I have a Mercury 2.7 rubber ducky about 10 years old and when not on the water it has been kept in the garage so 90% of its life has been in the garage.
Now I am finding a small run of glue failures the worst one accross the front seams now to the extent all gluing has failed in this area.

So should I fix it or have it fixed or buy a new one. I note Zodiac have been recommended on here as welded seams is this better long term and if repair required is it practical.
I need to do something tomorrow as have to take some visitors out.
Happy to pay what ever is the best for medium to long term.

Edit Or should I buy a twin hull f/g dingy? Wife likes the stability of the rubber ducky.

Thanks

I have one in similar condition - probably been in the water about 10-15 times over ten years. Doesn't leak air but has glue failures around the stern tubes/transom joint so takes on a little water. Free to good home if anyone wants to attempt a repair.

warwickl said..

I note Zodiac have been recommended on here as welded seams is this better long term and if repair required is it practical.
I need to do something tomorrow as have to take some visitors out.
Happy to pay what ever is the best for medium to long term.

I will always recommend the Zodiac brand. I ripped the side right out of one when I had it tied up too short and was getting the yacht off my pile berth in Cairns Inlet.

Tide pushed me against the pile and I had to keep going. It was repaired professionally and was as good as new.

It was 1990 and I got sick of paying $45/ hour for someone to glue patches. I took the time to find out which products to use (glues, primers etc) and what the technique was. It has saved me a lot of money over time but you need to be handy and patient.

The later model Zodiacs with the round tube ends (as opposed to the cone tube ends) are fully welded together including the transom moulding to the tubes.

I have heard so many stories of the cheaper brands like Island Inflatables, Quicksilver and the other Chinese knock offs just falling apart after a year or two of moderate use that I just would not mess with them.

I am a walking advertisement for Zodiacs. You pay a bit more for them but it is worth it. They have a five year guarantee and I see no reason why you couldn't get 10 years of careful use out of one.

In answer to your question:- Get your Mercury/Quicksilver repaired, use it for your urgent need, flog it off and buy a Zodiac.

If you are happy with the size you have buy a current model Zodiac 260S (Solid plywood floor). It is rated for 3+1 passengers (3 adults and a child, or driver and 3 passengers, I don't know), minimum recommended hp 3, max recommended 4 hp and max allowable 6 hp.

With a good twin cylinder 6 hp outboard it will be a weapon with two people aboard, one up a tail walker.

www.inflatableboat.net.au/inflatable-boats/2-7m-inflatable-boat-slatted-floor-zodiac-tender-inflatable-keel/

have no idea Cisco its not on my list just yet

To be honest I have either had hard dinghies or Zodiacs, in the days when only ZODIACS were called Zodiacs.

When purchasing my latest boat it came with a very nice fiberglass dinghy on davits. The only problem with that was with the davits set-up the dinghy needed a few fenders between it and the stern rail once the water got a bit choppy.

I tried to purchase a Zodiac but the dealer where I inquired didn't have what I wanted and couldn't get one in the time frame suitable for my travels.

Whitworths had a Chinese thing with a huge discount (wonder why) and while it wasn't exactly what I wanted it was certainly better than no rubber ducky at all.

It does what I ask of it. Doesn't track the way I am used to and has other minor short-falls but what can you expect from a discounted Chinese dinghy. On the other hand it gets me and others to and from my boat, carries a greater load than the glass dinghy and was cheap.

It is much lighter that the glass dinghy so both easier to tow and easier to stow. It planes with a 3hp Yamaha with on board in flat water.

I will use it until it looks like being a pain in the ass and then start looking for a Zodiac.

If someone steals it (less likely than the Zodiac) my loss is only small.