Inflatable Dinghy

[TMK988]

Just an update on my quest for an inflatable dinghy. I very aggressively researched pretty much all of them. I ruled out the likes of Zodiac because I read some unflattering things about their quality and, more importantly, they are kind of expensive. I ultimately went with a Seamax Boat, their web address I think is probably that. There were a few dinghy's out there in the sub $700 price (these boats tend to be around 8 feet long) and when I really began to compair the specs, this one was quite better then the others. The load capacity was, I think, 700 lbs compared to 300 for one of the others. You can put up to a 15 hp. motor on the thing. I am not going to motor up the boat but I figure if it can handle a bigger motor it must be reasonably strong. I got it yesterday and the quality of the marterial, the rubber or what ever it is made out of, seems exceptional. I've never had an inflatable so my opinion here may be a little suspect. I had a few emails back and forth with the owner and was very impressed with his responses. I almost didn't go with SeaMax as they are located in Canada, figuring an out of country purchase could be a hassel, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Well, I have clearly written way too much here but it is snowing... alot, and I am bored. Can't wait for the spring to try out my new dinghy... and my first boat (the 290DA)!

 

[Hampton]

We love our Achilles. I used it last month to drop my boat off 8 miles away, and then to pick it up when the bottom paint was done. We drag it along with the bow of the dinghy on the swim platform. It works well. We had thought about towing it that way, but until someone else on this site recommended it, we hadn't tried it. We got very, very close to buying davits, but we didn't.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Just an update on my quest for an inflatable dinghy. I very aggressively researched pretty much all of them. I ruled out the likes of Zodiac because I read some unflattering things about their quality and, more importantly, they are kind of expensive.

Not in our experience. We have had a number of Zodiac's over the years; a couple sportboats, and a Yachtline RIB. These were used as the beach boat for the kids. All have been superb. The only problem we had was with the tubes on the Yachtline. I took them off the boat one year for winter storage and stored them in the garage. Mice got into the bundle and ate the tubes. I took them back to Zodiac, who wouldn't cover them on warranty (too old), but sold me a new set at an extremely discounted price. So while Zodiacs are expensive, you can't beat them for service.

Henry

 

[tdschafer]

All interesting info here. I would like to get an inflatable too. I am primarily going to use it to motor the kids around the marina and sand bars over at Fire Island to break up the monotny when they get bored. ( Kids...Geez) TMK, I am by you in Miller Place. I already have over a foot of snow and they say the heavy stuff is just starting....How long 'till spring????

 

[TMK988]

Hey TD... Spring is around two years away. Here in Lloyd Harbor we got barely 4 inches. I just unassembled the dinghy and the damn thing fit in the bag they gave me. I know I shouldn't be surprised by that but when it is all inflated (by the way, it comes with a quality foot pump, took minutes to fill) it looks huge.

... and I have heard some great things about Zodiac, they seem to be the top brand, but in my research, I did read about some issues. Of course, every brand of everything will have some kind of issue at some point! Seamax may be too new to have had any issues yet.