Zodiac Nautic, the French manufacturer of semi-rigid boats, has just unveiled its new flagship, the Zodiac X10CC, a 10m-long, Mercury-powered, Central Console (CC) semi-rigid boat, the largest ever built by Zodiac, whose aim is to combine the advantages and characteristics of semi-rigid... and rigid. 

Zodiac Nautic, the historic leader in the semi-rigid market, is moving forward again in terms of innovation, with its brand new flagship, the Zodiac X10CC, the very first images of which have just been unveiled, and which is powered by the shipyard's partner, Mercury Marine.

It took the French manufacturer almost 3 years of R&D to design and launch the construction of this model, which crowns its range, and could well be a game changer in the semi-rigid boat sector, a market which Zodiac created...

The Zodiac X10CC is in fact a centre-hull type boat, with high freeboards, but with the rigid hull surrounded by real floats.

This type of highly innovative layout solves the two major problems with semi-rigid boats, namely the lack of freeboard, which is a major barrier to purchase for a large proportion of the potential customers of these boats, due to perceived safety issues, reinforced by high steering positions, and secondly the low real habitability, due to the floats, despite the high carrying capacity.

With this new type of semi-rigid boat with a centre console, Zodiac is offering a hybrid semi-rigid boat with high polyester freeboards, providing maximum comfort and safety. Its 'centre console CC' deck layout makes it easy to move around the boat (no more offset console and reduced side walkway), all around the console and seats. Its ultra-stable step hull consumes up to 30% less fuel than a conventional V-hull, while achieving record speeds (up to 60 knots with 2x400hp Mercury). 

Although it is a hybrid, the Zodiac X10CC is nonetheless a semi-rigid: the float is not decorative. It is approved as a semi-rigid and can carry 20 people, compared with around 10 for an equivalent rigid boat. It also serves to protect the boat from bumps and bumps, and provides a very noticeable stability that is not felt with a rigid boat of the same size, particularly when cornering. 

In terms of comfort and ergonomics, Zodiac has really worked on habitability: a very wide deck, a double relaxation area, a habitable cabin with berth and separate bathroom, a galley and numerous lockers on and below deck...
 

Cheaper than an equivalent semi-rigid

The price is right in line with the market.

Overall, the new X10CC is less expensive than a conventional semi-rigid with the same equipment, and at the same price level as a conventional rigid boat: from €139,000 excluding VAT with standard equipment (excluding engines, assembly and delivery costs). 

Equipped and powered by two 300hp Mercury engines + joystick, with hard-top and a few options, the new Zodiac X10CC is priced at €281,278 excluding VAT, or 340,000 eurios including VAT.

With its twin Mercury 2 x 400 hp engines, it consumes just 3 litres of fuel per nautical mile and can cruise at 60 knots with 7 people on board. This power-to-weight ratio means it consumes 30% less fuel than a rigid boat of the same size. Its 760-litre fuel tank gives it a range of around 250 nautical miles.

Decoding : After years of dead calm, Zodiac is back in the race, with innovation in its sights. At last, one might say, it's a pity that such a brand has lost its way and opened up the market to particularly dynamic competitors in every sales segment, from the Chinese low end with 3D Tender, to the Ukrainian Grand, Brigg, Adventure and Gala, not forgetting the Italian high end with Tempest, Pirelli, Nuova Jolly (and so many others!!) and the British and French specialists. With its well-thought-out features, and the response it provides to traditional brakes on classic RIBs, the Zodiac X10CC could well be the game changer that the shipyard sorely needed to win back market share.