Hi. I've had a Hunter 33 for 2 seasons now, which I've used mainly as a daysailer on Long Island Sound. This season, I plan to do some cruising, and feel I need a dinghy. The local West Marine is encouraging a 9.5' RIB (about $2000) with a Merc 9.9hp (also around $2000) to be used as a towbehind. I'm sure that would be great, but of course, I don't want to spend that much. Any suggestions? Is there a market for quality used dinghies (safety first, of course)? I alway appreciate hearing ideas from more experienced sailors. Thanks.
Dinghy shopping
- Thread starter birnbaumr
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We have 2 dingys, we have trouble with the inflatables and coral, so we use the watertender from WM or Boaters World, not self bailing though with a 5 HP Nissan, and yes it will plane, my favorite is a used 9 ft Boston Whaler Squall self bailing, easy towing and doubles as a sailboat for my grandkids in the lagoon, we use a 2hp Honda on it and keep it on the stern rail when underway.
Prices
Seems to me like West Marine is starting you off at the top of the heap. Lots and lots of dinghys available for far less money than that. And the HP they are pushing is over the top, unless of course you want to take the kids tubing behind it. That 9.9 is going to be a four stroke, and it is going to be pretty heavy on and off the boat. I have an 8' inflatable, that I purchased new for around 700 bucks, and a 2 hp Suzuki I bought used for under 200. A lot of it depends on what you want to use your dink for. If it's primarily to get from the boat to the beach, and a little exploring you don't need a RIB and you don't need a 9.9hp motor. A good friend of mine has an inflatable keel dink, with a 3.5 Merc. that seems to be the best of both worlds, unless of course you have to worry about coral and stuff like that.
Seems to me like West Marine is starting you off at the top of the heap. Lots and lots of dinghys available for far less money than that. And the HP they are pushing is over the top, unless of course you want to take the kids tubing behind it. That 9.9 is going to be a four stroke, and it is going to be pretty heavy on and off the boat. I have an 8' inflatable, that I purchased new for around 700 bucks, and a 2 hp Suzuki I bought used for under 200. A lot of it depends on what you want to use your dink for. If it's primarily to get from the boat to the beach, and a little exploring you don't need a RIB and you don't need a 9.9hp motor. A good friend of mine has an inflatable keel dink, with a 3.5 Merc. that seems to be the best of both worlds, unless of course you have to worry about coral and stuff like that.
New dinghies and the requisite motors can be expensive. My experience is that if you look around the local marinas, you can almost always find someone advertizing a used dinghy and motor, many of which are in good condition. Right now, in the dead of winter, there are a few such combinations being advertized at my marina by folks wanting to go bigger, smaller, hard, soft, etc...
There is also the annual spring Defender sale at which they have the largest selection of dinghies I've ever seen in one place usually at very competitive prices.
There is also the annual spring Defender sale at which they have the largest selection of dinghies I've ever seen in one place usually at very competitive prices.
Craig's List
Why don't you check out Craigslist - www.craigslist.org? It's a great place for used everything from baby clothes to tools to boating stuff. They list geographically. We got our dinghy, a like-new outboard, a spinnaker pole, and you name it off it.
Why don't you check out Craigslist - www.craigslist.org? It's a great place for used everything from baby clothes to tools to boating stuff. They list geographically. We got our dinghy, a like-new outboard, a spinnaker pole, and you name it off it.
Craigslist is a good choice, but buyer beware, some of the listings there are less than honest. 
You really need to consider how large a dinghy you really need. A 9.5' dinghy on a 33' is pretty big. And remember towing it isn't always an option.
Defender's spring sale, in April IIRC, is usually a good place to shop as well.
You really need to consider how large a dinghy you really need. A 9.5' dinghy on a 33' is pretty big. And remember towing it isn't always an option.
Defender's spring sale, in April IIRC, is usually a good place to shop as well.
Dingy size and cruising
Hi birnbaumr
Size does matter, as does how you envision using the dingy. I have found that my 8' 8-ball row boat to work for transporting a family of 5 (two trips) to and from shore and provisioning the boat on a long cruise. It tows well and I have stowed it on davits behind a 30' Catalina. The davits did their issues though when docking and obstructing the view to the rear.
I have to agree with Ross too. A stitch and glue dingy can be constructed for less than $300. That is including oars, a mast, boom, hardware, dagger board and rudder in addition to the hull. With the addition of a sail rig you have some serious distance covering ability and lots of fun for the kids.
I also find motors over rated. Equipped with a proper set of oars it does not take much longer to get to shore with oars. I would note that they are much lighter, don't require gas, and always start on the first try. I store mine in my aft cabin on the wall like a shotgun.
Hi birnbaumr
Size does matter, as does how you envision using the dingy. I have found that my 8' 8-ball row boat to work for transporting a family of 5 (two trips) to and from shore and provisioning the boat on a long cruise. It tows well and I have stowed it on davits behind a 30' Catalina. The davits did their issues though when docking and obstructing the view to the rear.
I have to agree with Ross too. A stitch and glue dingy can be constructed for less than $300. That is including oars, a mast, boom, hardware, dagger board and rudder in addition to the hull. With the addition of a sail rig you have some serious distance covering ability and lots of fun for the kids.
I also find motors over rated. Equipped with a proper set of oars it does not take much longer to get to shore with oars. I would note that they are much lighter, don't require gas, and always start on the first try. I store mine in my aft cabin on the wall like a shotgun.
You don't
You really don't need a 10hp motor on a dinghy! It will just be expensive, heavy and slow down the big boat. Unless you absolutely, possitively must plane then I suggest buying the smallest & lightest 2-3 hp motor you can find..
Any of the 2-3hp motors will push an inflatable along just fine. Of the current small motors the Suzuki is a fine option weighing in at under 30 lbs and liquid cooled. My personal preference would be a used two stroke but they are getting very hard to find used and people are charging a premium because they know what they have..
You need to decide between a RIB and a soft bottom. Soft bottoms are much less money. Defender always has incredible deals on inflatables and they sell the Mercury line which is priced very competitively.
If you want it to last a while you should consider buying Hypalon over PVC.. My AB 8-VL is now 7 seasons old and shows virtually zero signs of aging. I have topped it up with air exactly once per season in the early spring..
You really don't need a 10hp motor on a dinghy! It will just be expensive, heavy and slow down the big boat. Unless you absolutely, possitively must plane then I suggest buying the smallest & lightest 2-3 hp motor you can find..
Any of the 2-3hp motors will push an inflatable along just fine. Of the current small motors the Suzuki is a fine option weighing in at under 30 lbs and liquid cooled. My personal preference would be a used two stroke but they are getting very hard to find used and people are charging a premium because they know what they have..
You need to decide between a RIB and a soft bottom. Soft bottoms are much less money. Defender always has incredible deals on inflatables and they sell the Mercury line which is priced very competitively.
If you want it to last a while you should consider buying Hypalon over PVC.. My AB 8-VL is now 7 seasons old and shows virtually zero signs of aging. I have topped it up with air exactly once per season in the early spring..
What's wrong with a 10' RIB with a 15 hp motor. When I stop for the night, I like to go fast, which this one does. Some guys even pull a centre console RIB with a 40 hp. Speed of the sailboat is affected, but not enough to be a concern when cruising.
Granted, up here, we mostly sail in more protected water, not out into the main part of Georgian Bay and definitely not on the ocean or ocean swells. A lot of the sail boats tow a dinghy to avoid the hassle of pulling the motor off and pulling up the dinghy or installing davits.
This was one of the times we headed out into the main part of the Bay.
Some guys even pull a centre console RIB with a 40 hp. Speed of the sailboat is affected, but not enough to be a concern when cruising.Granted, up here, we mostly sail in more protected water, not out into the main part of Georgian Bay and definitely not on the ocean or ocean swells. A lot of the sail boats tow a dinghy to avoid the hassle of pulling the motor off and pulling up the dinghy or installing davits.
This was one of the times we headed out into the main part of the Bay.
What's wrong with a 10' RIB with a 15 hp motor. When I stop for the night, I like to go fast, which this one does.
I think many cruisers who've spent 2k+ on folding/feathering props might argue the drag on boat speed is a non issue...
Of course, when you're sailing in light and variable winds, the drag of a towed dinghy is really going to show...
Anyone have words about PortaBote? Looks like a pretty good option instead of the RIB's or inflatibles? http://www.porta-bote.com/
Ditto Craigs List
I have recently found many good lisitngs on Craigslist. In fact, I just purchased an early 90's 8HP Johnson at a great price from a dealer that I found on Craigslist. The reason for the extra HP is to let my son have some fun while on the hook.
I have recently found many good lisitngs on Craigslist. In fact, I just purchased an early 90's 8HP Johnson at a great price from a dealer that I found on Craigslist. The reason for the extra HP is to let my son have some fun while on the hook.
I also suggest building a stitch and glue dinghy. I entend to build one, that can be sailed, rowed and motored, in time for this coming season.
If you are not sure if you ahve the skills don't worry, they are easy to build and require the simplest of tools. Basic carpentry skills will be more than enough to get you through the build.
I have a few pages onmy website that would help you decide. One has links to free plans and a some that you can pay for(http://www.sailingandsuch.com/construction.htm). Another has links to alot of websites that show the construction of these little dinghies(http://www.sailingandsuch.com/sailboat-plans.htm).
They provide hours of fun and would be grat conversation pieces!
If you are not sure if you ahve the skills don't worry, they are easy to build and require the simplest of tools. Basic carpentry skills will be more than enough to get you through the build.
I have a few pages onmy website that would help you decide. One has links to free plans and a some that you can pay for(http://www.sailingandsuch.com/construction.htm). Another has links to alot of websites that show the construction of these little dinghies(http://www.sailingandsuch.com/sailboat-plans.htm).
They provide hours of fun and would be grat conversation pieces!
Inflatable floor dingy
I have a 10" Zodiac I got used for $400 and a 3 HP 4 stroke OB for $700 new. The boat weighs 80 lb and the motor 40lb. Instead of towing, roll it up put it on the deck and mount the motor on the stern rail. You'll have no drag. You won't plane. but you don't have to row either.
If you want to keep it inflated put a set of davits on the stern and you have it made. The light weight of the motor makes it a breeze to move it from the stern rail to mount it on the dink.
When you are not using the boat deflate it and keep it in the garage. That way you don't have to worry about storage, or sun damage.
I have a 10" Zodiac I got used for $400 and a 3 HP 4 stroke OB for $700 new. The boat weighs 80 lb and the motor 40lb. Instead of towing, roll it up put it on the deck and mount the motor on the stern rail. You'll have no drag. You won't plane. but you don't have to row either.
If you want to keep it inflated put a set of davits on the stern and you have it made. The light weight of the motor makes it a breeze to move it from the stern rail to mount it on the dink.
When you are not using the boat deflate it and keep it in the garage. That way you don't have to worry about storage, or sun damage.
I think many cruisers who've spent 2k+ on folding/feathering props might argue the drag on boat speed is a non issue...
But the 1.5 knot gain from the prop outweighs the half knot drag from towing a RIB that will plane as you tow it.
Of course if the dinghy's on board you can't pull it up behind you and launch the kids into it to take pictures of your boat while sailing.
I wish I could find a prop which produces a 1.5 knot gain when feathered/folded or for that matter, a dinghy that creates only a 0.5 knot drag. I think you may have transposed the numbers ScottBut the 1.5 knot gain from the prop outweighs the half knot drag from towing a RIB that will plane as you tow it.
I can Rx the stitch & glue plywood dignys from Instant Boats. I built a Peanut Pram about eight years ago and it has been a pleasure. First it was fun to build and I'm no craftsman. It tows beautifully even in rough water. Can plane with a 3.5 outboard de jour but scoots along almost as fast using almost no gas at 1/2 power. It rows easily and its often my favorite way to propel. I do suggest adding a keel to impove directional stability. It can sail although I didn't build it for that because I didn't want to carry the rig and centerboard with me. It only carries two adults and a bag of groceries 'though. No worries about coral.
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