Mercury Rib

Audrey II

Audrey II

Active member
Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
RO Number
30499
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6,405
I went to the boat show today looking for a replacement dinghy I looked at every brand at the show and while I have heard in the past that Mercury was not the best dinghy out there I have heard stey away. At the end of the day i really couldn't find anything wrong with it and the price was far better then anything else!
I put a deposit on a 300 Ocean Runner I have no issue with the price but looking for some reassurance that this isn't a mistake. I can cancel my order without penalty at anytime up until I pick it up. This is the PVC model not the more expensive Hypalon. Please feel free to share good or bad input as I said I can cancel if this is a bad choice. One of the things I like about this unit is the beam is only 5.4" my current one is 5.2" and it just fits not a lot of room for a larger beam the other models I looked at and considered while they were more money the bigger issue was the beam was an additional 4" this may create an issue for me one I don't want to find out about after the purchase!
 
No experience with those RIBs, but it is noteworthy Merc only backs the PVC models with a 5 yr warranty and the otherwise identical Hypalon ones with 10yrs.

There may be a clue in there somewhere :D

How long do you hope to use it?
 
There is no question the hypalon is a better material however the price is at least 50% more. The research I have done seems to indicate that the PVC is fine in this region but in the tropics where there is much stronger sun and year round use the PVC doesn't hold up. As to the warranty they can't offer different warranties based on where you live so I understand why they differentiate between them
 
I recently pick up a Highfield Aluminum RIB and Warranty is the same 5 years on PVC & 10 on Hypalon.
At the recommendation of the dealer I bought PVC also as the cost difference was major- He did have both in stock
The Merc web site states"Fabric Achilles HP, Haku PVC" leads one to believe that it could be made by Achilles??
If you have a PVC model get a cover to keep the sun off of it when not in use
 
Check out Rigid Boats. They are made in Ft. Myers. We purchased ours in 2010. It is by far the best dink we have owned. You can store your gear (fishing, anchor, etc) in the hull tubes.

They weigh less than an inflatable.

Ken
 
Ken, they look really nice.
But it looks like Rigid make their weight comparisons vs a Fiberglass RIB
Aluminum RIB is about 50% of the like size Rigid boat
11'10"aluminum RIB is 175lbs, 12'Rigid is 335lbs
My RIB with 25hp 4stroke Yamaha less than 310lbs
My Davit limit is 600lbs and i wanted to make sure I didn't tax it or its mount
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

I recently pick up a Highfield Aluminum RIB and Warranty is the same 5 years on PVC & 10 on Hypalon.
At the recommendation of the dealer I bought PVC also as the cost difference was major- He did have both in stock
The Merc web site states"Fabric Achilles HP, Haku PVC" leads one to believe that it could be made by Achilles??
If you have a PVC model get a cover to keep the sun off of it when not in use

Click to expand...

Technically “not by Achilles” but they are manufactured in the same factory, on the same lines as most are.
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

I recently pick up a Highfield Aluminum RIB and Warranty is the same 5 years on PVC & 10 on Hypalon.
At the recommendation of the dealer I bought PVC also as the cost difference was major- He did have both in stock
The Merc web site states"Fabric Achilles HP, Haku PVC" leads one to believe that it could be made by Achilles??
If you have a PVC model get a cover to keep the sun off of it when not in use

Click to expand...

I really liked that dinghy in fact I would have bought it but the beam was just a little wider then I was comfortable with. My current dink has a 5.2 beam and it just fits the Mercury is 5.4 which I'm sure I can fit but the Highfield is 5.8 which if I was sure it wouldn't be in issue I would have happily spent the extra money. I like the fuel tank storage locker in the front that doubles as a seat. Very nice enjoy!
 
I had a mercury airfloor dinghy for about 8 years that was really great - would recomend that to anyone if they have not changed over the years.
Also have owned many hypalon and PVC boats and there was/is no clear winner. Some hypalon boats are quite a problem and some PVC boats are of great quailty and more heavily made.
A summary of the differences we have seen in the boats:
Hypalon – tougher in feel, lower inflated pressure, heavier, more UV proof, costlier, loses some air over time.
PVC – Holds air better , easier to clean, benefits more from cover if in sun, lighter, easier to damage.
 
iVE HAD 3 mercury RIBS ONE HYPALON. The Hypalon has had numerous issues ( leaks ) buddy has a 2 yr old Hypalon with the new redesigned rear pontoon. booth are leaking he lost use all season waiting on repairs. Never had an issue with non Hypalon Rib. ( one the marina punctured , drove it into the hidry. ) current one is fine .
 
I had a Mercury airfloor and it was junk. Even spent the money for a replacement floor and it still had leaks. Ended up going with a Saturn inflatable and it is extremely well built. I've had zero issues with it and it's going on 2 years.
 
Thanks for all the replies I feel a lot better about my decision!
 
Dave, it's the UV rays that break down the PVC. Buy a cover and use it, and it will last many years.
 
Up north where you get sunshine about 60 days during your 90 days boating season, PVC will outlast the mercury outboard which for me would be the deal killer :)
 
I had one, I abused it by leaving outside in the sun and snow over the winter and it lasted a long time.
I really wish I had taken better care of it, kept it out of the sun.

My buddy bought a "big dog" at the boat show and well, it didn't last long, split at the seams. Be happy you didn't get that one.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Up north where you get sunshine about 60 days during your 90 days boating season, PVC will outlast the mercury outboard which for me would be the deal killer :)

Click to expand...


Oh, man, I missed that part of it. Didn’t realize people still bought Merc outboards. Reminds me of an old saying (that’s not appropriate for a family forum) about slamming something in a door...
 
I have had my merc 9.9 for several years and very happy I have never been stranded like I was in the past with my Yamaha which I loved as well.
My current dink is hypalon and I kept it covered most of the time the cover will fit the new dink just fine.
 
RE: Merc outboard
When i sold my last boat I thought i was out of boating for good and blew out my Dink, 9.9 Mec 2 stroke, As well as some other items. that Merc was a great motor and i kicked myself in the a$$ for getting rid of it, it did go to a good home of another RO. It's easy to push them up to 15hp
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

RE: Merc outboard
When i sold my last boat I thought i was out of boating for good and blew out my Dink, 9.9 Mec 2 stroke, As well as some other items. that Merc was a great motor and i kicked myself in the a$$ for getting rid of it, it did go to a good home of another RO. It's easy to push them up to 15hp

Click to expand...

I have a newer 4 stroke it runs like a top no issues. I was forever tinkering with my Yamaha until my wife said enough is enough. It used to run perfectly until I would go on vacation then it would always give me a problem this said it is likely still in service mine too went to a fellow RO who had owned several of these motors and said he would have no issue getting it working fine, I hope he still uses it every day.
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

RE: Merc outboard
When i sold my last boat I thought i was out of boating for good and blew out my Dink, 9.9 Mec 2 stroke, As well as some other items. that Merc was a great motor and i kicked myself in the a$$ for getting rid of it, it did go to a good home of another RO. It's easy to push them up to 15hp

Click to expand...


Thanks for selling it to me! That motor was so good that someone stole it off my dink that was on the back of my boat... Luckily, another RO here had one that he sold to me.
 
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