Diving from a Zodiac

[Scuba Lawyer]

I have a 19' center-console Nautica RHIB with an older 135 hp two-stroke Mercury outboard. We can take a maximum of 4 divers with two sets of tanks each sort of comfortably. Three divers is even more comfortable. Instead of a boarding ladder (none of which I found worked very well) we set it up so you take off your tank in the water, tie it off on a line, then swim to the stern. We take our fins off then step up on the anti-cavitation plate on the motor. The next step is onto a fiberglass platform, then over the folded-down rear seat. Works really well and both of my boat partners are age 75 and 70 and they have no issues boarding that way.

 

[NothingClever]

Instead of a boarding ladder (none of which I found worked very well) we set it up so you take off your tank in the water, tie it off on a line, then swim to the stern. We take our fins off then step up on the anti-cavitation plate on the motor. The next step is onto a fiberglass platform, then over the folded-down rear seat. Works really well and both of my boat partners are age 75 and 70 and they have no issues boarding that way.

Very nice. I have about 20 years to go but you’ve set the bar high for when I’m in my 70s.

 

[drbill]

Back when I worked for Lindblad Expeditions, I dove out of Zodiacs. One day the boat driver had to go back to the mother ship, leaving me underwater by myself (no big deal). When I surfaced, I tried to use the ladder but the line securing it to the boat snapped and I had to make several attempts before I got back in the Zodiac. Make sure you have a very secure means of getting back into the boat!

 

[Neilwood]

I have a 19' center-console Nautica RHIB with an older 135 hp two-stroke Mercury outboard. We can take a maximum of 4 divers with two sets of tanks each sort of comfortably. Three divers is even more comfortable. Instead of a boarding ladder (none of which I found worked very well) we set it up so you take off your tank in the water, tie it off on a line, then swim to the stern. We take our fins off then step up on the anti-cavitation plate on the motor. The next step is onto a fiberglass platform, then over the folded-down rear seat. Works really well and both of my boat partners are age 75 and 70 and they have no issues boarding that way.

I like that idea for re-boarding. I have done the traditional re-boarding where you try to get over the tube and always find it a struggle. Stepping up that way would be a lot easier but I guess you have to ensure that there is no way the engine could be started while exiting.

A suggestion I saw once was for RHIBS with hydraulic engine tilts - place your feet on the cavitation plate, reach over the engine and operate the tilt which hen tips you into the boat.

 

[tridacna]

I have a 19' center-console Nautica RHIB with an older 135 hp two-stroke Mercury outboard. We can take a maximum of 4 divers with two sets of tanks each sort of comfortably. Three divers is even more comfortable. Instead of a boarding ladder (none of which I found worked very well) we set it up so you take off your tank in the water, tie it off on a line, then swim to the stern. We take our fins off then step up on the anti-cavitation plate on the motor. The next step is onto a fiberglass platform, then over the folded-down rear seat. Works really well and both of my boat partners are age 75 and 70 and they have no issues boarding that way.

Can you please post a picture or two?

 

[wedivebc]

I'm 63 and although my 9' zodiac is too small to be used as a dive boat I do use it as a tender when diving off my sailboat and I just wanted to say if I remove my BCD and weight belt in the water I can get into my zodiac without a ladder.

 

[BoltSnap]

You folks talk about being "63" as if it is the end of the world when it is barely older than teenage years.

 

[tridacna]

You folks talk about being "63" as if it is the end of the world when it is barely older than teenage years.

Maybe in Libya. I’m 60 and I dread the top rung of a Jersey boat ladder. In a 3mm with an 80 - easy. With double 100s in a drysuit- not so much.

 

[Angelo Farina]

I own three Zodiacs. A Mark-II compact (3.80m) a Mark-II classic (4.20 m) and a Mark-III Futura (4.70m).
I warmly recommend the third one, as it gives you much more space, and the Futura models, with those additional
longitudinal side inflating pipes under the hull, make it easier to get planation.
I used a 20 HP Envirude on the Mark-II and a 25 HP Evinrude on the Mark-III, which is just fine.
Zodiacs are very, very light, as the longitudinal "beam" is also pneumatic. So they pack in smaller space and can be carried more easily on the beach to the water shore.
However, when in the sea, these fully-inflatable boats are quite dangerous. They do not hold well a rough sea, and they are easily transported by wind. You cannot leave the boat on anchor only, the risk of not finding it anymore when you surface is serious. You must leave someone on board.
In many occasions I wanted to be on a more reliable inflatable, one of those equipped with a rigid central body made of fiberglass...
Are you sure you really want to buy a Zodiac, and not one of those more serious hybrid boats?

 

[tursiops]

I own three Zodiacs. A Mark-II compact (3.80m) a Mark-II classic (4.20 m) and a Mark-III Futura (4.70m).
I warmly recommend the third one, as it gives you much more space, and the Futura models, with those additional
longitudinal side inflating pipes under the hull, make it easier to get planation.
I used a 20 HP Envirude on the Mark-II and a 25 HP Evinrude on the Mark-III, which is just fine.
Zodiacs are very, very light, as the longitudinal "beam" is also pneumatic. So they pack in smaller space and can be carried more easily on the beach to the water shore.
However, when in the sea, these fully-inflatable boats are quite dangerous. They do not hold well a rough sea, and they are easily transported by wind. You cannot leave the boat on anchor only, the risk of not finding it anymore when you surface is serious. You must leave someone on board.
In many occasions I wanted to be on a more reliable inflatable, one of those equipped with a rigid central body made of fiberglass...
Are you sure you really want to buy a Zodiac, and not one of those more serious hybrid boats?

Excellent points.
I think when many people say "Zodiac" they really mean RHIBs. I'm curious what the OP meant, since Zodiac makes both inflatables and RHIBs.