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RED's DinghyWe purchased our Achilles dinghy, a commercial/military model, for $1,800 in 1987. That was a whole lot of money in those days, and more than the 15 HP Evinrude outboard ($1,200). Stung like a hornet, but it's one of the best purchases we ever made. This dinghy has seen rough service for 19 years, including many seasons in Alaska, 5 seasons in the tropics on both Achates and RED, has been run (accidentally) over coral heads at high speed, landed on rocky beaches, been tied to rough wharves, pilings, and seawalls, yet has never been patched. Try that in your little cheapie West Marine toy inflatable. Black Beauty has aluminum and fiberglass floorboards, as well as a fiberglass transom, all of which are still in excellent shape after 19 years of service! That's better than many rigid aluminum or fiberglass skiffs! We've towed disabled vessels, set large anchors, scouted uncharted areas, gone diving outside reefs, taken long field trips, hauled vast quantities of groceries, fuel, and people, and this dinghy has never let us down. Best of all, we can easily deflate and stow Black Beauty in the sail locker when we go offshore so the decks are clear. It only takes 20 minutes or so to reassemble her, not a big deal. THIS is the kind of dinghy you should have for serious cruising.
July, 2002: Aitutaki, Cook Islands. Alone, my "younger sister" and me in the best inflatable we've ever seen. We can plane with 4 people (or two people with full dive gear) and have power and range to do some serious diving, fishing, or exploring. This is the best piece of cruising gear we've ever owned. 19 years old, and never been patched. |
