3rd Jan 2023

Step by Step Guide to Purchasing a Zodiac Cadet Roll-up Boat

When it comes to inflatable boats, Zodiac is a well-known name, and for a good reason. Since 1930, the Zodiac company has been making the finest inflatable boats for uses ranging from research to surfing vessels and everything in between. These popular boats were later made famous in the 1960s by the documentary series, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. For those wishing to experience a bit of history for themselves, Zodiac has created their smallest yet mightiest inflatable boat yet. So what exactly about the Cadet Roll-up makes them in such high demand? Let's take a closer look and find out!

Zodiac Cadet Roll-Up Inflatable boats are compact and easy to stow in a cockpit locker. Fitting the slatted floor in the Roll Up series involves inflating the buoyancy tubes; stowage is just a matter of folding it into its carrying bag, no need to remove the slats.

The tubes and hull of the Zodiac Cadet Roll-Up are constructed from patented Strongan PVC material produced by German fabric specialist Mehler. This material has a decitex rating of 1100 and is hot air welded. (For those unfamiliar with units of textile measurement, decitex, also called denier, is crucial as it indicates the fibers' density. The denser the fiber, the more hard-wearing the fabric). This process produces a much more robust and longer-lasting seam than a typical glued seams. While most boats in the roll-up category have very short warranties, Zodiac boats are backed by Zodiacs 5 year warranty, an industry best due to the high-quality materials and construction.

The defining characteristic of the Zodiac Cadet Roll-Up is a straightforward, flat displacement hull design that utilizes a slatted roll-up floor. The slats add durability and rigidity to an otherwise fabric deck. The design is meant to keep the overall weight of the boat as light as possible while also minimizing the space needed for stowage. The most considerable benefit of having the slats as part of the fabric hull is that deploying the boat is as simple as unrolling it and inflating the tube air chambers. Prepping for stowage is just as simple: let the air out, roll it up, and put it away. The slats can be individually removed for cleaning or maintenance when needed.

There are plenty of interior and exterior handles on the boat, including carry handles that also serve as tie-off points on both sides of the stern and at the bow. On the exterior of the tubes, twin towing points are installed for those who need to tow their tender. There are mounting posts on the bow for an optional handy bow storage bag that can be purchased separately. There is a protective mat and tie-down on the air floor for an external gas tank to supply your outboard if needed. If not, it can be used to tie down a cooler, tackle box, dry bag, or other items. On the inside of the tubes, the bow is outfitted with twin lifting points for a wide variety of davit lifting systems when used as a tender for a primary vessel.

In the transom area, you will find several more key features. Two mounting points for lifting eyes are pre-drilled, so you can install hardware if you will be using any lift or davit system. A solid metal motor plate provides a durable surface for clamping on your outboard of choice. Near the bottom of the transom, we find a user-friendly bailer valve that opens and closes with the flip of a lever.

The Zodiac Cadet Roll Up uses one of my favorite valve designs. I really appreciate its simplicity and ease of use. Putting air in and letting air out, whether just a little bit, or emptying the whole chamber, is a breeze. A spring loaded pin can be used to hold the valve open for quick deflation without having to remove anything other than the protective cap. Thankfully, an inflation pump is one of the included accessories, but adapters for many different types of air pumps, including electric, are available.

Each unit has one bench seat and a pair of two-piece click-together oars with quick-connect oar locks. There are fittings to secure them to the tubes when not in use. The storage bag is a heavy-duty fabric with straps with buckles to help condense the boat for minimal stowage space and has carry handles for easy transport of the boat. The included inflation pump is a high-volume foot-operated bellows-style pump. There is also a repair kit that contains a tube of glue, several pieces of patch material, and instructions. All accessories are covered by a 1 year warranty from Zodiac.

I hope you found this information and the corresponding video helpful in making a decision on purchasing a Zodiac Cadet Roll-up. For more info give us a call at 805-644-6290 or you can shoot an email to info@boatspecialists.com.

About the Author. Casey Carmichael is the Repower and Outfitting Specialist at Boat Specialists in Ventura, CA. Casey has been been boating his entire life and was sailing before he could walk. His grandfather and father were both accomplished sailors so it was only natural for Casey to end up in the maritime industry himself. Casey is passionate about the life and benefits of boating as a family and with kids. 

Popular Tags