Buying a Dinghy

[Steverhnm]

OK, so it's time I buy a new Dinghy for my boat. Tired of patching, tired of leaking water, tired of a crappy floor and besides, the one that came with the boat is too small. I am thinking around 10.8 feet. I am thinking this would work for 2 people and gear, maybe 4 for general transportation. They are pretty important in the Sea of Cortez because of getting to shore and visiting other boats at anchor. Always anchoring... I am also looking at inflatables on Ebay and this one brand keeps popping up that has my interest. Has anyone purchased a "Bris Marine" PVC dinghy? http://stores.ebay.com/brismarina?_trksid=p2047675.l2563#&panel1-3

It's about $850 with no shipping costs. I just don't have 3 grand for a better model. I will only use it 2-3 times a year in Mexico for now, maybe 2 weeks at a time. But I need something dependable that's not a piece of junk. I am also looking for suggestions. Buying a used dinghy and paying for shipping will just get me someone else's troubles. There are no decent used dinghys in New Mexico. At least with something new I will have a period of no hassles. At least that is what I was hoping.

So does anyone have experience with this brand? Do you have a better suggestion?
Thanks, and Happy New Year to everyone.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

<--- STILL looking for decent fiberglass 8' dink, not new but lightly-to-moderately-used. Reliable fiberglass row-only dinghies are getting way too rare - you can spend $2400 on something like a Fatty Knees with full sailing rig or else buy the stripped-down model with a daggerboard trunk and rudder gudgeons you're never going to use for well more than half that. I almost had the chance to start making these myself till I found the American Sail 'Dink' (https://americansail.com/products/boats/the-dinks) which is my current favorite. If anyone knows of affordable dinks of 8 ft or less, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Well there is always the DIY option. Stitch and glue construction only requires that you be able to cut out 1/4" ply, mix epoxy, sand things smooth, and apply fiber glass to the out side. I've had my "8-ball" sailing, rowing, motoring (5 hp max) dingy for a bunch of years now and love it. Rows easy, sails great, and only weighs in at 90 lb. Took a few weekends to make and this was my first attempt at building a boat.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Oh yea, it only cost about $300 if you don't want to sail it. The sail hardware was the biggest cost and made the price jump to around $500

 

[BigEasy]

Steve,
I bought a West Marine compact RIB-310. Has a fiberglass floor; I am not sure of the manufacturer. The transom folds down to make the dinghy somewhat portable. Comes with a zippered nylon storage cover. You can get one on sale in the spring for about $1600 with free shipping to the store. I purchased an overhead hoist and keep it stored in my garage, suspended from the ceiling and out of the way, when I am not using it. No, its not hypalon; however, I think it is well made for the price.

 

[williamtl]

Big Easy,

Did you have plans to work from?

 

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[jssailem]

Big Easy,
Did you have plans to work from?

William, I think Big Easy bought the boat at WM. The garage hoist is rope, pulleys, and a couple of stout beams in the garage.

If your talking about the DYI boat that Bill made, there are plans available for all sorts of dories. You might try the "Wooden Boat" mag. They sell plans. Or web search. There is an old dory called an El Toro that has cruised behind and sailed around many bigger sail boats.

 

[williamtl]

John, thanks. I was indeed referring to the post by Bill.

 

[jssailem]

 

[Gunni]

The West Marine 310 RIB is a great boat for your application. It is made under contract by Zodiac and they also said sell a version of this stout little folding transom RIB. For a 36ft boat it is all you need and will bag up and easily lash to your foredeck. Weighs about 90 lbs, one of the lightest RIBs out there. I had one that lasted 14 years with proper care (keep it clean and coated with a UV protectant like 303 ). Keep it bagged and upside down when not in use.

 

[Newport Bob]

Suggest you look at boatstogo.com
I currently have the Azzurro Mare, it comes with a velcroed on cover for the pontoons ( top half all the way around). Protects from sun damage. I am very satisfied with the quality. Now 4 years old, including a trip down the ICW. And the cover is replaceable for ~$100.
Prior to that had the Saturn, also happy with that. Replaced it to get larger size.

 

[shemandr]

I built a 7' stitch and glue pram from plans. It is much stronger than you would imagine. I bent it nearly in half lengthwise while leaving a dock and it just sprang back. But, I'd have to say a 10' version might be a bit heavy. I can carry the 7' by myself which is nice. I could also shove it in the back of my Explorer and then Pacifica but it wouldn't fit all the way in. It towed very easily. I would also skip the sailing gear and I might set up a sculling oars rather than oars. That's just more clutter to carry around. A 3.5 motor de jour weighs 27 lbs. and has a self contained gas tank.
If anyone does this build I highly suggest an "I" shaped seat setup. You then trim weight fore and aft which is a big plus.