Choosing your boat for sport fishing at sea can be a real headache. Often it comes down to a question of compromise. I have been sailing for many years and have been fishing at sea by boat for 10 years, during which time I have had 3 different boats. A Bombard Explorer 550, a Bombard Explorer 600 and for the last 1.5 years, a Zeppelin 21 VPRO.
We fishermen have very specific expectations of our playmate:
- space on board is paramount,
- the bridge is clear,
- storage space to store material,
- a boat with seaworthy behaviour so that you can go out as often as possible
- an adapted motorization in order to optimize the performance of the hull and to have a reasonable consumption.
Made in France" custom-made for an unsinkable boat.
The Zeppelin hulls leave the Lude factory near Le Mans and then go to the dealer chosen for assembly. It takes about 6 months from discussions with your Zeppelin dealer to the time they leave the factory. This delay is due to the manufacturing time with a well-filled order book, but also to the time needed to think about this boat. Because everything is modular and many accessories are offered by Zeppelin. You choose the location of your accessories yourself (console, bench, bolster...) and thus customize your boat as you wish. At each stage, the factory will provide you with a plan that you can validate or not before production.
Important point in the decision to turn to this brand, Zeppelin hulls (except those of some models) are certified unsinkable (inscription on the navigation certificate). This exempts you from having to carry a life raft when sailing on the high seas. Significant savings in purchase and maintenance costs as well as space on board.
Made in France" is not just a marketing label. Apart from the quality of workmanship, in the case of after-sales service, it is very simple to return the boat to the factory in France rather than abroad. You can also take advantage of the factory's annual open house to visit the factory and above all see all the accessories available and configure on bare hulls present, your future boat by placing the available accessories.
6.40 m, a versatile size.
I approached the Nauti Services shipyard in Paimpol (22) for the assembly of this boat. My specifications to meet a use mainly focused on fishing was precise and I found a team listening, anxious to ensure that all my expectations are met:
- An open space on the back
- The possibility to pass on both sides of the console
- A fishing place in the front
- A fishpond
- A high console to be sheltered during long offshore sailing trips
- Console storage and seating for those rare family outings
I opted, with the advice of the yard, for the model 21 VPRO (6.40 m). This size allows me to put a 150 horsepower engine in it and remains a transportable size adapted to most vehicles, and big enough to fish at 3. Its launching is not constraining and can be done on all holds.
Layout of my Zeppelin 21 VRPO: A clear space at the rear, a high console centered, a fishing spot at the front. All the elements are centered to facilitate circulation on both sides. Storage is in the console and in the trunk under the seat of the bolster. Reinforcement patches are placed on the struts in the rear fishing area. (Fish tank missing on the picture.)
I had a "stainless steel bolster from the bocage" installed, which was more in line with my expectations than the Zeppelin range, under which the NautiService yard custom-built a 180-litre livewell, fed automatically by a pump and an overflow drain to keep the water cycle fresh at all times.
The console model is the C900S. The highest of Zeppelin with a trunk at the front on which 2 cushions are scratched to create a comfortable seat if needed. This console is wide enough to integrate all the electronics (sounder / GPS, VHF, sound system, electrical panel ...).
Finally, and still with the aim of saving space on board, the choice of an anchor locker integrated into the deck, which houses the anchor, part of the safety equipment, the tips and fenders. This choice is particularly appreciated during tuna fishing trips where very often fights are managed from the bow.
A motorization adapted to take full advantage of the capacities of this boat.
The engine selected is an Evinrude G2 150 HO. Choice proposed by the dealer who convinced me after testing. I opted for this brand, which is the only one to develop exclusively 2-stroke engines when the competition's trend is towards 4-stroke.
Obviously I have good reason for making this choice:
- Aesthetics with the possibility to fully customize its engine.
- The 10-year (or 1000 hr) warranty offered by BRP and Evinrude.
- The absence of maintenance in normal use for the first 5 years (or 500 h).
- The torque developed by this 2.7 l V6 engine.
- Equipped with an electric throttle as standard.
- Standard automatic trim corrector (I-Trim)
- Electrohydraulic power steering as standard.
All this equipment makes it one of the most complete engines on the market in its standard version
Here are the technical characteristics of the motor:
- Model 150 E-Tec G2 HO
- Administrative power: 15.72 HP
- Maximum speed in rpm - 5000-6000
- Cylinders: V6 at 66°
- Cylindered in CM3: 2744
- Reduction ratio: 2.17
- Weight in kilo (with oil) 240 kg.
- Price with electric control and hydraulic power steering: 19800 euros
A set optimized to the maximum.
In navigation, the reputation of this deep-V hull extended by 2 flaps is not a legend. This boat is very seaworthy and does not anchor even in rough conditions. In aft sea, it is safe and stays well in line with the swell without burying, even at high speed.
The arrangement of the elements allows fishing from all sides without getting in the way. Even if some people prefer to completely free a passage on one side of the console and thus glue it to the opposite side.
Storage space, although limited, is sufficient to store safety equipment, clothing and personal belongings so as not to clutter up the deck. It's true that when I use it in the "family" version, the lack of storage is felt.
On this boat, I opted for a bolster and not jockey seats for the sole reason that I wanted a livewell and thus install it under the bolster to save space. (Impossible to do it in the deck because of the foam present for the insubmersibility of the boat).
Note that at Zeppelin, all elements are attached to the bridge by inserts. This means that it is imperative that you think and define the layout before production. It is not possible to screw an element directly to the deck yourself, otherwise you will lose the certificate of unsinkability.
An engine that meets my expectations
Together with the Evinrude G2, the Evinrude G2 gives me a cruising speed of 30 knots for a fuel consumption between 0.9 and 1 mile/liter (3 people on board with fishing gear). This is very low for a set of this weight.
At economical speed, this consumption drops to 1.4 mile/litre at 20-22 knots
At top speed, the Evinrude 150 hp propels the Zeppelin at 45 knots. This hull is not made for speed so I'll let you imagine the performance on an English hull..
From the very first hours of use, I was marked by the torque developed by this engine when it lifted off the throttle. The noise is not a problem in itself, even if at around 2500 rpm it is more perceptible.
As with all 2-stroke engines, it is necessary to fill the oil directly into the engine's integrated tank. This tank has a volume of approximately 12 l (3 US gallons exactly) which gives you a range of 50 to 60 hours of navigation. This duration is variable depending on your piloting.
For information, the price per gallon of oil for the top-of-the-range version (XD100) is 70 euros. This is perhaps the most negative point of the engine. However at the end of the season or every 100 hours you don't have maintenance whereas manufacturers with 4-stroke engines require it in order to keep the warranty.
For my part, the construction site nevertheless carries out a visual check and a suitcase passage to make sure that everything is in order.
Consumption is relatively low and quite acceptable for this type of package.
An optimal set for fishing use!
This set corresponds perfectly to my expectations as a fisherman. The space on board is optimised, to the detriment of family outings. The Evinrude engine gives me complete satisfaction in terms of performance and fuel consumption. Its noise can be annoying for some people, but you have in your hands a 2-stroke V6 engine (I often compare this to a car, where a city car is quieter than a sports car!).
The weight and shape of the boat do not make it a sporty unit as can be an English hull which is more airy in the passage by formed sea. Here you feel the strength and power of the whole when the conditions are rough. For some it may seem brutal, for others it is a feeling of security.
On the other hand, this means that the boat must be sufficiently motorised and often the maximum authorised power is chosen.
Drifting, the whole thing is safe. The fisherman can slide his feet between the deck and the underside of the boat to have a stable and secure position. We manage to fish with 3 people without hindrance, even if we all stay behind the console so that everyone can keep an eye on the electronic screens.
The 150 L tank ensures me sufficient autonomy even during tuna trips where we don't count the miles travelled.
The 100% customizable layout makes it a unique boat corresponding to my personal expectations.
Advantage of the Zeppelin 21 VPRO with 150 hp Evinrude
- Marine behaviour
- Total freedom of design
- Made in France
- High-performance Evinrude engine
- Low power consumption
- Standard engine equipment
Disadvantages of the Zeppelin 21 VPRO with 150 hp Evinrude
- High purchase price of the boat
- High oil prices
- Engine noise 2T
- Requires max. motorization
