Buying a (very) cheap inflatable made by Hydro Force

[Modulation]

My old Zodiac has expired after 20 years - mind you it was never the most abrasion -resistant piece of kit I've known.
As I'm marina basaed and tend by and large to marina-hop - I know - it's really lazy - I don't really use the inflatable a lot - maybe once or twice a year, so I'm thinking of buying one of the above for £150 or so for a 2.8m job. It is not likely to get a lot of use and on of the big + points is that it weighs in at 16kg as opposed to the 24kg of the Zodiac. This will make it a lot easier to get from the cockpit locker. And the price of course is good.
I'd like to know the experiences of someone who'se bought one - as opposed to those who haven't and will give me Greek Chorus type replies which I've had from the so-called cognoscenti already - and how it has fared in use. Bear in mind it shouldn't have to do a great deal. I probably won't bother with the outboard as it is one less thing to store.
Thanks all

 

[ccscott49]

My zodiac fell to bits literally after 4 years!! So if it´s cheap and lasts 4 years, with the use you give it, go for it, your quids in.
I wont buy the super expensive ones again, just too much and the warranty is bollox.
Go for secondhand, if not this one.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I bought a cheap inflatable 4 years ago which I used for the first time last month. It leaked and I now have an awkward repair to make. Cheap inflatables tend to be made of thinner fabric which is less resistant to abrasion. You get what you pay for!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I've got a cheapo Sevylar one. No leaks yet. It's very light, which is why I got it. The only downside is it's not as rigid as thicker skinned ones - it flexes a bit with a biffa on board. I don't ram it into jagged rocks at high speed, but it's had a few beachings on stony beaches, and it's survived the abuse so far.

 

[FAITIRA]

I bought a good French, not zodiac, wouldn,t touch them, dinghy for 200€ s/h. You have time to look for one s/h for that money it should be poss.

 

[Eygthene]

My 3 man Compass dinghy was about £250 in 1994 and weighs 16kg. Like you I wanted it for its smaller bulk and weight. It gets a lot of use and has lasted very well. No leaks, despite landing on gritty beaches. Its only problem is, it has no motor bracket, being tubes all round. You can get them with detachable brackets now. It is red and is made of Hypalon.

 

[Drascomber]

Horses for courses.

If you are on a mooring, if you want to carry four up, if you leave it in the sun all day in the dinghy rack, if you are going to drag it over jagged rocks or if you use it a lot then you need a proper "Yachty" inflatable.

I only use my dinghy twice a year to get ashore from an anchorage - usually one and sometimes two up. I don't have room for a proper "Yachty" inflatable. I have a "SeaHawk 300" fishing inflatable that I bought on EBay for £50. It has two main chambers - the biggest has a boston valve - and an inflatable floor. It is so light I don't have to drag it anywhere. I just pick it up and carry it. I bought the biggest oars it would take and it rows very fast against wind and current. Theoretically it will take an outboard (bracket is an extra). It has survived a number of beachings now and still looks like new.

The only downsides I have found are:
A) There is no seat so I have to sit on the floor (passenger sits aft on the main tube)
B) Ashore I have to weight it with rocks or tie it to something to stop it blowing away.

If you go this route note that mine was sold as 3 person and is good for two. The 2 person is good for one. The 4 person should take three.