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Right now, the boat I like would be the Zodiac Futura with a 25 to 40 horse engine. The HD version with the aluminum floor. This is a fast and capable boat especially if outfitted with steering and seating.
I have owned Achilles, Avon and now a Novurania Cancuro 420. I find non-rigid boats better for all around use and they can be left assembled on a trailer or broken down and stored away in winter. IMO a boat of 14 feet plus or minus with a 25 horse Yamaha two stroke would be a top contender. Look at the Bombard Commando line up, the Zodiac Futura and Grande Raid, Novurania GS 420 (ex Cancuro) etc come to mind. All of these boats have either wooden or aluminum floors and either inflatedable V keels or rigid (wood) V keels. Hypalon is better than PVC/plastic/Decitex but some brands like Zodiac use plastic with good success (now more than in the past--better bonding processes and materials progress).
Given that resale is not a strong suit of these boats I would not invest in large (over 16 foot) rigids (RIBs). In that size range you might as well get a glass boat, better resale and more room foot for foot and in some brands of glass boats equally unsinkable or more so. JMO. I would outift it with a small chartplotter/GPS, handheld waterproof VHF, anchor and a tow line for drifting and a trailer. See the sailboat diving thread, we just had a small discusion of using inflatables from sailing yahts as dive tenders.
In a glass boat I like DriDek to protect the floor, in a "rubber" boat I find outdoor carpet to be my friend. Custom cut it, sew the edges, use marine snaps to secure to the floor.
Blowup boats are light enough they do not need powerful anchors, I have had good success with small mushroom anchors of 8 pounds, eight feet of chain and anchor rode to provide about 4 to 1 scope. We have often just drifted with the boat, not anchored, I carry the line (without anchor)
Folding grapples work well also, 6 to 8 pounds. Use 3/8 inch nylon twisted rode, line and anchor go in a bucket in the front. Tanks lay across the bottom pre rigged. You will need a rope ladder to boost yourself back in. If you think you will run at speed then secure the tanks with a strap.
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