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 $$$$ on a disposable boat!
I spoke to a Gemini rep in BC, Canada (http://www.racing-inflatables.com/surf.htm , who told me that zapcats are available in hypalon (as well as PVC). For that reason alone I would consider a zapcat over a DUX.
Dependin on price it might be worth sourcing a second hand Zapcat over here and shipping it over. They are noy very heavy and deconstruct to a very small size 1/2 cubic meter
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I think the name "ZAPCAT" is far better!!! Look like the same thing - do a search on here for zapcat - you will find LOADS of stuff!!!
Over here they tend to be considered as an extreme water sports toy - not a practical rib!!!
hmm.. dont really care much about the name.. zapcat seems cool, but cant really buy it in the states, plus it costs more then DUX. other then that it seems the same.
I contacted DUX few months ago inquiring if their boats are available in hypalon rather than PVC. They replied that they were only available in PVC, but I needn't worry because they use a 'very high quality PVC' No matter you slice it, it still is PVC. Now I can see spending $ 0.97 on a disposable pen, but there is no way I am going spend big $$$$ 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.
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
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!
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
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
WOW!! Tony is a Kiteboarder!!!! what's up bro! you even have the same board as me - Litewave design 169.
That is exactly why im looking to buy a RIB. starting out a kiteboarding school, and need it for 3 things:
- transport people and gear to a safe sand bar where i will give lessons
- catch students when they drift downwind
- and give a tow (wakboarding) lesson for people with no board skills..
judging by some of tony's pictures, he uses zipcat for all of the above ( minus students)... im on to something!!
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.
Just talked to Tom - the owner of DUX. He said that his boats arent made with either PVC or hypalon, and that they are made out of a super strong and UV resistant material called Eurthane. Any comments on this?
I copied this directly from the link to the UD 400 model that you provided:
Universal Dux, Standard Features:
Made of the highest quality materials
Easy to assemble
Quick inflation
Unmatched stability
10 year limited warranty & Lifetime warranty on Transom
32oz, 40 ml., poly vinyl chloride, guaranteed air tight.
UV resistant material
4 air compartments for maximum safety.
It says "poly vinyl chloride" in their own description, so I'm also curious as to what the real story is!
I'll check through my emails over the weekend to see if I can find that email correspondence.
WOW!! Tony is a Kiteboarder!!!! what's up bro! you even have the same board as me - Litewave design 169.
That is exactly why im looking to buy a RIB. starting out a kiteboarding school, and need it for 3 things:
- transport people and gear to a safe sand bar where i will give lessons
- catch students when they drift downwind
- and give a tow (wakboarding) lesson for people with no board skills..
judging by some of tony's pictures, he uses zipcat for all of the above ( minus students)... im on to something!!
cheers
Just a thought - would a big kite tow a RIB??? Maybe not a big one but an inflatable dinghy??? Sure it would - have I just invented a new sport??? Or maybe wedge yourself into a dougnut type inflatable???
I double checked and I had corresponded with sommone from a different company that offers the same product line under a different brand name here is a link to that company's website:
How does the boat material P.V.C., compare to hypalon?
Hypalon came into the industry, when a boat manufacture used a low grade P.V.C. for manufacturing their inflatable boats. The low grade P.V.C. had no UV protection and it turned nasty colors of brown. The company stood behind the product but not without tremendous loss! This miss adventure also hurt the P.V.C. industry.
This opened the door for a new fabric called Hypalon. The fabric competitor was quick to attack the P.V.C. market with statements of fact, based on a low quality P.V.C. The truth is there are several grades of P.V.C.. Inflatable Marine Products Inc. use only the finest protected materials available. We rate the material a level 10! We also stand behind the material for 5 years.
More Fabric facts. All though Hypalon is claimed to be the better material recent tests performed by third party groups, have determined that both P.V.C. and Hypalon have there ups and downs. All fabrics need to be cared for regardless of what it is. If you want it to last, take care of it!
I find this a little misleading in that even the 'finest' PVC fabrics will not have close to the life expectancy that hypalon will. I know a zodiac dealer who very readily admits that the PVC zodiacs (using the brand name 'strongan') don't last nearly as long as the older hypalon ones did.
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
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!
I read on another site that they are pallning to offer hypalon versions. I sent an email to confirm this. I'll let you know what I hear back from them. Here are a couple of pictures from the site.
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!
