time for a new tender, comments on brands please

[Cliffm]

Our 2005 vintage Mercury 270 fiberglass RIB has resumed "un-gluing" itself. We're looking for a replacement and leaning towards a 280-300 Ultra lite aluminum rib single hull style for weight savings and durability in rocky shorelines in PNW area.

We have weaver snap davits on our 2006 36MY swim step, but would like to get Weaver front and transom ARC mounts, avoiding the "glue on pad" scenario for "on-side" transport that our Mercury had.

1: We found a Zodiac cadet 300 alu at Pacific Inflatable boats in Fife WA that seems competitively priced for PVC unit, feedback appreciated from those that have had contact/dealings with this brand/dealership.

2: We found AB 10UL at waypoint marine, but only in Hypolon, and is narrower than Zodiac or HighField, and is raw aluminum, not powder coated. again, feedback about model and dealership appreciated. Any issues with Hylolon/Alu delaminating ?

3: We are looking for a local source for a Highfield 290UL in PVC in Seattle area, but are unable to find one? any tips? Any current user reviews and feedback?

I've read numerous horror stories of failures of zodiacs in the Florida/Caribbean waters, but want to know about "recent" experiences of more northern/PNW users?

Cliff
2006 36MY
"the Condo"
EBM

[bud37]

We have had a few dinks over the years......An older Zodiac 310 rib....after years the tubes came unglued one too many times. An inflatable keel soft bottom 310 with an aluminum floor, it was ok , can't remember the name right now. Traded that for a new Highfield CL310 with the bow locker etc...now that was nice, rode good, light, flat floor and lots of room, but we sold all so never got to get much use from it, was hanging on a Dinghy caddy set up. They were all PVC.

[Cliffm]

Thanks for that, I'm leaning towards a Highfield 290UL as well, as it has a pad in bow for external gas tank tie-down. If we get to that. It also has 17" tubes and comes with keel guard installed.

Locally there's a deal on zodiac cadet 300al, but I can't seem to shake the number of negative comments around these smaller zodiacs failing in 1-3yrs, so I'm hesitant on purchasing a new one now.

I'm really interested in PVC performance in the PNW, as it's a significant cost difference from a hypolon version.

[AaHubb]

Check out Achilles inflatables. There is a dealer in Everett. Mine is Hypolon as PVC would not last where I boat.
..Aaron

[Cliffm]

Qr Bbpost Check out Achilles inflatables. There is a dealer in Everett. Mine is Hypolon as PVC would not last where I boat.
..Aaron

thanks! will do