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Hypalon is best
How long a life depends on how well it is cared for. Kept clean, covered, not abused. I had a 1992 Achilles that is still going strong.
How long a life depends on how well it is cared for. Kept clean, covered, not abused. I had a 1992 Achilles that is still going strong.
My Achilles was 25 years old......
when I replaced it. It was still serviceable but I wanted one with an inflatable floor.
The replacement was a PVC Zodiac. It lasted seven years with multiple seam problems.
I plan to replace my current 2006 Achilles in about 2030 if I still need a dinghy.....
when I replaced it. It was still serviceable but I wanted one with an inflatable floor.
The replacement was a PVC Zodiac. It lasted seven years with multiple seam problems.
I plan to replace my current 2006 Achilles in about 2030 if I still need a dinghy.....
Hypalon is best ....
PVC especially if the seams were 'glued' will quickly come apart.
I currently have a heat seamed PVC (zodiac) that is performing very well; but, too soon to tell. I do apply UV protectant (303) .... anyway, it was half the price of a Hypalon. Only time will tell as the newer PVC heat seam variety is fairly new.
BTW my hypalon dinghy was bought in 1987, still in reasonably good condition ... but became too small for my needs. IMHO -On a comparative price basis hypalon is/was the hands-down winner. Let you know in another 10 yrs. about the heat-seamed PVC.
PVC especially if the seams were 'glued' will quickly come apart.
I currently have a heat seamed PVC (zodiac) that is performing very well; but, too soon to tell. I do apply UV protectant (303) .... anyway, it was half the price of a Hypalon. Only time will tell as the newer PVC heat seam variety is fairly new.
BTW my hypalon dinghy was bought in 1987, still in reasonably good condition ... but became too small for my needs. IMHO -On a comparative price basis hypalon is/was the hands-down winner. Let you know in another 10 yrs. about the heat-seamed PVC.
Caribe RIB
We have a 1994 Caribe RIB that sits out in the elements 24x7x365. It is starting to leak air a little more than I would like but it is still in relatively good condition. No repair to date.
We have a 1994 Caribe RIB that sits out in the elements 24x7x365. It is starting to leak air a little more than I would like but it is still in relatively good condition. No repair to date.
PVC is good for me!
I've had my Bombard which is made by Zodic for about 15 years now and have never had any problems with it what so ever. No holes, no seams leaking/splitting. It has a flat bottom inflatable floor and rides better than a friends Achilles "V" bottom. It's been towed behind my C30 from Cape May to Cape Cod and points inbetween. If you buy a quality PVC boat you should not have any problems.
I've had my Bombard which is made by Zodic for about 15 years now and have never had any problems with it what so ever. No holes, no seams leaking/splitting. It has a flat bottom inflatable floor and rides better than a friends Achilles "V" bottom. It's been towed behind my C30 from Cape May to Cape Cod and points inbetween. If you buy a quality PVC boat you should not have any problems.
RichH - Heat sealed or not?
Sorry, I cna't answer that question. It was a 1997 Zodiac FastRoller 285 and I have already tossed all the paperwork that I had.
Perhaps a net search will provide the answer.
I had several seams open up, always the floor-to-tube seams. Every time I repaired the seam, it opened in a different place.
The final straw was when the fabric itself burst while the dinghy was on deck.
I knew it's days were numbered, and I already had an Achilles replacement picked out. It was just a fast trip to Defender to pick up the new one.
I really thought that the Zodiac dinghies were quality units, and I also thought that they were Hypalon. Apparently wrong on at least one count....
Hope you luck is much better than mine, Rich.......
Sorry, I cna't answer that question. It was a 1997 Zodiac FastRoller 285 and I have already tossed all the paperwork that I had.
Perhaps a net search will provide the answer.
I had several seams open up, always the floor-to-tube seams. Every time I repaired the seam, it opened in a different place.
The final straw was when the fabric itself burst while the dinghy was on deck.
I knew it's days were numbered, and I already had an Achilles replacement picked out. It was just a fast trip to Defender to pick up the new one.
I really thought that the Zodiac dinghies were quality units, and I also thought that they were Hypalon. Apparently wrong on at least one count....
Hope you luck is much better than mine, Rich.......
How 'bout a 1986 Avon?
Yep, I have a 1986 Avon and, except for a little wear where the rear fiberglass seat locks into a handle, the dinghy is in excellent shape. Admittingly, I only use it approximately 25-30 days a year, the key to its long life is storage out of the sun. After each usage, I give it a freshwater bath, spray 303 on all surfaces, and, after drying, roll it up and place it in the original canvas bag. She is made out of hypalon. Realistically, I've owned the dinghy since 1986, at which time I purchased it for $500. I then took it to the local Avon representative and had him replace some patches and install towing harness rings. That was twelve years ago. After an upcoming September trip, I plan to take it back to him for some repairs such as the one problem mentioned above.
Several of my friends have dinghy's made from PVC and, in my opinion, it just doesn't hold up like the hypalon.
Dick
Yep, I have a 1986 Avon and, except for a little wear where the rear fiberglass seat locks into a handle, the dinghy is in excellent shape. Admittingly, I only use it approximately 25-30 days a year, the key to its long life is storage out of the sun. After each usage, I give it a freshwater bath, spray 303 on all surfaces, and, after drying, roll it up and place it in the original canvas bag. She is made out of hypalon. Realistically, I've owned the dinghy since 1986, at which time I purchased it for $500. I then took it to the local Avon representative and had him replace some patches and install towing harness rings. That was twelve years ago. After an upcoming September trip, I plan to take it back to him for some repairs such as the one problem mentioned above.
Several of my friends have dinghy's made from PVC and, in my opinion, it just doesn't hold up like the hypalon.
Dick
Thanks for your reply's
I posted my question because I am in the market for a used Dink. I feel safer buying a used Hypalon Dinghy than a used PVC one.
I am probably being to cautious, but I have heard to many stories of PVC Dinhies falling apart. Not saying that Hypalon has no problems, it just seems that Hypalon is superior.
Thanks for all your input.
Now the search for a used Hypalon Dink Begins!
Bill
I posted my question because I am in the market for a used Dink. I feel safer buying a used Hypalon Dinghy than a used PVC one.
I am probably being to cautious, but I have heard to many stories of PVC Dinhies falling apart. Not saying that Hypalon has no problems, it just seems that Hypalon is superior.
Thanks for all your input.
Now the search for a used Hypalon Dink Begins!
Bill
They all have their inadequacies!
Hypalon is superior to PVC hands down no argument but does it always justify the extra cost? Hypalon has its'place in southern climes where sun exposure is maximum but I am not convinced it is necessary in northern climes. Sailing season is shorter in the north and the dinghy is only out exposed for maybe 30 days in the season while touring, but the rest of the time it is in storage. With proper care PVC can last many seasons, the only advantage to hypalon is its' resistance to UV abc's. Both materials are vulnerable to pinholes, leaks or tears. I've had my Titan PVC for five years now and only suffer a pinhole leak that I have yet to find. An eqivelent dinghy in hypalon would cost double what I paid and still be suseptible to leaks, especially with the soft bottoms like I have. There is nothing wrong with a well made PVC if it is well cared for.
Hypalon is superior to PVC hands down no argument but does it always justify the extra cost? Hypalon has its'place in southern climes where sun exposure is maximum but I am not convinced it is necessary in northern climes. Sailing season is shorter in the north and the dinghy is only out exposed for maybe 30 days in the season while touring, but the rest of the time it is in storage. With proper care PVC can last many seasons, the only advantage to hypalon is its' resistance to UV abc's. Both materials are vulnerable to pinholes, leaks or tears. I've had my Titan PVC for five years now and only suffer a pinhole leak that I have yet to find. An eqivelent dinghy in hypalon would cost double what I paid and still be suseptible to leaks, especially with the soft bottoms like I have. There is nothing wrong with a well made PVC if it is well cared for.
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