Zar Formenti ZF-1 and Suzuki DF25A: evolution of the tender

A 12ft rib as luxurious as a yacht, propelled by one of the most advanced outboards: it’s the bundle between Zar Formenti ZF-1 and Suzuki DF25A.

If you think of boring, old dinghies stuck to a yacht’s transom like ballast…well you couldn’t be further. The ZF-1 looks like a maxi-rib scaled down to 3.35 meters, thanks to the luxurious trim and articulate layout. Then you test it, and you realize that using it just as a tender is a waste.

The rib

A Zar has a look on its own, and the small ZF-1 is no exception: the side tubular merges with the fiberglass deck giving an aggressive and elegant look. There’s four stainless steel handrails, two in the back and two in the front, where the large bow hosts the anchor well and a platform for stepping ashore. The fore V-bench hides a large locker and can be turned into a sunbed or set for dining with a center table. The single helm station, on the starboard side, features two Suzuki gauges for all the infos, a sporty tilting wheel, and the throttle lever beside the seat. Under the aft bench there’s room for another locker, while the swim platform can be fitted with a useful ladder.
If you want to fit the Zar ZF-1 in your yacht’s garage, the measures of the latter need to be at least 1.17-1.20 mt height by the engine, and 4.15 mt in length. Once again we underline the building and finishing accuracy, which really stand out to a yacht’s level.

The test

The lake is a bit choppy, an ideal condition to better understand the seakeeping qualities of the ZF-1. At transom the new 3 cylinder Suzuki DF25A outboard (find on our website its technical specs and state-of-the-art features) is matched to a 10”x10 propeller. Despite our rib being able to mount a 40HP, with throttle down our 25HP gives a fast acceleration. Some weight abow (a passenger, for instance) helps finding the planing which is around 4.000 rpm. During our test it’s just me and another person, and with this load the 25 engine is a cheap and versatile choice. With all five passengers aboard, the maximum allowed, maybe the 40 HP engine is the best. Progression keeps up until 6.000 rpm and 20 knots, but moving the trims we gain 100 revs and 1 knot. The ergonomics at the helm is perfect, so I feel at ease even when turning very tight and suddenly changing direction. The ZF-1 always responds with a secure steadiness and you realize the limit is far beyond. Wide open throttle the fuel consumption is around 9 liters per hour, down to around 4 when cruising at the planing limit of 4.200 rpm (still over 11 knots). Besides being elegant, exclusive and comfortable, the Zar Formenti ZF-1 can also be thrifty..

Technical features

Length o.a. 3.35 mt (11 ft)
Beam 1.88 mt (6 ft 2 in)
Tubular diameter 0.46 mt (18 in)
Dry weight 210 Kg
Passengers 5
Maximum power 40 HP
Design category C

Performance
rpm knots l/h gph decibels
900 ……………… 1,3 ………………… 0,3 ……………… 0.08 ……………… 56
1500 ……………… 3,0 ……………… 0,6 ……………… 0.16 ……………… 62
2000 ……………… 3,7 ……………… 0,9 ……………… 0.24 ……………… 64
2500 ……………… 4,0 ……………… 1,3 ……………… 0.34 ……………… 67
3000 ……………… 5,5 ……………… 1,9 ……………… 0.50 ……………… 70
3500 ……………… 5,7 ……………… 2,7 ……………… 0.71 ……………… 71
4000 ……………… 6,0 ……………… 4,0 ……………… 1.05 ……………… 74
4500 ……………… 12,5 …………… 4,0 ……………… 1.05 ……………… 77
5000 ……………… 16,5 …………… 4,9 ……………… 1.30 ……………… 79
5500 ……………… 18,0 …………… 6,3 ……………… 1.66 ……………… 83
6000 ……………… 20,0 …………… 9,0 ……………… 2.38 ……………… 84
6100 ……………… 21,0 …………… 9,0 ……………… 2.38 ……………… 84

Test conditions:
Smooth-slight lake, clean hull, fuel 25 lt (6.6 US gals), 2 passengers

Standard equipment
Bow anchor locker – side and stern lockers – single-seat helm station with mechanical helm – rubbing strake – 5 S/S handrails – 4 pop-up cleats – 3 lifting eye-bolts – transom water outtake cap – repair kit – inflating pump – 2 twin paddles.

Options
40 liters (10.6 gals) fuel tank – navigation lights – shower with pump and bow tank – extension for front sunpad with planks and table stand – fore rubber strake – extension for aft sunpad – telescopic sun shade – flexiteek trim.

Proces
Zar Formenti ZF-1 ………………… € 11.990 + VAT
Suzuki DF25A ………………… from € 4.990 + VAT

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