Want To Buy: 10' aluminum rib dinghy

[Geoff H.]

Ok, great and thanks so much. Going to check out the Inmar first chance I get!
Love "less expensive and weigh less"!!

[smj]

Achilles puts out a lightweight fiberglass rib that weighs approximately the same as the AB aluminum bottom. Great boats with a much lower price.


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[ReneJK]

I believe I have finally settled on a Highfield hypalon RIB with alu bottom . Just now trying to figure out the size . either 3.10 (with 15hp Suzuki) or 3.40 (with 20hp Suzuki)

[a64pilot]

The 15 and 20 hp Zuk are the same engine difference is the computer. Go for the 20 HP and put 15 stickers on it if you feel the need. The extra HP is nice to jump on plane faster and since it will pull a higher pitch prop it will run a little lower RPM at the same speed. Just because it is higher HP doesn't mean you have to use it. Do you run your car wide open? If so then maybe go with the lower HP

[ReneJK]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The 15 and 20 hp Zuk are the same engine difference is the computer. Go for the 20 HP and put 15 stickers on it if you feel the need. The extra HP is nice to jump on plane faster and since it will pull a higher pitch prop it will run a little lower RPM at the same speed. Just because it is higher HP doesn't mean you have to use it. Do you run your car wide open? If so then maybe go with the lower HP

it was more a matter of max allowed HP's on the dinghy
The 3.10 is rated 15HP max and the 3.40 20HP :-)

I will choose whichever fits best on my transom and put the biggest (max allowed HP) outboard on it

[TMT2]

I did a lot of research in this area. Needed to replace my AVON 3.10 and 25HP Yamaha with a lighter setup. Really wanted an ALU RIB to save weight.

In short, I bought a 2017 Walker Bay 310 SLRX (Superlight) - Flat floor, Fiberglass hull, Hypalon, 97lbs. Put a 2017 Tohatsu 15HP 4-stroke (tiller steer) on it for a total price of $6200.00 from Racine Riverside Marine in Wisconson (Jim Meyer). The price included drop shipping (to MD), a dole-fin on the motor, drilling the holes on the foot, an extra bench seat, 10 year warranty on the tubes and hull and a 5 yr warranty on the Motor. We are pretty happy!

TMT2
SV Take Me There!
1975 Gulfstar M53 Ketch

[travellerw]

We have the Highfield 310 but single floor version. Its rated at 10hp and we put a Tohatsu 9.8HP on it. It can plane with my family of 5 (all kids are under 10) in pretty big fetch. The weight and shape of the hull seems to make them really easy to plane. With just myself aboard (about 200lbs) I race jetskis for fun.

Don't overpower it, its just not required. For the double floor version, stick a 15HP and enjoy!

[Geoff H.]

Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful.

To TMT2
I hadn't thought of the Walker, but I am now. Like the price. I already have a newish Yamaha 15 (2 stroke) I hope to be able to use. Looked up the Walker on DirectBoats. The following was on their site attached to the listing for the Walker. (Do you share the concern or no, not a problem?)Thanks!!

Editor Review! This boat was not really designed for an inflatable rib to be attached to it. There is sharp edge under the entire outer lip of the boat where the inflatable rib hits it. Given the amount of weight and vibrations of the wave action we feel this is a design flaw and should be addressed by walker bay. It really needs a rounded hull area to properly hold the inflatable tube so that it doesn't wear down prematurely.

[TMT2]

Geoff H.

Hadn't seen that particular review. I checked the warranty sheet. It's vague but would hope that a recognized design flaw might invoke some customer service sympathy?...Too late for me but the price & warranty combo was right for us.

[Geoff H.]

TMT2
I'm sure it's fine. Will last longer than me.
Do you find the 15hp is too much, or just right?

[TMT2]

Geoff H.

15 HP is more than enough for this shallow-V hull...I put a Dolefin on the motor to keep the nose down and to plane quicker.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

it was more a matter of max allowed HP's on the dinghy
The 3.10 is rated 15HP max and the 3.40 20HP :-)

I will choose whichever fits best on my transom and put the biggest (max allowed HP) outboard on it

That is why I said put the 15 HP stickers on it, I have never, ever seen anyone check for HP allowed, but I believe in Fl a small boat has to obey the HP requirement on the transom.
Literally the only difference between the two motors is the computer, and the computer is not inexpensive so buying a 15 and a 20 computer later is unlikely.

It is very common for the only difference being computer, Mercury with their Verado engines covers the entire line from 150 HP to 400 HP with just two engines, 150 to 200 are the 4 cyl and 225 to 400 are the 6 cyl.

I got the 20 with the idea that I didn't have to open it wide open, and hopefully the motor will outlast the dinghy and having 5 HP more may give me more options come replacement dinghy time. Price wasn't that much more either, if the 15 had been significantly cheaper, then I would have gone that route.

[Geoff H.]

Thank you all. I already have a relatively new 15hp 2 stroke I bought in Cartagena which I'd like to keep using. Like idea and pricing and weight of the Walker Bay but maybe an aluminum hulled inflatable is better.

[Boatguy30]

A few in the Florida keys have tried the Inmar. Seemed to be a problem with the glue failing in high temps.

[Geoff H.]

Thanks Boat Guy30,
I just read a long (6 pgs I think) thread here with a lot of complaints about the quality of the AB, much of it ascribed to the new manufacturing in Colombia, a lot of it about the glue letting go in warm climates.
I'm starting to think maybe the HIGHFIELD might be the way to go. Doing some more research on those now!