Ok so I can google plenty of international forums for `best inflatable' but Id like to know who sells the best alloy floor 3.10m inflatable in Australia.
I'm helping friend's buy a quality tender so price not really an issue just quality. They have a 15hp Yamaha tiller steered they'll fit.
Thanks in advance...
This guy is just down the street. Good overview here: m.rubberduckyrepairs.com.au/Buying-an-Inflatable.html
Select to expand quoteRingle said..
Ok so I can google plenty of international forums for `best inflatable' but Id like to know who sells the best alloy floor 3.10m inflatable in Australia.
I'm helping friend's buy a quality tender so price not really an issue just quality. They have a 15hp Yamaha tiller steered they'll fit.
Thanks in advance...
Thats a big, heavy beast. So why not go RIB?
Highfields are welded. Available in either high quality pvc or hypalon and varying model ranges/weights.
Select to expand quoteboty said..
are we talking dolls or boats 
Whatever your expertise is!
The boat will be kept on davits with a cover Maybe a set of those kiwi wheels on the transom. Ive always found the alloy floors lighter than fibreglass and nowadays the alloy floors seem to have got a little lighter Select to expand quoteYara said..Ringle said..
Ok so I can google plenty of international forums for `best inflatable' but Id like to know who sells the best alloy floor 3.10m inflatable in Australia.
I'm helping friend's buy a quality tender so price not really an issue just quality. They have a 15hp Yamaha tiller steered they'll fit.
Thanks in advance...
Thats a big, heavy beast. So why not go RIB?
A had a few inflatables, end up with Zodiac , it's not just about quality.
I would not consider any inflatable for FNQ.
Ha ha ha, welcome, Al (aluminium) floor (dead flat) in pump up dinghy, sorry, please comunicate with victims of this arrangement. Please reason first: what is the reason you do own a bloody dinghy? .
1- access to your vesel away from ramp
2-as above and you tow it with you whenever you go
3- as soon you are "on board" you fold it up/down to save space
and finaly how you reach island beach when on anchor?
In my case I can beach my twin on low tide and walk to the beach.
Mercury inflatables are welded not glued please look it up.
Select to expand quoteCharriot said..
A had a few inflatables, end up with Zodiac , it's not just about quality.
I would not consider any inflatable for FNQ.
Zodiac was once the bench mark of quality for inflatable dinghies.
About 5 years ago Zodiac opted for Chinese manufacture in order to compete on price. That was the death knell for Zodiac.
Even the Qld. importer of Zodiacs, Marine Safe Australia dropped them due to poor quality.
Choosing a brand of inflatable to buy new today is a mine field.
A good inflatable is an invaluable asset for a cruising yacht but it like everything else to do with a cruising yacht, it requires care and maintenance.
Inflatables are still a good option for FNQ or any other tropical area with care and maintenance.
I have a 30 year old Avon Redcrest in near new condition. I am quite happy to trust my and my crew's life on it.
I'm delighted so far with the Walker Bay Genesis 270 FTL plastic-hulled RIB. Very light (50kg) and with a folding transom, when deflated it sits perfectly between main hatch and mast without obstructing the view. Semi planes one up under a 3.3 and will apparently do 17 knots under a 9.8. The bigger version will take a 15 and weighs 61kg.
It's a bit draggy when towed for short distances, but much easier for us to pull aboard than a rigid dinghy for longer trips to it all evens out. And because it's so stable, you can adjust the length of the painter to ensure that it's surfing on the stern wave to reduce drag; the beam means that while it may wander, it won't flip.
Select to expand quoteChris 249 said..
I'm delighted so far with the Walker Bay Genesis 270 FTL plastic-hulled RIB. Very light (50kg) and with a folding transom, when deflated it sits perfectly between main hatch and mast without obstructing the view. Semi planes one up under a 3.3 and will apparently do 17 knots under a 9.8. The bigger version will take a 15 and weighs 61kg.
It's a bit draggy when towed for short distances, but much easier for us to pull aboard than a rigid dinghy for longer trips to it all evens out. And because it's so stable, you can adjust the length of the painter to ensure that it's surfing on the stern wave to reduce drag; the beam means that while it may wander, it won't flip.
Thanks Chris... will take a look
