Which inflatable dinghy?

[PhilipH]

So, I did my research and came to the conclusion that when we (me and SWMBO) visit the SBS next week we will buy a 2.9m hypalon Lodestar. Then there's questions being asked about which dinghy on Liveaboard Link, and I get to be having second thoughts. First people rave about a Caribe and I do some checks - even phone a dealer in Miami cos there's no UK dealer (that's Caribe dinghy dealers, not any other kind of dealer) who says "nah, if you're going for the inflatable keel you should get an Achilles". So lots more internet searching and I can't find a UK Achilles dealer. So I phone a dinghy and rib dealer in Plymouth who tells me "nah, you should get an Avon". Now I'm confused and would like the wisdom of more seasoned dinghy users. But here's what we want it for:
- transport 4 people
- use not a great deal in first two years but lots of hot sunshine and lots of use thereafter
- use will be around moorings and anchorages, with trips to pontoons, docks and beaches.

I am more concerned about strength, durability and comfort (keeping as dry as possible) than being cheap - value for money is important but I would rather pay a bit more and get something that will last than go cheap and have it fall apart.

 

[ex-Gladys]

[ QUOTE ]
I am more concerned about strength, durability and comfort (keeping as dry as possible) than being cheap - value for money is important but I would rather pay a bit more and get something that will last than go cheap and have it fall apart.

[/ QUOTE ]


In which case Avon for sure.... Ours is in excess of 30 years old and great

 

[Talbot]

best value for money - suzamar
longest lived but most expensive - avon
good value/quality Quicksilver and Zodiac .

lightest weight - slatted floor
want to be able to row and use in rougher water - inflatable keel
want to keep feet dry even if some water enters boat - inflatable deck

 

[Joe]

Don't muck about!
Get an Avon.
They are the best by far.
Joe

 

[jerryat]

Yep, it's got to be an Avon. Horrendous prices compared to the 'opposition', but will last for a hell of a long time. Mine is now nearly 28 years old, has one patch (on the floor - dropped bottle of gin!) is absolutely airtight and looks like new.

 

[williamshugh]

For long life I would recommend Hypalon as the material. Avon use this and I can concur with others that it provides long service. Lodestar as standard use PVC but their web site also lists a matching range made from Hypalon. These are similar price to Avon.

I've been put off Avon slightly by the lack of carrying handles at the stern - I don't like dragging inflatables across the beach.

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

What do you all think about the Honda Infaltables ? Not having any experience I started searching the web for size and type - inflatble floor/slatted floor etc. and the Honda's seem to be a good spec and they do some interesting packages with 4stroke outboards. So any info ?

 

[davidbains]

Phillip, check out the Suzumar site http://www.suzuki-marine.co.uk/suzumar/sz310rib.php

They do small RIBS and what they call VIBS whic are are inflatable V hulls,
easier for winter storage. Special offers if you buy outboard at same time.

Although apparently PVC my Susumar is atanding up the the Med sun much better
than my previous dinghies. You can always make a cover for heavy use.

 

[jackho]

Is Hypalon still being manufactured? Hypalon was a Dupont product and worldwide manufacturing was shutdown approx. 8 years ago. (Montreal convention on greenhouse gasses.)
Hypalon processes used carbon tet.
Perhaps someone has bought the Hypalon tradename??!!!
Just wondering.

 

[peteandthira]

I have a Plastimo 2.65m rib which is the dogs nob. I dont know how long it will last but I can get me, SWMBO and two folding bikes in it.

Pops

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Is Hypalon still being manufactured? Hypalon was a Dupont product and worldwide manufacturing was shutdown approx. 8 years ago. (Montreal convention on greenhouse gasses.)
Hypalon processes used carbon tet.
Perhaps someone has bought the Hypalon tradename??!!!
Just wondering.

[/ QUOTE ]Hypalon® (chlorosulfonated polyethylene) is produced by DuPont Dow Elastomers and is still in production.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[jackho]

Any idea where. It was produced locally and the plant shut down due to aforementioned protocol. The only other site was in Texas and I was shure it was also decommissioned.

 

[MrFish]

I have an Achillies inflatable which I bought second hand 3 years ago. It is at least 15 years old, and is still going strong. It is made of Hypalon, has an inflatable keel, and plywood floor. It also has a timber transom, to which I have bolted folr-up dolly wheels, so it is easy to handle up a beach or where-ever.
It came to New Zealand on an offshore cruising yacht, so it's seen plenty of sun.
I can thoroughly reccomend Hypalon inflatables, even if they are more expensive.
Cheers
Ian

 

[Robin]

Talbot has summarised things pretty well in his reply but I will add my 2 pennyworth.

I was an avid Avon fan. I bought a 9ft Redcrest new in 1973 and my son still uses it today. I replaced that in about 1993 with a 10ft Redseal in the hope of a drier ride at the time to exposed moorings, I still have this one albeit at home in the garage. Whilst the Redseal gave a bit drier ride than the smaller Redseal it was still wet in any kind of slop. Both the Redcrest and the Redseal were doughnut dinghies with tubes front/back as opposed to side by side so one half could be deflated and the dinghy carried on deck on smaller boats, a useful feature. Doughnuts however are not good performers under power, they can row OK if you have decent size oars, we opted for one size longer from new.

We have been marina based for years and no longer need the ability to half deflate a tender for lazy stowage and we have a proper liferaft so it isn't required for that function either. Our requirement now is for a stable easy to use tender that is normally stowed in a cockpit locker but is carried on deck fully inflated on longer cruises unless we are expecting really bad weather.

Last year we bought a Zodiac Fastroller 2.85. Wow what a difference! This has an inflatable floor with a keel attached, together these give the dinghy a RIB shape underwater. The tubes are huge and this together with the inflatable floor/keel gives a nicely raised bow underway and a much drier ride. The floor is very reassuringly solid, none of the wobbly knees problems of a simple fabric floor and the design is such that any water coming on board has space to stay below the floor keeping feet dry. There is even a little self bailer in the transom which can be used underway. We have a Honda 2hp 4 stroke outboard which pushes it very nicely and even gets it just on the plane though 4hp would really make it go. It rows OK too (the keel helps) even with the light aluminium oars supplied.

The Zodiac is PVC and welded. Quality of construction is very good but it will not stand years of exposure to UV like a Hypalon Avon would. However there is no UV in my cockpit locker and if I needed to carry it on deck for long periods say in the Med or the tropics then it would be easy enough to make a cover for it to keep the sun off.

The inflatable floor adds considerably to the Zodiac cost but IMO is worth it. It gives a much drier floor than the slatted version which is cheaper and a bit lighter AND the floor shapes the bottom and contributes to better all round performance and the elusive dryer ride.

We bought the 2.85 model which I believe was only £20 more than the smaller 2.60 version. In our case the small difference in packed size and weight was acceptable and the dealer advised that the extra length of the 2.85 gave much better performance as well as space, something we have since confirmed as we have friends with the smaller version.

Robin

 

[PhilipH]

Many thanks for all the advice. Looked at the Suzamar and the website only shows a 2.65m - otherwise RIBs. Will double check at SBS. But definitely hypalon, airdeck and inflatable keel. Will see what Avon and Zodiac can do and then will choose at SBS.

 

[PhilipH]

Well, we went for the Avon. we didn't like the use of all the plastic fittings on the Zodiac. The Avon with inflatable keel and deck seems so strong and simple - not much to go wrong or break. Thanks for all the advice.