I am thinking about a dinghy...what to buy and where to buy it. I want hypalon(I think) and I want something can can be rolled up and stored while out at sea. Now the hard part. What to buy and where to buy it??? Defender and West Marine seem expensive. Some of these other places are unknown.
What ,Where to buy a Dinghy???I
- Thread starter MoonSailer
- Start date
- Status
I look at...
Craig's List for the San Diego area. Lots of dinghies there. Some with motors, some without. But much to be had. Just waiting for the "right" one to appear and be priced reasonably.
Craig's List for the San Diego area. Lots of dinghies there. Some with motors, some without. But much to be had. Just waiting for the "right" one to appear and be priced reasonably.
new inflatables
Since you mentioned two chandleries, WM and Defender, I infer you want to buy a new one rather than used. Unless you have a means of buying wholesale, one of the better deals for retail purchase is usually at either one of the boat shows (but only if you know ahead of time what a good price is) or, if there are none in your area, a local distributer usually seems to always have some older models collecting dust they will often sell at a discount.
Since you mentioned two chandleries, WM and Defender, I infer you want to buy a new one rather than used. Unless you have a means of buying wholesale, one of the better deals for retail purchase is usually at either one of the boat shows (but only if you know ahead of time what a good price is) or, if there are none in your area, a local distributer usually seems to always have some older models collecting dust they will often sell at a discount.
A good deal
We all look for a good deal. The best I found, and bought, was from Busters Marine. Try the Link
We all look for a good deal. The best I found, and bought, was from Busters Marine. Try the Link
Boat shows
Check and see if your having any major boat shows coming up in the fall. I bought mine at the Annapolis boat show. In addition to getting a good deal you'll be able to shop around and see all the major brands.
Check and see if your having any major boat shows coming up in the fall. I bought mine at the Annapolis boat show. In addition to getting a good deal you'll be able to shop around and see all the major brands.
worst marine/ defender and etc.
Roger,
Dont take this as a band wagon for WM. They are over priced on almost everything they sell to us.
How ever, on the other hand, I have always looked for a good deal else where adn some how ask myself the same question.
" If I have a problem , who do i take it to and where? "
With that statement , i,ll leave you with this.
I have had 1 " one " product die before the warranty ran out from WM.
It was a color widescreen chart plotter that the ext ant went bad.
Not only did WM make it good , they insisted on exchanging the ENTIRE system for a new one at no cost to me and with a NEW warranty.
Try doing that with E-bay, Wholesale internet outlets, and the such.
Just my humble opinion and experiences with expensive items.
If i can't throw it away and buy another one, I prefer to get FACE to FACE with a human and resolve the issue.
Good hunting and fair winds.
BTW I chose the RU260 roll up from WM after manny hours of research on the net and that is EXCATLY what i do with it when not in use.
ROLL it up and store it in V-berth.
Roger,
Dont take this as a band wagon for WM. They are over priced on almost everything they sell to us.
How ever, on the other hand, I have always looked for a good deal else where adn some how ask myself the same question.
" If I have a problem , who do i take it to and where? "
With that statement , i,ll leave you with this.
I have had 1 " one " product die before the warranty ran out from WM.
It was a color widescreen chart plotter that the ext ant went bad.
Not only did WM make it good , they insisted on exchanging the ENTIRE system for a new one at no cost to me and with a NEW warranty.
Try doing that with E-bay, Wholesale internet outlets, and the such.
Just my humble opinion and experiences with expensive items.
If i can't throw it away and buy another one, I prefer to get FACE to FACE with a human and resolve the issue.
Good hunting and fair winds.
BTW I chose the RU260 roll up from WM after manny hours of research on the net and that is EXCATLY what i do with it when not in use.
ROLL it up and store it in V-berth.
There is a lot of difference in quality.
Shop around. There is a lot of difference in quality and features.
Zodiac, WM, Avon, AB, Caribe and a handful of other brands. Don't go for price, look for quality. If you take care of a Hypalon unit it may outlive you.
Shop around. There is a lot of difference in quality and features.
Zodiac, WM, Avon, AB, Caribe and a handful of other brands. Don't go for price, look for quality. If you take care of a Hypalon unit it may outlive you.
Boat show
I bought a Brig last day of a boat show and they knocked off 20%..The next year when I lost my drain plug, I called and they sent one free, no fees or postage.
I bought a Brig last day of a boat show and they knocked off 20%..The next year when I lost my drain plug, I called and they sent one free, no fees or postage.
Defender display model
I bought a new Mercury Ocean Runner 290 RIB from them last fall for $999.00. It is PVC but for that price, who cares. I keep it covered in Maine so I expect long life.
I bought a new Mercury Ocean Runner 290 RIB from them last fall for $999.00. It is PVC but for that price, who cares. I keep it covered in Maine so I expect long life.
- Status