Choosing a dinghy

[CaptainForce]

I currently have a nearly expired old Caribe C10X 165lbs. I know I could be satisfied with a little smaller RIB and certainly less weight on my davits. I 'm choosing between a C9 Caribe that weighs 125lbs and a L9 that weighs 115lbs. Does anyone have opinions to share about the Caribe L (light) series. I'll be using my little 5hp Honda 4-stroke with typically 2 persons w/ laundry or groceries. Thanks, Aythya crew

[danielgoldberg]

For comparable money, I'd consider on AB from their Alumina series. Essentially an aluminum hulled RIB. Very light, very durable. Only downside is cost -- they are tres cher.

I was going to buy one, and then Stephen Lance, one of the owners of Defender, convinced me to go with the Achilles 315LX. It's a 10'6" RIB that weighs about 130lbs. It's a very big boat for the size, and much less expensive that the Caribe or AB. I can't speak to the longevity, as I just bought one. Here are a couple of pix: