inflatables

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jbmason	inflatables		Lead	[-]
Posts: 246 07/19/04 09:09:55	Tags : None I am currently investigating the replacement of my roll-up slat floor Zodiac with an air floor 310. There is a Zodiac product designated as "Zoom" which seems to have similar specs but is substantially less costly. I suspect that there may be some fabric difference. Any one have any input on this product? Defender is quoting a Cadet series 310 both 2002 (new) and 2004 explaining that the 2002 has a seperate inflating keel vs the 2003/2004 with a "v" inflating floor. Any one have suggestions on the better configuration?
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cathyinct	Re: inflatables	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 07/19/04 12:20:58	When we went looking for inflatables, I saw the Zoom and decided to pass on her cause I was told that Zodiac owned other companies...... Bombadier....we were told that it was a low end product. We were looking for something light... but thought WM would stand behind the product. We are pretty dependent on our dink for getting us to our mooring. We needed a certain weight for our davits.....so went with the New West Marine "compact RIB" at about 85 lbs..... and have a 8 hp Nissan. (59 lbs) We can plane 1 adult and up to five kids.... comfortably. Plastic v bottom and we then invested in the KeelGuard --- 5 foot strip -- as we beach her alot. I am not totally pleased with the oar locks. But she is light and I like having the solid floor..... but its not flat forward but our kids manage anyhow. Hubby wants our next dink to be longer than 11' and have a stronger engine. Guess we will get a lift for FAthers Day. . we have a good used market her in CT for inflatables.... and they sell fast. CAthy
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ronjane	Re: inflatables	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 46 07/19/04 18:08:17	Wow, I hate to get involved in this, but... having done some exensive cruising, the thing I learned is: Your dink can't be too large, and the engine can't be too big - as long as you can lift them. I moved up to a Caribe C12 which is 11'6", 5'7" beam, weights 195 lbs and can carry up to a 30 hp engine, though we run a 15 hp on ours. The great thing is, the tubes are 18" in diameter which means everyone stays dry! Yipee! We have davits and an outboard bracket on the stern rail. Is the dink too wide for the boat? Probably, but we stay dry, go fast and we all have a good time on the "station wagon that tends to the yacht". When you go cruising and really start using a dink on a daily basis you find that: most are underpowered and; most dinks are too small and flimsy. So here's a case where size does matter and having a rigid bottom is a plus. Best wishes on the water, Captain Ron
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cathyinct	Re: inflatables	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 07/19/04 19:06:10	The problem we have in getting a larger inflatable is that the harbormaster restricts the size of the dingies in storage on the racks in our Cove. They actually only want boats to 9 feet. I contacted them and asked "are you keeping up with the times, as there are no dinks under or at 9 feet --- all dinks are "illegal". I am now legally in their eyes at 10'2". We are going to request that they look into our request to grant us a dink at over 11 feet. It might take them moving their rack or building them "wider". Such is life.
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tomca	Re: inflatables	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 80 07/19/04 21:06:10	It is interesting that this topic has just come up, recently out dinghy decided to burst on us so we decided to invest in a new one. The current dinghy was a Zodiac 9'6" that could handle our 8hp outboard. We have decided to upgrade to a new Achilles SPD model, either the 10'2" or the 9'6" length. We chose the Achilles because of it's durable hypalon construction and some of the other high quality parts on it, including the oar locks. Our Zodiac was a good dinghy that lasted 10yrs, but over that time the PVC construction degraded substantionally due to the constant UV exposure. I would definetly recommend looking into the higher quality hypalon built dinghies, as they tend to weather much better then the PVC ones.
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davewollin	Re: inflatables	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 39 07/20/04 08:10:58	Ditto on the benefits of larger inflatables and RIBs. Four years ago we upgraded to a Caribe C10 RIB with a Merc 20. All Hypalon and Fiberglass. Easy to take care of, no floorboards to varnish. Extremely stable, dry and very fast, even with 4 adults. It not for nothing that many charter companies use the Caribes in their fleets. Benefit of the larger engine is that we can use it for tubing and other fun water sports.
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CaptNorm42	Re: inflatables	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 622 07/20/04 11:17:16 Moderator	Interesting timing! A few weeks ago started a 9 day cruise. Used my Zodiac Fastroller 3.1, then placed it on deck, upside down, still inflated. Next day, when time to launch, noticed 2' of floor seperated from tubes. Got a car, brought it to dealer, told will cost $470 and several days to repair 9 yr old PVC dinghy. Ouch. Figured got few more years from this Zodiac, it's in great shape, had him do repair. Learned an expensive lesson: Don't leave dinghy (with black floor) upside down, uncovered, when it gets hot out. I've done this on several occasions, guess just got unlucky this time. ~~~~_/)~~~~ Norm Perron, Hull #600/2 cabin, Aphrodisiac, Marina del Rey, CA
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CaptNorm42	Re: inflatables	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 622 07/22/04 12:06:08 Moderator	Originally written by JBMASON Regret that I did not purchase the close-out Merc brand 9 ft RIB from Defender last year, $900.00, but stowage is a concern. That continues to point toward an airfloor dink. The Zodiac 310 with air floor rolls down to the same packed size as my old roll-up. Defender is quoting a good price ARO $1450 on a "new" 2002 310 with air floor explaining that the 2002 has a separate air tube keel as opposed to the 2003-2004 with "V" air floor/keel. Not a bad price but I only use the inflatable 3-6 times a year. May be the existing roll-up and strap on fins is the answer to directional stability or a bargain used unit. Moved by Norm. Please try to add to an existing thread, if one exists. The forum has pretty good searching tools if in doubt. Thanks. ~~~~_/)~~~~ Norm Perron, Hull #600/2 cabin, Aphrodisiac, Marina del Rey, CA
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