AB 10 VL, fantastic dinghy

This is our 4th year with this AB 10 VL dinghy and I have to share how great this boat has served us from Maine to the Bahamas. It weighs in about 120 lbs and it is built on a fiberglass floor. It does not have that common bow locker, so it keeps the weight down. The fiberglass bow curves nearly straight down from the bow, so it gives it a longer waterline which makes it run faster and straighter than if it had a shorter waterline. With a 4hp outboard, I can plane in the dinghy alone, which I find amazing. The tubes are firm, and large, and I only have pumped it up about 3 times over the past year! We carry it up on Kato Marine Davits and lift it with 6:1 blocks. Before this dinghy, we had an Avon Rollup, Air floor but that was wet and had no real v bottom.

If I were buying another dinghy, I would buy this AB 10 VL again, or maybe I would look at the aluminum floor model at 10 feet also as it saves a few pounds.

Here is a photo of two ABs on the beach in the Abacos, notice the BOW curve UP and the fiberglass V in the front.



Link to AB 10 VL
www.abinflatables.com/producto.asp?codigo=44

Link to the AB Home Page
www.abinflatables.com/

Jeff:
We had IP27 #058 for 10 years. We had Kato Davits, the Island Model (larger ones) and we had a 10' dingy! Yes it looked large, but we still could back it into our slip. We did this because of the idea of moving them to the NEXT boat. That is exactly what we did. So if you plan to someday move up in size then get the 10' dinghy and keep it.

AS for AB. Hands down, it is the #1 dinghy out there. You see a lot of Cribe dinghies as well, but it seems like the AB is just as good if not better. We have the 10VL fiberglass and if I were buying again, I would get the Aluminum model. Stronger, lighter. The 9' aluminum would be darn near perfect for the IP27, and hanging it on davits would be no big deal.

So maybe you get the 9' AB aluminum for your 27, and if you move up then the 9' is still OK. If you want more room, then the 10' AB aluminum may be a better choice. Our AB 10' fiberglass will plane with a 4 HP mercury outboard, (just me in) but don't add any more weight.

AS for repairs, I doubt you can hurt the aluminum bottom. If you put a hole in it, then you just have to get it welded or patch it with JB weld or epoxy. I would not ever worry about that.

Go with the AB aluminum and you will LOVE IT...

Hayden

Bettina:
I am still very sold on an AB inflatable dinghy. For the IP, you can go with the 9', 10' 11' or 12' these all seem to fit fine on the stern on davits. I prefer the 10' model. I have used the 10' fiberglass model for many years now, and after seeing several aluminum AB models, I would NOW buy the AB Aluminum model. They seem to set a little higher out of the water and they are lighter as well.

The AB web site is
www.abinflatables.com/

Here are the models I would look at. I think the 11' would work well on an IP38

Lammina 10 AL Aluminum Tenders
www.abinflatables.com/lammina-10-al

Lammina 11 AL Aluminum Tenders
www.abinflatables.com/lammina-11-al

Lammina 12 AL Aluminum Tenders
www.abinflatables.com/lammina-12-al




Hayden

Fantastic decision Michael. If I were replacing my AB-10 Vl, fiberglass one, it would be the AB 10 Aluminum one. That is the best dinghy designed. Hands down.
Hayden

Randy:
I think you may need a Yahmaha 15 two stroke to plane with two people. If one person is riding with the 8 hp, then extend the tiller like Raceboat Mike says and press on. We have the 15 and find that if we add one more person at 100 lbs or more, we cannot plane! That is with a 15 hp! We can plan at 20-25 knots with just two and the AB10vl and 15 hp, but add one more person and you are going 5 knots and cannot plane.

We really hate to take extra people in the dinghy as it just takes forever to get to shore, plus it is wetter and splashes more. It is best to ride your own dinghy and let the planing dinghies run...

If you can move up to the Yamaha 15 two stroke, I would recommend this. You can order it at Abaco Yacht Services in Green Turtle Cay and sail over to Abaco and pick it up. You can not buy this in the USA any more.

Hayden

Bob:

Congrats on your 380 decision. Great boat, fast boat. You will love it.

AS for the AB 10 vs the 9 footer, I would go with the 10 footer. I have ridden in the AB 9 and the I own the AB 10. There is obviously more room forward of the seat in the 10. This gives you more room for bags and groceries, etc. You never sit forward of the seat, that area is for gear and boarding. You will have more waterline length and she will run faster and smother.

I agree that the 15 2 stroke Yamaha is the best motor for these dinghies. We have one we bought in the Abacos when our 4 hp died. It has been running now for two years UNTOUCHED. We have not changed the spark plugs or the fuel filter (I will this month) in over two years! It starts on one pull every time. We nick named it "ONE PULL YAMMIE" it is fantastic. So if you are going to the Abacos, then I would wait for the motor of all motors and buy that there.

If you really want to spend the $$$$ look at the 10 foot AB Aluminum. That is THE BEST BY FAR. Due to the design of the floor and the V, she is deeper and when you sit inside on the tubes, your legs are more like in a chair position rather than on s low bench. It is amazing the differences between the 10 foot AL and the 10 foot Fiberglass. If I could do it again, I would buy the 10 foot Aluminum, hands down!

I actually want to move up the this 10 foot aluminum due to this deeper design, but my 10 foot AB fiberglass only has a trade in value at teh Annapolis MD dealer of $500-%1000 and the Aluminum model is $5,500!!!!!! so, I will keep my AB 10 foot fiberglass model for now. There is nothing wrong with it.

Go with the 10 footer AB, you will never wish it was smaller. It will fit just fine on your 380. Get the 15 yamaha two stroke and you will have a set up that is good for ten years+ You also will have a dinghy that runs at 25 knots and you can really cover some ground with that!

Hayden