Inflatable Dinghy Type

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Pasarell

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I need to replace my dinghy and looking for views on the best type. I think I've narrowed it down to a choice from: - rigid bottom, V air deck, Air deck with inflatable keel or slatted bottom. Would appreciate views on which is best and why.
We live aboard a 44' sailing boat in Greece so anchor a fair bit - or hope to again soon. Most of the time we go onto beaches or alongside quays in the dinghy but sometimes putting a long line ashore we need to go onto a rocky shoreline.
When we bought the boat we inherited an elderly Quicksilver air deck with separate inflatable keel. It was dying more from sitting out in the Greek sun than overuse but I thought the fabric floor looked very vulnerable. I replaced with an ex charter company rigid V bottom (grp) that didn't last but was very stable and easy to handle as well as the hull being robust. Big downside was its weight which I found a real hassle when lifting on and off the deck. Older dinghies in the UK have had slatted floors and I never really liked them but didn't need to use them too much.
I'm tending towards a Honwave V airdeck but would welcome others views. Comments on the make as well if you feel inclined but I don't want to turn this into an anchor thread!
Thanks in advance
 
In your situation, ideally, I'd want a rigid floor RIB as it's less likely to be damaged by bumping a rock, but understand the weight issue. Any chance of fitting davits? That way the weight would be far less of an issue.
 
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Agree with Stemar - if live aboard and a long time at anchor then i would assume that durability, size, safety, comfort etc would be more important than weight and at 44 feet davits should be fine. If a canoe stern or some other such issue then maybe use a spinnaker halyard to lift the dinghy onto the foredeck when required. Failing that - Airdeck with a keel - a bit lighter and many of the same advantages but not as tough and keel may need topping up. Would avoid flat bottom inflatables unless weight and size a real issues
 
I have a honwave inflatable v deck. I don’t think it’s punctured but they don’t stay at full pressure for long, on this forum some had the same issue but others no problem.
I think I would look at an aluminium mini rib which is both solid and light - but a bit more money.
Other than the floor not holding pressure I’ve been very happy with the honwave. Very dry and stable.
 
I have a quicksilver air deck but it mostly lurks in its bag in the lazerette but has survived well since circa 2001 . If I was buying again and had the cash I might also consider a folding boat but second to that would try an aluminium hull secondhand version via eBay etc
 
OK, we’ve lived aboard full or part time for the past 11 years. We set off with a Bombard AXE4, inflatable deck and keel. Nice dinghy but it died in the middle of year two, when the bottom became unglued and dropped off (due to old age). That was replaced by an undersized cheap dinghy, bought in a hurry, which died after three years hard graft (mainly glue failure on the transom and tubes).
We replaced that with our current dinghy, which I estimate as being about 15 years old now. We bought it second hand, it’s a flat bottomed inflatable deck XM260, which has done use fine in Greece for about 5 years now. We made chaps for it to prevent UV damage and power it with a Mercury 2stroke 2.5hp. When used to take lines ashore, I’m aware of rocks but its never taken any damage from some fairly rapid arrivals to get the line ashore. We too use the dinghy on at least a daily basis going ashore, mainly on beaches and the only signs of wear in the dinghy are a little rubbing of the deck fabric at the transom.
The dinghy with it’s flat bottom skids dreadfully and doesn’t row in a straight line but seeing as it was ultra cheap (£120!) I’m prepared to forgive it many sins. It’s not quite light enough to lift on board single handed but it’s an easy lift for two people.
What I’m trying to say in this ramble is that I wouldn’t bother with a rib unless I had davits to carry it. The benefits of having a rigid, rock resistant bottom are outweighed by the difficulties inherent in a dinghy which can’t be stowed below when deflated and is awkward to bring on board.
I think the best compromise if buying new is an inflatable deck and keel which will give directional stability but preserve the deflate and stow ability. As to brand, in Greece you’re likely to be stuck with what’s available locally, so buy a recognised international brand and you should be fine. And it’s worth the hassle of making some chaps if you can do that sort of thing, not sure if it’s worth paying someone to do it though.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I don't have davits and don't want them, partly because all mooring in the marina and town quays is stern to. Plenty of space on the foredeck to stow a dinghy when on passage. I think I'm still going for the airdeck but maybe moving back towards an inflatable keel rather than V air deck. Your comment about what is available Duncan 99210 are spot on but it looks as though I can buy in the UK and have shipped here for less than buying locally!
Any more contributions are much appreciated
 
We changed to an air deck with inflatable keel and are very happy with the decision. After looking at quite a few different makes (including the Honda) we were surprised to find that the Waveline seemed to be one of the best designed, with some others lacking key things like a handhold rope or with cheaper looking rowlocks etc.
Happy so far, though too soon to know about UV life
Waveline Inflatable with Airdeck and Keel 2.7m
 
I don't know if all the Excel inflatables are as bad, but I regretted buying my Ventura 230.

The construction is way too light and the towing eyes pulled off or tore after a year or so. I had them replaced with Zodiac bits and they've been fine since but, while I like the light weight, I'd far rather have something a bit more solid.
 
dunedin said:
We changed to an air deck with inflatable keel and are very happy with the decision. After looking at quite a few different makes (including the Honda) we were surprised to find that the Waveline seemed to be one of the best designed, with some others lacking key things like a handhold rope or with cheaper looking rowlocks etc.
Happy so far, though too soon to know about UV life
Waveline Inflatable with Airdeck and Keel 2.7m
Click to expand...

We have the Waveline 2.9 with ply floor but they do airdeck version as well. Now 8 years old, used daily for 6/12, always inflated in high UV area with chaps covering tubes but fittings started to come unglued after about 6 years. Tubes still fine, no leaks. Would certainly buy another.
 
Small point maybe, but I've found one difficulty with air keels/Vee keels is that you cannot get as far onto a beach as you can with a flat bottom. I row ashore 3 or 4 times a day to walk the dog and found with the air keel I either had to wear wellies or go bare foot. With a flat bottomed dinghy I can usually run her onto a beach then, as I step forrard from the seat the boat remains steady on the sand. Same relaunching it - push it astern, hop in at the bows and step astern, by the time I have sat down the boat is afloat again. Same thing on slipways which can be a bit awkward with an air keel.
 
Humblebee said:
Small point maybe, but I've found one difficulty with air keels/Vee keels is that you cannot get as far onto a beach as you can with a flat bottom. I row ashore 3 or 4 times a day to walk the dog and found with the air keel I either had to wear wellies or go bare foot. With a flat bottomed dinghy I can usually run her onto a beach then, as I step forrard from the seat the boat remains steady on the sand. Same relaunching it - push it astern, hop in at the bows and step astern, by the time I have sat down the boat is afloat again. Same thing on slipways which can be a bit awkward with an air keel.
Click to expand...

We had the same problem until we fitted these SUPROD HD200 wheels .... https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUPROD-Din...&keywords=dinghy+wheels&qid=1589486247&sr=8-6
 
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