Caribe Dinghy Question

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

bouancy!

deflate the tubes and get in the boat, it still floats.

....

Not for long on a double hull Caribe. Never encountered one that did not leak.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dreaming Yachtsman

Apologies for reviving this old thread but I just discovered it while reseaching Caribe dinghies for a cruiser friend.

Just another data point on Caribe dinghies: Our 2004 model year C-10X has shown no leakage into the double bottom space. I check it at the beginning and end of each cruising season and so far have found no accumulation of water. Guess we were just lucky to get one that is water tight.

Caribe must do something right because a very high percentage of dinghies I see while cruising around the USVI are Caribe. That is probably not just coincidence.

Wow, congratulations, first I ever heard of that did not leak.

Overall, Caribe makes a good dink. I just don't like their double hull versions. Unfortunately, I own one because that is what was available locally when I needed another dink.

[zeehag]

doesnt even need to be punctured to get water between hulls--3 out of 3 of mine did this. i lovd mine anyway and traded it in for a roll up avon before i left sd as i couldnt lift the caribe onto my deck sola. was way too heavy. 145 pounds plus 800 pounds of water = one too heavy boat.

mine were 2003, 2004, 2005. c-9

[montenido]

I know this thread is a bit old, but I just bought a used c10x. Why couldn't I (or any of you) just fill the double floor with foam in a can? The waterproof stuff should keep our the water.

Just a thought. BTW, I don't know if mine leaks yet .

Cheer, Bill

[zeehag]

caribe weighs 145 pounds for the c9 version. with water, my c9 got to be 800+ pounds. a lot of water.
i no longer use ribs.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by zeehag

caribe weighs 145 pounds for the c9 version. with water, my c9 got to be 800+ pounds. a lot of water.
i no longer use ribs.

My 10'4" caribe gets about 2 gallons of water inside the floor every 6 months.
I use it everyday with 2 passengers.
It is a 1994 model, 20 years of greatness.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by montenido

I know this thread is a bit old, but I just bought a used c10x. Why couldn't I (or any of you) just fill the double floor with foam in a can? The waterproof stuff should keep our the water.

Just a thought. BTW, I don't know if mine leaks yet .

Cheer, Bill

Then you will have a double floor filled with soggy foam that you cant get out!

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Then you will have a double floor filled with soggy foam that you cant get out!

Yes, very very bad idea.

I think blowing some air inside the drain and checking for leaks using soapy water from a spray bottle might be the way I'd do it.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

Yes, very very bad idea.

I think blowing some air inside the drain and checking for leaks using soapy water from a spray bottle might be the way I'd do it.

you will end up spending your entire life with the boat looking for leaks that way and never finding them. remember, i had 2 of these things--models made in 2003 and 2005.
where i found this leak is where the plug goes. is not repairable. we tried and did and worked forever on them, but they were toast.
i sold one to a neighbor and i traded the newer one for a older avon rollup, a much more practical dinghy for my needs.

[Kindle]

We have had a few caribe double floor inflatables. I found that one of those cheap siphon hoses with the pump bulb in the middle did a great job of getting almost every drop out of the space. The plugs were placed too high to ever drain all the water out on its own.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by zeehag

you will end up spending your entire life with the boat looking for leaks that way and never finding them. remember, i had 2 of these things--models made in 2003 and 2005.
where i found this leak is where the plug goes. is not repairable. we tried and did and worked forever on them, but they were toast.
i sold one to a neighbor and i traded the newer one for a older avon rollup, a much more practical dinghy for my needs.

Good reason why the market has moved towards Aluminium hull RIBS. (certainly in Aust). Also lighter and can handle rough treatment.

[endoftheroad]

Yep...I think an aluminum is in my future. If my 20 yr old Caribe would ever retire.

[Cheechako]

The Caribes in question are double floored. It's a poor comparison with a single floor aluminum. Caribe also makes a single floor also. Mine wasnt a big deal, just have to remember to drain the water out every couple of months. I suppose the OP could cut a hole in the inner floor aft, maybe put in one of those little ound plastic screw out hatches, and have a hand bilge pump or a cup.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

The Caribes in question are double floored. It's a poor comparison with a single floor aluminum. Caribe also makes a single floor also. Mine wasnt a big deal, just have to remember to drain the water out every couple of months. I suppose the OP could cut a hole in the inner floor aft, maybe put in one of those little ound plastic screw out hatches, and have a hand bilge pump or a cup.

The alumunim ribs are also double floored. Mine had a hole in the inner floor aft, so you could pull the plug when you were on a plane and drain the boat. MUCH better design than the West Marine rib I'm using now, where the drain plug is outside the boat behind the lower unit of the outboard.

[Cheechako]

Cool, double floor makes for a rigid boat for sure. I used to run the shop making chambered aluminum boats. We air pressure tested every chamber.... had to hold psi for an hour with no loss. If they are not doing that with the dingy floors, there is the potential for water ingress on those also.... just sayin' .....I like the aluminum... but frankly I think a double floor in fiberglass or alum is over kill and over heavy.... although I loved my AB double floor...