To celebrate its 120th birthday, the French yard Zodiac, inventor of the pneumatic vessel, presents the new and limited edition of Mark II: a soft-keel rib, symbol of the 70’s. Mark II, in Heritage version, comes thus from the past to celebrate a model become popular for her sport lines and a steering concept similar to that of a racing car or a go-kart. She was exhibited at Nautic Paris Boat last week, where she was admired by a “transversal” audience including both rib and sail-addicted. A boat of which we can’t not talk about.
The traditional lateral black band has always characterized this boat which presents a steering position very close to water and a three-spoke steering wheel. The driving feeling typical of a small racing car is due to the pilot seat which leans on lateral rails fixed on the inflatable keel covered with synthetic teak, which allow to move the four-place seat at the distance desired. By tilting the backrests, the seat convert into a sun bed.
The control panel, too, recalls the traditional past lines, with roundish tools and a coated steering wheel, placed slightly starboard in order to ensure an easy access to the throttle actuator and the rear-view window. Everything enjoys vintage lines.
On-board digital devices are part of the SmartCraft digital packet which provides the board with all the data and information essential to sail, such as speed, fuel level, draught, revolutions/min.
Pushed by 40 HP engines, Mark II Heritage can reach 27 knots. Easy to carry and with a capacity up to 7 passengers, she is the ideal solution for a daily coastal trip.
At the top speed, Mercury FourStroke 40 HP outboard uses just 15 l a hour at 6000 evolutions while, at a 15.4-knot-cruising speed, consumption is about 4.6 l/h.
With this limited-edition boat, Zodiac has also celebrated the release of Odyssée, a biographic move about the life of the famous documentarian and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, whose underwater documentaries opened the eyes of thousands of passionate about underwater world, when the color tv was still a brand new.