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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Inflatable boats

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mdh347
Deckhand

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USA
16 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/05/2004 : 13:44:55

I'm planning to add an inflatable boat to go ashore from my Cat 25. There are some low cost inflatables <= $200 that have 3-ply vinal, and then theres the real stuff that starts over a thousand. Has anyone experience or advice on going with the light duty for occasional use near the boat? Thanks,

Mort Hoffman

Edited by - mdh347 on 07/05/2004 13:46:01

Bay Tripper
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 14:20:33

I had a low cost inflatable and it was a bad investment, great for the kids. If you use the this boat as a dink you will want a way to make the bottom hard or semi-hard. In 1988 I purchased an Avon R10 with wood boards for the bottom. I'm still using this inflatable as my dink.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 14:55:00

The only tenders in the low price range I would recommend would be trying to find a good deal on a hard dinghy and/or the Seahawk II by Intex. Here's some links to previous discussions:

[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6755&SearchTerms=Intex"]Tender1Link[/url]

[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6830&SearchTerms=Intex"]Tender2Link[/url]

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 15:49:51

Actually, the "real stuff" can be had for about $500. I bought a Mercury (formerly Quicksilver) as an inflatable for times when my heavy Boston Whaler Squall is just too big and heavy to move for a short time.....

This one is only 6'7" long and is suitable for only 2 people at a time, but it is Zodiac quality, but of course is not Hypalon fabric (the BEST found on Novouranias, etc.). It has a hard (roll up type) floor. It will take my 3 hp outboard. Found it online through....Buster's Marine, I think......

I do not recommend most of the ultra-"cheapies"; they're junk.

Gary B.
Vice Commodore
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - Gary B. on 07/05/2004 15:50:42

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 21:32:18

If you decide to spend the bucks for a "real" inflateable boat, you will have to choose between PVC and Hypalon. Be warned that PVC has a few shortcomings when compared to Hypalon: PVC is very sensitive to gasoline; it turns brittle and cracks. Same problem in very cold weather, although you probably don't go boating much in the snow. PVC isn't as durable overall, and UV exposoure degrades the material much faster than Hypalon.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 21:56:24

The "real stuff" can be Hypalon or PVC, with Hypalon getting a slight nod in tropical climes due to slightly better UV resistence. Zodiac and Avon use both (and are owned by the same company), and they make private-brand boats for WM and BoatUS. I'd probably invest in something like WM's RU260 (a Zodiac)--when they put them on sale.

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 10:52:51

Hi Guys,

I found my Quicksilver 7'11" roll-up on <b>EBAY</b>. 2004 model, new in the box with a 5 year warranty, for 1/2 of the list price including delivery. It was $250.00 less than the next best deal I could find for the same boat.

Only problem is, I aint got no sailboat yet

, so it's sitting in my garage, in the box.

Busters Marine in NY was the seller. Maybe there will be some more good deals after the season.

PW

Edited by - on

Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 11:06:38

I found a 9'4" 'Genmar by Zodiac' on eBay for about $900 - about 30% or so off the street price of similar WM. It has the wood floor inserts and seems quite well constructed, and is rated up to 8hp (I've a 3.3). Trouble is, it didn't come with assembly instructions and, being totally new to this kind of boat, I'm having difficulty getting the floorboards installed in a manner that 'looks right'. Contact from anyone with this or a similar inflateable would be greatly appreciated. Oh, PS, there still seem to be several of these for sale on eBay.

Thanks and best to you all, Greg

Edited by - on

Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 23:55:05

I hate dragging a dinghy, so when I got tired of dealing with the $50 vinyl leaker I looked far and wide for a quality dinghy that was small enough to store on the foredeck.

I ended up buying a small hyperlon dinghy, it's made by Avon. While the quality is very good, and it does fit on the deck, I would rather have had a PVC fabric dinghy. The PVC models in the small size are about 35 lbs. Mine is very well built and weighs around 50 lbs. When I roll it up, the bag is not very small.

I might be so crazy as to trade my high price Hyperlon fabric dinghy for a Bombard AX1 or AX Dinghy.

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 13:46:28

Here ia a link to the Genmar on EBAY.

It looks like a very nice boat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem& category=26434& item=2483926064& rd=1

PW

Edited by - on

Waterboy
Navigator

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USA
204 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 09:03:42

'got the Genmar by Zodiac all assembled ... just had to push a little harder to get the floorboards in the first time. Specs say it's 9'4" long and good for about 850 lbs total. It's quite comfortable for two people, laundry and groceries, and one small dog. Rows acceptably in calmish water. While it's rated for up to 8hp, I have a 3.3 on and it's a bit of a carnival ride. Thusfar I'm quite pleased.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 12:16:07

Waterboy, I was looking at that exact model, have you towed it behind yet, or does it fit up on deck? Wondering how well it trails. Is the boat a painful process to set up and break down(Other than your floor)? Like how long to fill up and deflate (do you use 12volt pump?) When broke down how big a pile are you left with for storage? Thanks, thinking about buying the boat this week!

Edited by - sailgal on 07/08/2004 12:17:54

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.