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Zodiac Futura Alu (Aluminium Floor) - Inflatable Boat
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The Zodiac Futura - Aluminium Model Range
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There are three models in the Zodiac Futura Alu inflatable boat range;
- Zodiac Futura Mark 2C boat - 3.7m long
- Zodiac Futura Mark 2 boat - 4.1m long
- Zodiac Futura Mark 3 boat - 4.5m long
All the Futura models all look very similar. The two smaller models have narrower beams and are therefore slightly less seaworthy than their biggest brother. All the Futura’s share the unique Zodiac speed tube design.
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Zodiac Futura Alu - Unique Hull Design
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The Zodiac Futura's patented boat hull design is unique only to this type of Zodiac inflatable boat.
The Zodiac Futura inflatable combines the practicality and light weight of a Zodiac inflatable boat with the tight and precise handling of a small Zodiac rib.
The big secret with this inflatable boat is that of all inflatable boats made worldwide, only the Zodiac Futura has the unique, twin speed tubes. When coupled with the flat floor and the flat hull this unique feature gives a sporting performance on a par with many small ribs. These two speed tubes give a much improved manoeuvrability and stability when compared with a conventional flat-bottomed inflatable boat. The Zodiac Futura Alu is an inflatable boat that thinks it's a mini-powerboat.
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Futura Fastroller or Aluminium Floor – The Differences Explained
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There are two types of Zodiac Futura, the Zodiac Futura Fastroller and the Zodiac Futura Aluminium (Futura Alu). Both look very similar and both share a number of key features
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However the Zodiac Futura Alu, the aluminium floor version, is stiffer and stronger than the same sized Zodiac Futura Fastroller model. The rigid floor in the Zodiac Futura Alu stiffens the boat and therefore allows it to take a more powerful engine than the equivalent sized boat with the Zodiac Futura Fastroller (airdeck) floor. Therefore there is a significant difference in the engine power that each of the different Zodiac Futura’s (the Zodiac Futura Fastroller or Futura Alu) will take safely on their transoms.
For details of the Zodiac Futura Fastroller with the airdeck floor, please see the different section on this website.
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Zodiac Futura -Well Proven Design
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The Futura boat was originally developed as being a bespoke military application and this heritage shows in the Futura's lightweight and toughness. However the leisure model described here is a different technical specification from the military Zodiac Milpro Futura.
The Zodiac Futura Alu boat range is a well proven design, used in the UK for over a decade. The Zodiac Futura design has evolved during that time. Several years ago the Zodiac Futura was given larger diameter tubes to cope with the heavier four stroke outboard engines. This upgrade improved the Zodiac Futura's balance, handling and overall performance.
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Zodiac Futura - Rigidity and Strength
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The Zodiac Futura Alu - aluminium floor version - has remarkable rigidity and strength for a small inflatable boat.
The Zodiac Futura Alu will therefore accept a range of more powerful outboard engines and therefore this model is often preferred to the Zodiac Futura Fastroller for the more serious watersports.
The robust floor of the Zodiac Futura Alu also gives users a feeling of strength and comfort, especially in choppy seas.
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Zodiac Futura - Fast and Tight Performance
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As a result of the design constraints imposed by the rigid floor, the Zodiac Futura Alu is normally supplied by us a as a “rigged boat with console”. The Futura Fastroller is normally supplied as “boat only, with tiller engine”. However a Futura Alu can easily be used with a tiller steered engine if desired - and several people do exactly this because they want the convenience and portability, but with the rigid aluminium floor.
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Zodiac Futura - Lightweight Inflatable Hull
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The Zodiac Futura Alu combines all the good lines and sea-keeping qualities of the older classic Zodiac small inflatable boats – then the speed tube design makes them go faster!
There is a well-shaped set of sweeping large diameter tubes. The good quality material’s used in making the Zodiac Futura’s means they are incredibly lightweight for their size, which gives them great portability.
For a boat of its size, the Zodiac Futura Alu is extremely light and is therefore both very fast and very portable. This lightweight makes it think it is a high-performance powerboat.
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Zodiac Futura - Tube Material and Colour
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Tube material on the Zodiac Futura Alu inflatable boat is the tough and durable PVC.
The only colour available on the Zodiac Futura Alu is the red tubes, with black transom and white hull floor (all as shown in our photos).
The top of the tubes has a neat grab rail system. Along the sides of the tubes is the black integral rubbing strake.
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Zodiac Futura - Portability
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The Zodiac Futura Alu is one large inflatable boat that can be stowed in a carry bag. The main boat is in one bag, the floor plates in another. It will take two people can carry this bag. In its bag the Zodiac Futura Alu will fit into a large sized family saloon car or a 4x4.
When folded up, the Zodiac Futura Alu is quite compact and it can be quickly inflated, ready for action. However putting the floor together can be a bit fiddly.
If the Zodiac Futura Alu is fitted with a console, seating and remote control engine then it requires a few people and a toolkit to assemble the complete “package” ready to go out on the water
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Zodiac Futura - Remote Steering Option
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This is a very common option on the Zodiac Futura Alu, to fit them with both remote steering and a remote throttle controlled engine. With this option, the Zodiac Futura Alu is fitted with a complete set of console mounted controls, thus allowing remote control of the engine. These Zodiac Futura Alu boats with the remote steering kits are often permanently mounted on road trailers.
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Dimensions - Zodiac Futura Alu Mark 2C
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The Zodiac Futura Mark 2C Alu is 3.7m long. The beam is 1.99m. It is rated for Category C waters (inshore, inland and sheltered) and can carry six persons.
The Zodiac Futura Mark 2C Alu will take up to a 40hp outboard engine, however a 30hp is the maximum normally recommended (short shaft).
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Dimensions - Zodiac Futura Alu Mark 2
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The Zodiac Futura Mark 2 Alu is 4.1m long. The beam is 1.99m. It is rated for Category C waters (inshore, inland and sheltered) and can carry seven persons.
The Zodiac Futura Mark 2 Alu will take up to a 50hp outboard engine, however a 40hp is the maximum normally recommended (long shaft).
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Dimensions - Zodiac Futura Alu Mark 2C
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The Zodiac Futura Mark 3 Alu is 4.5m long. The beam is 2.05m. It is rated for Category C waters (inshore, inland and sheltered) and can carry nine persons.
The Zodiac Futura Mark 2C Alu will take up to a 60hp outboard engine, however a 50hp is the maximum recommended (long shaft).