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04-08-2017, 07:04 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Wherever the boat is
Vessel Name: Kismet
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 458
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Sourcing A Dingy (RIB) - online, dealer, ?
So the dingy that came with boat, which was end of life when I got it (and I knew that), is now *really* end of life as in dead.
Where did you buy your last inflatable was it a good deal and how did it work out?
I'm not picky or religious about the exact parameters - mainly looking for long term value - good quality/brand e.g. AB Achilles Zodiac, lower end of creature comforts.
Thanks in advance for input.
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04-08-2017, 07:15 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: New England and Canada to Florida
Vessel Name: Tadhana
Vessel Model: Helmsman 38 Pilothouse
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 596
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In 2013 our 13 year old Avon rib was retired after 13 years of nearly year round use. We shopped around and bought a Zodiac Hypalon 310 rib from Solutions One in Tampa. Their delivered price was better than Defender at the time. Defender would be my suggestion as to a place to start though. They are very knowledgeable and experienced and their prices are hard to beat..
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04-08-2017, 07:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Wherever the boat is
Vessel Name: Kismet
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 458
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04-08-2017, 10:31 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,263
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If you want a quality skiff, the easiest online option would be defender.com
I did not buy my skiff there. I did buy replacewment tubes for my Zodiac YL340 there. And am very happy
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04-09-2017, 09:58 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: Trenton
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,521
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I have a West Marine (BoatUS) 8' rollup bottom dinghy that has lasted over 20 years. It's beginning to look a little shabby and I've had to remake two of the floor slats but it still holds air.
__________________
Al Johnson
34' Marine Trader
"Angelina"
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04-09-2017, 10:10 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
City: Wherever the boat is
Vessel Name: Kismet
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alormaria
I have a West Marine (BoatUS) 8' rollup bottom dinghy that has lasted over 20 years. It's beginning to look a little shabby and I've had to remake two of the floor slats but it still holds air.
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that's what I am replacing... not sure how old, guessing 10yrs or so.. but it did not hold up all that well.... bow seams and trim glue toast and hypalon was cracking and leaking.
Edit: FWIW it also was not cared for well at all, left outdoors partially deflated for several years.
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04-09-2017, 11:19 AM
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#7
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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I got mine on the 4th of July sale 2 years ago.
Price was better than Defender, plus free shipping to local store. Plus got something like $150 in rewards coupons for West Marine stores.
I think the quality is good enough (hypalon)....
If a problem, I can always take it to a local store and work it out with them....Defender is great...but this deal had the edge for me.
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04-09-2017, 11:29 AM
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#8
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Guru
City: Galveston, Texas
Vessel Model: 24" El Pescador
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 743
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I bought one of these last year. Used for 5 months last summer and happy with the purchase.
I like the idea that I can put it on shore and not worry about hearing that ominous "WHOOOSH".
Yacht Tender 11.5 - Bullfrog Boats
__________________
Ken Diestler
Galveston, Tx
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04-09-2017, 11:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: Wherever the boat is
Vessel Name: Kismet
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ktdtx
I bought one of these last year. Used for 5 months last summer and happy with the purchase.
I like the idea that I can put it on shore and not worry about hearing that ominous "WHOOOSH".
Yacht Tender 11.5 - Bullfrog Boats
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Ah the rolls royce of tenders. I wish. Not gonna happen.
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04-09-2017, 11:48 AM
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#10
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Guru
City: Galveston, Texas
Vessel Model: 24" El Pescador
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 743
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__________________
Ken Diestler
Galveston, Tx
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04-09-2017, 12:03 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
City: New Tazewell
Vessel Name: Saoirse
Vessel Model: 1983 Nauticat 44 Ketch
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 151
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Try the BoatUS classifieds or if in California, Latitude38. Loved my Bullfrog when I had it.
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04-09-2017, 12:24 PM
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#12
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Guru
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,034
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We got our Achilles RIB at Defender, it was a floor model on sale at a good discount.
__________________
Jay Leonard
Ex boats: 1983 40 Albin trunk cabin, 1978 Mainship 34 Model 1
New Port Richey, Fl
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04-10-2017, 07:55 AM
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#13
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Guru
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
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We also at a 17year old Avon we bought at Defender, loved it, good match for a 8HP 2 stroke Yamaha, but things change and we needed a replacement, looked long and hard at AP and Achilles, but prices were high, like $5k. We ended up buying a West Marine 310 Fiberglass RIB for $2800, used it one full season and its great, rides really well in the chop.
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04-10-2017, 10:27 AM
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#14
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kev_rm
...........Where did you buy your last inflatable was it a good deal and how did it work out?
I'm not picky or religious about the exact parameters - mainly looking for long term value - good quality/brand e.g. AB Achilles Zodiac, lower end of creature comforts. .
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Any time anyone mentions "Zodiac", I have to say that in my experience, Zodiac is a piece of crap! Yea, I know people buy them but my plywood (not even marine plywood) transom rotted through in under three years and Zodiac would not honor the warranty. I ended up buying an Achillies, from a local dealer because I was heading out on a cruise and needed a dinghy. As for the Achillies, it hasn't rotted yet and it seems better built but the valves are harder to deal with than the Zodiac.
If I were in the market again, I would seriously consider one of the Korean inflatables and expect just a few years from it.
Defender is probably the largest mail order dinghy sellers so check with them. West Marine often puts theirs on sale and you can touch and feel them and save on shipping costs.
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04-10-2017, 11:32 AM
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#15
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ktdtx
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That's the smallest of their diesel models. Speed is exaggerated. Only about 35 knots WOT. Now the same tender with gas, a Textron 120 hp will hit 46 knots.
In the FLL are, Nautical Ventures is a huge seller of new and used RIB's.
Oh and while we love our Williams RIB's, they're not the Rolls Royce. That would probably be Carbon Craft (with a nod to Castoldi).
As to quality in an outboard rib, you can't beat Novurania, but pricey. I've seen a lot of people going to AB. They are available locally in most areas.
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04-10-2017, 01:38 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
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Walker Bay has a 20% off sale right now, USA only. I really like my hypalon Supertender... no relation, connection or birddogs.
__________________
Don't believe everything that you think.
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04-10-2017, 01:47 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Cypress Landing Marina (NC)
Vessel Name: Heron (2)
Vessel Model: '88 Cape Dory 28 Flybridge #115
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,305
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Defender often has Non current (last years) models at big discounts. Bought my Mercury (quicksilver) there and very pleased..
__________________
Steve
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04-10-2017, 08:48 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Silver
Vessel Model: Helmsman 31
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 162
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04-10-2017, 09:25 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Vessel Name: Xanadu
Vessel Model: Mainship 37 Motor Yacht
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,471
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Here's yet another vote for Defender. My mother still lives in Connecticut so when I had the opportunity, I took a detour to their big showroom in Waterford, CT. Nothing beats actually seeing all those dinghies in person, all blown up and set up. We also got a great deal on a close out model (Zodiac Aero 260). I got to step on the inflated floor, got to feel the stiffness in person, compare sizes and features, and heft the weight for real (we store ours on the bow so we lift it over the bow rail for longer runs, so it can't be too heavy). Buying online or long distance just doesn't compare. Unless you live near CT or have the opportunity to get there, that may not be practical of course.
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04-10-2017, 09:59 PM
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#20
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Guru
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ktdtx
I bought one of these last year. Used for 5 months last summer and happy with the purchase.
I like the idea that I can put it on shore and not worry about hearing that ominous "WHOOOSH".
Yacht Tender 11.5 - Bullfrog Boats
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Even I like the Frog. You can beach it yes. But only on a rising tide. It would take four big guys to pack that puppy above high tide and only if you removed the engine first.
__________________
Eric
North Western Washington State USA
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