DUX inflatable boat

[vpolonsk]

Hello,

Shopping around for an inflatable. the characteristics that i am looking for are:

- ability to pull a wakeboarding or water skier
- light
- compact when packed and roomy when rigged
- good value (cheap)

i know i might be asking for too much - just shooting for the stars.

after a little research, i found this:

www.duxboats.com

specifically this model (UD-400):
http://www.duxboats.com/fishing.htm

does anyone have any experience with these boats?

any recomendations are greatly appriciated.

Thank you in advance.

V

[codprawn]

I think the name "ZAPCAT" is far better!!! Look like the same thing - do a search on here for zapcat - you will find LOADS of stuff!!!

Over here they tend to be considered as an extreme water sports toy - not a practical rib!!!

[codprawn]

By the way they DO fit your requirements and they ARE great fun!!!

[prairie tuber]

I contacted DUX few months ago inquiring if their boats are available in hypalon rather than PVC. They replied that they were only available in PVC, but I needn't worry because they use a 'very high quality PVC' No matter you slice it, it still is PVC. Now I can see spending $ 0.97 on a disposable pen, but there is no way I am going spend big $$$$ on a disposable boat!

I spoke to a Gemini rep in BC, Canada (http://www.racing-inflatables.com/surf.htm , who told me that zapcats are available in hypalon (as well as PVC). For that reason alone I would consider a zapcat over a DUX.

[Rogue Wave]

Dependin on price it might be worth sourcing a second hand Zapcat over here and shipping it over. They are noy very heavy and deconstruct to a very small size 1/2 cubic meter

[vpolonsk]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I think the name "ZAPCAT" is far better!!! Look like the same thing - do a search on here for zapcat - you will find LOADS of stuff!!!

Over here they tend to be considered as an extreme water sports toy - not a practical rib!!!

hmm.. dont really care much about the name.. zapcat seems cool, but cant really buy it in the states, plus it costs more then DUX. other then that it seems the same.

i guess this is probably mostly european forum..

anyone heard of DUX?

[vpolonsk]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

I contacted DUX few months ago inquiring if their boats are available in hypalon rather than PVC. They replied that they were only available in PVC, but I needn't worry because they use a 'very high quality PVC' No matter you slice it, it still is PVC. Now I can see spending $ 0.97 on a disposable pen, but there is no way I am going spend big $$$$ on a disposable boat!

I spoke to a Gemini rep in BC, Canada (http://www.racing-inflatables.com/surf.htm , who told me that zapcats are available in hypalon (as well as PVC). For that reason alone I would consider a zapcat over a DUX.

thanks! i'll call them tomorrow and find out about prices.

[limeydal]

check out the new West Marine catalog.
They have a "Zapcat" clone "Xtreme sport performance inflatable" as they list it by CI Marine for $3599.00
Also have a couple of tunnel hull design inflatables

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...port&x=16&y=12

Not as large as the Dux you mention .
Being lighter ,it will run well with a lot smaller HP. and so brings the price down that you are going to have to shell out for the engine!

And no, never come across a Dux!

cheers Dal

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by vpolonsk

i guess this is probably mostly european forum..

At the moment that's correct, but we now have 150 registered members in the US and I'm seeing more and more frequent US registrations as word gets out! Welcome to RIBnet

Although the ZapCat style boats are seen mainly as an "extreme toy" in the UK, Toby Budd (who posts here occasionally) has just finished a tour of New Zealand where the used a ZapCat for just about everything: fishing, exploring, skiing. He wrote a good article for RIB International, and there are more details on his web site http://www.crossshore.com/Frames/Diary-home.htm

John

[Alan]

Originally Posted by John Toby Budd (who posts here occasionally) has just finished a tour of New Zealand where the used a ZapCat for just about everything: fishing, exploring, skiing. He wrote a good article for RIB International, and there are more details on his web site [url

http://www.crossshore.com/Frames/Diary-home.htm[/url]

John

Just read some of Toby's diary. Now all depressed. Lucky bugger seems to have been living the fatface catalog. And NZ Sun vs Canadian gloom.