Dinghy choices

S

sarbog

Member
Aug 22, 2008
135
Emerald Isle NC
Boat Info
'05 340 Sundancer
Garmin 7610xsv
1951 Penn Yan 9' Aerodinghy/2018 AB 9vl w/ 15 hp Evinrude 2-strk
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons v-drives
I am in the selection process for picking a RIB for use on my '05 340 DA. Space, primarily length, is critical so I am looking at keeping the length to under 10 ft. Actually 9'6" is really as large as I'd like to go if possible. I thought I would solicit opinions advice from those who may have experience with the boat brands I have narrowed down to.

Any thoughts on pros and cons of Achilles vs Mercury vs Walker Bay in terms of quality, durability, etc. Those are the manufacturers I am kind of zeroing in on. I need need advice and real world experience.
 
I'd go with the Achilles. I have a 2 year old Zodiac that has started to weep glue out of the seams.


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Although its no rib - I bought a 9'6" Achilles hypalon with sectional ply floor (LEX96) 18 months ago and pretty happy with it so far. The Achilles I bought was made in Japan, don't know where Mercury or Walker Bay are made.
 
My $0.02 would be to stay away from the cheap Chinese stuff. They don't last. My other advice would be that whatever you buy, get a cover for it also. The sun (UV Rays) are the biggest enemy of the PVC.
 
We bought a new 9'6" Highfield aluminum bottom RIB a couple years ago and LOVE it. Very stable, can run it right up on beach with no worries, comes with a keelguard installed too.
 
I think the most important thing to consider is what you'll use it for. If you're beaching it regularly and have a good davit system the RIB is the way to go. For us on our little 290 I tend to deflate it for any cruising and inflate it at the destination. For that reason we went with an airfloor, but I have to be careful on sand and rocks because it could easily puncture.
 
I would strongly suggest a quality hyperon the pvc is junk in my opinion. The hyperon will give you 3 times the life if cared for.

Good Luck
 
I certainly get the Hypalon for whatever I finally decide on. I have settled on a RIB for beaching purposes as well as the fact that they generally take larger hp outboards compared to the same size boat in a inflatable keel. However, what I'm really after is there a noted quality difference between say an Achilles and Mercury. For example a Mercury 300 Ocean Runner (9'6") will take up to a 15 hp. An Achilles HB 280LX (9'2") rates a 10 hp. 9'2" would be a better fit on my transom. But, 9'6" would probably work and 15 hp makes it attractive. Thus, is an Achilles a better boat than a Mercury
 
We have had the 9'-6" Highfield for two years, aluminum hull, it comes in both PVC and Hypalon, in my opinion it is the best on the market.
 
For anyone looking, I've got a 2015 ab lammina AL for sale. Used for one season, covered and stored out of water. 9'-2" aluminum hull. Anchor locker. Good boat.
 
I'm watching this thread as well. I only need an inflatable when we visit the San Juans for a couple of weeks each year. I bought a used Maxxon for $200 in 2008 that I'm still using, but a few years ago my wife drove over it. The valve in the high pressure floor doesn't work, so it's a low pressure floor. I had to have three patches in the main tubes after that and it holds air and works just fine. It's just old and I'm sort of tired of it. When I see the prices of a hypalon boat, it makes me appreciate my $200 investment! I fill it when I arrive and never have to add air in the two weeks we're in the Juan's. I see the West Marine PRU-3 (hard floor) is currently $499 and I have a 15% off coupon. That seems like a great deal, but I like the air floor because it's easier on my knees. I see Baltik's but the reviews and complaints on the websites are plentiful. I see the same thing with the Chinese built Zodiacs. I really don't want to spend more than $1,000 or even $800 but I have a feeling I'll have to pretty soon!

Anybody want buy a slightly abused Maxxon for $300???
 
Have you considered a Caribe?? Ours is 12 years old and is still in very good condition. The previous owner had custom cover made for it which kept it in good condition. I know they can be pricey but they are built to last. Just my 2cents.
 
I would take a serious look at the aluminum bottom Highfields. We went with a 9.6 rib 2 seasons ago and we're very happy with it. You can't be the performance of a RIB and the light weight of the aluminum is great.
 
Hypalon is great and will last a lot longer, but it's quite a bit heavier than PVC, and more expensive. Maybe with a davit system weight is not an issue (?)
 
I was searching for a new boat 3 seasons ago to replace a very old and failing AVON with a 3 piece floor. My requirements were these:

  • RIB
  • Hypalon (or the generic name for the material, CSM)
  • rated for 15 HP
  • less than 10 feet long
  • very importantly, a flat floor

My local dealer carries Zodiac, AB, Achillies, Highfield. I also checked out models at West Marine. After a bunch of research I choose an AB Ventus. The model is the 9 VL which is 9' 6" Very happy with it.

It rides great and seems made very well. By myself it will get up to 25 mph with a 15 HP 2 stroke and feels like a rocket. It will easily get on plane with me and my 2 kids (stout 10 and 7 year olds), but not with us plus my wife. I keep it on my swim platform on a set of Weaver davits. I rigged up a block and tackle so I can tip it up relatively easily.

The floor is great. I really needed one that is flat. The Venus floor meets this, but it is hollow contribute lightness to the boat and keeps the floor dry.
 
I am in the market now that ours has been stolen.... We had a West Marine by Avon RIB 11' with a 15 horsepower Mercury 4 stroke. It was a great little dinghy.
 
b_arrington said:
I was searching for a new boat 3 seasons ago to replace a very old and failing AVON with a 3 piece floor. My requirements were these:

  • RIB
  • Hypalon (or the generic name for the material, CSM)
  • rated for 15 HP
  • less than 10 feet long
  • very importantly, a flat floor

My local dealer carries Zodiac, AB, Achillies, Highfield. I also checked out models at West Marine. After a bunch of research I choose an AB Ventus. The model is the 9 VL which is 9' 6" Very happy with it.

It rides great and seems made very well. By myself it will get up to 25 mph with a 15 HP 2 stroke and feels like a rocket. It will easily get on plane with me and my 2 kids (stout 10 and 7 year olds), but not with us plus my wife. I keep it on my swim platform on a set of Weaver davits. I rigged up a block and tackle so I can tip it up relatively easily.

The floor is great. I really needed one that is flat. The Venus floor meets this, but it is hollow contribute lightness to the boat and keeps the floor dry.
Click to expand...

Add trimtabs or maximarine lifters. My 9'6" Highfeild will plane with 4 adults without a problem!
 
We had an AB 10/6 Hypalon with 20 hp Tohatsu for years and it was great. Aluminum might be the way to go for beaching which we all do.
good luck
 
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