Inflatable vs Rigid

ylwjacket

New Member
Dec 15, 2006
513
Tampa Bay
Has anyone ridden in something like a Walker Bay? It seems like those would be a little sturdier and longer lasting, but I don't know about the ride quality.

Other than weight, what advantages does an inflatable have over something like a Walker Bay?
 
Cost......ground up plastic bottles are a lot cheaper than Hypalon or PVC fabric??

Hard boats are not very forgiving on the "mothership" so you have to be sure they don't come to rest along the side of your hull.

Your reputation takes a hit ........hard boats are a blobote thing since they tow like a cork in the wake.
 
On the other hand, inflatables are much more soft, squishy and feminine, as opposed to the masculine and muscular kind of small boats.
 
At the marina I overnighted at last night, the guy in the next slip pretty much talked me into a RIB. Now, I gotta start scraping together my nickels and dimes to find one. I think a hard-bottom RIB is the way to go. I guess that makes it a hermaphrodite.
 
I've had every kind of dinghy possible. I'm sure you'll love a RIB IF- you go in knowing how heavy they are. If it stays in the water or on shore or on the swim platform for weeks at a time you'll probably be happy. If you have to lift it twice a weekend - you won't.
I have an Avon 3.4 RIB that has been abused badly since 1990. It has been bullet proof. Very expensive to buy but worth every nickel over the years. The closest in quality, has been my Achilles, but it is not a RIB. The worst, ironically, was my Zodiac Cadet. The glue and glue job was second rate and the material oozed air everywhere after a year or two and I hated the "Won't Drain PLug" I said ironically because Zodiac owns Avon.
The worst feature I have ever seen in an inflatible is the removable "spoonge" bottom. After a short time in the water they grow wonderful and strange things underneath.
Good luck!
 

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