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yes zodiac and avon are numero uno. every once in a while a grand raid military surplus shows up on cheese bay and elsewhere reasonable priced. they are worth every damn penny. our avon was nice but next time its a grand raid for me. 16-18 ft with a 50hp will scare you pooless wide open. they are built to take a beating. ie rocks sand divers etc.
fixing holes in them is pretty easy. sticky patch with gorilla snot glue. a trailer is the only way to have fun. screw that inflate/deflate crap.
get launch dollies that permanently attach to transom(flat wood/alum thingy at stern) next to engine. they fold down when needed to portage and fold up out of way when in water. 2 guys can launch it anywhere.
2 MOUNTED fuel tanks is way cool. if you search furthur they have methods used by seal teams to muffle the hell out of engines fairly cheap. ducky tape around engine cowl is always insurance against a busted latch and any water intrusion. get spares and stash in MOUNTED dry box. plugs/tools/patches/glue etc.
a danforth anchor with 125ft of anchor and rode will come in damn handy. 4 handling lines off each side velcroed for insta use handy also.
we used ours a hell of a lot. love johnson mtrs. beat the hell out of avon and johnson and the damn thing still lives. think we got it in 1990 or so.
oh yea a bimini top is damn nice also.
follow all uscg rules for watercraft ie fire ext(2-MOUNTED)/pfd's etc. oars MOUNTED
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