>Before commiting to an inflatable-floor dink at 80 lbs., look at the Force4 >aluminum-floor units.... For what it's worth, I just saw a dinghy on the back of a boat that made me do a double take when I realized what it was -- really cool. The owner told me that it's a regular Zodiac, and not a high end model. It looks like a normal inflatable with a rigid floor, but the floor is clear rigid plastic with a vee shape. You can see the fish, etc., through it. He told me that he's had it for several years and scratching hasn't been a problem. Scratches to the underside aren't visible when the boat is in the water he tells me, and he's managed to keep the inside from getting scratched though he doesn't take excessive care of it. Apparently the floor can be replaced if necessary, but he has never had to do so. The owner told me that it's really great for the grand kids, etc. Much better than the glass bottom bucket. You can see through the bottom up to 5 or 6 mph he estimated before there's enough turbulence and bubbles to obscure the view. Given that I live in Florida and that the Bahamas are close, this is definitely the next dinghy that I would buy. But then my Achilles is 15 years old and still going so I'm unlikely to be in the market soon.... Bill Martin m/v Telegraph Hill