Dinghy Review

[Trox]

Looking for feedback on 2 dinghy s

West marine 310 hp
Mercury dynamic 310 hypalon

Experience? Reviews?

[GordMay]

I'm not certain that either have Hypalon (rubber) hulls.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I'm not certain that either have Hypalon (rubber) hulls.

The Mercury RIBs come in either hypalon on PVC versions.

[Bash]

The Mercury hypalon 310 comes with a ten-year warranty, while the WM PVC 310 comes with a five-year warranty.

Enough said.

[s/vPainkiller]

West Marine's 310 also comes in Hypalon. Still only 5 yr warranty.

I can't give an opinion on either but I'm anxious to hear responses. I'm also in the market this year. Leaning towards AB at this point.

Scott

[Cheechako]

I've heard nothing but bad about WM dingys. Maybe their newer ones are better. No idea. Not heard great things about Mercury either though.

[boatpoker]

I highly recommend Aquapro's aluminum rib. Much lighter than any FRP rib. Our 9'2" Aquapro will hit 28mph (GPS measured) with an 8HP Suzuki with one person and about 22mph with two people. Grandkids love it.

[Mambo]

Originally Posted by Trox

Looking for feedback on 2 dinghy s

West marine 310 hp
Mercury dynamic 310 hypalon

Experience? Reviews?

I've got the smaller Mercury (280? its 9'2" long IIR) in PVC. We love it. Planes easily with an 8hp 2 stroke the extra length would be nice, but the boat can't handle it. We bought a boatshow model and figured use the hell out of it for 5 years and see what happens. Price is the big perk -- check Defender sales for good RIB prices.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by Bash

The Mercury hypalon 310 comes with a ten-year warranty, while the WM PVC 310 comes with a five-year warranty.

Enough said.

The Wm warranty doesnt cover seams coming unglued after the first year. . Just the fabric defects. We have a newer 9' mercury in hypalon love it but going to sell it and get an ab ul10.

[saw77]

I'll be looking for a dinghy this year too, I'm intrigued by the idea of a folding transom. Does anyone have any experience with an Achilles HB-300FX? Or any other folding transom dinghies?

[Reality Check]

The "best" dinghy is really based on Where and How you are going to use it.

Here in the Carib, a PVC dinghy generally will not last long. They do not like the Sun much but are a bit easier to repair than the hyplons.

I am also going to buy a new dink and motor in about 4 weeks, I'll be getting the 9 foot AB Aluminum Hull RIB and a 9.8 motor which is the same weight as the 8 but diff carb.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I highly recommend Aquapro's aluminum rib. Much lighter than any FRP rib. Our 9'2" Aquapro will hit 28mph (GPS measured) with an 8HP Suzuki with one person and about 22mph with two people. Grandkids love it.

I have one of the NZ ones , great , but I hear bad things about the ones now produced in China. Not available in Hypalon

[Paperbird]

Can't speak to the Mercury.

Apparently the new WM 310 is available in hypalon and is sourced from Zodiac and rebranded WM. It's a WM-only design however, and is slightly (~5" or so) narrower than the comparable Zodiac model. While narrower, it's about the same weight.

We carefully considered the WM hypalon model, but decided we wanted the extra carrying capacity/volume that came with the increased beam.

[Trox]

Thanks, everyone. Some good information here!

[sbrin]

Originally Posted by saw77

I'll be looking for a dinghy this year too, I'm intrigued by the idea of a folding transom. Does anyone have any experience with an Achilles HB-300FX? Or any other folding transom dinghies?

1 season with our Avon hard bottom/hypalon "lite" - love it.