Zodiac 601 vs. 650

NCPilot · Post by **NCPilot** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:36 pm

Are there any real discernible differences between the Zodiac 601 XL and the 650? I'm alittle concern that the 650 may actually have less baggage area in the rear than the 601 XL.

Thoughts?

rsteele · Post by **rsteele** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:26 pm

The bulkhead that defines the back of the baggage area is about 10 inch farther forward in the 650 that the 601. However the baggage area is higher in the 650. From a volume stand point it may be a wash. You won't get skis in either.

I'm a kit builder and have both sets of plans if you have any other questions.

Ron

NCPilot · Post by **NCPilot** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:35 pm

rsteele wrote:The bulkhead that defines the back of the baggage area is about 10 inch farther forward in the 650 that the 601. However the baggage area is higher in the 650. From a volume stand point it may be a wash. You won't get skis in either.

I'm a kit builder and have both sets of plans if you have any other questions.

Ron

Well I'm not looking to get skis in there, just either a duffel bag, or some camping equipment. The 601 seem to have better baggage area for the camping gear than the 650.

rsteele · Post by **rsteele** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:27 pm

NCPilot wrote:
rsteele wrote:The bulkhead that defines the back of the baggage area is about 10 inch farther forward in the 650 that the 601. However the baggage area is higher in the 650. From a volume stand point it may be a wash. You won't get skis in either.

I'm a kit builder and have both sets of plans if you have any other questions.

Ron
Well I'm not looking to get skis in there, just either a duffel bag, or some camping equipment. The 601 seem to have better baggage area for the camping gear than the 650.

I'm not so sure. The baggage space in the 601 is much lower. I probably really depends on what you are packing.

If camping is your thing, the 750 might fit your needs better. It has a lot more cargo space and is of course designed for off field use. It's going to be slower in cruise.

NCPilot · Post by **NCPilot** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:33 pm

rsteele wrote:
NCPilot wrote:
rsteele wrote:The bulkhead that defines the back of the baggage area is about 10 inch farther forward in the 650 that the 601. However the baggage area is higher in the 650. From a volume stand point it may be a wash. You won't get skis in either.

I'm a kit builder and have both sets of plans if you have any other questions.

Ron
Well I'm not looking to get skis in there, just either a duffel bag, or some camping equipment. The 601 seem to have better baggage area for the camping gear than the 650.
I'm not so sure. The baggage space in the 601 is much lower. I probably really depends on what you are packing.

If camping is your thing, the 750 might fit your needs better. It has a lot more cargo space and is of course designed for off field use. It's going to be slower in cruise.

Eh I'm not really a high wing kinda guy. All of the aircraft I've flown are low wings, that's what I'm used to.

Any Utility aircraft that has low wings?

drseti · Post by **drseti** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:37 pm

I'm given to believe that both the 601 and the 650 can be built with wing lockers. You'll still be weight limited, of course, but that should give you room for lots of camping gear.

rsteele · Post by **rsteele** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:19 am

drseti wrote:I'm given to believe that both the 601 and the 650 can be built with wing lockers. You'll still be weight limited, of course, but that should give you room for lots of camping gear.

Wing lockers are quite common. They aren't large, about 8 inches deep and about 20 inches square. Certainly a help. Especially for things like tie downs, extra oil or some beverages to enjoy at the end of your flight. They are not weather tight however. If it rains anything in there will be wet.

Ron

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:17 am

could you not add some weather stripping to the inside and make them mostly weather proof?

rsteele · Post by **rsteele** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:12 pm

weather stripping might help, but would be difficult to install so that it was both effective and not change the profile of the lid. It's also possible for water to enter at seams and migrate around inside the wing. If you need something dry put into big plastic bag.

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 1:19 pm

That makes a lot of sense -- admittedly I'm about to go look at one of these (601XL) in the next week or so, so any and all information that anybody can provide would be greatly appreciated!