Folding Bikes - Looking for some recommendations

I normally hang out in Road forum and occasionally lurk in the single and Fixed forum but I have been thinking of getting a folding bike. Here is what my usage will be.
Once a year we take our boat over the Bahamas for a week. We ride around this small island in golf carts which is the main means of transportation. I would much rather tool around on a folding bike. So it will be used just as a means of transportation and messing around. Roads are okay but not great. The island is a little hilly so a geared bike might be better.
The other usage will be when I go to visit my parents in Florida one week a year. I would use it for a little excercise and recreational riding around their neighborhood. I am looking to get two of them so my kids could take a ride with me and not fight over who gets to use the bike. The island does have rental bikes but they are in bad shape and we have the room to bring the folding bikes with us on the boat so I would rather buy them and use them back in Florida also. I have only seen the Giant Halfway in person. They are a little pricey for the amount of usage they will get.(A few boat trips and a few weeks per year in Florida) I see that Dahon has a D7 which is a little cheaper. Any recommendations would be welcome.
Thanks
Kenal0

I have three different makes of folders and some uprights. In my opinion, you probably get the most bang for the buck with a downtube. Lots of good folders out there, but for the money I don't know how you could beat a DT.

Thanks I will check them out.

Kenal0

Any of Dahon's 7 or 8 speed models would probably be fine; I've got a Speed P8. One thing to look out for on the lower end ones, like the Speed D7, is the fixed height handlebar, which puts the bars too high for shorter people like me. Then on the higher end ones, there's a proprietary type saddle. If you like it, great. If you don't, you have to change out the entire seatpost to put in a standard railed saddle. I still think Dahons are great value for money, though.

Xootr Swift might be worth looking at, if you can stretch your budget a little more. If you thought that the Giant was too expensive, then you probably won't want to spend the money for a Bike Friday, Brompton, or Birdy, or a customized Swift, but those are all good brands.

If you're only going to use the bike(s) for your holidays, I would suggest a Downtube. You want to have two folders, right? For 600 USD you can buy yourself 2 DT's, Dahons have the better components and are IMO better touring-bikes, but more expensive too. The DT is a little heavy, though.
It all depends on how much you'd like to spend.

I am going to try the DT's. I like the suspension and for the money they are hard to beat. These bikes are not going to be used every day so it is hard to justify spending a lot more just to kick around a little on vacation. The DT looks like it will meet my needs.
Thanks for the help
Kenal0

"These bikes are not going to be used every day so it is hard to justify spending a lot"

Be careful:D .......Like you I'm a road and single speed rider...I bought a Bike Friday last year and I now have 4 folders....My road bikes are collecting dust in the garage....

Those Bike Fridays look really nice!!! I like the fact that you can get a folder that is pretty close to a nice road bike that fits in a suitcase.
So many bikes and so little time ride. I got the classic Schwinn bug last summer and now have a nice Continental, Supersport and a LeTour. All in excellent condition. I have yet to ride them farther than down the block. I will get them out a little this summer on some casual rides with the kids.
The Air Friday looks really nice but I would settle for a Pocket Pilot if I had too.
I also want a Ti Flyte to go along with my SR2.
So many bikes to buy!!!!!!!

What boat you got ? Sailboat ( need another hand ? ) or Stinkboat ( lol ..... I dont mean it THAT bad ..)

Sailboat : every gram is important as you well know. You also want to look for a bike which has a lot of stainless steel, and less complicated the better. Better components usually do much better in salty humid conditions. Frozen brake shifter cables, rusted bolts and hinges, headsets and other bearings and so forth.....

my pick .. Dahon Speed 8

Thor
my pick has to be of course as I am a Dahon dealer :-)

We have a 60' Bertram(Stinkpot). Deepsea fishing, bonefishing, and hanging out on the beach. That is all there is to do where we go. I am trying to add a little excercise into the mix with the bikes. I did think of the saltwater so I figure will have to cleans and store them properly when not in use.
Kenal0

Since you are mostly planning to take your folders in a boat and around the seaside, I would look at the Dahon Mariner 20" inch wheel size. It has seven speeds, already rust resistant even with a steel cro-mo frame, and at it's attractive price, you could easilly spring for 2 of them at the same time.