May be purchasing an inflatable this year. Any thoughts on manufacturer, new or used and engine type.
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John Visser
Hudson Bay
I purchased a Hudson Bay hard-bottom hypalon inflatable at the Annapolis show last fall, and though I've received it, I haven't tried it yet. I seems reaaly nice, with an interesting, unique treatment on the tubes aft, in the form of a fiberglass step rather than a cone. I'd be interested to hear from any other owners.
I purchased a Hudson Bay hard-bottom hypalon inflatable at the Annapolis show last fall, and though I've received it, I haven't tried it yet. I seems reaaly nice, with an interesting, unique treatment on the tubes aft, in the form of a fiberglass step rather than a cone. I'd be interested to hear from any other owners.
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gary jensen
Achilles works for me
Almost all the inflatables are good. Be cautious of anything not made with hapalon as most other materials seem to not withstand the sun rays. I'v had Avon inflatable bottom, Avon hard bottom, Nissan inflatable bottom and Achilles inflatable floor. They all worked fine. Although the Achilles seemed a little lighter and has held up exceptionally well.....
Almost all the inflatables are good. Be cautious of anything not made with hapalon as most other materials seem to not withstand the sun rays. I'v had Avon inflatable bottom, Avon hard bottom, Nissan inflatable bottom and Achilles inflatable floor. They all worked fine. Although the Achilles seemed a little lighter and has held up exceptionally well.....
Most of the Hypalon units are good.
Bob: I really depends on what you want a dink for. If you are going to go running around all over the place with a bunch of gear and people aboard, look at a RIB with a larger engine. This means you are going to tow it where ever you go or get davits. If you just need to go a few hundred yards to shore and only use it occasionaly go with an inflatable with a soft bottom. You also need to consider if you need to be able to store it on board. We have a Caribe RIB and it is a great unit but it is really too heavy (about 250 for boat and motor). Tows well (but slows you down). Goes like hell with 18hp engine. If I was going to do something today, I go with an inflatable with an air floor and about an 8hp engine. The main thing is to go with hypalon. They hold up to fuel spills, animal claws, sun light etc. They will outlast ANY PVC by 3-4 times. PVC is fine if you keep it out the sun, be sure not to spill fuel on it and no abrasion. They are cheap to buy but not cheap to keep.
Bob: I really depends on what you want a dink for. If you are going to go running around all over the place with a bunch of gear and people aboard, look at a RIB with a larger engine. This means you are going to tow it where ever you go or get davits. If you just need to go a few hundred yards to shore and only use it occasionaly go with an inflatable with a soft bottom. You also need to consider if you need to be able to store it on board. We have a Caribe RIB and it is a great unit but it is really too heavy (about 250 for boat and motor). Tows well (but slows you down). Goes like hell with 18hp engine. If I was going to do something today, I go with an inflatable with an air floor and about an 8hp engine. The main thing is to go with hypalon. They hold up to fuel spills, animal claws, sun light etc. They will outlast ANY PVC by 3-4 times. PVC is fine if you keep it out the sun, be sure not to spill fuel on it and no abrasion. They are cheap to buy but not cheap to keep.
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Bruce Harkness
I have one for sale
3.11 RIB Avon, 15HP Mariner, Trailer, cover. A '98 model, stored covered out of the water when not in use. Does about 25 knots or so. Moved to FL, doing less weekend trips since I live about a mile from th boat.
3.11 RIB Avon, 15HP Mariner, Trailer, cover. A '98 model, stored covered out of the water when not in use. Does about 25 knots or so. Moved to FL, doing less weekend trips since I live about a mile from th boat.
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Mickey McHugh
Caribe MVP Light (9' RIB)
weighs in at 95# since it only has a single floor. I got it for $1700 at the 1999 Newport Boat show. It gets us both up on plane with a Honda 8HP and is a very dry ride. It has held up well and I keep it covered. Steve is right on with all of his recommendations.
weighs in at 95# since it only has a single floor. I got it for $1700 at the 1999 Newport Boat show. It gets us both up on plane with a Honda 8HP and is a very dry ride. It has held up well and I keep it covered. Steve is right on with all of his recommendations.
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Debra Blatnik
Do you need to stow the inflatible?
I would love a RIB -- and if money was no object, I would buy a Tinker, with the sailing and the life-raft options. But since money is a limiting factor, I went with a boat that has a removable wooden floor. Engine size equates to engine weight. Will you need to pull the engine off the inflatible to store on a stern rail? Smaller may be better.....
I would love a RIB -- and if money was no object, I would buy a Tinker, with the sailing and the life-raft options. But since money is a limiting factor, I went with a boat that has a removable wooden floor. Engine size equates to engine weight. Will you need to pull the engine off the inflatible to store on a stern rail? Smaller may be better.....
Rule Brittannia
Without a doubt my vote for the best-made inflatable goes to the Avon Redcrest/Redstart dinghies-- plain, simple, hearty and durable. We got an 8-ft one for Antigone in 1978 and right now a friend here in Burlington is still using it. Well cared-for (and an inflatable should NEVER be ruthlessly abised) there is no reason why your 900 bucks should not represent a decade's service or more. As for the lesser junk-- you get what you pay for. Besides between the French Zodiac (Cousteau's choice) and the British Avon (used by the RN) an Anglophile like me has only one choice! JC
Without a doubt my vote for the best-made inflatable goes to the Avon Redcrest/Redstart dinghies-- plain, simple, hearty and durable. We got an 8-ft one for Antigone in 1978 and right now a friend here in Burlington is still using it. Well cared-for (and an inflatable should NEVER be ruthlessly abised) there is no reason why your 900 bucks should not represent a decade's service or more. As for the lesser junk-- you get what you pay for. Besides between the French Zodiac (Cousteau's choice) and the British Avon (used by the RN) an Anglophile like me has only one choice! JC
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Bryan C.
Insufficient info to answer
Dinghies are compromises. What is important to you? Do you have a place to stow it? Is go-fast performance important? Will you be leaving it inflated or putting it away every time you use it. Weekend use or cruising? What is your budget? Depending on your answers, a RIB, airfloor, plywood floor, or slat floor might be best for you. Hypalon may or may not be the best choice depending on your needs. I have no place to store a dink. I use ours maybe 8-10 times a year. Portability, ease of set-up, storage, and cost were factors important to me. Performance was not. I bought a West Marine RU-260. PVC, slat floor, $825. Not a go fast boat. But I can set it up and when I'm done roll it back up in about 10 minutes. It only weighs 40 lbs, I can lift it out single-handed. Try that with a plywood floor hypalon dinghy. With a 3.5 Nissan it gets me back and forth to anchor just fine. The PVC strong enough, is lighter than Hypalon, and I don't leave it out in the sun so UV exposure isn't a problem. The little boat (8'6", 880 lbs carrying capacity) is perfect for the way I use it and I'd recommend it for that type of use. Would I recommned it as the primary tender for a full time cruiser? Nope. Depends on what you need.
Dinghies are compromises. What is important to you? Do you have a place to stow it? Is go-fast performance important? Will you be leaving it inflated or putting it away every time you use it. Weekend use or cruising? What is your budget? Depending on your answers, a RIB, airfloor, plywood floor, or slat floor might be best for you. Hypalon may or may not be the best choice depending on your needs. I have no place to store a dink. I use ours maybe 8-10 times a year. Portability, ease of set-up, storage, and cost were factors important to me. Performance was not. I bought a West Marine RU-260. PVC, slat floor, $825. Not a go fast boat. But I can set it up and when I'm done roll it back up in about 10 minutes. It only weighs 40 lbs, I can lift it out single-handed. Try that with a plywood floor hypalon dinghy. With a 3.5 Nissan it gets me back and forth to anchor just fine. The PVC strong enough, is lighter than Hypalon, and I don't leave it out in the sun so UV exposure isn't a problem. The little boat (8'6", 880 lbs carrying capacity) is perfect for the way I use it and I'd recommend it for that type of use. Would I recommned it as the primary tender for a full time cruiser? Nope. Depends on what you need.
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