Apex Inflatable

[Sailorcanuck]

Does anyone have any experience with Apex inflatables?

I was at the boat show">Annapolis Boat show last week and looked at them (A10 model - 10 feet, fiverglass hull with built in bow locker). The sales guy from Fawcett's of Annapolis (who also sells Avon and Zodiac) says they are the highest quality. They use the best hypalon and the fiberglass floor is laid up cloth instead of from a chopper gun as most of the others are. I currently own a Walker Bay Genesis - good boat but its PVC and I want a hypalon boat to go south.

I know I'm probably going to get lots of responses here with opinions about other dinghys, however, I'm really looking to hear from people who actually have owned or used an Apex.

[svcambria]

Had an Apex 9' RIB in Mexico for several years. An OK dinghy, it had a full floor and water did leak into the space between the hull and floor. The hypalon held up well but did develop little air leaks which I fixed with a liquid internal sealant
inflatable boat sealant for sealing leaks in inflatable boats
The transom was wood with a fiberglass cover but not a problem. I eventually sold it as 9' was too small for my needs, but i thought it was a well constructed vessel - considering that most manufacturers consider average use as a weekend a month and a couple of weeks in the summer, it held up well with daily use for several years. Went with a "lite" 10' AB...

Michael

[marc2012]

I have a rollup & the quality is very good.Only problem buckles on cover rusting.marc

[endoftheroad]

The only Apex I have seen had seams falling apart.
I was surprised as I was under the impression that they were good quality.
Perhaps they are and that was just a DUD.

AB and Caribe ROCK!

[aclmck]

Are you aware that the pvc tubes slide off and can be replaced with hypalon, i am looking at the console light with hypalon tubes for myselt and the replacable tubes appealed.

allan

[Vasco]

I bought an Apex in 93 or 94. In those days they were called Calypso but Cousteau sued them and rather than spend money on lawyers the principals changed the name to Apex. Mine is still going strong, the floor has been replaced but the Hypalon tubes are fine. It was a soft bottom, the C7 model if I remember right. I sold it to a fellow club member and still feel a bit nostalgic when I see it. On another note I thought Apex has re-structured or gone out of business. I now have an AB RIB and it is excellent.

[Sailorcanuck]

Thanks to all those with Apex experience who have responded.

Just to keep this thread on track:

As to replacing the Genesis PVC tubes with Hypalon - it's very expensive (talked to the Walker Bay rep at the Annapolis boat show). Financially that idea is more costly than selling a complete PVC Genesis and using the proceeds to buy a new RIB.

Apex's US distribution company went down due to US banks and tight lending. Their manufacturing company in costa Rica is still going strong and is using PYacht and Fawcett Boats in Annapolis for sales/distrubution .

[JamuJoe]

I'm well-satisfied with our Apex A-11 with steering console and rear storage seat. Very solid fiberglass hull, transom and console. Large OD tubes are a plus. We use a 15hp Merc 4 stroke that planes it quickly for a fast, smooth ride. (I did add Doel-fins to the engine for considerable improvement in planing and stability).

[nodee]

I have a 3 year old A-10, lightly used on the Chesapeake. It does the job but I would go a different route if I had it to do over again. Several Issues:
1. I would prefer a lighter dinghy, so I would look to the AB lite RIB next time.
2. Water does get between the floor and liner.
3. It regularly loses air.
4. The bow compartment takes on water so everything stored in there gets wet anyway.
5. The layout of the handles is not optimal.
6. The fiberglass floor has spider cracks in the gel coat.
7. The thwart seat has torn the hypalon mount strap with very little use. I have removed the seat.
I would characterize these problems as "minor annoyances" as opposed to major complaints. Just passing along the shortfalls per hindsight. Good luck. Kirk.

[endoftheroad]

I think that they are credible "minor annoyances".

Too many to keep me satisfied with Apex.

[Jim Schmadebeck]

[QUOTE=Sailorcanuck;542738]Does anyone have any experience with Apex inflatables?

I have an1984 apex 12 ft rib inflatable it has sat out back for 12 plus years. Was going to throw it out and upon further inspection I noticed it was I remarkably good shape. I cleaned it filled it up and it had small seem leaks. I got toobseal and applied as directed all leaks stopped! Great but expensive product. Shined up now it looks great and is fully functional. I threw a 25 hp Yamaha four stroke and it's now back in action. APEX makes an outstanding boat it is now 2016 and shows no signs of quitting soon. Remember this boat sat outside uncovered and unkept for over 12 plus years.

[model 10]

Ours tubes gave up the ghost and we replaced it with the lighter Defender rib. The Apex is much faster still. There was water inside the hull too.

[captd44]

We just purchased a boat that came with a less than 1 year old 8' Apex dingy. The original sales receipt and state registration says, AB- Apex. Maybe they were bought by AB or merged? Dealer was in Fort Lauderdale.