[C38] inflatable tenders

[Charles]

I took a different path this fall as I finally gave up on my West Marine 
inflatable (Hypalon).  The West Marine has been a challenge since the 
third year I had it with floor seams giving way and leaks in the 
pontoons.  During one trip, the whole port side bottom seam gave way, 
which allow me to reliably tell all that these boats will motor (slowly) 
while there is a much water inside as outside!  So, after hundreds of 
dollars in repairs for an inflatable that spent only one summer at a 
dock and the rest stored on board (remember I am in fresh water and sail 
less than half the year as well), I went on the market. 
After some real soul searching regarding "name" brands, etc.  I bought a 
PVC Baltic 9.5' with inflatable floor for around $580 delivered.  It was 
made in Korea and has a 5 year warranty.  I used it this fall on a few 
voyages and was quite satisfied.  It is a bit smaller than my West 
Marine 9.5, but it also weighs a lot less.   My calculation is I can 
easily buy two + of these for the price of an Hypalon unit even if it 
only lasts the length of the warranty.   The plus is I get a new one 
along the way!  Time will tell if this was a good idea, but the price is 
very, very good and nothing could be as bad as the West Marine!

Charles Finn
Mighty Quinn #114

Kenneth M. Sutto wrote:
>          Phil, those are interesting points. Where did you find out 
> about the differences? All the dealers at the show except Zodiac, told 
> me the warenty is longer for hypalon than pvc.
>          What kind of floor do you have in yours?
>       
>         Ken        Sundancer       #253
>
>
>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>     From: eyriepg at comcast.net
>     To: listserve at catalina38.org
>     Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:56:53 +0000
>     Subject: Re: [C38] inflatable tenders
>
>     I was at the Seattle boat show today also.  I bought a PVC
>     inflatable a couple of months ago.  I understand that PVC is
>     better in cool climates where the UV resistance of Hypalon is less
>     important.  I was told that PVC doesn't get as brittle in the cold
>     and is slightly easier to patch.  Also Hypalon is inherently less
>     leak resistance because of the fabric and also because of the
>     seams which are welded in PVC.
>      
>     I will be buying some retractable wheels for the transom to make
>     beaching with a heavy outboard easier.
>      
>     Phil Gay
>     C38 049 Que Linda
>     Everett, WA
>      
>
>         -------------- Original message --------------
>         From: "Kenneth M. Sutto" <kmspacific at hotmail.com>
>          
>                       I was at the Seattle boat show today looking at
>         inflatable dinghies. It's a little comfusing trying to figure
>         out  what is what. I looked the the Zodiac Typhoon, Walker Bay
>         Odyssey AF, and the Achilles Lex Standard 88. Some of these
>         are pvc,some are hypalon. Some have removable hard floors
>         ,wood or metal, some have air floors.
>                       Anybody out there sugest what is good or what is
>         bad to look out for? I want to get from the boat to shore,
>         sometimes gravelly sometimes sandy beach. I also want to work
>         on the boat in the water with tools and gear in the tender.
>          
>                     Thanks,
>                     
>                     Ken       "Sundancer"    #253
>          
>
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>         --Forwarded Message Attachment--
>         From: kmspacific at hotmail.com
>         To: listserve at catalina38.org
>         Subject: [C38] inflatable tenders
>         Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:37:36 +0000
>
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