Zodiac Medline III
Review by Kevin Goulding
The Riviera Touch
The largest sports RIB produced by Zodiac® was unveiled recently on the French
Riviera. With no pretensions to be anything other than the most luxurious and
comfortable production RIB on the market it"s destined for the playgrounds of
the Riviera, and other fashionable locations around the world.
This latest model from quickly turned heads as it berthed alongside other classic
craft in the romantic inner harbour of St.Tropez. With its renown RIB pedigree
this model will be a formidable contender to replace the traditional powerboats
seen frequenting the sunny shores of the world"s watersport playgrounds.
Sports Appeal
The Medline III comes in just one colour scheme, with matching white tubes and
hull mouldings. Seating and cushions in the sun lounge areas were finished
in Mediterranean blue stripes making her look very clean, classic and
smart.
The driver position utilised a flip-up seat fitted into a bolster which
permitted standing or sitting as preferred when at the helm. The bolster
was adjustable for optimum position and could be moved forward out of
the way when the rear table, sundeck and swimming platform were to be
used. Fitted with twin 150hp Yamaha outboards this RIB was hitting 50
knots in no time at all. With its 24 degree deadrise deep " V " hull
it completed tight turns with no sideslip or cavitation, the hull felt
very comfortable and stable. Even with the intentional reviewers abuse
the RIB handled perfectly and remained dry.
Features
Never before had I seen such a fully featured production RIB. Complete
with integral sun lounge, swimming platform, shower, bimini top and
electric cool box. From
the cabin toilet to the cooker and kitchen sink the level of comfort is overwhelming.
Under the rear passenger seat a huge locker can store wake boards, skis and
safety equipment.
Fitted out for watersports the hull has provision for a telescopic
ski-pole and anchor windlass.
The mouldings are exceptionally well finished and the quality of the
fittings is also second to none. A dream RIB which has everything that
any self- respecting sea and sun worshipper can think of.
Specifications
Standard Equipment
Console complete with:
• Hydraulic steering system
(binnacle gas control not provided)
• Windscreen with stainless steel grab handle
• 3 Circuit breakers
• 12 Volt plug
• Passenger handle
• Glove box
• Hand rail
• 3 Recessed cup holders
• Footrest
• Passenger seat with upholstered cushion
Cabin with;
• Door with portlight and locker
• Electric lighting
• Floor and wall covering
• Storage compartments
Bolster with;
• Seat/bolster combo for pilot and co-pilot
• Forward/backward adjustable
(5 position + 1 sundeck position)
• Lateral supports
• Sink complete with electric pump
• Stainless steel grab handle
• Collapsible table
• Recess for fire extinguisher
• 1 Locker
• Rear passenger seat with upholstery (3 seat)
• Bow passenger seats with upholstery
• Polyester arch + navigation lights + access
• door for the fitting of additional equipment
• Telescopic fold down bathing ladder
• Watertank (50 litres)
• Shower kit
Built in fuel tanks
(rear :196 litres/bow 179 litres) + gauge
• 4 Mooring cleats
• 2 Battery boxes
• 2 Battery switch
• 2 Battery couplers
• 2 Automatic bilge pumps
• 2 Paddles
• Footpump
• 1 Repair kit
• Valve cap pressure gauge
• Owner"s manual
Hull
• Deep " V " fibreglass hull
• Moulded non skid deck
• 1 Bow d-ring
• 1 Anchor locker
• 1 Bow locker
• Lateral lockers
• Rear locker with compartments
• Cup holders
• 3 Courtesy lights
• 2 High volume auto bailers + 3 self bailers
• Buoyancy Tube
• Removable tube system
• Strongan Duotex 2x1 100 decitex material
• Semi recessed valves
• Stainless steel hand rails (4)
• Polyester bow roller
• Double rubbing strake
• 6 Handles
• Reinforced end cones
Optional Accessories
• Bimini
• Picnic table + Bow sundeck cushions
• Rear sundeck
• Ski mast
• Mooring overall cover
• ¼ Cover (for console, bolster and rear seat)
• 12 Volt high pressure electric pump
• Thermoelectric cooler (Kit)
• Cook top (Kit)
• Chemical WC
• Electric windlas
