Your Opinion - Best Dinghy?

[TodoVelaMexico]

As those of you who have passed through Bahia de Banderas know, Todo Vela is a small but growing chandlery that is adding many new products for the cruisers market. Today I am working on adding a dingy brand to our mix and I have a survey question: "What are the best and worst brands of dinghy". All opinions welcome!

[44'cruisingcat]

Our dinghy is so good, instead of a painter it has an artist!

We have a Kimberly Kampers RIB. 3.5 metres, aluminium hull, hypalon tubes, comes standard with tube covers, padded seats, rod holders, inflatable wheels, a bimini, even a bait table with another rod holder.

[JPA Cate]

Generally speaking, hypalon dinghies last better than pvc. Pvc dinghies are cheaper (hence easier for your potential customers to afford). Possibly you could do well with a mid-range hypalon Caribe. It is a brand name familiar to norteamericanos, who will probably be your larger customer base.

[tamicatana]

I sure do like my TAKACAT

[s/v Jedi]

Easy: Caribe and AB.

[Nicholson58]

Caribe.

The important detail is Hypalon especially if you are in the tropics, especially if it is in the sun always.

[Kenomac]

One that's given to me for free, requiring just a little rehab. 'Just barely ugly enough to be left alone at the dinghy dock. I've never actually paid money for a dinghy, just a little elbow grease.

[ausaviator]

Zodiac all the way :-) - from a brand name perspective, you'll likely sell them easily enough, but there's always those that want something cheaper.

I'd go with a budget model and a more expensive model, Chinese and French for example.

A cat would be great and so would other exotics, but you need to go with what MOST people want, and most people like to stick to convention.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

Zodiac all the way :-) - from a brand name perspective, you'll likely sell them easily enough, but there's always those that want something cheaper.

I'd go with a budget model and a more expensive model, Chinese and French for example.

A cat would be great and so would other exotics, but you need to go with what MOST people want, and most people like to stick to convention.

Zodiac is PVC... worthless in the tropics.

[ausaviator]

Zodiac is PVC... worthless in the tropics.

Since when? I'm calling BS on that one.

There is a good article on PVC versus the others here.

http://inflatableboatworks.com/?p=1796

[Vasco]

Zodiacs are PVC. Unless you put chaps on them they are useless in the tropics. you never see any construction info on their sites. I have an AB RIB. Wish I had an aluminum one.

[CAELESTIS]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Zodiacs are PVC. Unless you put chaps on them they are useless in the tropics. you ever see any construction info on their sites. I have an AB RIB. Wish I had an aluminum one.

That will be my next dinghy--AB aluminum unpainted. I think they call it the "lite". I have a Avon RIB lite now with a folding transom, and it works well, but I think the AB aluminum dinghy would be better for a long term cruiser.

So, for the OP, Hypalon, and light weight are key choices for me.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by CAELESTIS

That will be my next dinghy--AB aluminum unpainted. I think they call it the "lite". I have a Avon RIB lite now with a folding transom, and it works well, but I think the AB aluminum dinghy would be better for a long term cruiser.

So, for the OP, Hypalon, and light weight are key choices for me.

They're excellent but the price got to me so I got a fiberglass one. You can water ski with 3 in the dink and a 15hp.

[sww914]

AB. Clearly. I also like the Defender brand.

[boom23]

I have an AB painted aluminum. Great dingy and pretty light. I put chaps on it and it is ready for S. Pacific!