DUX inflatable boat

[prairie tuber]

Any confirmation from DUX on the fabric?

[vpolonsk]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Any confirmation from DUX on the fabric?

Was away for a couple of days and didnt get a chance to reply to this.

Spoke with Tom (the owner of Dux boats)

Here's what he said:

- tubes are made in 3 layers
- PVC (high grade) is inside
- nylon (UV resistant) is in the middle
- urethane is on the outside
- urethane is better then hypalon and can stand the toughest conditions (hot or cold)


what do you think?

-v

[prairie tuber]

Can he provide you with references of clients who have used these boats heavily for 15-20 years or more?

[toby.budd]

Hey, sorry not been on the forum for a lonnnnnnnggg time, but it's raining, threse no wind to kite, I have just sold my boat and it's still raing so thought would catch up on RIB Net.

Zap Cats great boats and for what you want ideal. Have quiclky looked through this forum and would say the following.

Never, ever buy a zap cat, GRX or other high performance inflatable in Hypalon, it stretches to much. The differance at speed is incredable, no matter how much air you put in hypalon it will still stretch and means the boat moves and bends, not good, this does not matter on a RIB because the hull provides the longditudonal stiffness but on a Zap Cat it is provided by the tubes. Hypaolon is better, more abrasive resistant, better in UV but it is to flexible for a Zap Cat type boat where rigidity and stiffness is paramount.

You dont need a big engine, 50HP is grea, fast and fun, but a 2 cylinder 30hp will still provide enough power to wake board, take 3 people on the plane etc and provide good performance and will way less.

Trailer, don't bother trying to pack away, it takes forever, once or twice a season is ok but not, ever every day.

Fit wheels to the ransom so you can lift the front and roll it up the beach and launch in surf, the ones that rotate up in the air when your in the water. There a loads of zap cats around, there simple just look at the tube material quality, seams and areas where there is abrasion, around the floor boards especially.

They are good in surf, better tahn any other boat in teh world so if you teach kiting in the surf they are ideal. If not consider a Gemini GRX type with closed transom and wrap around bow with same highjackers as a zap cat, same performance andc more passenger frindly but not as good in gale surf conditions.

Good for kite teaching, I would add some flexible plastic tubing in an arc, longditudinally to stop lines getting caught on crew and engine, but they have a big flat deck which is ideal, are manouverable and low to the water as well.

Dinners being served, any questions post them here and i will reply.

Toby