the sand and, yes you're right, €7000 is way over the top but then the offer comes from the same company who have quoted me a €6900 holding tank system without the holding tank so I shouldn't be surprised. Interesting point re short shaft/long shaft. I'll bear that in mind

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

A 2005 will have the yam 83hp 2 stroke. Perfectly good if cared for, nightmare if not. If not looked after, the tips of the impeller corrode/stick to the inner face of the jet tube. This requires disassembly and filing/angle grinding, which can leave a gap at the tips and makes them run slower. Plenty of bodges like that on the 2nd hand market. There isn't much other maintenance as the engine has no water pump, no oil or filers, and (I think) no belt. So hardly anything to do except clean the plugs and grease the moving linkages/steering. Smokey as others say

e7000 is way too much. 4500 more like

The Zodiac projet is about 6 inches wider than the Avon 320 jet, and heavier. That helps it work as a people carrier, but you cannot take it up the beach as it is around 350kg. Its beam means it might hang out a lot over the aft of a F53 bathing platform - I'd check the fit very carefully before buying, and also check the passerelle weight limit obviously

For e7000 I'd prefer a new RIB and new outboard, but each to their own on that!

Yes, I think the same now. I like the idea of a jetrib but I don't like the weight or the corrosion issue. The weight is within the pasarelle limits but it's far too heavy to drag out of the water. Also, I may be wrong but I get the feeling that a jetrib left unattended is more desirable to lowlife than an o/b rib.
Have you got the Walker Bay? What do you think?

 

[MapisM]

Mmm, do I want a tender with ASS written on the side? At 4m maybe it's a bit long

LOL, I didn't think about it. In Italian, asso means ace (as in playcards).
Anyway, actually there's only "Prestige" (which is the line) written on it.
Of course, size might rule it out, but otherwise trust me, it's worth a serious thought.
Did you actually look at it, or did you close the windows after looking at the top left?
It's pretty unique with its catamaran hull, very spacious and light.
And wicked fast! For any given engine power, you would turn rings around all the Walker Bay folks...!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

LOL, I didn't think about it. In Italian, asso means ace (as in playcards).
Anyway, actually there's only "Prestige" (which is the line) written on it.
Of course, size might rule it out, but otherwise trust me, it's worth a serious thought.
Did you actually look at it, or did you close the windows after looking at the top left?
It's pretty unique with its catamaran hull, very spacious and light.
And wicked fast! For any given engine power, you would turn rings around all the Walker Bay folks...!

Actually I like this one better http://www.eng.assoprestige.it/template.php?pag=70332 If you've got an ASSO you might as well flaunt it
I'll take a look at them. It obviously makes sense for me to buy in Italy. Do they sell thru dealers or direct?

 

[MapisM]

If you've got an ASSO you might as well flaunt it

Yep, I can think of a few former university colleagues who knew one thing or three about that.
One of them was the girlfriend of Stefano Casiraghi (RIP), who left her (understandably) to marry Caroline of Monaco...
Anyway, actually it's only their "Prestige" line that's interesting, with its catamaran hull.
They do have dealers, and I'm sure there must be one in Lignano area, but can't say which one by heart.
Maybe you can contact them through their website.
Apropos of Lignano and contacts, was that one for the plumbing stuff useful?

 

[jfm]

Yes, I think the same now. I like the idea of a jetrib but I don't like the weight or the corrosion issue. The weight is within the pasarelle limits but it's far too heavy to drag out of the water. Also, I may be wrong but I get the feeling that a jetrib left unattended is more desirable to lowlife than an o/b rib.
Have you got the Walker Bay? What do you think?

Yup I have the w/bay 3.4m genesis console with Yam 40efi power trim. I am really pleased with it, would buy the same again. The engine is a beaut. The RIB is plasticy and light (made out of kinda polypropylene stuff, like a Topper sailboat or those plastic cars/wendy houses you buy for toddlers) but I like that, as it is easy to drag up beach. It has tiny concealed wheels in transom, like a wheely bag, to drag it up slipways. Plenty fast enough for toys, and good people carrier. Has a flat floor, with bilge underneath, so your passengers feet stay dry when needed. Space for battery, 2x fuel tanks, anchor and odds n ends to be put in lockers out of sight, so it's a neat looking thing. All in, with some OTT digital Yam dashboard gauges, it cost me £7300 inc UK VAT

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yup I have the w/bay 3.4m genesis console with Yam 40efi power trim. I am really pleased with it, would buy the same again. The engine is a beaut. The RIB is plasticy and light (made out of kinda polypropylene stuff, like a Topper sailboat or those plastic cars/wendy houses you buy for toddlers) but I like that, as it is easy to drag up beach. It has tiny concealed wheels in transom, like a wheely bag, to drag it up slipways. Plenty fast enough for toys, and good people carrier. Has a flat floor, with bilge underneath, so your passengers feet stay dry when needed. Space for battery, 2x fuel tanks, anchor and odds n ends to be put in lockers out of sight, so it's a neat looking thing. All in, with some OTT digital Yam dashboard gauges, it cost me £7300 inc UK VAT

How about NickH's point? You know me; I am lithe and slim (ahem) but will I fit behind the console? How much of that £7300 was the engine? Does it need 40hp or would it go well enough with 25hp? Does the helm seat fold down to allow the lifting strops to be attached?

 

[jfm]

How about NickH's point? You know me; I am lithe and slim (ahem) but will I fit behind the console? How much of that £7300 was the engine? Does it need 40hp or would it go well enough with 25hp? Does the helm seat fold down to allow the lifting strops to be attached?

I dunno about the "fit" thing! I'll get you some better pics this wkend if you like. Or Nick can sit in it when he is in antibes at Easter, and pass judgment. I reckon it has more room than Avon 320 jet rib, which was very tight. Hurricane can comment here as he has same boat, and RRat has driven it, and Jimmy TB I think

Yes, helm seat backrest fold forwards, flat

It would be fine with 25hp to be honest. So long as they do power trim on the 25, cos you need that in shallows/beaches. The exact pricing (I've found the emails) was, in Feb 2009,

Boat £3450
Dash instruments £230
Yam engine £3600
Sundries paid to rig it about £50 (bilge pump, cables)
Engine installer's labour £150

all that is in UK inc UK VAT

 

[Nick_H]

FWIW I have a Zodiac 340 rib, with a flat floor double skin, which I used as a tender and for playing around on. It's now gathering dust in my back garden as I don't use it any more. Anyway it's heavy and a real struggle to lift (even with no engine) for two strong guys. Beaching it is okay, but you have to be careful if the tide goes out! I had a 20hp Yam on it and got a GPS derived 27mph no bother. Also pulled toys easily and fast. I ain't no lightweight myself and with 2 up at say about 30 stone between us, it is still fast enough to pull a toy along quite nicely. Great fun in fact. It's rated for 25hp so that would be even more fun! Hope that is some help in your decision making.

That's odd, I have the same tender, but with 30hp outboard, and find it only just enough for ringos, waterskis etc., and can certainly only have one adult in the boat. I'm surprised you can tow ringos with two adults in and a 20hp, unless you mean kids in the ringo? I'd have guessed that you'd changed the prop, but you get 27 mph top speed which suggests you haven't. Is the engine a 2 stroke, i've heard they can be better for skiing?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I dunno about the "fit" thing! I'll get you some better pics this wkend if you like. Or Nick can sit in it when he is in antibes at Easter, and pass judgment. I reckon it has more room than Avon 320 jet rib, which was very tight. Hurricane can comment here as he has same boat, and RRat has driven it, and Jimmy TB I think

Yes, helm seat backrest fold forwards, flat

It would be fine with 25hp to be honest. So long as they do power trim on the 25, cos you need that in shallows/beaches. The exact pricing (I've found the emails) was, in Feb 2009,

Boat £3450
Dash instruments £230
Yam engine £3600
Sundries paid to rig it about £50 (bilge pump, cables)
Engine installer's labour £150

all that is in UK inc UK VAT

Thanks jfm for the offer of pics but I'm going to sit in whatever I buy before I buy it just to make sure. Can I ask where you bought yours from? I have contacted Barnet Marine and their price for the 340 with console and tender kit + Yam 25hp is £8495 inc VAT which seems a bit steep. Thats split £3806 for the boat and £4689 for the engine and that doesn't include power tilt

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yep, I can think of a few former university colleagues who knew one thing or three about that.
One of them was the girlfriend of Stefano Casiraghi (RIP), who left her (understandably) to marry Caroline of Monaco...
Anyway, actually it's only their "Prestige" line that's interesting, with its catamaran hull.
They do have dealers, and I'm sure there must be one in Lignano area, but can't say which one by heart.
Maybe you can contact them through their website.
Apropos of Lignano and contacts, was that one for the plumbing stuff useful?

Regarding the plumbing contact, the deal to buy the 53 is not quite done yet. The good news is that my 46 has arrived in Novigrad after it's trip from Sardinia; 1000nm without any trouble whatsoever - maybe I should keep it? I'm planning to visit Novigrad next week to make a final inspection of the 53 because there were some things to fix after the survey and providing everything is OK and the paperwork is in place, I'll do the deal. I'll try to speak to your contact after that and get him to give me a price for the holding tank system.
Plan is to fly the family out Friday next week and hopefully spend Easter cruising a bit of Istria

 

[jfm]

Thanks jfm for the offer of pics but I'm going to sit in whatever I buy before I buy it just to make sure. Can I ask where you bought yours from? I have contacted Barnet Marine and their price for the 340 with console and tender kit + Yam 25hp is £8495 inc VAT which seems a bit steep. Thats split £3806 for the boat and £4689 for the engine and that doesn't include power tilt

Sorry mike, I gave you some duff data. It was from an early email. I now have the correct figures, from bank statements! all inc UK VAT

Boat list price 3495 less 10% = £3145 (margin is 20% I believe, and they split it with me)
Engine rigging fee £164 (£150 + £14 incidentals, done by the boat supplier, not the engine supplier)
Total paid to boat supplier £3309
Engine instruments £230
Engine £4140

So while the total in my other post was close, I underpriced the engine. Sorry about giving you duff info. I also have an email quoting £3200+VAT for Honda 30 power trim, fitted, with dash gauges

£4689 is mad price for a Yam 25. And their price for the boat isn't too good either. I thought Barnet were better than that. I bought a mercury 125 off them in about 2001 and they were much more price competitive then. Dunno what's got into them

My engine came from www.theboatshop.co.uk, cos it was near Essex boatyards. Perffectly good firm to deal with. My boat came from Outboard and Hydroplane (ooop north, don't ask, I bought boats from them as a kid and as they have a Barrus account I gave them the order for old times sake, and they gave me a keen price on the W'Bay, www.powerboatcentre.co.uk)