Inflatable dinghy choice

[ColinW_611]

Hi all,

First post for me, so may this might have been answered in the past .... I'll keep looking

I am in the market to buy an inflatable dinghy for our 31' yacht

Currently looking at 2 options. The Achiilles LT2 or the Zodiac Zoom 230 Aero. both seem to have advantages and disadvantages ... so finding it hard to decide. Thought I might ask advice ...

The Achilles has a very good review. It's Hyperlon as opposed to the Zodiac's PVC. It's considerably lighter and it has a 5 yr warranty. However, it is more than double the cost, it doesn't have an inflatable floor
and I would have to ship it from the US to Hong Kong where I live.

The Zodiac is cheaper, easily available in Hong Kong and seems to be popular. And, it has an inflatable floor, which seems to be favoured from what I have read so far.

Does anyone have an idea ? Either from practical knowledge or word of mouth ?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts ......

ColinW

 

[Kelpie]

Inflatable floors are quite good for keeping things dry in the bottom of the boat.
Afraid I can't help you any more than that,

P.S. This thread will probably descend into a hard vs. soft debate, you are a brave man for starting it.

 

[TQA]

I would buy the Achiilles just because it is hypalon. There are too many stories of PVC seams falling apart after 2 to 4 years. and the PVC rotting at 5 years.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have owned a Quicksilver 260 in the mediterranean for 10 years, with no sign that the material is deteriorating. In the past month I have bought a SunSport 230, the new name for Quicksilver. It has an inflatable hull rather than the inflatable keel and airdeck of the Quicksilver, which seems to give some advantages.

 

[theoldsalt]

In choosing an inflatable dinghy I certainly consider ease of rowing even if I intended using an outboard most of the time. I really hate the trend towards captive oars and much prefer the rubber rowlocks used on the old Avons.

So if you prefer hypalon then seriously consider a used Avon. Many come to market in excellent and well cared for condition. I recently bought one (R280) in as new condition for £300.

If you wish to buy new then this is my preferred choice.

http://www.force4.co.uk/4525/Seago-Ranger-290-Inflatable-Dinghy-with-Inflatable-Floor---Keel.html

 

[Ripster]

We've been through 3 different ones. A plastimo 230 which discoloured terribly and fell to bits. Then a Honwave 270 aero. Easily the best "boat" of the three - big, strong, very well made, V floor, very stable on the water - but weighed 43kgs so was just too heavy to keep hauling on and off the boat. We now have a 3D250 with air floor. Light as a feather at 14kgs (which is what we wanted) and folds down very small to be packed into a locker. Stable enough, though with a flat floor it slaps a bit at the bow and splashes the passengers if there is a chop.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

About 8 years ago, I bought a PVC Waveline 2.9 with inflatable v floor; it has been used and abused and exposed to the sun and wind throughout the winter and summer months in the UK; still goes strong. I also have an old zodiac hypalon which is very uncomfortable, does not plane and does not row well.

 

[Slowtack]

My XM 2.8m pvc is still going strong after about 10 years out doors all year as regards the hull itself. However the inflatable floor is in bad shape and I am keen to replace it. Anybody know an equivalent size and where to source?

 

[theoldsalt]

........However the inflatable floor is in bad shape and I am keen to replace it. Anybody know an equivalent size and where to source?

Warning ! Thread hyjack alert.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Warning ! Thread hyjack alert.

yep, this is a hyjack, however, it is on the same subject; to my knowledge, the inflatable floors cost 1/3 of the price of the dinghy.

 

[vyv_cox]

I believe that airdecks for all dinghy makes are made by the same company, they most certainly look very similar. Early ones were made from a material that degrades after about five years, some of them even in relatively cool and sun-free environments. The surface of the deck becomes very sticky with a substance emerging from the plastic that cannot be cleaned off. Note that even Hypalon dinghies have the same PVC airdecks. Current ones seem to be far better and do not deteriorate in the same way.