Achilles or West Marine Inflatable?

[sigbear]

I am looking at these 2 inflatables:

Both are Hypalon with aluminum floor. The Achilles has a roll up aluminum floor and the West Marine, has a aluminum floor but bigger plates and not a roll up. The inflatable will be used in fresh water only and be towed.

I have seen the West Marine model and it looks very strong and warranty work would be easier because I could drop it off at West Marine rather than ship it at my expense.

Achilles, I know is a good boat, but I know nothing about their service reputation.

Which would you pick?

Achilles
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|215570|216319|295568&id=1316954

West Marine
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10110&subdeptNum=10594&classNum=10642

 

[navigator97]

For what it's worth, I bought an Achilles LEX-96 1-1/2 years ago and have been very satisfied with it. It is 9'6" long with a wood seat in it. I has a wood floor (multi sections) and also gas a 'torpedo' shapped air chamber UNDER he floor boards. That provides a little keel and mproves stability. Def. has it for $1299 for a 2010 model (more for a 2011 model). We also tow ours behind. We use it in saltwater in RI area.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Well these two inflatables look very similar and equivalent. However I would prefer an Achilles named product over a West Marine brand. But that is just me.

Regarding Achilles service- my first Achilles I bought used (5 years old) and used it for another 12 years. Sold it privately. Never needed any service.

The second Achilles I bought in 2006. On this one the ropes on each side of the hulls were tied to loops that were secured with webbing. The webbing broke on 4 of the 6 fastening points. Last year at just under 5 years old I asked the Achilles rep at the Defender warehouse sale how to do a proper repair. He asked me how old it was and since it was less than 5 years, he told me to return it to Defender and Achilles would authorize Defender to perform the repair at no cost. The repair was prompt and of high quality. BTW, the warranty for this type of problem had expired at either one year or at three- I can't remember which it was.

So I tend to think that Achilles service is rather good. Furthermore I think chances are also good that you will never need any service in the first place.

Also, if you decide on the Achilles, wait until the Defender warehouse sale during the last week of March and you will save even more $$$$$$.

 

[Steve Dion]

If you can compare the fabric on both the units, I think you will find that the fabric on the Achilles is a heavier quality. This may or may not be indicitive of the overall quality, but it is worth reviewing.

Hopefully you can also find a local dealer for any potential warranty claims too.

 

[ifmdalvey]

I have an Achilles of similar dimensions but with a wood floor and seat. It has an inflatable V hull. We tow it everywhere on a short tether and it has proven to be very stable but i always take the outboard off. Assuming similar prices, i would go for the Achilles. Is Santa helping with the purchase?

 

[Witzend]

If you can compare the fabric on both the units, I think you will find that the fabric on the Achilles is a heavier quality. This may or may not be indicitive of the overall quality, but it is worth reviewing.

Hopefully you can also find a local dealer for any potential warranty claims too.

So anyone know what the thickness is. I sent an email to Defender.
I believe that [FONT=Verdana, helv, sans-serif]Maritime Solutions, Inc, 306 Second Street, Annapolis, MD, 21403, USA, (tel) 1800-230-7583, carries them in my area.[/FONT]

 

[higgs]

If you wish to keep the dinghy stored deflated until you reach a certain destination, the roll up is preferable. I like that option as I only use my dinghy when I anchor. Most of the time I am at a marina/yacht club and don't need the dinghy. I prefer to store it rather than tow it.

Odds are you are not going to need warranty service. I always go with the odds.

 

[Stephan]

Hypalon fabric is history. It is now called CSM.

So anyone know what the thickness is. I sent an email to Defender.

Witzend. Let me first give you the following info:
Hypalon® is a registered trademark owned by DuPont for their chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a synthetic rubber used in the outer coating of inflatable boat fabrics. In the inflatable boat industry, fabric coated with similar forms of chlorosulfonated polyethylene are referred to as "CSM" fabric (ChloroSulfonated Material) and share the same properties of resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes and ultraviolet light.

In 2010, DuPont discontinued the production of their Hypalon® product. However, there are other manufacturers who will continue to produce their synthetic rubber for use in production of CSM fabric.

CSM and Hypalon® are simply two names for the same chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber coated fabric product. The trademark Hypalon® will likely continue to be used, colloquially, in reference to CSM fabrics for years to come.

No inflatable boats, from any manufacturer, will be made with Hypalon® as the product is no longer being produced.

So, on to your question.......
As is the case with all fabric, there are varying grades. Achilles uses an 1100 Dtex CSM on their HB series (and on most of their recreational models).

Most CSM (nee Hypalon) boats are constructed with an 1100 Dtex fabric. However, that 1100 only refers to the weight [in grams] of 10,000 meters of yarn/thread used to weave the base cloth. It does not necessarily mean that the finished (coated) cloth is any stronger or less apt to punture than other cloth constructed of lighter Dtex thread. Nor, does it mean it is less apt to degrade. In fact, there are CSM fabrics, constructed with only 840 dtex base cloth thread, that have a tighter weave, a thicker calendared coating of Neoprene/CSM and are much stronger [higher tensile strength] than heavier 1100 Dtex cloth.

Without knowing the contexture of the base cloth (weft & fill, or tightness of the weave) and the thickness of the coated layers......one truly has no idea how strong a finished 1100 Dtex CSM fabric is. Most CSM fabric Vendors do not publish that info.

I hope that helps and does not confuse.

Cheers

Stephan Lance
Defender

 

[zeehag]

if i were buying, i would prefer to buy one of original material made by dupont hypalon--IT is the one with the 20 year guarantee. after so many years, other companies are allowed other companies were allowed to copy the product but is not same--kinda like the new pyrex, which is missing an important silicate of some kind--keeps the old pyrex from blowing up in your face in the oven.. nothing important--but, as has been discontinued, with the deterioration process i have seen in my own caribe, the new stuf aint worth ****-- new "hypalon" dinks have bubbling of the fabric(mine was 7 yrs old--shouldnta happened!), and only a 10 or 5 yr warrantee.
so i now have rigid dinghies-- they last longer.
achilles, hands down. sorry .....i have a bad attitude...:dance: