ranger58sb
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2013
- Messages
- 7,311
- Location
- Annapolis
- Vessel Name
- Ranger
- Vessel Make
- 58' Sedan Bridge
I'm beginning to shop for a new dinghy, conceptually leaning toward an aluminum console RIB with hypalon tubes, approx 11½' (3.4/3.5m) long, give or take.
I expect to look offerings from all the major players: AB, Achilles, Caribe, Highfield, Novurania, Zodiac...
But one thing that would help is more commentary about paint versus powder coating versus nothing...
A review of some threads here (see below) suggests Highfield models are powder coated, AB models can be powder coated or left bare... and presumably some of the other makers offer one or the other or both
Why is bare aluminum good? Why is powder coating good? Is somebody actually doing paint? (Or is that really always powder coating?)
Thoughts?
-Chris
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/dinghy-recommendations-58590.html
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/what-best-inflatable-tender-41474.html
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/shopping-dinghy-37374.html
I expect to look offerings from all the major players: AB, Achilles, Caribe, Highfield, Novurania, Zodiac...
But one thing that would help is more commentary about paint versus powder coating versus nothing...
A review of some threads here (see below) suggests Highfield models are powder coated, AB models can be powder coated or left bare... and presumably some of the other makers offer one or the other or both
Why is bare aluminum good? Why is powder coating good? Is somebody actually doing paint? (Or is that really always powder coating?)
Thoughts?
-Chris
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/dinghy-recommendations-58590.html
A good friend has had the same problem with Waypointe as what your experiencing. I would call NW Inflatables in Gig Harbor. I purchased my AB Lammina AL 10 from them and they treated me great. He is getting some boats in from what the heard recently but containers are backed up in the West Coast Ports slowing deliveries. Regarding the Highfield, definitely a good boat, however one of my cruising friends has one less than 5 years old and the paint is peeling off the inside bottom. He likes the boat but not the paint. I really love my AB, great boat and I went with the raw aluminum so as not to have the paint problem. Just my preference. Good luck
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/what-best-inflatable-tender-41474.html
I have been looking at a new inflatable RIB and I also believe aluminum hull is the best way to go.
Here's what I've found. I've been looking at three major players and there's plenty of regional ones, too. The ones I like the best are AB, Achilles, and Highfield.
AB is top of the line, extremely well built and quite a bit more expensive than the other 2. It has a "deeper" bow area which can be better for rougher areas. The one thing I don't like about the AB is the aluminum is bare metal. I honestly don't know why they do that.
The Achilles and Highfield are also well made and I think are about the same price and about the same level of quality. The hulls on both are powder coated inside and out with a keel guard factory installed. Of note if you want to save some money the Highfield is available with PVC or Hypalon tubes. The Hypalon being more expensive but longer lasting if the boat spends a lot of time outside (Don't they all?)
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/shopping-dinghy-37374.html
I'm a few years off, but I will likely go with either a 12' Aluminum AB or a 12' aluminum Highfield. I like that AB leaves the aluminum bare. I'm concerned about the long term durability of the powder coating on the Highfields. We are hard on a dinghy, dragging it onto beaches frequently.