Hello Bob!! Recently went through a fairly extensive search for a new dinghy. Criteria was fast, dry seaworthy and max. 12'-0" length. We had had a metzler (for the sailboat) and several Zodiacs (not my favourite) PVC is no match for hypalon. Looked at Nuvorania (check spelling) Nautica, Avon and others. Whalers are heavy and the payload isn't that impressive (due to lack of tubes for buoyancy I suspect) I ended up choosing a Rendova. 12' 40 HP 16 gal. fuel internal tank. Console steering automatic bilge pump and electric tilt on engine. The hull on the Rendova will float minus the tubes. The tube is a collar and can be replaced. It adds stability and buoyancy ie. load carrying capacity in the 1400 lb.range They have a website: http://www.rendova.com/ I have no affiliation whatsoever. I just like their product. David Potipcoe 519-654-7816 dpotipcoe@home.com ---------- >From: Thataway@aol.com >To: trawler-world-list@samurai.com >Subject: Re: Dinghy Choice (cont) >Date: Sun, Jan 3, 1999, 8:29 PM > >Having said that I favor an Avon RIB, I am looking now at an high pressure >inflatable floor inflatable, because of the weight factor. The 11'2" RIB >weighed about 185#. I am looking at the Avon 11'2" inflatable floor model, >but I have been told two things that disturb me: 1). Avon has been purchased >by Zodiac--whose reputation is not as good. 2). I heard that there was a >piece in Lat 38 about a problem with the inflatable floors on the Avon, that >they were made of PVC, not Hyperlon. >Any comment from the group. > >My personal experience is that I had one Avon Red Seal, which I purchased in >1970, and sold for more than I paid in, 1982; used extensively and was still >in excellent condition. I also had a Achilies 13 foot commercial grade >Hyperlon boat 1983 to 1992, which maintained its condition despite very hard >use (and loving care). I also have had two PV C boats, both of these have >deteriorated in 3 to 4 years--seams come apart, transom delaminated form the >tubes, etc. (Zodiac products) > >I also feel that I need to explain my statement about Boston Whalers (superb >boats) in the previous post. Yes, they float if sawed in half. However if a >15 footer becomes swamped with a 50 hp outboard, 5 people and diving gear >aboard, they do not self bail, the motor has been submurged and is non >functional--the people will die of hypothermia (which would have been the case >if they were not rescued). Fiberglass dinghys are heavy and are very >difficult to bale if fully swamped (there are some exceptions--I would >appreciate comments from those with experience in those models) However many >of these dinghys are very stable and they do not suffer the >deterioration/abrasion problems. > >I look on my dinghy as a high speed "car", as well as just a way to get >ashore. I often will take a dinghy many miles exploring or to get supplies. >(I carry emergency gear, including a GPS, waterproof charts, a hand held VHF >radio, often a 121.5 EPIRB, as well as flares, and repair tools, plus a back >up 3 hp motor and survival gear--warm clothes, space blanket etc.). >Bob Austin >Symbol 42 >Pensacola FL.