Inflatable Tender (Rubber Duck Inflatables)

[krozet]

Hello;

I am starting to look at tenders for my boat and being Canadian I came across Rubber Duck Inflatables, a Canadian company. I have no experience and doing a search for 'Rubber Duck' certainly brings up a few posts but nothing to do with Inflatable Tenders. The model I am looking at, RDD 230 with an aluminum bottom and a 4HP motor would be perfect for me in terms of weight and size. I would like any feedback I could get on these boats, they seem to be a lot less than some of the other models recommended around here.

Thanks for any info;

Robert

[ahab211]

In my opinion I'd buy a name brand as most knockoffs are polypropalene and the name brands are hypalon. The difference being Hypalon isn't as effected by sun wear which makes the fabric porous. Also name brands have removable valves if they leak. I have a knockoff Baltik and I've dumped two quarts of a liquid rubber sealant that makes an inner seal when the fabric starts to leak. It cost $60.00 Canadian and lasts a year maybe. Also, the valve on that chamber started to leak and I can't remove it. So short of filling it every time I use it it' ready for the dump. Check it out thoroughly before buying an unknown brand. Good luck.

[JimsCAL]

Many of the "name brand" inflatables are PVC. Nothing wrong with a PVC boat, it just won't stand up to a lot of sun like a hypalon boat, but it will be less expensive. I am sure the Rubber Duck boats are imported from Asia, probably China. Quality could be fine, but who knows. Hopefully some actual owners will chime in here.

[krozet]

I assumed that they were built in Canada, never occurred to me that they might be imported. I was under the impression that I was supporting a Canadian company, not a Canadian Importer.

I am going to email them, I want to find out if these are Made in Canada, Assembled in Canada or just imported to Canada. If they are imported or assembled then there is no reason not to keep looking.

Robert

[gsagert]

I just purchased a new RDS230 for about $650 CDN. I bought it because the bottom on my Zodiac RIB was trashed while spending the night on some rocks after it got away, and I needed a replacement while the Zodiac was repaired.

These boats are definitely made in China and imported by a Canadian company, however it's the highest quality Chinese boat I've seen. It's a bit heavier than a comparable Zodiac, but the PVC also seems thicker and more resilient. The oarlocks are simpler than the Zodiac, but they also have a more solid feel because the oarlock isn't adjustable and therefore doesn't slide around on the oar. The only thing I've found that I don't like on the Rubber Duck is the air filler valves, which require a turn-and-lock attachment on the pump.

But in all I think it's a great boat, particularly for the price. My Zodiac cost four times more, but it's definitely not four times the boat.

[anemoneii]

I would not buy anything smaller than a 270, I have a Mercury 270 and it's just barely big enough

[bljones]

I bought one earlier this season. You can find my ongoing review here:

Product Review: Rubber Duck Inflatable Dinghy

[skyellab]

I own a rubber duck and use it in the San Juans and Vancouver Island. It is very nice for the price and would recommend it to anyone who needs a tender for their sailboat. If you have a power boat with a lifting mechanism i would buy something else. Very happy with what I have!