New Zealand and South Pacific Zodiac distributor, Lusty & Blundell, have chosen Auckland marine dealer Family Boats to be their first “big RIB” retailer.
Family Boats, which is based in East Tamaki, will be selling Zodiac’s larger, Mediterranean-manufactured RIBs, ranging from the Open 3.1m centre console up to the 7.5-metre Medline.
All will feature Zodiac’s GRP hulls, UV-resistant Neoprene tubes and the company’s patented “thermo-bonding” manufacturing process, which offers what it says is unparalleled durability and seams that are “virtually indestructible”.
Family Boats’ Peter Carlson says he expects the Zodiac range to prove extremely popular.
“Kiwis love good quality RIBs and Zodiac has a great name and an ideal mix of luxury models and practical fishing and diving boats,” he says.
Carlson says the first Zodiac boats will be arriving over summer and include the top-of-the line Medline 6.8m and 7.5m models, a range of Yachtline luxury tenders, the popular Pro 5.5m, 6.5m and 7m and the practical fishing- and diving-focused Open 3.4m and 4.2m.
Widely considered the gold standard for inflatables and with 120 years of history, prestige and heritage, Zodiac inflatables have an impressive international reputation for their exceptional loading capacity, reassuring stability, space-saving portability and incomparable quality finishes. They are also the only manufacturer to have successfully mastered the fitting of a rubbing strake by welding, ensuring the boat is protected by from bumps and knocks and its passengers from spray.
Photography: Family Boats