Inflatables

Steve Dion · May 6, 2011

Suggestion! Do NOT buy any PVC dink!

Cayennita · May 6, 2011

Hypalon only. PVC is almost impossible to repair properly.

Tim R. · May 6, 2011

I have had a PVC RIB in Maine for 4 years now. Works great. I have not had to repair any punctures but it did come with a kit.

As for your original question, I believe the WM branded boats are build with thinner materials.

caguy · May 6, 2011

I've had my Baltik pvc for 4 years and it is still in great shape. I had to repair it the second time out. After launching the boat, Novelman tied it to the back of the trailer and then told me to park the truck, it got dragged about 75 yds though the parking lot. The floor leaked that trip but I was able to patch with the patch kit and it is fine now. The pontoons were scratched but did not wear. I latter punctured the inflatable floor, I don't recall how, but I put a small patch on it and it has been fine for the last 3 yrs.

Capt. Kermie · May 6, 2011

I would not buy another PVC after owning mine for 5-6 years now. Even at 49 dgrees north and only having the dink out a couple months of the year and using a sun protectant the PVC still deteriorated and became tacky & sticky. I am going to try using a rubberized paint I just bought to see if I can squeeze another couple of seasons from it. The dink brand is Titan but in the USA it goes by a name Maxxon, it is a reputable brand. The PVC material just does not hold up over time even in short season northern climes, father time will take its' toll even without mother natures' sunlight. PVC is a waste of money, I won't invest in it again.

Steve Dion · May 6, 2011

Welded or glued seams makes no difference. The fabric is the problem. PVC cannot hold up to UV degradation.

A hypalon unit may last for 15-20 years, if you get 5 years out of a PVC unit you will probably be lucky.

It is your money so go for it, but remember "we told you so". Maybe you will get lucky.

Be sure to keep it covered 24 x 7. <g>

peterbud · May 7, 2011

As steve said the hypalon inflatebles will hold up. Ihave an old boat us 9.2 hypapon and have had it for over 20 years. Ilive in Ma.

Maine Sail · May 7, 2011

mcrow33 said:
I believe I've made my mind up. The WM has welded seams and a five year warranty. The Zodiac is glued seams and a two year warrenty. Everything else looks the same.

Many of the WM boats, and more specifically the RU-260, are made by Zodiac, unless that very recently changed. That said I WOULD buy the WM boat over a Zodiac because you deal with WM for warranty and NOT Zodiac who have HORRIBLE customer support.:cussing:

I won't boor you with the details but our Zodiac suffered the dreaded Zodiac "sticky tube" syndrome. Many, many Zodiac made PVC boats suffer this problem and it is like sitting on gum. Once the tubes or floor get sticky there is no fixing it. This happened within the first year IN MAINE with our Fast Roller 310. It then took three years and a lawyer to get Zodiac to honor their own written warranty..

woodster · May 7, 2011

didnt i read some where on this forum that hapalon had been discontinued....

regards

woody

Ed Schenck · May 7, 2011

The main problem with Hypalon is that you can never get rid of it so that you can buy a new one. My Avon is 20+ years old and, except for the floor, is as good as new. Well I did have to put some varnish on the wooden transom.

stephen Penny · May 7, 2011

mcrow33,

No need to pay $1900 for a generic hypalon dinghy. If you shop it you can find a new Achilles LEX 9'-6" long, 74 lb with a wood floor for a lot lower cost. I just purchased a new 2008 LEX in the box for $1100 from Sal's in Alameda, CA. I purchased this model based on the recommendation from Dinghy Specialists in southern CA for my use and the folks this forum to buy a generic hypalon material.

Woodster,

You are correct according to Achilles. Dupont, the inventor of Hypalon, is no longer producing the raw material used to make Hypalon fabric. Hypalon, which is a synthetic rubber, is now available in generic form and found in synthetic rubber coated fabrics called CSM (short for Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Material).
.

John T1594 · May 7, 2011

I have owned and used a Zodiac Zoom PVC dinghy for well over ten+ years now. I only use it for four months in the summer but it stays in the water and out in the sun the whole time. The tubes are dirty but I can clean them with Starbrite Inflatable Boat cleaner and spray it down with 303 Protectant as recommended by Zodiac. Last season, it developed an air leak in the center tube that forms a keel under the floor boards. I think I can fix that or use one of those foam swimmy noodles as a substitute. I do cross my fingers, however, every spring when I inflate it for a air holding test. The boat spends the winter rolled up in the garage.

joker460 · May 7, 2011

Curious, did you take a look at the WM SOLSTICE Sportster Inflatable Boat??
A buddy of mine picked one up new for $499 and seems to be happy with it. At least it didn't break the bank. The only draw back would be the color.

Enjoy your new aquisition

Ken13559 · May 7, 2011

Curiously, have anyone consider 16" tube i.s.o. 14" ones? I've a WM RU-3 PVC with 16" tube an its great! Keeps my bud dry. Most of my other sailing friends has 14" tube dinks and most ended up wet bottom by the time they got to shore.

Ron McCoy · May 8, 2011

Once having owned a hypalon dink I was very pleased with it until one night I hit a submerged iron pipe near the shore. Lost the entire port side tube with a 10" cut. Fortunately we made it back a 1/2 mile to our anchor sailboat. No more inflateables for me. Just bought a fiberglass rowing dink with high hopes of never having to face being stranded from mother ship.

lehighsail · May 8, 2011

Not to change the subject, but this is discussing inflatables. For only occassional use, would an inflatable like a Sevyloor FT325 be suitable? I know its PVC but it would not be out in sun except when being used for maybe a week or two per season. It would be used for really only 2-3 people. What do you think?