Combines the performance that youd expect in a rigid-floored sportboat with the lighter weight of an inflatable floor model in a versatile, easy-to-store boat. This item will be fulfilled from the vendor. I'm open to recommendations for what is available now. Not only does it enhance Britannias appearance, but I also feel confident using it. Some were not in the seams, where I assumed they would be, but in the material itself. andiamo bikes boating bicycles widen creates exploration opportunities exercise simply match fun The floor is plywood. I don't think your comments are a shill for WM. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

I bought a bottle for $55. After a local inflatable-boat shop fitted patches (visible by their paler color) on the bigger leaks, and Roger made other repairs, he painted the dinghy with a special topside paint and highlighted the rubbing strake in blue to match the hull color of his Down East 45 schooner, Britannia. It rows just fine as a flat bottom inflatable, yes it slides around a bit, but I can deal with that. Its award-winning Acti-V hull provides the rigidity needed for best performance. On-the-water testing took place in moderate conditions, with 10- to 12-knot breezes and a slight chop, although there was enough wake from boat traffic to get an idea of their performance in rougher conditions. I bought a Zodiac Zoom 2006 on Craig's List. Signature required for receipt of shipment. Bottom line: The boat delivers a smooth, dry ride and tracks very well.

A deep-V keel is typically defined as 24 degrees or deeper, intended to deliver a softer ride in chop. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Only the keel of the Zodiac is V-shaped. Previously I had a dingy with a Z-fold plywood floor which was a bear to get installed properly in the partially inflated tubes. If in fresh water PVC is fine. I began by masking all around the rubbing strake, then gave the strake two coats of blue, using a throwaway brush. The V-floor has a balance of pros and cons. I contacted Dan OConnell, owner of Inland Marine in Cape Coral, South Florida. When it was inflated with a commercial compressor to the correct pressure, the leaks immediately began to bubble up. The West Marine boat has more handholds, but the pilot handhold was a little too far aft for our tall tester. The West Marines drain is a simpler setup: a screened hole and a plug. I am in a similar situation, looking for an inexpensive dinghy. I ordered a quart of gray and a pint of blue for $70. Improved Capacity: Weight capacity has nearly doubled from previous models and is now best in class at 5 persons or 1,322 lbs, but the boat itself is a svelte 73 lbs. The transverse seat sits in two slots on the sides of the tubes. Before shelling out the money for an inflatable. And I wanted one made of Hypalon because it is more resistant to sunlight and abrasion than the less- expensive alternative, PVC. However a solid floor is much better in use. Even in the davits, Looks like new . Store it in a cool place when not in use. Testers checked the following performance points: quickness to plane, dryness and comfort, and high- and low-speed handling (also in reverse). Larger tubes generally mean a drier boat, and the Zodiac tubes are 2 inches larger in diameter than those on the West Marine, but the latters tube are higher at the bow, which helps deflect spray. When I bought my Down East 45 schooner, Britannia, she didnt come with a dinghy, but she had very sturdy aluminum davits just waiting for a new dink. Dan, I appreciate you sticking your neck out as a WM employee. I also painted the Dolphin logo on the bow and the Caribe logo on each side, highlighting them with white paint. I am in a similar situation, looking for an inexpensive dinghy. The West Marine boat has a greater maximum load: 1,984 pounds compared to Zodiacs 1,653 pounds. Get the repair adhesive from a discount supplier clean off the old adhesive and re-glue the floor. Tradeoffs. In the tropics you should be getting a hypalon as the PVC will not hold up in a lot of direct UV. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The only stumbling block was the cost, which, at $3,000 to $4,000 for a new boat, was well outside my budget. Roger had to file down the ends of the oar handles before they would fit into the new blades. It is recommended for those who need a lightweight, but large roll-up for temperate climates. Roger and his wife, Kati, look forward to cruising in 2018 and using all the innovations he has incorporated into the boat, many of which have been featured in Good Old Boat. Applies to standard shipping only within the contiguous United States. Restrictions: This item does not ship to a PO Box, APO, FPO, DPO or international address. For dry storage aboard, the Zodiac has a plastic container in a compartment in the bow. The Zodiacs deadrise measures 12 degrees, and the West Marine boat is about the same. Adding to the weight was the 1/2 inch of water in the bottom from a slow water leak. There is a humorous video review on YouTube about this or a very similar dinghy. Capacity: we used it with two grown men, but because one person sits on the seat and rows, the other person crouches in the fore deck-space, or sits on the bow tube. You're right, of course, you can buy 4 pvc. I have only rowed it, no motor yet. Four handholds attach to straps on the tube tops. It was a 16-year-old C10X model and decidedly dilapidated. Its heavier than the Zodiac, but its also $600 less expensive. PS testers examined grab and carrying handles, oars, lifting rings, seating and storage, drain-plug design, and towing eyes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! The boats bench seat can be set in one of two positions, even when the boat is inflated. I have had it for over 5 years and it is still going strong. I plan to head down to WM to see the PRU-3 this weekend. I finally made this much easier by stitching two zippers into the cover to make a wide flap in the center. Delivery is only applicable within the contiguous United States. Two coats covered up most of the scratches and left a very presentable semigloss finish. Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.8 Beta 1. I went to WestMarine this afternoon to see the PRU-3, since their website said they had two in stock. I plan on rolling it up ant re-inflating it when we get there. BTW, seven months of UV exposure isn't good for the dinghy. Dan was extremely knowledgeable and helpful, even to the point of advising me not to bother with one of his products that an employee had recommended, saving me $150. For what it's worth we just got a West Marine. A wooden bench seat comes standard with the boat.

Finally, we rowed each boat. As I understand it, the sealant atomizes, becoming airborne inside the tubes, and coagulates in the perforations where air is escaping. This is convenient, though we wonder how the small plastic clips that secure the seats will hold up. I wasnt optimistic; used RIBs usually sell for more than that, so I was pleasantly surprised to receive a reply from a fellow named Chris. However, they wouldnt fit the shafts, because a lip inside the blade prevented it from engaging the button in the shaft. I have a version of that boat from a couple decades ago, I believe it is a slat floor boat and does not have a solid floor. Get the best sailing news, boat project how-tos and more delivered to your inbox. Ride quality was not as good as the West Marine boat. Both are constructed of PVC and carry five-year warranties (typical of PVC hulls). BTW, seven months of UV exposure isn't good for the dinghy. Pluses include a smart oar and oarlock design, a nifty forward storage compartment, and an easy-to-use drain. For a rigid-transom RIB, we recommended the Zodiac YL 310, the Caribe L10, and the Achilles HB 315 DX. If you do not receive an email contact Customer Service. Both the HP-V 350 and the FR340 Fastroller can handle up to 15-horsepower outboards. He recommended I start with their Inflatable Boat Sealant, which is injected into the boats chambers through the air valves to seal leaks from the inside. After completing the restoration work, Roger launched the dinghy and rowed it to the stern of Britannia. Both boats were inflated and evaluated at our shop. Both boats were inflated and evaluated at our shop. It tore every other dinghy, including hard ones, off the dock.

Id be wary of the 'glued' seams. Do you know of a good place to find used hard-bottomed dinghies? In this shootout, the West Marine HP-V 350 stands out as the Budget Buy, with its superior ride, multiple handholds, and beefy rubrail. Aside from Lorenzo's link, I'm not aware of other sources. I have a 2000 WM HP floor model and never again will I own a PVC inflatable, this model does hang on the davits all summer and has had failed do to seams letting go,also have a sticky substance that I cannot get rid of no matter what I clean it with. In a test of seven small roll-up boats with inflatable decks and keels, the Zodiac Cadet 310FR ACTI-V was the favorite. The boat was a bit squirrelly at high speeds-as many inflatable boats are. The West Marines seat must be installed when the boat is partially inflated, but the attachment seems more solid than the Zodiacs. But, the boat still works well after 16 years of being in the sun at a dock all season (6 months in North Atlantic). I sanded the whole topsides with 80-grit sandpaper to remove some of the paint that had been applied years ago and was now loose. It's never bothered me that my dinghy has a flat bottom. The West Marine oars do not feather and cannot be moved inboard or outboard. Roger Hughes has been sailing for nearly half a century as a professional captain, charterer, restorer, and happy imbiber on a lot of boats. (Local store has a couple in stock.) My main problem with boat fenders is that they appear to violate the cardinal rule of cruising: any object you bring aboard should serve at least two purposes (the way your crewmate's favorite yellow shirt makes a great Q flag). The West Marines bow sweeps up higher than the Zodiacs, offering better spray protection, and its rubrail is beefier than the Zodiacs. Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling, Rules of the Road, Regulations, & Red Tape, '09 West Marine Inflatable with Yamaha 4hp 4-Stroke, For Sale: 2 West Marine Offshore Series 1000 Inflatable PFDs w/ Harnesses, West Marine inflatable vest with harness by SOSPENDERS. It's not "enjoyable" to row, I use a Honda 2 hp and remove it when towing. Sometimes older is better.

It is the material not WM. I don't know whether its a myth or fact, but I had been told many times over the past few years that if you use a dinghy in salt water it had better be Hypalon. Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England. Water collects beneath this floor/keel, keeping feet and gear drier. My 1996 WM did the same thing last year. Expedited shipping is not available. I contacted Caribe Nautica, Doral, near Miami, Florida, and bought two blades for $61. The Zodiac has the advantage when it comes to oars and oarlocks. I would not drag it on the shoreline because of the fabric floor. The Zodiak boats with the PVC all do exactly like yours did. I decided to roll the paint over this large area with a 4-inch nylon roller. Because the West Marine HP-V 350s deck is integral to the V-shaped hull it is slanted. The roll up floor is great. Apart from the West Marine HP-V 350s larger overall dimensions, the chief difference between the two boats is in the floor-keel design. I've used a WM/GroupZodiac (- dont know the mod., etc. I didnt like the idea of a single spring button holding the blade anyway, so I also screwed a stainless- steel self-tapping screw through the blade into the oar for extra safety. Thats a stretch. Here in SW Florida no one buys anything but Hypalon. Only one of the three compartments held pressure, but the fiberglass bottom was in good condition. This makes it more difficult to keep your balance when standing on deck and offers no floor to separate feet and gear from any water that might collect in the boat. The patches and a new air valve cost $220. Rigid and Portable: The high-pressure roll-up floor is made with multiple cross layers of copolymer fabric with thousands of drop stitches per inch.

As days passed with no appreciable loss of pressure, I became confident the leaks were sealed.

If you had a motor perhaps both persons could sit on the side tubes. The next stage was to improve the dinghys scruffy appearance. Smart Performance: An air floor inflatable boat is lighter, which means it needs less power to plane, yet it absorbs energy from wakes and waves more effectively than similar rigid-floor models. If you leave them out in the sun 24x7 for two years I think that everyone of them would fail. With our 9.9-horsepower Yamaha, the Zodiac topped out at 17 knots, which is very fast for such a small boat. Our test motor was a 9.9-horsepower Yamaha four-stroke, which we reviewed in the October 2008 issue. I do prefer to have something lightweight due to davit weight limits.

Three pounds per square inch may not sound like much, but I had visions of the whole thing exploding and blowing the roof off my garage. (Testers got no help from the manual here.). The extra weight of a RIB did not faze my electric hoist, which easily raised it out of the water in 20 seconds. This was not as hard as the manufacturers specified pressure of 0.2 bar (2.9 psi), but I planned to buy a more powerful foot pump if we had managed to stop the leaks. The foot pump enabled me to inflate the boat to the manufacturers recommended pressure for the first time. The next day, I inflated the boat as hard as my air-bed pump would make it. The removable floor-keel construction makes sense, since rips or tears in the keel or floor are easier to deal with. I had been storing it in a hot garage. I bought one from Amazon for $7. Obviously product specs and material availability (Hypalon discontinuation) have changed over the last 10 years. We have had an RU-260 for 2 years and are generally satisfied with it. This is a PVC inflatable with 'welded seams'. The boats integral air floor/keel are removable. Heres what the companies have to say about their boats. However, my wife and I found it very difficult to hold this heavy boat in the upright position until I hit on the idea of supporting it with my stepladder. A PVC boat is "good enough" for us. Except for the wimpier rubrail and some minor details, construction quality was superior. We purchased a 6-year-old Avon (Hypalon) 10 years ago from a friend. I find it is just fine for the purpose intended: doodling about the harbor at anchor and back and forth to shore. Enter your email address to be added to the waitlist. It also offers more interior volume. I then emailed a couple of pictures to Dan, who suggested I should just paint the boat with their topside paint, which is available in seven colors. In fact we use it all the time. He modified the dinghys cover with grommets for the lifting strops and a zippered center section that facilitates fitting the cover onto the dinghy. We have found many uses for our dinghy on the Chesapeake on weekend trips. The next step was to paint the whole of the topsides of the tubes. Sailing Nervous "episode #60 our little dinghy" is the title. The boat sets up and deflates and stores on the fore deck easily. A thick, abrasion-resistant fabric protects the hull bottom, but if it or the floor is punctured, repair can be expensive or impractical. Ours stays virtually dry with the cover over it and a large beach ball from the dollar store underneath it to slope it so the water doesn't pool. The West Marine boat holds a substantial edge in price: $1,700 versus $2,299 for the Zodiac. The owner was still rowing it around the anchorage and called it his "glass bottom" boat. The Zodiac has a screened scupper with a small lever that opens and closes the screen. Cover is the key. I had bought a cover to protect the dinghy from the harsh Florida sunlight, but stretching it over the front and rear of the tubes, then hooking it to the lifting lines through the grommets I had sewn in the cover, proved very awkward while the boat was in the water. I had a similar experience with a Zodiak bombard. . More than once, I nearly fell in when leaning over to stretch the cover over the aft ends of the tubes. Still seems OK after 3 years of 'hard use'; but, I do keep a large 'patch kit' with me - due to all the horror stories about PVC inflatables.

The ball valve prevents water from entering, but drains a boat thats angled in the davits. Furthermore, part of my calculations involve how long the dinghy will last forwhether I will have to buy a new one in 7 or so years when I move to a bigger boat and full-time cruising or whether I can hope that the whatever I purchase now will still serve me then. The instructions for the sealant said to rotate the boat every 30 minutes to allow the fluid to coat the rest of the inside of the chamber. I considered the types of inflatables available and decided I wanted a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). That doesn't look like UV damage, but more like an adhesive failure, where the adhesive holding the bottom to the tubes has failed. We paint the bottom every year since it is always in the water. Its head spinning. Enter Our Dog Days of Summer BBQ Giveaway Now! One bonus is the flat high-pressure floor, which makes it easier to keep your footing. There's some decent deals on Defender like this one. #{}}jc1X6fm;'_9 r:8q:O:8uJqnv=MmR 4 I do not have davits. I simply filed a very small ridge all the way around the end of the oar shaft to make it slide on. It's firm to step one, stiffens the whole boat, and allows for an inflatable keel which improves rowing and tracking under power. Tows pretty good due to light weight, sometimes tries to catch the boat coming down big waves. I find the slat floor adequate rigidity. However, I am on a smaller boat and worried about space. However, I am on a smaller boat and worried about space. My dinghy is about as old as fiberglass and the bottom has never come off. Oh that's right.. my dinghy IS fiberglass. The transom already had two U-bolts. He had to shift his weight forward to help the boat plane. The West Marine boat has 12 handholds that passengers can grab while underway. Delivery time varies typically 23 weeks. Not everyone has indoor storage for their dinghy most set them on davits or on the hard on top.

Ships from supplier, typically 2-3 weeks. Bottom line: Pluses include a smart oar and oarlock design, a nifty forward storage compartment, and an easy-to-use drain. The transom drain plug was missing when I got the boat, so I fitted an automatic scupper drain from West Marine for $20. There are also two carrying handles in the stern quarters on the outboard sides of the tubes, plus one at the bow, below the rubrail. My first reaction is to go with another WM boat (the PVC HP-310 mentioned above, currently on sale for $1099), with the understanding that it's essentially a disposable boat if I can get 5 years out of it, I'd be happy. With 2 people and a dog the RU-260 is loaded, and since the side tubes are all that is providing any rigidity even a modest amount of chop has the tubes bending and the bow starting to hop. The removable floor-keel construction makes sense, since rips or tears in the keel or floor are easier to deal with. Testing was done in two stages. IT weighs 56 pounds which is about as much as I can lift over the lifelines alone. I then rowed the dinghy to Britannias stern and hooked it to the carabiner hooks on the davits. Deys shrimp-kabobs, shrimp Creole, shrimp gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried It went on and on-reminding us of the list of inflatable boats on the market today: Deys soft-stern dinghies, roll-up boats, sport boats, wood-floor boats, high-pressure floor boats, rigid inflatable boats, high-pressure V-hull boats, and so on. Ride quality was not as good as the West Marine boat. That sucks. The WM videos looked OK, but one spot where the guy was making a turn (1:55) made it obvious how the flat bottom slides sideways: Yet another reason for a cover for the dinghy is the rain. West Marine will email you when your order ships from the vendor. Excess liquid dries to a light film on the insides of the chambers, helping to prevent future porosity problems. One small additional advantage: it is very heavy in the water.



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