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Kristifir;
Just to provide a counterbalance to Marin's strong opinions against
fabric dinghies: be aware that fabrics of numerous types are used in
inflatables, and they're not all equal.
Hypalon is the best, IMHO. I think it comes in different thicknesses
(deniers) however, so thicker will be better.
I have a RIB with a fiberglass hull and hypalon tubes. I have to
scrub it annually to keep it looking fresh. I have to patch the
gelcoat at the bow most years. The damage arises from beaching it on
rocks (I have to take the German Shepherd ashore a minimum of twice a
day). The tubes don't develop holes from this treatment, just the
fiberglass hull. I have to add air using a footpump whenever the
temperature swings more than about 20 degrees. That takes a minute.
In exchange for this less-than-onerous 'maintenance', I have an
extremely stable, fast shoreboat that is essentially a giant fender :)
The downside? It's big and heavy. You couldn't paddle or row it a
hundred feet without exhausting yourself.
By the way, it's fifteen years old, and I plan on using it for at
least ten more.
Why not ask the other people in your marina to let you try their
shoreboats, dinghies, skiffs etc. That way you might discover that
one type suits you particularly well. It would be nuts to buy
something on recommendations alone.
Terry
Tamarack
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