Conference unifix::sailing

    
    The latest issue of Practical Sailor has a report on inflatables
    which you ought to read (actually the 2 issues ending 15-Mar-88).
    
    I'll list their recommendations, although the article itself
    deserves to be read:
    
    Recommendations:
    
    If you plan to row more than using a motor, choose an
    inflatable dinghy because of its light weight.  It's really a
    toss-up whether you go with an Avon or an Achilles.  We'd
    lean toward the Avon because of a higher resale value and a
    better warranty service record.
    
    If, like most inflatable owners, you plan to motor the boat,
    we'd go with a tender for its hard transom.  You're faced
    with the same toss-up between the Avon and the Achilles, but
    an even better choice might be the Metzler.  With its inflatable
    floor, the Metzler will be more convenient for sailors who prefer
    to stow rather than tow when cruising.  When Zodiac adopts this
    feature, their tenders may become a worthwhile buy.
    
    If you plan to stow your inflatable only on rare occasions,
    consider a sportdinghy.  It will perform much better under
    power; most can carry a big enough motor to plane.  Sportdinghies
    are becoming more and more common in popular anchorages.  Again,
    you couldn't go wrong with either Avon or Achilles, but if you're
    teetering on the fence, we'd come down in Avon's yard.
    
    
    PS also mentions that Avons are "commonly discounted only 25% by
    mail order outlets, compared to 30% for Achilles", and have
    similar retail prices.
    
    The West Marine catalog I just got in the mail discounts Avon
    inflatables slightly less than 20%.  Does anyone know where to
    do any better than this?
    
      - Jim
    

    
         Could someone out there please send me a subscription form
    from their latest issue of "Practical Sailor". It sounds like a
    good and informative mag. Send it to CHM-1/E1. Thanks
    
                                               Randy Caswell

See Note 124 and replies for a discussion of inflatable dinghies.

    I've owned an Achilles DT4, used a Avon Redseal(?) a fair amount,
    and now own a Metzler.
    
    The DT4 was a good, inexpensive at the time (yen@ 200/$), but could
    barely carry 4 adults.  The other problem is the plywood floorboards.
    They increase capacity and stability siginificantly, but I could
    never figure out how to store them on my sailboat.  I used a 2 hp
    Evinrude, which is slow, although fast enough to get everybody wet
    except in a dead calm.
    
    The AVON Redseal (I think name is correct) is basically their small
    soft bottom size with oversize tubes.  It WILL handle 4 adults much
    better than the DT4.  b.t.w. a 2 hp Suzuki outs out about 50% more
    than a 2 hp Evinrude and pushes this 'raft' along nicely.  But,
    still have those plywood floorboards if you really want to load
    it up.
    
    I wouldn't bother to try rowing either of these in a 15  + knot
    breeze.  Pray for a lee shore!
    
    We settled on the biggest Metzler with inflatable floor as the current
    on board dingy.  I think it is the 'Maya' model, about 13 feet long.
    An Evinrue 8 hp is the  powerplant.  Overall, when deflated, it's
    not much larger than the Avon or Achilles and there are NO plywood
    floorboards.  Footing is as good as a hard floor and the 'bilge'
    water doesn't end up running into your shoe as it does on the soft
    floor when not using plywood floorboards.  It easily carries 4 people
    -almost as good as my 13' Whaler.  The 8 hp engine is enough to
    get up on a plane with two 190# adults aboard, probably 15+ knots.
    It has REAL oars and rows ok, tho there is no way to brace my feet.
    The performance is lots of fun in a 1 to 2 foot chop.  Metzler uses
    a giant bicycle like double acting pump for inflation which is as
    speedy but more tiring than the foot pumps.  One nice feature is
    a pressure gauge.
    
    With the yen so strong the Metzler price premium may be more
    reasonable.  Have fun!
    

    A good deal on Achilles can be had at Winnepesauke Sailing Center
    in Guilford.  See Dave Cooper.  Strongly recommend you spend the
    extra $75-$90 for the fiberglass transom which is impervious to
    rot and will comfortably support larger engines.
    
    I've owned an Achilles SPD-4AD for 2 years and consider it to be
    the cats-meow!!  We live on Great Bay (Durham NH) where it receives
    heavy use as a runabout.  I have no reservations about running the
    river to Portsmouth or Little Harbour.  When used as a tender for
    our 32' ketch, NORTH WIND, it serves well, carries heavy loads,
    and tows great with it's bow snugged up tight.  We use a 8hp
    Mercury for a powerplant and have achieved a plane with about
    500 lbs. onboard.  
    
    I'll buy another Achilles....if this one ever wears out!!!
    
    Bob Thuet
    

    
    There are a lot of good things you can say about Dave Cooper and
    WSC, too.  And no, I have no fiduciary interests in the place,
    aside from giving them large sums of money every so often.