Hello all,
I bought a used 10' Achilles Hypalon/CSM panel-floor dinghy this year. Just now getting around to putting it to the test considering the late start to the season. It's pretty terrible. I keep having floor panels pop out of the channels, and the whole thing has a bit of a magic carpet ride feeling to it as it undulates over the swells. Also it's awful in any sort of chop.
I'm looking at a RIB which is probably what I should've gone with in the first place. Something in the 10 foot range. I have a Mercury 8hp 2 stroke that works great, and if I'm getting a new dinghy a motor upgrade would not be in the cards this year. Usually going to be carrying two people, maybe a cooler and a few bags. Say 450 lbs, with the occasional 3rd person.
So the question: I know PVC was long viewed as a cheap alternative to Hypalon - it would get gummy, unglue, etc... I live in the Northeast with a relatively short season and don't have nearly the UV exposure someone cruising in the Caribbean would have. It seems that in the past few years PVC has advanced and while still not as good as CSM in some respects the differences aren't as significant as they used to be. I'm thinking that the premium for a CSM boat isn't worth it for my case. Anyone have any input?
Edit: I'm looking at new RIBs. All the used ones around me are hugely overpriced and/or need serious work.
I bought a used 10' Achilles Hypalon/CSM panel-floor dinghy this year. Just now getting around to putting it to the test considering the late start to the season. It's pretty terrible. I keep having floor panels pop out of the channels, and the whole thing has a bit of a magic carpet ride feeling to it as it undulates over the swells. Also it's awful in any sort of chop.
I'm looking at a RIB which is probably what I should've gone with in the first place. Something in the 10 foot range. I have a Mercury 8hp 2 stroke that works great, and if I'm getting a new dinghy a motor upgrade would not be in the cards this year. Usually going to be carrying two people, maybe a cooler and a few bags. Say 450 lbs, with the occasional 3rd person.
So the question: I know PVC was long viewed as a cheap alternative to Hypalon - it would get gummy, unglue, etc... I live in the Northeast with a relatively short season and don't have nearly the UV exposure someone cruising in the Caribbean would have. It seems that in the past few years PVC has advanced and while still not as good as CSM in some respects the differences aren't as significant as they used to be. I'm thinking that the premium for a CSM boat isn't worth it for my case. Anyone have any input?
Edit: I'm looking at new RIBs. All the used ones around me are hugely overpriced and/or need serious work.