DINGHY ... DINGHY ... Caribe ... AB ... Mercury

[alphabravo2]

I am preparing for going cruising for a while and I am looking for a didnghy... The one I had was from Boatstogo... 385... Came unglued totally after 2 years and little use... I paid $1000 and got what I paid for...

Now, I am looking for either the new AB 10UL, AB 10vl or the Mercurey 310... All Hypalon. For sure the AB at Defenders with the Al+ uncoated bottom looks good and light, they reduced the tube dia to 16 inches... But $4000!!! I can get a 124 Pounds fiberglass Mercurey, 16 Inches tubes for $1999... I need some feedback and coaching here. Mercurey has a 5 year warranty... Where can I go wrong???

[Benjmin]

Look at a Portland Pudgy. I am also searching for a dinghy and so far it is my favorite.

[djmarchand]

I have a ten year old 9' Caribe and except for hypalon scuffs it looks like new. The Caribe is heavily built with heavy rub rails and lifting points and a bow compartment for anchor, etc. Mine weighs about 120 lbs but they will really last.

David

[Vasco]

Get an AB. I have a 10'06" AB Lite. Eight years old and still perfect.

[CSY Man]

Bought a 310 Mercury Hypalon Airfloor in 2007.

10 years warranty, the last 5 pro-rated.

Stable, fast (10.9 knots with a 4 HP motor)

The bad news is quality and customer support.

Had it in the shop 3 or 4 times. had to wait months for parts:

Floor, keel, etc.

The local dealer was nice enough, but their support from Mercury was next to nothing. I called the 800 number several times and had man-to-man talks with the various supervisors and reps, all to no avail.

They take their sweet time getting parts from China and also try to deny the warranty claims.

I would NOT buy a Mercury again..ever.

Heard good things about the Caribes and ABs as well as Avon.

[defever]

my avon is 15 yrs old, holds air great, looks goog handles well.....i highly recommend one!!!

[Play Actor]

If you're headed for the Caribbean, wait and buy your RIB down here. AB, Caribe, and Flexoboat are all competitively priced, and probably around 30% less than U.S. prices.

I bought an AB 9vl in St. Martin a couple of years ago for around $2,500 U.S. The 10vl wasn't much more.

Check the weight of the lightweight fiberglass vs, the aluminum; it's very close to the same, but the price surely isn't.

[sck5]

St. Martin is the place. It is tax free and will have MUCH lower prices than many other islands

Good place to get a 2 stroke outboard too

You can even arrange it ahead of time with Budget Marine. They will have it waiting for you when you get there

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by alphabravo2

I am preparing for going cruising for a while and I am looking for a didnghy... The one I had was from Boatstogo... 385... Came unglued totally after 2 years and little use... I paid $1000 and got what I paid for...

I had the same thing happen to my Zodiac. Now I have a Carib, and it is working great.

[KStepman]

I realize that this is a 2 year old thread, but as it still comes up on Google for those reading it for information. I have four comments on the above. First, if you are using your dink in protected, inland waters, with no strong currents, a Portland Pudgy is fine. Otherwise, no. It will swamp in rough water and does not allow for anything but the smallest HP engine. Second, I have a 14 year old Avon. Has done a good job. Avon is now owned by Zodiac. Not as good reports. Third, the differences between your top quality hypalon dink is not durability, but hull and tube design. You see more AB dinks on bluewater cruisers because they have a higher, roomier bow (better in waves, easier to get on and off, and carrying groceries), arguably more stable, and can accept a larger HP engine. Fourth, St. Martin in the Caribbean has the best deals on dinks that I know. I am planning on sailing over the end of this month to pick up a new AB dink that I just ordered.

[Gerrycooper56]

Have a look at the Highfield RIB's - aluminum with bow fuel
and anchor locker above a 310 model I think.

[robert sailor]

Who handles the Yami 15hp 2 strokes in that area??