Mercury Dynamic 310 Hypalon Dinghy any good?

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Most of the UL series are pvc. Also the UL series does not have a flat floor which makes it difficult to carry anything. The CL series is preferable for cruising.

Not sure where you got that information. The UL series are available in both Hyp and PVC. I was given the choice and choose hyp (called ORCA by Highfield).

We have been cruising 7 months with it and have no problem carrying anything. The only real advantage we can see with the CL series is any water in the dink will not get items you are carrying wet.

Now I must apologize.. I just looked at my bill and I was confused between the motor and dinghy price. I paid closer to 3K for the dinghy. I paid $2K for the Tohatsu 10hp that I powered it with.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Highfield Inflatable Boats Here is a price quote sheet I found online.


Now, regarding the floor of a rib, I'd never want a double floor dinghy again. The added weight kills any benefit of the flat floor. Ours holds water between the floors and was killer on our davits.

Matt

The flat floor in the Highfield is not a double bottom so does not retain water.

[epiic]

Originally Posted by Vasco

epiic,

If you're going cruising get a RIB not a soft bottom dink. Might cost a bit more but you'll not regret it.

I will cut costs on a lot of things but not with a dink when cruising.

The Mercury Dynamic 310 is a RIB.

What made you think it has an inflatable floor?

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by epiic

The Mercury Dynamic 310 is a RIB.

What made you think it has an inflatable floor?

The pic you posted shows an inflatable floor.

[epiic]

Originally Posted by Vasco

The pic you posted shows an inflatable floor.

Oups.

This is the actual boat

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by epiic

Oups.

This is the actual boat

$1900USD.. I would buy it and not think twice... I think its a pretty good deal!

[epiic]

Originally Posted by travellerw

$1900USD.. I would buy it and not think twice... I think its a pretty good deal!

Yeah, not bad considering its brand new with 10 year warranty.

Any other comparable brand seems to be at least $1000 more

[Sandero]

I replaced a hypalon 10 double floor alum RIB by AquaPro with a Highfiled 310C pvc. The Highfield is a nicer boat and the build is probably better. The hypalon was OK but the whole boat build was lousy and it was dust after 6 yrs. If the PVC lasts 5 I am OK with that... It cost $2800.

It comes with the seat, seat bag with a bunch of zippered pockets, a repair kit, a water proof bag fore the cover. It has a bow locker which can house a 4 gal tank (lead the line under the sole) and 6 welded lifting rings

[CSY Man]

Originally Posted by epiic

Hopefully... but either way, customer service is important.

Did you have the PVC or Hypalon version?

Also, how many years of use did you get out of it before it gave you problems?

Hypalon.
Problems started within a year.
Pull/lift handles on top of the tubes came off 1st year.
Transom became unglued 2nd year.
Inflatable keel burst year 3.
Also the floor needed replacement.
Had a dealer/repair place within in 20 miles of my dock.
They were stuck between a rock and a hard place, I was bitching and Mercury was in denial.
Everybody got really tired of me but the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Yes, a RIB is better for crusiing, but I had to flip the dink up on the foredeck for passages, RIB too heavy. No davits.
Ended up storing motor next to mast and just towing dink on a short painter so it would ride the wake behind us. Not much drag if done right.

[puffcard]

The 310 Dynamic for that price is a great deal. I looked at them very hard and went with the West Hypalon 310 RIB during last year 4th July sale. Both boats are made in the same factory, they share the same mold for the floor. The duck tail flat section in the stern, really helps the boat get on a plane. We could plane 3 adults in a light boat with an old 8hp Nissan. If carrying on the deck be careful with the bottom hitting stanchions. The bottom is thin to keep the weigh down. Also add a keel guard and lose the heavy seat. I've have owned inflatable boats continuously for 40 year and you be happy with the Mercury RIB for that price. There are better ones out there, but they aren't $2K. The pic does throw people off with the air floor. That RIB picture looks like an older model without the duck tail bottom. Maybe a 2014, they changed in 2015.

pros
right nice buy at $2K
light weight 105 without seat
Floor is stiff for weight
Planes easy
Floor not as hard to stand in, as some single floor RIB
Finish seems solid
Lifting eyes well placed
Towing eyes seem solid
Haddles well place and strong

Cons
Seat is too heavy
Scupper drains too slow
No keel guard
The bottom is a little flatter so the ride is not as smooth as a deeper V

[RonRicco]

I bought a PVC Dynamic Rib and really had no issues for the 5 years I owned it. I am about to purchase another one to go with the new boat.


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[DotDun]

I owned the Mercury Dynamic 310 Hypalon for 3.5 years, good boat for the money. Mine had a problem with the hypalon, it stained and would not clean. Mercury replaced it with a brand new 2016 model. I certainly can't complain about the customer service!

I've since sold it, not because of the quality, but due to the admiral not likely the single floor. We've had double floor dinghies previously, hence we're looking again for double floor.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by DotDun

I owned the Mercury Dynamic 310 Hypalon for 3.5 years, good boat for the money. Mine had a problem with the hypalon, it stained and would not clean. Mercury replaced it with a brand new 2016 model. I certainly can't complain about the customer service!

I've since sold it, not because of the quality, but due to the admiral not likely the single floor. We've had double floor dinghies previously, hence we're looking again for double floor.

Some mold grew on our Mercury hypalon and wouldn't clean off too. We tried everything, including acetone (in a small spot), but we now regard the dirty dinghy as a feature not a negative. Nobody will steal our ugly dink!

Matt

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Some mold grew on our Mercury hypalon and wouldn't clean off too. We tried everything, including acetone (in a small spot), but we now regard the dirty dinghy as a feature not a negative. Nobody will steal our ugly dink!

Matt

Agree, the problem we had was only aesthetics, it held air and certainly didn't affect performance!