Don't Buy an AB Inflatabe

[hamburking]

Lots of posts of what NOT to buy...good to see.

I like Avon. I've had 2 now, both old, beat up, and work perfectly.
The wooden oars do not break like the cheap plastic ones on other makes (which are just for show, apparently, not for rowing the boat), and the simple, strong oarlocks are foolproof.

I also had a SATURN and was very impressed with it. And they are a good price too. I would buy another Saturn.

[cards26]

Anything made in Colombia is nothing but ****.

[a64pilot]

I don't know, some really good coffee and bananas come from there


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[cards26]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I don't know, some really good coffee and bananas come from there


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

the trouble with that is those coffee beans and bananas are not sold here in Colombia; they're shipped overseas. we have to eat some pretty defective bananas around here.

these people were caught today manufacturing bootleg Coca-Cola under very unsanitary conditions......


Descubren en Bello casa donde se reenvasaban gaseosas

[cards26]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I don't know, some really good coffee and bananas come from there


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

plus, those coffee beans and bananas are made by Mother Nature, not Colombians.

[witzgall]

We have had a 9.5al since 2013 without the issues you describe. Could you tell us how you use the dingy, motor size, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Scrimshaw4]

I've had A Force 4 aluminum hulled RIB for 17 years and it's as strong as a tank and light as a feather! Unfortunatley the guys from new Zealand that built them didn't know how to market them and they went out of business. Try and find a used one, even if the tubes are bad. There's a guy in Florida that can make you a new set. I still have my original tubes, couple of patches and some stop leak. Mine's 9.6 and wish I could find a larger one!

[groger]

Sorry to hear you had such bad customer service.

We have a nine-year-old fiberglass 10 foot AB and we love it. It is a heavy beast and I've envied those with the aluminum version.

Hope we won't need a new one anytime soon. Other than the odd patch here and there it has been terrific.
Glen
Blue Pearl, Antigua

[Mainstay]

Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4

...Try and find a used one, even if the tubes are bad. There's a guy in Florida that can make you a new set.

Do you perhaps have this guy's contact detail? I have an old AB with a sound hull but very tired hypalon tubes... would love to get an idea of what new tubes would cost.

[svmariane]

Originally Posted by Mainstay

That settles it for me: no AB!!! I'm in the market for a new inflatable but will definitely stay away from AB, swift and Mercury!

Any recommendations for a GOOD dink???

SVJennie,
Apparently Bostik 2402 works well on hypalon.

Very happy with our Caribe L9. Four years now with no probs... (touch wood)... Caribe inflatable boats . . . . Comparison Table

Hypalon, fiberglass flat bottom but V-shaped up forward.

Could & have used our Nisan 9.9 HP outboard, but usually have our Torqeedo Travel 1003 mounted.

My wife likes the stability of the RIB vs our 8 ft Walker Bay, plus with the easy-to-start/use electric outboard it gives her the independence to go ashore when SHE wants.

[leftbrainstuff]

We inherited an AB 10.5 circa 2002. The thing is a truck.

Sounds like newer ABs have some serious quality control problems. Good to see all the responses.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[silversailor]

Suggest you all switch to Caribe.

[doublewide]

We really like our fiberglass-hulled AB dinghy and have been satisfied with it for 8 years.

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by witzgall

We have had a 9.5al since 2013 without the issues you describe. Could you tell us how you use the dingy, motor size, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

I have a Yamaha 15 hp 2 stroke. I use the dingy for getting from the anchored sailboat to shore, exploring anchorages, and going snorkeling. I tow the dingy if sailing coastal (I do not have dingy davits) and put it on deck when sailing any reasonable distance.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by doublewide

We really like our fiberglass-hulled AB dinghy and have been satisfied with it for 8 years.

I believe AB Inflatables at that time were made in Venezuela. At this time the AB had a very good reputation. As others have mentioned, maybe it was the move to Columbia manufacturing that caused the quality issues?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum