There is a lot of info in older threads that you may want to search.
Agreed that a
RIB is the way to go in the
Caribbean. Another must is Hypalon
fabric - PVC won't last nearly as long. Personally I am pretty high on the AB products - I bought my AB 260 (8 1/2') in 1995 and it is still going strong. Back then I met the owners of AB (when they were still in Venezuela) and they were interested in
learning more about cruisers' needs - always good to see management care about customers. My future replacement will probably be an AB Lamina 9'; it is
aluminum for light weight, and has adequate bracing for the transom. The least expensive, lightest
aluminum dinghies usually have no flat spot on the
deck (no double hull) and no bracing for the transom (i.e. limited in the size of engine); the most expensive have large flat decks (double hulled) and good bracing of the transom but start to lose the weight advantage. The Lamina is a good compromise between these extremes.