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(no email)
Date: Thu Oct 21 2004 - 16:21:19 EDT
The problems with the fabric of inflatables is almost always with PVC fabric. Hyperlon is far more durable. I have owned some Avons for 20 years and still had the Hyperlon in good condition. I do own several PVC dinghies--for the lightness--and keep these covered and deflated when not in use. My experience is that the PVC boats do not last well in the U V light. Also high temperatures tend to be hard on the seams.
The great advantage of a fiberglass RIB is that you can put sacrificial strips of glass cloth on the bottom, where wear occurs. This is very difficult to do with the poly proplylene/polyethlene boats--like the Boss boats etc. I have seen fiberglass worn thru in several years even in the sands of the Caribbean. We used a 12 1/2 foot Avon for 6 months out of the year, at least four times a day on rocks (taking dogs ashore) in the North West Inland Passage, and with the use of sacrifical strips on the bottom, there was little wear. The Hyperlon fabric had no dammage.
I just cannot envision using a poly or alumium version of an inflatable as a push boat to maneuver your large boat, or use it as auxillary propulsion in an emergency.
I have also used several alumium skiffs. They are far more comfortable for any serious traveling than either inflatables or the alternate material copies. The room inside of a 12 foot alumium skiff is equal to at least a 16 foot inflatable. The seating is far more comfortable--and fishing is a pleasure, rather than a battle. I favor the Duraboats--no rivets or welds in the hull structure. These boats use extrusions and slip the molded sides and bottoms in the extursions and then use a sealant to keep them in place. The alumium boats are very durable.
My experience with the small Whaler knockoffs and semi catmarrans is that in the small size ( 8 feet to 10 feet) they are not perticularly good at planing speeds.
If you have room--then both an alumium skiff and an inflatable would be ideal.
There are several large yachts which I have seen that have large aft hydraulic platforms at water level for the larger seaplanes.--the ultimate solution--but takes a really good size vessel!
Bob Austin
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