I am in the process of purchasing a Hunter for which I will need an inflatable, I have been told that the only infatables worth having are made by Zodiac. Is this true, or are there other good makes out there?
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Gerald Davies
Oh Gerald have you...
Gerald: Have you taken a good look at some of the other inflatables on the market today. The Caribe and AB are excellent buys (and there are several others too). They are well constructed of top quality materials. We have had our Caribe for 4-5 years now and have had no problems with it. Most of the units are less expensive and have better features than the Avon. I do not disagree that the Avon is probably the BEST, but many of the hypalon dinks are VERY GOOD (IMHO).
Gerald: Have you taken a good look at some of the other inflatables on the market today. The Caribe and AB are excellent buys (and there are several others too). They are well constructed of top quality materials. We have had our Caribe for 4-5 years now and have had no problems with it. Most of the units are less expensive and have better features than the Avon. I do not disagree that the Avon is probably the BEST, but many of the hypalon dinks are VERY GOOD (IMHO).
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Dakota Jim Russell
Need dictates choice
Look at your use. If there is a reasonable chance of it being stolen or damaged chose a West Marine or similar less expensive units. Had mine for 5 years now in temperatures to 110. However if image, durability, etc. are important, hit the high end of the scale (Avon, etc.).
Look at your use. If there is a reasonable chance of it being stolen or damaged chose a West Marine or similar less expensive units. Had mine for 5 years now in temperatures to 110. However if image, durability, etc. are important, hit the high end of the scale (Avon, etc.).
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Barry
Steve's Right !
Years ago Zodiac made a bunch of low quality that had problems with glued on fitting and seams. They got a well deserved bad reputation. Avon always made top quality stuff but was higer priced. Zodiac seems to have improved their line. They purchased Avon but don't market the together. Avoid PVC boats unless you want to buy again in five years. Consider any boat made from hypalon. Caribe makes a good product. I've used them in the islands while chartering there. If they last in charter they'll last any where! Barry s/v"PER DIEM too"
Years ago Zodiac made a bunch of low quality that had problems with glued on fitting and seams. They got a well deserved bad reputation. Avon always made top quality stuff but was higer priced. Zodiac seems to have improved their line. They purchased Avon but don't market the together. Avoid PVC boats unless you want to buy again in five years. Consider any boat made from hypalon. Caribe makes a good product. I've used them in the islands while chartering there. If they last in charter they'll last any where! Barry s/v"PER DIEM too"
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Merrill
We went with Quicksilver
After owning a roll up (PVC) floor from Avon, we opted for a much less expensive Quicksilver from Mercury..same as the engine people. We find that it rows better than the old Avon and with a 6HP engine it handles very well. We drag ours behind our 33.5 almost all season and it behaves well. The review given by Practical Sailor was favourable as well. Hope you enjoy your new boat as much as we do our 33.5
After owning a roll up (PVC) floor from Avon, we opted for a much less expensive Quicksilver from Mercury..same as the engine people. We find that it rows better than the old Avon and with a 6HP engine it handles very well. We drag ours behind our 33.5 almost all season and it behaves well. The review given by Practical Sailor was favourable as well. Hope you enjoy your new boat as much as we do our 33.5
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Stephen Ostrander
another .02
I have a '92 Achilles and it has held up well, as have the others in my marina. You have to like red, though. Some friends of mine have a 15 hp Johnson on their dink and we kneeboard behind it!
I have a '92 Achilles and it has held up well, as have the others in my marina. You have to like red, though. Some friends of mine have a 15 hp Johnson on their dink and we kneeboard behind it!
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Scott Johnston
Low cost - Low weight
We went with the low cost rollup from west marine. They are made by Zodiac. At only 39lbs it's easy to deflate and stow below, and man handle over the side, eliminating the expense of davits. The negative is that it's PVC and not made of the more durable hype-a-lot. If you can afford it then go with the better quality, but for the $1495 package deal that W.Marine had for the dingy and a 5hp motor, we couldn't even find a used one that came close. They even threw in a cover! Scott 83-H34 Island Hops. PS. Be it top of the line or bottom of the rack. They will all last with proper care and maintenance.
We went with the low cost rollup from west marine. They are made by Zodiac. At only 39lbs it's easy to deflate and stow below, and man handle over the side, eliminating the expense of davits. The negative is that it's PVC and not made of the more durable hype-a-lot. If you can afford it then go with the better quality, but for the $1495 package deal that W.Marine had for the dingy and a 5hp motor, we couldn't even find a used one that came close. They even threw in a cover! Scott 83-H34 Island Hops. PS. Be it top of the line or bottom of the rack. They will all last with proper care and maintenance.
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