2 years ago I bought a Chinese pvc zodiac for $350. Was fine first year. Issues last year. Spent winter in the house repairing all leaking seams, everything. Launched a month ago, first day seam opened up had to repair. Today, daughter in town. We launch it again, been holding air fine on land last 2 weeks. Today, we take it a mile down river, all good. On way back, she had to keep working the air pump so we wouldn’t sink. Another leak somewhere. Before this Chinese junk I had a real zodiac for 10 years, didn’t give me any trouble until the last year. Took to Annapolis zodiac and guy says it’s done. So I am DONE with this Chinese crap. But the zodiac cadet 260 is now pvc not hypalon like it used to be. I not sure about buying another pvc. Now, I don’t need a big one like y’all. It stays on a manual crank lift at marina May to September and is only used for putting down the river when we don’t feel like taking main boat out. I can get a Zodiac Cadet 260 roll up floor for a hair over 1200. Really don’t want to spend much more than that. Waddya think?
Sounds like it will meet your needs. My PVC zodiac is going on 12 years. All about how you take care of it.
I'd argue your prior experience with PVC was unrelated to the material. Buy a quality dinghy from a trusted brand and rest easy. I loved my Zodiak Cadet. It only leaked when I ran it into sharp objects
Did a lot of research yesterday, PVC is the preferred material in non-tropical climates (pvc has issues with UV that hypalon doesnt) but I always have mine covered. After narrowing choice down to 3 manufacturers, I ordered a Zodiac Cadet 230 from Defender for $1313. Double the price of the other models, but as I said upthread, my previous zodiac lasted 10 years, and frankly we beat the hell out of that one, dragging up on beach over sand and pebbles; 6 people in a 7.5 footer, etc. Get what you pay for as they say, and its the only one Made in the USA. Be here 3 days. Its my retirement gift to myself. As for the other, wife said fix it keep it for a spare. Those little nubs on top of bow, are supposed to be attachment points for a waterproof storage bag. I would like to get, but Defender doesnt sell them, and google reveals nothing. If anyone know where to get, please post link.
I agree with your move to buy a new inflatable. Wont have to worry for a long time and after all the years of work you deserve it. Enjoy it!
Congrats on the new dinghy. I would take a properly welded seam on a quality PVC boat over the glued seams on Hypalon for both strength and cosmetics.
Wife didn’t hesitate to agree on new. She been worried when I go out alone on a boat that has deflated for the third time while out on it.
Found it, at Defender. A little pricey at $121, but I can keep the pump, engine tools, lines, etc instead of all that stuff rolling around the floor. Ordered.
Since your shopping; https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|2259970|2259980&id=2148251 https://www.amazon.com/Under-Seat-C...+inflatable+boat+seats&qid=1655569997&sr=8-10 https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/inflatable-boat-seat-cushion There's tons of them out there.
