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I don't own a WaterTender, but I borrowed one once. It rowed surprisingly well. MUCH better than an inflatable. You row your butt off in an inflatable, but the WaterTender actually had some "glide" to it and has good directional stability.
I've soured on inflatables for the same reasons as you.
My cat doesn't like the inflatables becuase there's always a little water sloshing around in them somewhere that's hard to get out, and his paws get wet. Awwwwww.
The WaterTender has a nice interior that's easy to keep dry. And drink holders!
The plastic they're made of doesn't seem to be as thick or as durable as what's found in a kayak, or in the Walker Bay hard dinghies, but they seem to hold up for many years here in Michigan...couldn't say how they'd do in southern climes.
If we weren't getting kayaks, the Walker Bay 10 would probably be first on my list, as I perceive them to have a little more rugged bottom. The WaterTender would be a close second. Maybe not as rugged, but when you factor in the low price of $599, it's a contender.
Third on my list would be the Porta Boat. I believe they make 8, 10, and 12 footers (I"m too lazy to check). They cost more, but are impressive. Nicely made, with the obvious advantage of folding flat. Ask Sailing Dog about them.
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