Avon brand - gone

[mjf]

i was talking to a dealer at SIBS on Monday and said I was surprised that Avon only had a couple of jet boats displayed.


He said they were actually old stock and Avon was no longer producing any boats.

Did I miss something????


What has happened to a well established and respected name?

 

[mjf]

Just had a look at the web site - only jets now and liferafts it seems

The news bit says the revised jets are at SIBS - so the dealer must be a bit miffed to tell me porkies.

My guess is the seasports are made in France or Spain anyway iso wales

anyone know?

 

[VicS]

Avon were taken over by Zodiac or at least by whoever owns the Zodiac brand.

Manufacturing is S Wales ceased a few years ago.

Dupont no longer manufacture the Hypalon that Avons were made of, although there are, I believe, other manufacturers of chlorosulfonated polyethylene. Achilles make their own according to the website.

 

[codprawn]

I think Avon are still going in Llanelli - they won a last minute reprieve - they only make military and other high end HD boats though!

 

[ari]

That's a real shame, best inflatables in the business.

However since so many people buy on price, not quality, I guess it was inevitable, same as Moody and Westerly...

 

[Garold]

That's a real shame, best inflatables in the business.

However since so many people buy on price, not quality, I guess it was inevitable, same as Moody and Westerly...

I have an Avon rib (3.1m I think). About 2 years old.

If they are the best and they are stopping making them, do you think it may go up in price?

If it does, it's the only thing that I own that has appreciated recently!

Cheers

Garold

 

[Victoria Sponge]

I'm distraught, where am I going to get my cosmetics now?

 

[mjf]

Liz Earle?

 

[ari]

I have an Avon rib (3.1m I think). About 2 years old.

If they are the best and they are stopping making them, do you think it may go up in price?

If it does, it's the only thing that I own that has appreciated recently!

Cheers

Garold

I admire your optimism...!

 

[mad_boater]

Avon

Sorry to be the one who disagrees about the quality of avons but I bought a new 2.8.meter rib a few years ago and after a few years most of the seams were leaking,would never buy another.Probably couldn't anyway if they are not in business any more.

 

[DPH]

That's a real shame, best inflatables in the business.

I've had a Lodestar, a Zodiac, an Avon and now a Ribeye.

Avon had the worst build quality by a mile.

 

[jfm]

It was announced quietly a year ago mjf that the avon name will be used just for jetribs (for which they have several new models, some copying Williams features) and LRs. I rushed to buy an se400dl at sibs 2010 before they stopped making them, which they now have. For anyone wanting an o/b powered yacht tender they only offer zodiac now. Shame. I like Avons and have no issues with quality. Mine was made in Frnace btw

Zodiac bought Avon a while ago and I think the group is a Carlyle private equity portfolio company (unless I'm out of date and they've sold it on by now)

I much prefer the se400dl (which both you and i have) to the equivalent zodiac. I'll probably buy a novurania next time

 

[mjf]

Thanks I was aware that Zodiac was in the picture and thought - wrongly - that the brands would run parallel.


As you know I'm as happy as you with the SE400DL but the transom plate has suffered the same fate as my flybridge tender (both properly covered) where the paint has exposed the ply on the topsides. Also on the tender when new it leaked water 'cos it was a prototype and the factory had skimmed on the doubler patch around the transom where the engine plate meets the tubes - Avon fixed this Foc and paid for the nice cover to be made locally to offset my dissapointment.


Shame this news as goes against HenryF thread

 

[jfm]

Thanks I was aware that Zodiac was in the picture and thought - wrongly - that the brands would run parallel.


As you know I'm as happy as you with the SE400DL but the transom plate has suffered the same fate as my flybridge tender (both properly covered) where the paint has exposed the ply on the topsides. Also on the tender when new it leaked water 'cos it was a prototype and the factory had skimmed on the doubler patch around the transom where the engine plate meets the tubes - Avon fixed this Foc and paid for the nice cover to be made locally to offset my dissapointment.


Shame this news as goes against HenryF thread

FWIW the transom plate on my 2010 model is a ~40mm thick slab of light grey ABS plastic, so no more problems on that score