ZODIAC MEDLINE SUNDREAM

THE SUCCESSOR TO THE MEDLINE I A VERY INTERESTING BOAT FULL OF VERY CURIOUS SOLUTIONS

My fourth Medline. Few users can claim to have owned four different models of Zodiac Medline boats. After seeing a boat in very good condition, I jumped at the chance and bought it.

Measuring 5 meters long and 2.22 meters wide, this is a just-right, very maneuverable semi-rigid boat, and thanks to the removable radar arch, it can be stored in a small garage for winter storage. The two-tone float gives the boat a very youthful and sporty feel, making it more modern.

Like all Medline boats, we have a deep V-shaped hull, so a light vehicle is sufficient for launching; any utility vehicle can launch it safely. Unlike the Medline I, the entire hull accommodates the engine bracket, making the whole boat more compact and secure, moving the engine slightly further away and avoiding the splashing typical of the Medline I.

The console is very tight in size, even though it is possible to install a compass, engine clocks, a respectable-sized Garmin GPS Plotter Probe, audio equipment and a console with the necessary switches and even a battery level indicator, very practical without a doubt, to avoid running out of battery. It also has ample interior space.

The correct distribution of all the elements is immediately striking. In this case, the Bimini top has been installed. The horn, position lights, and the obligatory radar reflector have been installed on the radar arch. The freshwater shower has been installed below the arch and at the rear. Its 55-liter tank is located in the bow, which greatly aids weight distribution.

Thanks to the thick webbing that surrounds the perimeter of the boat, it is perfectly protected from scratches. The easy-to-maintain 70-hp Yamaha two-stroke engine is very light and moves the Zodiac with ease, making it ideal for water skiing. The open bimini provides great comfort on hot summer days.

This is one of this boat's weak points, and this solution clearly addresses it.

As you can see, the ladder descends deeply to make it easier for anyone to board. Once folded, it's not in the way at all, and the platform adds room to the boat, allowing for a very comfortable position for easier access to the engine, something that wasn't possible before.

The shower, an interesting comfort element, is very accessible at the stern, allowing it to be used on the ladder platform without wetting the rest of the boat.

It has numerous lockers for storing everything necessary for both safety and comfort. Some are located on the deck itself, which is unusual, but they are very useful.

At the bow, there is a large locker that is not originally compartmentalized, making everything very disorganized.

In this case, to separate the anchoring equipment from the flexible freshwater tank in the shower, a marine plywood triangle with a half-height wooden edge has been installed, which serves several functions.

It insulates the anchoring equipment, preventing it from damaging the flexible shower tank.

It provides access to the side walkways, where many long items such as boat hooks and oars can be stored, as well as fenders.

To install the stereo, we had to drill holes for the speakers in the seat area. The system has a video input so it can be used as a digital rearview mirror when cruising, by installing a camera on the stern.

It can play MP3 music files, so you can bring a wide range of music on board. It also has a radio and can connect via Bluetooth to a mobile phone, so the possibilities are endless.

A switch panel was also installed with the necessary functions: horn, freshwater shower, bilge pump, and navigation lights.

The panel also includes a handy digital battery voltage indicator and a dual USB charger for charging cell phones.

All the necessary electronics have been installed in the control console.

Compass

Two Yamaha multifunction displays

Independent trim indicator

Engine mixture tank oil level indicator

Fuel level indicator

Charter plotter GPS with Garmin NMEA 2000 compatible depth sounder

Stereo system

12-volt outlet to be added to the two USB ports on the aforementioned switchboard.

The stereo's FM antenna can also be seen in the photo.

The console also has a large interior storage space that is easily accessible.

If you like sunbathing anywhere and enjoying a good swim, and you want a hassle-free, easy-to-maintain, transportable boat that takes you safely and with low operating costs, the Medline Sundream is undoubtedly your choice.

The boat had a very inadequate folding ladder.

A platform with a telescopic ladder was installed, which retracts into the lower part, making it very easy to access the boat and perform mooring tasks in port.

Without a doubt, the most ingenious feature is Zodiac's use of the Sundream's deck.

The photo shows the two lockers, each with its two marine plywood lids integrated into the deck itself.

The bow lid is completely removable and serves as a dining table and as an integral part of the sundeck. The aft lid is hinged and can be opened and closed like a conventional locker.

In my case, I use them to store the required life jackets, so their use is sporadic.

Here we can see the bow locker open without the lid, fitting a couple of life jackets without any problems.

Both locker are connected at the bottom to allow water to drain. The stern locker is connected to the outside of the boat via a scupper. It's important that the scupper is in good condition to prevent water from entering these locker boxes, which are located right at the waterline. To avoid problems, the bow locker outlet can be closed with a plug, which will prevent any unwanted water from entering. They are designed to drain water when the boat is moving, as long as the plug is open, of course.

They are beautifully finished in gelcoat, like the rest of the boat, which gives them a very good appearance.

Here we can see the open stern locker and the speakers installed for the stereo.

Since they're mounted on the seat, they act as a sound box, giving them a very good sound.

Two regulation life jackets also fit easily.

As mentioned above, this locker has a closing plug to prevent water from entering through the bow scupper, which can happen if the scupper isn't in good condition.

It's advisable to keep it closed, and if you want to drain water, do so dry on the trailer. This will depend on sailing conditions. Normally, while sailing, the boat should be able to drain water through the scupper without any problem, closing the valve when at rest.

To assemble the sundeck, simply add two small boards to the lid of the bow locker on both sides and secure them to the corresponding pre-assembled studs. Everything is very secure, as seen in the photo.

A very ingenious system, very easy to assemble, clean, and space-saving. The boards are also very light and require no effort to assemble.

They have the corresponding openings so you can move the boards without catching your fingers.

Without a doubt, a very simple and ingenious system that deserves a ten from the Zodiac engineers.

All that's left is to place the mats in place to complete the sundeck assembly.

Here, too, you can see the cleverness of the design: each mat has generously sized flaps that fit under the mat on its side. These flaps are Velcro-style, ensuring they stay securely in place and stay in place while sailing. They also attach to the bow mat and the seat cushion next to the console, making the whole assembly very stable and secure.

The foam padding on the mats is wide enough to make sunbathing on the Sundream very comfortable and fun.