Hey has anyone owned a inflatable boat (not used for a tender) wpuld like a dingy that is not too much dollars and a decent engine to fish/dive/and whip ins on the surfboard this summer. How long does the inflatable sides last? Cost of replacong?? And any ither issues?? Cheers

I would go one like this!!


Or like this?

Jonopark said..

Hey has anyone owned a inflatable boat (not used for a tender) wpuld like a dingy that is not too much dollars and a decent engine to fish/dive/and whip ins on the surfboard this summer. How long does the inflatable sides last? Cost of replacong?? And any ither issues?? Cheers

Yes, bought one around 20 years ago and still have it. 4m Avon with 30 hp Evinrude, used mostly for diving of the west coast of South Australia. It spent the first 10 years or so with a hookah unit tied in the front. Very stable platform for a small boat. It has taken waves that would swap a regular boat and not been a problem (ie boat completely full of water, wave coming over bow and exiting over the transom).

Best kept out of the sun when not in use. As others have said, be careful with sharp objects, but you can still go fishing ok.
Used a bit for knee boarding and skurfing too.

One of the first things I did with mine was to install one-way drain valves in the transom under the floor (as the standard drain is above the floor).

I tried to find a good second hand one but couldn't, so bought new.

Good luck...

I have been told to they split at seams in wa sun and very expensive to repair? And did you have to replace the pontoons in the 20 years??

All good until a shark takes a bite.

I don't know about build quality or longevity. What I do know though is I think their design is genius in terms if making a smooth ride. We always discuss fibreglass versus aliminium. And generally aside from weight fibre glass have the sharper vee bottom making them cut through swell or chop, but rock and roll once stopped and anchored up. The Ali boat generally has a flatter bottom with a higher gun whale . They bash and crash through chop hurting your back but very stable when fishing.

The rib has inflatable sides that seem to act like shock absorbers that absorb the blow of our wa doctor wind. Yet when they stop they seem stable.

Overall I don't know anything about build quality. Perhaps the rib isn't for every application. But I've seen ribs gliding through chop that has belted bigger boats

cisco said..

Zodiac!! Only way to go.

WE have 3 (we will be selling 2 later next year)
and as I broke my back a few years back it is the
best thing since sliced bread for diving fishing and
general stuffing around as I can sit on the side and it does not jar my back
Just make sure what ever you get it is made from Hypalon and it will last forever

used to own a 6 metre gemini rib . Safe as **** , they really are . smooth ride . We had a 150hp donk on it and on the flat water it would do 49 knots .

Coming back from rotto it was wet but smooth ride

^^^ Cisco, when I was looking to buy my 'rubber ducky' I narrowed the search down to 3 brands; Zodiac, Achilles and Avon.
I ended up with an Avon. It is still going strong after about 20 years (15 of them in far north Queensland).
Having said that, the Zodiacs do have a good reputation and I would have been happy to own one. Just saying that Zodiac is not the only way to go

Cisco, I haven't kept up with who owns who in the business, the Avon website lists 5 dealers in Oz (one of them being Zodiac).
Not sure on stock/availablity though. So, you may well be right that they are hard to get.
Cheers

Jonopark- recently I was at the Mannheims auction yard near perth airport- they had 2 x zodiacs for sale, ex military [deflated and rolled up]
I am not sure of specifications or what they sold for though- but I remember at the time thinking "$*&# thats cheap!"

there was also a couple of zodiacs on trailers in the yard as well- along with other boats, cats and dinghies.
these might still be for sale!

stephen.