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acguy · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:57 pm

So here is one of my off season upgrades, just wondering if any one has any experience with these. I still need to get a motor and am wondering how well a 6 hp 2 stroke will push this. There will be 2 adults and 2 kids under 40lbs in it.
It is rated for a max 8 hp

ric · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:06 pm

That boat isn't designed to get on plane, so really.. put anything on it. It's a matter of do you want to go really slow (anything below

, or just slow (8hp).

To save weight and space make sure the engine has an integrated fuel tank and if you're making a trip just bring a little 2.5 gallon carry on.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:15 pm

Very nice.

I picked up a Newport Vessels Del Mar, 9'6" with a wood floor last season. Ran it with an 6hp Mariner, but it was much to big since we trailer our 268.

Sold it and picked up a Baltik BA85, 8'6" with an air floor. Cut 46lbs out of the package. Am going to run it with a 5hp Mariner I grew up with.

The Baltik has smaller tubes than the Newport, so I'll be able to store it sideways on the swim platform and leave the motor on, as this way its impossible....

Check craigslist for a used motor. I picked up both inflatables off of craigslist, and bought a cheap fishing boat off there, took of the motor, and sold the boat for more than I paid. There are deals out there!

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:16 pm

ric wrote:

That boat isn't designed to get on plane, so really.. put anything on it. It's a matter of do you want to go really slow (anything below

, or just slow (8hp).

To save weight and space make sure the engine has an integrated fuel tank and if you're making a trip just bring a little 2.5 gallon carry on.

They get on plane just fine. The 6hp almost planed out my 9'6", and my buddies 9.9 makes his 9'6" fly!

ric · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:22 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

ric wrote:

That boat isn't designed to get on plane, so really.. put anything on it. It's a matter of do you want to go really slow (anything below

, or just slow (8hp).

To save weight and space make sure the engine has an integrated fuel tank and if you're making a trip just bring a little 2.5 gallon carry on.

They get on plane just fine. The 6hp almost planed out my 9'6", and my buddies 9.9 makes his 9'6" fly!

Yeah not with 2 adults and 2 kids! I would put all 8 of that rated 8 on that boat. You are 100% correct about buying a used cheap fishing boat with the engine you want. Engines are expensive, but are really cheap with they come attached to a crappy old boat, and you sell the boat.

Edit: Nevermind. Zingggg
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/2826348727.html

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:53 pm

ric wrote:

That boat isn't designed to get on plane, so really.. put anything on it. It's a matter of do you want to go really slow (anything below

, or just slow (8hp).

To save weight and space make sure the engine has an integrated fuel tank and if you're making a trip just bring a little 2.5 gallon carry on.

They are designed to get on plane, except the "roll up" ones. Because they have no keel.

What size is it?? Looks like a 8 to 9 footer with ply floor. With a 6hp, you should do just fine! Here in Mass, if it has a "motor", you need numbers on it. You may have the same laws??

acguy · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:37 am

Paul I. wrote:

ric wrote:

That boat isn't designed to get on plane, so really.. put anything on it. It's a matter of do you want to go really slow (anything below

, or just slow (8hp).

To save weight and space make sure the engine has an integrated fuel tank and if you're making a trip just bring a little 2.5 gallon carry on.

They are designed to get on plane, except the "roll up" ones. Because they have no keel.

What size is it?? Looks like a 8 to 9 footer with ply floor. With a 6hp, you should do just fine! Here in Mass, if it has a "motor", you need numbers on it. You may have the same laws??

It is a Zodiak 285 cadet, with the hard roll up floor, 9' 6"and inflatable keel.I've had it blown up in the basement for 2 weeks just to make sure she holds air, and on the weekend I sit in it and drink beer! I wasn't seriously looking for an inflatable when I found it, bought it at a Zodiak dealer for $400, which I felt was a fair deal. I have my eye on a 6 hp evinrude 2 stroke 2 cylinder, guys is asking $450 for it, not sure if I'll pull the trigger on it or keep looking.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:44 am

Nice find acguy. Zodiac makes a great dinghy that will last for many years. The 2 stroke motors are peppy, but can be a bit "stinky" compared to a 4 stroke.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:01 am

Not to bad a deal on the motor, depending on its age and condition. You'll have fun with it.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:09 am

firecadet613 wrote:

Not to bad a deal on the motor, depending on its age and condition. You'll have fun with it.

Yes!! Not a bad deal on the motor depending on the year! Just have the empella and the gear oil replaced. Better still, its been mild out, maybe he will let you try it out before you buy it? After all, I am sure you want to see it run.

I have been looking at a new 5hp, they run about 12 to $1,400 depending on brand.

Just an FYI, getting off base a little. Once you own it, never lift the prop higher than the head. Depending on were in the cycle the motor stops. you don't want water to get into the valves.

What I think is funny too, in one of the past pics, I too bring it half way up the platform when towing. I once tried towing it behind me. letting out about 60' of line. The boat was more air born then in the water!

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:20 am

That position didn't work out. We undid it before we left the marina. I'm hoping the Baltik will go horizontally across the back.

Have any pics of your setup Paul?

Bliss36 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:11 am

Quote:

It is a Zodiak 285 cadet, with the hard roll up floor, 9' 6"and inflatable keel.I've had it blown up in the basement for 2 weeks just to make sure she holds air, and on the weekend I sit in it and drink beer!

Experts say this is the best possible real world test when water isn't available sea trial your dinghy. Although 1-6 beers has always been the standard a recent review of this practice shows much better results when 6-12 beers are consumed while sitting in the dinghy making engine sounds with your mouth!! I like your style Mike

acguy · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:05 pm

Ben, I plan on publishing my Zodiak test in the next Boating mag, and I have you to thank as my inspiration for drinking more while I write it......Is it boating season yet my basement isn't quite cutting it

Paul I. · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:35 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

That position didn't work out. We undid it before we left the marina. I'm hoping the Baltik will go horizontally across the back.

Have any pics of your setup Paul?

Sorry, I don't. But, what I did add were two 6" cleats (one each) to the side of the boat. Just in front of the water and pump out inlets. I put them there for hanging fenders & when we raft to another boat. The stern cleat are TOO low.

What I do is pull the boat up on the platform. Use it's bow line & go to one cleat them to the other & back to the bow ring. Making a triangel. This keep the boat centered. But I do have it about a foot lower than the one in the pic. I should have mentioned that most of there boats have 3 rings on the bow, one on each side with one in the center. I ran a line each of the side rings, making a bridel if you will. So the stress is on 2 pionts, not one. Then I took a 15' 3/8 dock line and passed the loop though the bridel and then though the center ring.

If you do "will go horizontally across the back." It will catch more air that way, so becarful.

I have hit speeds as high as 25k with no problems. Both boats are are doing winter sports right now. If you need more/better info on this, send me a p.m. and we can talk on the phone.

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:39 pm

Check your PM box Mike.

John :mrgreen:

www.iFourWinns.com

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