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I sort of agree with Steve (except for the floor type).
Hypalon inflatables are the way to go. I recently repaced an 18 year old
Achilles LEX series (low end, plywood floor, wood transom) with a new (old
stock from Defender) Achilles LSR-96. 9 1/2' Hypalon tubes, Fiberglass
transom, Aluminum roll up floor, inflatable keel. It was my comprimise
between an air floor, wood floor, or RIB. I love it. The aluminum roll up
floor stays in the boat full time and it still rolls up into a package only
slightly larger than the old wood floor model used to do. There is no hassle
installing the wood floor or pressurizing the inflatable floor. It does need
a slightly larger motor than an inflatable floor due to the extra 20 lbs (or
so), but no where near the HP (size or weight) that a rib or whaler type
needs.
Since you mentioned davits, a RIB is "better", size for size, than either
inflatable choice. If your limited to the 280 size, I think that's too small
for a useful tender. The problem without davits for a RIB is storage. At
it's smallest, it is still a big package.
All this being said, the REAL best ( I have to agree with Lew) is a BIG
(12-16 Ft.) Fiberglass or aluminum hull. I think glass tri-hull or flat
bottom, ie B Whaler or Carolina Skiff types. Pair that up with a 20 (or
more) HP 4 stroke motor and your Hummer or Excursion launch is ready to go.
This is best for full time liveaboard cruisers that can really make use of
the options it opens up and aren't too bothered by the limitations it
imposes.
Good luck in your choice,
Brian
s/v Calico Jack LF39PH#66
>
> Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:26:13 -0400
> From: "Steve Weinstein" <>
> Subject: Re: lv-ab: Question from Bob Johnson: New dingy
>
> Bob, if you're buying for "Island" conditions then Hypalon is the way to
> go. PVC will just deteriorate too fast. If you decide that you want to
> stay
> with a true inflatable then, depending on your anticipated use, AFAIC the
> ___only___way to go is the inflatable floor. The only issue with the
> inflatable floor is that you should be inflating that floor to about 8-9
> psi
> which is a lot more that the standard 3 psi for the tubes.
>
> If you go that route invest in a nice electric inflator. Trying to get the
> floor pumped up to the requisite psi is so far beyond exhausting its
> laughable. Whether you've got a foot pump or one of those bicycle style
> pumps it's damned near impossible to achieve the recommended psi for the
> floor. I invested in an adjustable output 12v electric pump. I dial in
> 9psi
> for the floor and sit back and relax as it becomes rigid in a few minutes.
> Fantastic.
>
>
>
>
> Steve Weinstein
> S/V HYDRO-THERAPY
> 1981 Cherubini Hunter 33
> Sailing out of Oyster Bay, NY
>
> All outgoing mail protected by Norton A/V
>
>
> - ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Johnson" <>
> To: "'Lew Hodgett'" <>;
> <>
> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 9:02 AM
> Subject: RE: lv-ab: Question from Bob Johnson: New dingy
>
>
>>I guess that is the quandry. Norm, over the years, seems to suggest bigger
>> more hp type that can be used to push your vessel off of a grounding.
>> I've
>> also read that the economical 2-3 hp 8' dingy won't cut it in the
>> islands(limits exploring). I'm also restricted in overall length between
>> hulls on the davits. An Avon 280 RIB would fit but not much more. Now the
>> reality is I'm trying to scam permanent semi-retirement now rather than
>> waiting so I can only say my plan is to be a snowbird probably Bahamas
>> rather than Florida in the winter. This is a new boat(for us) and I have
>> just completed the first part of the delivery trip from New Smyrna Bch to
>> Chesapeake, VA with the second part of the trip to Penobscot Bay, ME over
>> Memorial Day. If this plan works then I suspect I should be buying for
>> Island conditions. This brings up the relative merits of Hypalon vs. PVC.
>> I
>> know the relative merits BUT 10 yrs from now will it make that much of a
>> difference given that it won't be 100% in the tropic sun? Maybe a high
>> pressure inflatable floor might be the compromise choice.
>> Bob
>>
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