Dinghies - PVC or Hypalon - soft or hard floor.

Chris_Robb

Chris_Robb

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I am told by those who sell them that PVC is not a problem anymore in the Med. I seem to remember them going sort of sticky and horrid inside a year or so in strong sunlight.

I am thinking of changing my current Avon Redfearn (5 man doe-nut) for something with a solid floor. I doubt that I would upgrade my outboard 2.5 Suzuki) as I only bought it last year.

I like the Avon, as it is light enough for one person to lift/carry, when some of the blowup floors are very heavy.

If I did upgrade - what would I get for the Avon ((3 years use only), as this would offset the cost of a 2.7 mtr dinghy a bit.

Your thoughts as to whether it is worth upgrading or not
 
The air floor with inflatable keel are supposed to be significantly more stable. Would think you'd get enough from the sale of your Avon to cover the cost of one of the Chinese made new ones...
 
Dinghies

My experience of a Suzamar, with an inflatable floor, is that it goes well, and has lasted well, even left in the sun most of the time, for 6 years.

However, the inflatable floor itself is prone to develop leaks where the plastic has complicated folds. I've just made and installed a 4mm ply floor, which seems to do the business

Tony MS
 
We had an Avon with inflatable floor. The dinghy was Hypalon and the floor PVC.The floor went sticky and Avon replaced it (the dealer had said the dinghy was all Hypalon). We then covered the new floor with Sunbrella.

People say 'modern' PVC doesn't go sticky but from what we've experienced and seen I don't buy it, given enough UV. I would always go Hypalon, UV resistant and very strong.
 
I have a ten year old Zodiac rib that has been in the sun for the last three and I can see the deterioration from the UV light, though the fabric has not gone sticky. ( it is PVC as far as I know). I have seen a few others that have gone that way and as far as I can see there is no cure. Prevention by the addition of a permanent cover would be a good idea. I believe a rigid bottom is a great advantage when landing on beaches, not so vulnerable to leaks in the bottom.
However, when mine does eventually fall apart, Hopefully it won't be stolen before that, I will replace it with one of those porta boat types, they fold up to about 6 inches wide and can be stored on the side deck when travelling. But the best thing about them is you get a dry ride in them, they cut through the water much better than an inflatible and can also be rowed easier. I am fed up with being soaked with spray even in a little chop when using the rib.
 
We have had a Quicksilver 270 with Airdeck (both PVC) for about 7 years. It has spent the vast majority of that time being towed astern of us, where it receives the full blast of the Mediterranean sun. The hull tubes have not deteriorated in the slightest and still look almost like new. The Airdeck started to go sticky at 5 years and we raised the problem with EP Barrus. Thanks to their efforts we were given a replacement that is made from a different material that should not be affected by sunlight. In all other respects the tender is excellent and justifies its second place in the YM test just before we bought it. Suzumar came first but there were none available throughout Europe when we bought.

A friend with a Quicksilver 240 also had Airdeck stickiness, after around 3 - 4 years.

Our friend with an Avon with Airdeck also experienced stickiness after a couple of years. His was replaced with one that looks identical to ours.
 
I have a Honda 2.7 Airdeck powered by a Honda 2hp outboard.

I bought PVC on the premise that it was probably going to be nicked before it needed replacing and so didn't want to fork out for a hypalon make!

I hadn't realised how heavy they were with an inflatable floor and was initially disappointed with my choice, but all that has changed in the light of experience. My findings are:

1. I can whizz it on board in no time using a halyard -so the weight is not a problem.
2. The inflatable V floor makes is surprisingly rigid making it easy to get in and out of, dry in a slop, and it will plane if you buy an 8HP
3. The Honda has unusually large tubes, making it dry, stable and a formidable load carrier.
4. No sign of any deterioration yet after 3 years in the Med

What did I have previously - an Avon Red something or other.
What will I buy next time?
Another Honda - absolutely brilliant!
 
We cheated and went for an AB 3.2m rib, hypalon, heavy of course and needs davits but worth it's weight in gold, rock solid, big tubes, comfy, takes a family of four plus all the gear and planes 4-up with a 9.8 Tohatsu. Pity you can't buy AB in the UK they are excellent.
 
Another vote for Honda. I have just bought a Honwave T 27 (2.7m airdeck, V hull). You might get a better price than Mailspeed from C Power in Warsash (I did). If you are worried about UV degradation, you can get a Honda all boat cover for an extra £70.00 ish.

My son also has one (from the same dealer) and he is pleased with his.

About a month ago, Ron Hale marine in Portsmouth had some very keenly priced, last years model Zodiacs. Don't know if they still have any though. I expect they all went fast, but probably worth a phone call.
 
Guys, thanks for your help.

Re ultraviolet degredation - I think the jury appears to be out on this one, but looking like it might be worth the risk.

I was hoping to be able to go for one of the cheaper ones - eg Waveline, which seems to use the same materials as the Honda.....

Some more investigations are necessary..

Thanks all
 
Have a Lodestar NSA260 with inflatable floor and keel. Purchased in 2005 from Roche Marine. At that time it was reckoned to be the best PVC inflatable in one of the sailing comic tests. Been in Med for 3 summers. No problems so far. Used with a 3.3HP Mariner O/B
 
uv damage

I have got through two dinghies in Greece in 6 years. My first one lasted two years - things started to fall off due to uv damage within months and then it just went to sticky you couldn't sit on it. Replaced with a waveline rib. Same story just a but slower. Went down to tender yesterday to find two front seams had fully delaminated (fine 48 hrs before!) Looking to buy zodiac next time (they claim tougher material) even though not hypalon. I think you get what you pay for - avoid the cheap imports if you can.
 
We bought a new one this year, went for another PVC Waveline 2.9 but this time with solid floor instead of airdeck, new model also has Avon type rowlocks. It's daily transport and will plane 2 up with 6hp.

Old one was about time expired and sticky after 5 years in the sun so have made tube covers for new one. Although heavier at 55kg, much prefer the solid floor (punctured old airdeck a couple of times with bikes etc) but we hoist it up on stern gantry. If you want to stow it every time it would be a PITA.

Hypalon is better but I don't need something which may outlive me!
 
Romagould3 said:
Looking to buy zodiac next time (they claim tougher material) even though not hypalon. I think you get what you pay for - avoid the cheap imports if you can.
Click to expand...

Zodiac also have problems, particularly with transoms coming unstuck, my mooring neighbour has had to repair his for the third time. He's also had to paint it because of stickyness.
 
Chris_Robb said:
Guys, thanks for your help.

Re ultraviolet degredation - I think the jury appears to be out on this one, but looking like it might be worth the risk.

I was hoping to be able to go for one of the cheaper ones - eg Waveline, which seems to use the same materials as the Honda.....

Some more investigations are necessary..

Thanks all
Click to expand...

Please do NOT go for a waveline we have one a rib from new and it is allready sticky and we have had to have the rubber fittings re-glued back on. We are in the Hot Med.

Wre do like the very big tubes and as it is a rib you will need davits.

Peter
 
Chris_Robb said:
Guys, thanks for your help.

Re ultraviolet degredation - I think the jury appears to be out on this one, but looking like it might be worth the risk.

I was hoping to be able to go for one of the cheaper ones - eg Waveline, which seems to use the same materials as the Honda.....

Some more investigations are necessary..

Thanks all
Click to expand...

I have had a Waveline and it didn't last 18 months, Canaries and the Carib, I have had a Quicksilver for the last 3 years and no problems at all, used nearly everyday, inflatable floor and v, it's incredibly stable 2.4m with a Mercury 6hp so very fast. Pays your money and takes your choice.
 
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