The important things
Max load: 396kg (873lbs) incl. fuel/engine
Max no. of places: 3 adults or 2 adults & 2 children
Boat type: Monohull Winged Powerboat
Design category: C
Length of boat (hull): 3.89m (153”)
Width (beam) of boat: 1.99m (78”)
Draft (min depth of water under power):0.675m (27”)
Weight without engine: 220kg (485lbs)
Max engine weight: 117kg (258lbs)
Max rated engine: 37.5kw (50hp)
Engine type: key start outboard/power trim/long shaft
Battery 12 volt 60/75 AH marine
Fuel tank: 25litres
Trailer weight: 120kg (265lbs)
Trailer length with boat: 4.9m (193”)
15 things to know
If you roll over the pictures of the buoys we will tell you lots of fascinating things about your Zippa.
01. As certified, if the Zippa gets swamped it stays afloat even beyond the five minutes required, with a full load. It’s stuffed with the stuff they use in life rafts so it floats well and gives you time to bail out, which is unthinkable, if you think about it.
02. It’s light and low maintenance (just wash it down after use) and easy to care for, like a goldfish. It fits in the garage. It’s under 4m long which is about the same as a baby great white shark or a very large giant squid
03. It comes with a cover for bed time and a big brand 50 hp outboard engine (75 kph flat out), which tend not to go wrong. If there’s a problem, you get the back up of a massive engine dealer network. Outboard means it sticks on the back and you can take it off if you want to. Everything is power driven, you don’t need an oily rag or an engineer, it even goes backwards.
04. Zippa is easily handled and perfectly formed. It’s made of glass reinforced plastic and the beautiful gloss finish is the same as on the gin palaces. The upholstery will stand the sea spray. The dedicated trailer makes for effortless launch and recovery from the water.
05. What do you want yours to look like? We can do you one from stock (there’s a standard range of colours for the deck, console and upholstery) or you can pick and choose (there’s a whole range of looks and extras if you want to spend a little more and be a little different).
06. We can sort lifejackets (you should all wear one, however cool you are) and help you with the important stuff you may need (licences, safety packs and so on). You don’t need a wetsuit unless you’re a bit precious, but if you work your Zippa hard you will get spray in your face and you might get a bit of a wet bottom.
07. It’s essential that when driving your Zippa you have fun. Happiness is a meaningful relationship with your Zippa.
08. It comes with an easy-launch non-rust trailer, which is light enough for one person to handle (although two is best practice). Back it down to the water and the Zippa can drive straight on and off the rollers. You winch it up the last bit and lock off for travelling and you’re away.
09. You can take the family out if it’s the right size (recommended family size is three adults or two adults and two kids) but you know how you always have to leave someone to watch the camera and the towel bag on the beach. So take turns if you think you need to leave someone behind or just tell them you don’t really like them.
10. It can pull moderately sized, average shaped water skiers or other water sport toys. Towing safely depends on you, your skill level and the experience of your mate on the end of the rope. There’s enough grunt in a Zippa, but you must know what you’re doing.
11. Play with your Zippa on inland lakes, rivers, estuaries, bays and inshore open waters. Keep land well in sight. Zippa has a certificate for “Category C” conditions (that’s a wind force up to strong breeze or force 6 and waves up to 2m). Perfect fun in a Zippa comes in conditions of no more than a moderate breeze or waves higher than your waist (standing up), what they call a “moderate swell and chop”.
12. It doesn’t come in a box that hides all the nasty bits, what you see is what you get. Zippa is a thing of beauty, with nothing to hide. It is ready to go, it’s right there. Look at the video, it’s for real, yes it does go that fast. Look at the pictures, yes it does make you grin. One word of warning - park it in your front garden and you will turn heads.
13. Depending on the weather and you, it can do 40 knots (that’s 46 mph or 75 kph). The feeling of speed is awesome, just skimming the surface on the plane and biting your way round tight turns. Don’t drink and drive.
14. You will need a tow bar, some unleaded fuel and a few friends (not included). The 25 litre tank will last about three to four hours, depending on how you thrash it. Your friends should last a lifetime. You have to put in engine oil as well, what could be simpler?
15. It’s got an Italian-styled steering wheel, a hand throttle (accelerator) and some storage places to put things in like your iPOD and mobile phone. It’s got a pump to get rid of any water your over-enthusiastic turns throw in.
