Zodiac Cadet 310s vs Mercury Sport 310

[Jernan]

I am interested in buying one of the two boats listed and have been getting conflicting information from several dealers. Can anyone give me an opinion on which boat is the better of the two and why?
It will be for casual, occasional use in salt water, will be stored dry under cover.
One thing that jumps out to me is the Zodiac weighs 93#, the Mercury 122#. Heavier fabric?
Mahalo

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Zodiac Cadet 310s vs Mercury Sport 310

They are both PVC, heat welded, 5 year warrantied, boats with floorboards. Zodiac is made in France, Mercury in China. Roll the dice and buy either one...Then you can buy another one every 5 or 6 years Or buy Hypalon instead and do youself a favor.

 

[mikethepike]

Re: Zodiac Cadet 310s vs Mercury Sport 310

I have the Zodiac zoom 10'2" (purchased new 3 years ago) and it still looks like new. It sits outside uncovered all summer. I have a 15hp merc 4 stroke i use to push it.....btw it does 28mph with 240lbs of me in it!!!!!

F Stuff made in China ...get the zodiac and be done

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Zodiac Cadet 310s vs Mercury Sport 310

well i had a zodiac it was 8 years old and it had tons of problem floor comes undone lots of work to keep up with a inflatable but ive owned a zodiac and hated it and then i went on my buddies mercury and that was ten times better better ride better every thing and hes had it for 10 years it its in great conditon the zodiac i boat was lookind in great conditon untill i fould out the floor lieks to come unglued after a while and if i were you go for and iflatible floor save you sellf the wood floors arnt that great

 

[Syzygy]

"Stuff made in China" Re: Zodiac Cadet 310s vs Mercury Sport 310

"Stuff made in China" Re: Zodiac Cadet 310s vs Mercury Sport 310

I have the Zodiac zoom 10'2" (purchased new 3 years ago) and it still looks like new. It sits outside uncovered all summer. I have a 15hp merc 4 stroke i use to push it.....btw it does 28mph with 240lbs of me in it!!!!!

F Stuff made in China ...get the zodiac and be done

For what it is worth, I learned that in 2009, Zodiac started building their entire Zoom series and some of their Bombard series in China. Unlike their "Zodiac" branded product, which is built in France, the Chinese-built Zoom boats have glued seams, not welded seams. Only the Zodiac branded boats and the Max series Bombard boats are built with thermo-welded seams.

I would not suggest a glued seam PVC product for long-term use. For a couple of years and at the right price, perhaps fine. But, I'd rather spend more for something that will last longer.

Happy Holidays.

S-