We want to purchase an airfloor type inflatable as a dingy. We dock stern in so we deflate the dingy on deck hence weight and ease of inflation is important. Defender appears to have great deals on the Walker Bay Odyssey Air Floor. Anyone have experience with these boats?
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Achilles LSI 104
We have an Achilles LSI 104 purchased through Defender. They usually have leftovers which can save you more than a few bucks. If you go with the Achilles do not get the white. I chose white figuring it would be cooler to the touch on a hot day and it is. What I didn't realize was that, in spite of it being hypalon, it's prone to water spots from the AM dew. The only thing that will touch the spots is Spray 9 and lots of elbow grease. Others I know with the grey have not had the problem. It seems to be a problem with white hypalon not Achilles. As far as the dinghy is concerned is has three tow eyes which gives you versatility in how you tow it. It also has some of the nicer oar locks I've seen on a dink. It's light enough for one person to handle it, both in the case it comes with, or fully inflated. It came with a foot pump with air guage so it's easy to inflate to the correct pressure and assemble. We have an 8hp on it and as long as it's properly inflated (which is important) will get up on plane and scoot. It was also competitively priced. Good luck with your decision.
We have an Achilles LSI 104 purchased through Defender. They usually have leftovers which can save you more than a few bucks. If you go with the Achilles do not get the white. I chose white figuring it would be cooler to the touch on a hot day and it is. What I didn't realize was that, in spite of it being hypalon, it's prone to water spots from the AM dew. The only thing that will touch the spots is Spray 9 and lots of elbow grease. Others I know with the grey have not had the problem. It seems to be a problem with white hypalon not Achilles. As far as the dinghy is concerned is has three tow eyes which gives you versatility in how you tow it. It also has some of the nicer oar locks I've seen on a dink. It's light enough for one person to handle it, both in the case it comes with, or fully inflated. It came with a foot pump with air guage so it's easy to inflate to the correct pressure and assemble. We have an 8hp on it and as long as it's properly inflated (which is important) will get up on plane and scoot. It was also competitively priced. Good luck with your decision.
Mercury
I went with the sports model Mercury inflatable from defender. Has worked well. Very stable since it has the inner locking floor boards but our experience has been that once we assemble and inflate at the beginning of the season, it stays inflated until the end of teh season. we strap it to the foredeck and raise and lower it with one the universal dinghy lifts attached to a spare halyard. We tow it for short runs, but typically carry it forward.
I went with the sports model Mercury inflatable from defender. Has worked well. Very stable since it has the inner locking floor boards but our experience has been that once we assemble and inflate at the beginning of the season, it stays inflated until the end of teh season. we strap it to the foredeck and raise and lower it with one the universal dinghy lifts attached to a spare halyard. We tow it for short runs, but typically carry it forward.
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