Jeff in TN,
I had a 12 foot Zodiac, with a clever system of interlocking floorboards and an inflatable cushion beneath the floorboards to create a 'V' hull instead of a flat bottom. I had a 25 hp Mercury for it.
It was wonderful for diving off of because the big tubes are stomach-friendly. It planed off but it ran poorly for a boat with its horsepower, and the fuel tank was always underfoot. It could be folded down into a package a couple of feet on an edge, and could even be strapped to the swim platform that way.
I sold it because:
=> balancing on a rubber tube while crossing wakes is just not for a man of my, humph, maturity
=> with light weight and huge windage, it was difficult to control in weather
=> it was such a PIA to inflate or deflate, and towed poorly
=> it would shred if taken to most beaches in the Bahamas
=> the motor was too heavy to get on or off without a lot of swearing
=> I didn't like carrying gasoline, after spending so much on diesels
=> If I had a distance to go, I would just take the big boat, so didn't need the speed.
If you get a small roll-up (has the floor and everything in one piece) you could use the 2 hp and fill its tank from your main tanks if needed, convenient. You will want a powerful 12V air pump. It will go slowly but it will get the dog to shore.
I replaced the Zodiac with an 11.5' hard sailing dinghy, that I stow on the cabin top. No more wrestling the outboard, either....
I read an account once of a couple who went ashore in their Zodiac to watch harp seals mating. The male harp seals thought that the boat was a rival, and tore it to ribbons. Another good reason not to get one...
1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
