ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

[merc20076]

I wan't a second boat that I could bring on fishing trips or rivers and lakes closer from my house. I don't have a 4X4 vehicule and also, I don't have much place for parking in the city so a inflatable is almost the only possibility for a second boat. And they seem very stable and fast.

Before buying it, I wan't to know if there are good solid inflatables, I live in Canada and I don't want to re-send it after the first use because there is something wrong in the hull. Are they simple to inflate/deflate?

For now, I have a Johnson 4,5 HP but if it's worth it, I could get a Evinrude/Jonhson 9,9 HP converted to a 15 HP which is the max capacity on this inflatable.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Zodiac is well reputed and offers full warranty issues, go for it. I understand that most Companies don't inspect their boats prior to shipment to final clients and then unwanted issues are found once arrived, hope Zodiacs inspects them well before shipment. Are simple to inflate/deflate as any other sib.

Happy Boating

 

[aarcuda]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

I researched SIBs for the last year and almost bought the boat you mention. I didnt want to hassle with the wooden floor boards so went with a inflatable floor SIB. I you go on you tube there are a few videos of people setting up a 310S Zoom. Good luck I saw them on line for $999.00 US.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Didnt want to hassle with the wooden floor boards so went with a inflatable floor SIB.

If slow assembly/fast disassembly is not an issue, a wooden floor deck rocks musch less than an air floor no matter how well inflated you have it, it's the nature of the beast. Rigidity vrs Portability.

Happy Boating

 

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Hi,

You should realize that the Zoom range is the bottom of the rung for Zodiac. They have the old fashioned valves that stick out and the awful oar attachments. They are also made in China and not in France as per all other Zodiacs, this in and of itself is not a big issue.

For the same money you can get more boat with a different manufacturer however, if you do have issues Zodiac will probably look after you.

I myself prefer the more modern valves etc.

I have switched to a RIB which handles much better and far less water gets into the boat on rough days. I just put it away for the season and my wife and I carried it into our storage shed. We needed to lift it over our heads (130lbs) which was difficult for us. The SIB was much easier. But there are the trade offs.

Bottom line is that you can get better stuff on the boat with other manufacturers and IMHO as good quality from other sources however Zodiac does offer peace of mind if a problem should arrise.





Regards,


Darryl

 

[merc20076]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Thanks for your comments!

Some says it's good for the price and others says it's buying some problems? For the oars attachment, it's not really a problem, I'll have a small outboard for it.

I have a while to take my descision.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Check 3.40/3.50 Quicksilver or Lodestar both from Brunswick Corp, better and modern compared to 310 Zoom which is rather small.

Happy Boating

 

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Thanks for your comments!

Some says it's good for the price and others says it's buying some problems? For the oars attachment, it's not really a problem, I'll have a small outboard for it.

I have a while to take my descision.

IMHO the oars are a problem since you have to carry them around with you even if you have an outboard. Om my zoom they always were falling out of their sockets and a pain.

The valves they use are silly, they stick out above the surface and unless fully closed with the cap they leak. The new Halkey Roberts valves do not have this issue. All the new Zodiac other than the Zoom range have all these features.

Regards,

Darryl

 

[merc20076]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

What about Red Star or Silver Marine, better or not? If not, looks like I won't be able to have a second small boat unless I find a used real Zodiac or Avon in good condition. Like I said, I don't want to spend over 1000$ and have problems at the first use.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: ZOOM 310 S by Zodiac Good or not?

Both brands are quite new on the market, you could have issues with reputed and no reputed brand boats. I Boats sells both, must offer good warranty for their products, talk to them, compare brands characteristics & price and have a final decision. With one grand you can buy around that range sib.

As warranty seems a big issue for you, buy any reputed Canadian boat store that offers true local warranty, so if anything goes wrong upon delivery will be their problem. If buying from US, ask seller to inflate/inspect complete sib prior sending to Canada for your peace of mind and wallet. Personally wouldn't like to import a sib and receive it with full tech issues being the warranty and dealer that far away.

Happy Boating