20 year old Hypalon or new PVC - what would you go for?

[Zagato]

I have the choice of a 20 year old Hypalon Avon in good condition or a new PVC (1100 Decitrex) Waveline 2.7 for roughly £100 more, they are of similar weight, pack size etc. What would you go for?

The Waveline spec is better with 3 chambers, lower protected valves, better drain arrangement etc. Hypalon seems to last from 20 years having researched it most of the night, the internal chambers can break down from 20 years for instance correctly stored or otherwise! There are examples that have gone over the 30 year mark and are still perfectly OK.

I am veering on gambling on the Avon - it's such a classic and can be repaired easily if I puncture it on the rocks when launcing AND IT's COOLER

 

[pcatterall]

Follow your heart. Go for the Avon!!

 

[25931]

I have the choice of a 20 year old Hypalon Avon in good condition or a new PVC (1100 Decitrex) Waveline 2.7 for roughly £100 more, they are of similar weight, pack size etc. What would you go for?

The Waveline spec is better with 3 chambers, lower protected valves, better drain arrangement etc. Hypalon seems to last from 20 years having researched it most of the night, the internal chambers can break down from 20 years for instance correctly stored or otherwise! There are examples that have gone over the 30 year mark and are still perfectly OK.

I am veering on gambling on the Avon - it's such a classic and can be repaired easily if I puncture it on the rocks when launcing AND IT's COOLER

I wouldn't touch an old inflatable. My experience with a hypalon Honda was not good although I must admit that it had been greatly exposed to southern sunlight.

 

[King Penguin]

A few years ago I bought one of the last Rover 2.50s, complete with airdeck from a retiring motorboater with a Mercury 3.3hp TS, all in perfect nick from eBay.

What a pleasure to use, worth it just for having 'proper' oars, in my opinion.

If I don't lose it or get it stolen I reckon I'll never need to replace it in my lifetime..........

Incidentally, why oh why don't other makers fit rowlocks like Avons, enabling any old oar to be used?

 

[vyv_cox]

Modern PVC is excellent, greatly improved over the older stuff. My Quicksilver is almost 10 years old, extensively used, but remains in as-new condition despite having spent most of that time in the Mediterranean sun. The design of modern inflatables is a big improvement over older ones, with inflatable keels, airdecks, larger tubes, etc. There is no way we would go back to an old Avon.

 

[King Penguin]

Modern PVC is excellent, greatly improved over the older stuff. My Quicksilver is almost 10 years old, extensively used, but remains in as-new condition despite having spent most of that time in the Mediterranean sun. The design of modern inflatables is a big improvement over older ones, with inflatable keels, airdecks, larger tubes, etc. There is no way we would go back to an old Avon.

Hi Viv, don't wish to disagree with a fellow NWVYC member........but the later Avons had airdecks, larger tubes, etc. My Rover 2.50 is as convenient & modern in it's design as my last Zodiac but is more robust and has the killer feature, in my view, of proper oars.

I know inflatables don't row as well as hard tenders............but disabling them with flimsy alloy oars and silly 'unique' rowlocks that are difficult to repair makes the rowing experience even worse............

 

[Zagato]

Follow your heart. Go for the Avon!!

Agreed, I'm such a kid and love the old Avons Just can't get excited over a Waveline.

Decided to go for this one Thanks Norman...

Can't wait to polish it once delivered. Something from here I think http://polymarineshop.com/

Something else to go in the lounge for a polish up while the wife is away. The lingering smell of petrol gave the game away with the old BSA! It had to go in the porch instead!!

 

[30boat]

My Avon is over 40 years old and the fabric is in perfect condition.It was holed by a rat so I glued a few patches on and it stays inflated for at least a week.I wouldn't mind a new one but it seems to want to keep going.

 

[Zagato]

Thats good to hear. I couldn't find details of a new one they all seem to have solid built in floors

They also now seem to be part of the Zodiac/Bombard group and I'm not sure they do Hyperlon like the old days Quite a few negative comments about this all when you trawl through the net!

 

[KellysEye]

We had an Avon dinghy and were assured the dinghy was all Hypalon which has the highest UV resistance. It turned out the inflatable floor wasn't Hypalon and it went sticky from UV damage. I contactd Avon from Venezuela to complain, to my surprise they sent a new floor whch we made a Sunbrella cover for.

 

[firstascent2002]

My Avon is 1977...so am I...it appears to be in better nick

j

 

[Boathook]

Agreed, I'm such a kid and love the old Avons Just can't get excited over a Waveline.

Decided to go for this one Thanks Norman...

Can't wait to polish it once delivered. Something from here I think http://polymarineshop.com/

Something else to go in the lounge for a polish up while the wife is away. The lingering smell of petrol gave the game away with the old BSA! It had to go in the porch instead!!

Looks a good investment. Well done.

 

[Uricanejack]

I had an old avon octagonal inflatable. some b!@##$% stole it.

 

[Uricanejack]

Agreed, I'm such a kid and love the old Avons Just can't get excited over a Waveline.

Decided to go for this one Thanks Norman...

Can't wait to polish it once delivered. Something from here I think http://polymarineshop.com/

Something else to go in the lounge for a polish up while the wife is away. The lingering smell of petrol gave the game away with the old BSA! It had to go in the porch instead!!

Go for it much nicer than mine was. Just don't leave it near the PVC ones a dicerning thief will swipe yours

 

[Zagato]

Thanks it does look nice

I won't be leaving it anywhere thankfully It will just go from home, car to boat and back.

Just trying to get it down from Edinburgh to the M25, not sure if the oars split in two for packaging, I doubt it. Anyone know a good courier?

EDIT now sorted by http://www.md-couriers.co.uk/

 

[NorthUp]

My Avon is over 40 years old and the fabric is in perfect condition.It was holed by a rat so I glued a few patches on and it stays inflated for at least a week.I wouldn't mind a new one but it seems to want to keep going.

My mice agree with your rat, Avon hypalon tastes better than Zodaic PVC.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi Viv, don't wish to disagree with a fellow NWVYC member........but the later Avons had airdecks, larger tubes, etc. My Rover 2.50 is as convenient & modern in it's design as my last Zodiac but is more robust and has the killer feature, in my view, of proper oars.

But new it cost twice as much as my Quicksilver?

 

[CaptainBob]

Another vote for the Avon. The rowlocks with encapsulated oars are totally pants. Avon rows so well we got rid of the outboard. Oars don't go wrong.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I have a Zodiac Hypalon at least 20 years old and a Waveline PVC 2.9 V inflatable floor which is 6 years old. The Zodiac has been used extensively by previous owner and I now keep it inside the boat. It will row average, with average stability, very difficult to plane and overall average design. I keep on repairing it to ensure that it does not deteriorate any further.

However, the Waveline is my workhorse; it has been abused and always kept outside in the yards exposed to all elements, is well designed, will plane easily, will row well and is very stable; it is likely to last a few more years too. I could not do without my Waveline.

 

[King Penguin]

Another vote for the Avon. The rowlocks with encapsulated oars are totally pants. Avon rows so well we got rid of the outboard. Oars don't go wrong.

+ 1, still got the o/b but use it much less