Dinghy

osd9

osd9

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
4,874
MidAtlantic
Boat Info
2003 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126-TA w/ ZF 80-IV
I bought a PVC Mercury 270 Airdeck last year. I brought the dinghy in for some warranty work, and the dealer is willing to take it in on trade if I want to upgrade.

I am considering upgrading to Hypalon. I'm curious what you folks think of my options.

1st option is do nothing and stay with the 270 PVC Airdeck; $0

2nd option is stay with 270 but go to hypalon: $500-$75rebate $425

3rd option is go to the 310 hypalon : $660-$75 rebate $585

Is it worth upgrading... :smt017 Opinions...... :huh:
 
Dominic, I have been re-searching this for almost 6 months. SSCA
discussion board is full of threads about dinghy/tenders. It seems to be all about how they are going to get used. For example I will primarily be using mine in Bahamas and Fl Keys, thus the need for a stable, dry RIB. The bigger the dink the more wt, etc... you get the picture. But, there is nothing worse than a small dinghy that gets you wet and has limited handling, carrying cap. This said, the bigger dinks wt effects big boats handling, fuel consump, etc...On a long cruising trip this can add up. SO, SO it becomes trade offs.
Wt being such a critical issue my better 1/2 and I decided to leave off hydraulic swim platform and go with something lighter and get the bigger dinghy(with in reason). We are currently looking at 11ft ribs with 2 stroke engines to try and help with that wt issue. I like Caribe, AB and Nautica the best so far. There are many other good ones out there. Good luck and let us know what you do. JC
 
where are you finding these rebates and prices at? those prices, with rebates included, makes those very competitive. Also - are they air floor or wood floor?
 
Mike:

These are for Mercury AirDecks.....the prices are with my trade....

I bought the PVC 270airdeck last year. Mercury is offering the rebate and the place I bought the boat "Bustersmarine" is willing to take it back on trade.

My real decision is it worth the extra $425 just to go from PVC to Hypalon or $585 to go to Hypalon and a bigger dink. Oh...the hypalon also comes with a 10 year as opposed to a 5year warranty.
 
Dominic, While you were looking did you see a "MERCURY AMANZI"?
Another SR guy said i needed to look at them. JC
 
The real issue of PVC versus Hypalon is sun exposure. If you keep the dinghy covered - or in storage the PVC will not be an issue. If you leave the dinghy inflated on the swim platform all summer, you should probably go with Hypalon. BUT, not sure it's worth it to trade up a perfectly good boat. The 310 inflatable is almost too big for your 410 DA. I had one, but a 270 is probably a better size.

JC3, I bought an Amanzi - am waiting for delivery. I compared it to Novurania, Zodiac and Nautica. The Amanzi seemed like a good value, but I have not riden in it yet.
 
I agree with Sea Gull on exposure. I purchased a new 240 airdeck pvc and like it. It is much lighter than hypalon and it only cost me 725 new so for me, I would stick with mine rather than upgrade. I install a cover over it when it is on my swim platform so It is not exposed to the sun all year. We are also in an area which even at worst case, the dink is out for a few months. I don't keep mine on inflated all the time so for me pvc works fine. As far as size, Sea Gull would have a better feel for that, but the 310 must be very heavy......

Good luck

BTW - did you have weaver davits glued on? - if yes, consider the additional cost of the pads.
 
I probably won't go up to the 310, as per Sea Gull's insight.

I always cover the dink when not in use, and would continue with that same practice if I were to go to hypalon anyway. I probably should just stick with what I have.....

My current dink does not have the Weaver Yokes on it....yet. They are in transit as I purchased them at the boat show, and will be shipped this week.

Thanks for the help and input....

Now....where else can I spend the 500 boat dollars that have already been approved by the admiral.... :smt017
 
Dom,
Sea Gull is right on concerning sun exposure.
Hypalon is much better and more carefree. Older PVC models would get "sticky" after a couple of years of New England sun.
Newer models seam less prone, but the tried and true is hypalon.
We had a Caribe, with no issues. Were I in the market, it would be hypalon, hands down. :wink:
 
osd9 said:
..........Now....where else can I spend the 500 boat dollars that have already been approved by the admiral.... :smt017
Click to expand...

Shhhhhhhhhhh (hidden deep in the wallets of boaters are the "discretionary funds" pocket) :smt038
 
dominic
stick with your 270 airdeck. at the risk of sounding redundant (from other threads regarding dinks) hypalon is damn heavy! when travelling, i store mine on the foredeck and i need 2-3 people to help me get it up there. at home, i keep it on the dock covered anyway. it is a 9'6" achilles beast (aluminum roll-up floor). if i could do it all over again, i'd get the pvc, despite the lesser warranty and perils of UV lite.
 
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