290 Inflatable Hypalon Sportboat, Anygood?

Status
Not open for further replies.
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
I Have the PVC version of this boat. Will plane easily with 6HP and 250" 'load', very stable, good hauling capacity ... all around 'good' boat. With the flooring removed will roll up into a tight package.

Downsides are the plastic blades of the 'oars' quickly degrade in UV, the 'oars' are too short for proper rowing (as is the case with most oars for inflatables, and the painted flooring soon abrades ... but thats what 303 UV Protectent Spray and paint are for.
 
hutch5151

hutch5151

.
Jun 8, 2004
83
Kirie-Elite Elite 37 Niceville, FL
I have the Hyplon 290 with aluminum floors and a Yamaha 8hp two stroke. I previously used a 6hp Tohatsu four stroke. With the 6 hp it would only plane with one person aboard and I motored around with dingy envy even though I had a new dingy. I upgraded to the 8 hp which was an improvement. If I had to do it over again, I would have bought a 9hp and would probably look for a RIB in the 310 range. I don't have davits on my boat so I hoist the dingy aboard the foredeck for major ocean passages. Otherwise, I tow it. I probably towed it for 2,000 miles on our cruise to the Bahama's last year.

I havn't had any problems with the oars, but I have shown wear around the tow rings where I attach the tow line. It has abraded the hypalon. West Marine repaired this and the center tow handle which was also showing wear at no cost or hassel to me. They were extra helpful and seemed interested in the wear since this is a fairly new model.
 
catsailor

catsailor

.
Jan 10, 2009
590
PDQ 32 Deale, MD
I have an older version. It has been leak-free for 7 years.

I agree with RichH regarding capacity and the oars. No it will never be a hard-bottom boat, but you can roll it up (not very small) and it is lighter. Much better handling that the roll-up boats.

Hanging it from davits can be a problem, because the air pressure can drop when you are away...

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2010/11/few-more-pdq-tweaks.html

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-triced-up.html

... but as above, the problem is solvable.

Would I get the same boat as a replacement? I think so. Going to a RIB with 15 hp (vs my current 3.5 hp) will at least double the weight, and that would be a poor choise, for me. Even with 3.5 hp, it will plane with me alone.
 
Terry in Naples

Terry in Naples

.
Aug 8, 2006
340
Catalina 34 Naples FL
inflatable with 9 hp motor

I recently purchases a 9.9 Tohatsu for my Avon Rover, air. I would just like to point out that these newer 8 and 9.9 hp motors weighting 80 to 90 pounds are really hard to muscle around on a dinghy and on and off a sailboat and on Davits. I have been used to an older 7.5 Evinrude at 60 pounds but this new motor is a whole dimension in hassle. I wouold go to WM and ask to lift up a 9.9 mercury (pretty much same motor as the tohatsu) and see if it looks feasable. If not look at the new Yamaha 6's. they are back to the 60# weight.
 
catsailor

catsailor

.
Jan 10, 2009
590
PDQ 32 Deale, MD
Terry in Naples said:
I recently purchases a 9.9 Tohatsu for my Avon Rover, air. I would just like to point out that these newer 8 and 9.9 hp motors weighting 80 to 90 pounds are really hard to muscle around on a dinghy and on and off a sailboat and on Davits. I have been used to an older 7.5 Evinrude at 60 pounds but this new motor is a whole dimension in hassle. I wouold go to WM and ask to lift up a 9.9 mercury (pretty much same motor as the tohatsu) and see if it looks feasable. If not look at the new Yamaha 6's. they are back to the 60# weight.
Click to expand
There are times I feel the 3.5 hp merc is too small. But when I need to pick it up for some reason (we leave it in the tender full time) I'm glad; I think it is about 30 pounds or about the weight of a suitcase. I can't plane in the harbors anyway (6-kn speed limit and no-wake rules) and so very I seldom use it above about 1.5 hp anyway. Full throttle is rare. So why would I want 15 hp?

Open-water applications are different.

Given a 6 hp, I would accept it:), but no more than that.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom