Trying to decide on what kind of dinghy one mught get for a boat his size and where to put it? Any suggestions? I guess an inflatable with a 3-5hp outboard stored on the railing somewhere? I don't think the transom locker is large enough to hold an inflatable of any size.... help???
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Jon Bastien
Inflatable dinghy use...
The type of inflatable dink you buy should be based on how you plan to use it. If you're only going to use it for occasional trips to shore, and won't really carry any loads or large numbers of people, a smallish roll-up dinghy (slat floored) will do nicely- and will be pretty easy to store/assemble. If you're planning on living aboard, on a mooring, you'll need something with a solid floor; hard to store, but will hold ANYTHING and withstand abuse fairly well. If you're looking for good performance in a small package, consider a High Pressure Inflatable Floor (HPIF) model; just don't expect to drop an anchor into it without damaging it... These are easiest to store/assemble as the transom is the only 'solid' part. There are also the RIB's, but my opinion is that you should only consider these if you have davits to hang them on. There are pros and cons to each type of dinghy; You have to find the balance of price vs performance vs utility that works for you. There's a great write-up in the West Marine catalog about making this decision. Also, I'd recommend talking to the folks at your local marine hardware stores, and other boaters in your area, to find out more about their preferences and usage. Personally, I have a West Marine SB-285 inflatable (plywood floor with an inflatable 'keel'). I felt this was the best compromise between agility, utility, stowability, and price for my budget and needs. As I keep my H25 on a mooring, I must use the dinghy to haul all supplies and bodies to the boat when we want to go sailing... and this boat will deflate to a size small enough to stow in the quarterberth. I power this dinghy with a 3.5 Tohatsu, and it will plane as long as I am the only person in the boat! ;o) The boat will take up to 8HP. Good luck on you quest for the right dink... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
The type of inflatable dink you buy should be based on how you plan to use it. If you're only going to use it for occasional trips to shore, and won't really carry any loads or large numbers of people, a smallish roll-up dinghy (slat floored) will do nicely- and will be pretty easy to store/assemble. If you're planning on living aboard, on a mooring, you'll need something with a solid floor; hard to store, but will hold ANYTHING and withstand abuse fairly well. If you're looking for good performance in a small package, consider a High Pressure Inflatable Floor (HPIF) model; just don't expect to drop an anchor into it without damaging it... These are easiest to store/assemble as the transom is the only 'solid' part. There are also the RIB's, but my opinion is that you should only consider these if you have davits to hang them on. There are pros and cons to each type of dinghy; You have to find the balance of price vs performance vs utility that works for you. There's a great write-up in the West Marine catalog about making this decision. Also, I'd recommend talking to the folks at your local marine hardware stores, and other boaters in your area, to find out more about their preferences and usage. Personally, I have a West Marine SB-285 inflatable (plywood floor with an inflatable 'keel'). I felt this was the best compromise between agility, utility, stowability, and price for my budget and needs. As I keep my H25 on a mooring, I must use the dinghy to haul all supplies and bodies to the boat when we want to go sailing... and this boat will deflate to a size small enough to stow in the quarterberth. I power this dinghy with a 3.5 Tohatsu, and it will plane as long as I am the only person in the boat! ;o) The boat will take up to 8HP. Good luck on you quest for the right dink... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Jons right on point.
Jon is correct about the type of usage that you will be using the dink. I personally have a RIB. There is no comparison as far as getting some where very fast, dry and stable. The problem with the RIB is they a quite a bit heavier than the softbottom units. They tow well but you need a bigger engine on them to get the performance out of the unit. Unless you have a large boat with a large foredeck or davits then you must tow it. Now this will also slow you down considerably. I think that the inflatable floor or one with slates and a four stroke engine is the way to go. The next thing to consider after you have decided on the type of inflatable is the material that it is made of. If you get fuel on the fabric of a PVC unit it will get sticky and you will not be a happy camper. I really recommend that you go with a hypalon unit. There are several good units out there with Avon always being the prefered unit, but Achilles, AB, Caribe and many other make excellent products at affordable prices. The hypalon units will last for many years even if you leave them out in the sun all the time. PVC will deteriorate from the sun and chemicals. They are also not as resistant to abrasion. Something to consider if you have a pet aboard. I had several QuickSilver units and they were not worth half of what I paid for them. They would be fine for someone that keeps it stored until they use it but other than that I would never consider another one for my money. Lots of things to consider, including budget.
Jon is correct about the type of usage that you will be using the dink. I personally have a RIB. There is no comparison as far as getting some where very fast, dry and stable. The problem with the RIB is they a quite a bit heavier than the softbottom units. They tow well but you need a bigger engine on them to get the performance out of the unit. Unless you have a large boat with a large foredeck or davits then you must tow it. Now this will also slow you down considerably. I think that the inflatable floor or one with slates and a four stroke engine is the way to go. The next thing to consider after you have decided on the type of inflatable is the material that it is made of. If you get fuel on the fabric of a PVC unit it will get sticky and you will not be a happy camper. I really recommend that you go with a hypalon unit. There are several good units out there with Avon always being the prefered unit, but Achilles, AB, Caribe and many other make excellent products at affordable prices. The hypalon units will last for many years even if you leave them out in the sun all the time. PVC will deteriorate from the sun and chemicals. They are also not as resistant to abrasion. Something to consider if you have a pet aboard. I had several QuickSilver units and they were not worth half of what I paid for them. They would be fine for someone that keeps it stored until they use it but other than that I would never consider another one for my money. Lots of things to consider, including budget.
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Doug
Inflatable floor
We have the Zodiak 10-6 with the high pressure inflatable floor (around $1600)and have been happy with it.It takes 8hp to plane but we just use a 4stroke 4hp yamaha unit that stores in our locker (hate motors on my rail). We tow the boat. Towing can slow you down. Believe it or not, there is a right way to tow that GREATLY effects the drag created. You need to let out enough tow line so that the aft half of your dink is "surfing" down your boats 2nd wave just in front of the "crest". If you let out just any amount you may be pulling your dink "up" a wave in your wake. Try pulling on the line and you will see a dramatic difference in drag that will translate to a loss of a couple knots dependind on conditions and your boats wake. Good luck. Doug
We have the Zodiak 10-6 with the high pressure inflatable floor (around $1600)and have been happy with it.It takes 8hp to plane but we just use a 4stroke 4hp yamaha unit that stores in our locker (hate motors on my rail). We tow the boat. Towing can slow you down. Believe it or not, there is a right way to tow that GREATLY effects the drag created. You need to let out enough tow line so that the aft half of your dink is "surfing" down your boats 2nd wave just in front of the "crest". If you let out just any amount you may be pulling your dink "up" a wave in your wake. Try pulling on the line and you will see a dramatic difference in drag that will translate to a loss of a couple knots dependind on conditions and your boats wake. Good luck. Doug
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Jon Bastien
Draggin' a Dinghy
Wow, I never thought much about the drag created by towing... I just got used to losing all that speed when towing. I'll have to try the 'surf' method! Thanks, Doug! --Jon
Wow, I never thought much about the drag created by towing... I just got used to losing all that speed when towing. I'll have to try the 'surf' method! Thanks, Doug! --Jon
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Bryan C
Dinghy
Previous posts covered the issues. I went for portability and price and bought a WM-RU260. I love it for what I need cuz its so easy. It was cheap (850), its light (<40 lbs), slat-floored that rolls up to about 1'x1.5'x4'; cake to set up and store, holds 4 people/880lbs and 4 hp engine. Downs -- PVC; not a go-fast model -- but gets me to shore just fine. For light, occassional use, its great. With 27lb 3.5 Nissan I can set it up and mount it single-handed without halyards etc. or breaking my back. Big issue, are you going to keep the dink inflated or do you want to keep it deflated except when needed? Where are you going to store it? If you don't plan on keeping in inflated, that rules out RIBs (can't roll em) and I would also elimate plywood floor models, because they are a PAIN in the ass to set up and break down. Also, hard-floored models weigh over 100lbs. Pulling one of those on board or onto the dock is not fun. That leaves air-floors or slat floors as the only practical alternative. If bucks are not an issue, the air-floor will give you better performance than a slat floor and still has relatively less weight, good portability and easy setup. I went with the West 260 model cuz I'm cheap and I don't use the dink that often, and I keep it rolled up most the time in my dock box or lazarette. When I need it I just pick it up (comes with a bag) and single handed carry it on the boat and throw it on the foredeck. Try doing that with a RIB! Blow it up on deck, and single handed throw it in the water (hint hold on to painter first). Try that with a 150lb ply floor. The 260 is PVC, but you'd have to stab it with a knife to puncture it, I wash off any spills and don't leave it out in the sun for months on end. At $850 I could buy about 3 of them compared to some air-floors. Finally, at 37 lbs, it tows like nothing.
Previous posts covered the issues. I went for portability and price and bought a WM-RU260. I love it for what I need cuz its so easy. It was cheap (850), its light (<40 lbs), slat-floored that rolls up to about 1'x1.5'x4'; cake to set up and store, holds 4 people/880lbs and 4 hp engine. Downs -- PVC; not a go-fast model -- but gets me to shore just fine. For light, occassional use, its great. With 27lb 3.5 Nissan I can set it up and mount it single-handed without halyards etc. or breaking my back. Big issue, are you going to keep the dink inflated or do you want to keep it deflated except when needed? Where are you going to store it? If you don't plan on keeping in inflated, that rules out RIBs (can't roll em) and I would also elimate plywood floor models, because they are a PAIN in the ass to set up and break down. Also, hard-floored models weigh over 100lbs. Pulling one of those on board or onto the dock is not fun. That leaves air-floors or slat floors as the only practical alternative. If bucks are not an issue, the air-floor will give you better performance than a slat floor and still has relatively less weight, good portability and easy setup. I went with the West 260 model cuz I'm cheap and I don't use the dink that often, and I keep it rolled up most the time in my dock box or lazarette. When I need it I just pick it up (comes with a bag) and single handed carry it on the boat and throw it on the foredeck. Try doing that with a RIB! Blow it up on deck, and single handed throw it in the water (hint hold on to painter first). Try that with a 150lb ply floor. The 260 is PVC, but you'd have to stab it with a knife to puncture it, I wash off any spills and don't leave it out in the sun for months on end. At $850 I could buy about 3 of them compared to some air-floors. Finally, at 37 lbs, it tows like nothing.
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Kent
re: Dinghey for 320
Greg, I bought an Achilles 10'4" inflatable floor with a Mecury 4hp 4 stroke outboard for my 23.5 and will transfer it to my new 320 which is supposed to arrive in September. Towed it for inshore cruiseing with the 23.5 and will probably do the same with the 320. For offshore jumps or the bigger water, intend to defalte and carry onboard. The Achilles is an all Hypalon dinghy which is what swayed me in that direction.
Greg, I bought an Achilles 10'4" inflatable floor with a Mecury 4hp 4 stroke outboard for my 23.5 and will transfer it to my new 320 which is supposed to arrive in September. Towed it for inshore cruiseing with the 23.5 and will probably do the same with the 320. For offshore jumps or the bigger water, intend to defalte and carry onboard. The Achilles is an all Hypalon dinghy which is what swayed me in that direction.
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Bryan C.
Kent how do you like the dink?
I'd appreciate your comments re performance, stability, handling, stowability, and storability. Thanks.
I'd appreciate your comments re performance, stability, handling, stowability, and storability. Thanks.
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Kent
Reply to Bryan C.
Bryan, Performance: With the 4hp it will plane with one person, not with two. I really don't go that far with it and I try to never get in a hurry. It is rated at 1,078 lbs capacity so it will carry four. Max hp is 10. Stability: It is extremely stable. The only qualifier I would have is that it is my first inflatable so I don't have a lot to compare to other than the hard dinks I have owned in the past. You can just plop down anywhere you like without fear of flipping it. Handling: With the inflatable keel it rows better than most. It is a little difficult to get used to a boat this light when it planes. It gets a little squiggally. Stowability - Storeability: When it is deflated, it fits in its' own case that is a little wider than the plywood transom and about 18" tall. It is sitting in the corner of my bedroom right now. It should ride nicely right in front of the companionway on the 320 without obstructing the view too much. When coasting, I'll either put davits on the boat or tow it. It only takes about 15 mins to pump it up with the foot pump. Hope that answers most of the questions. Kent Arriving soon: s/v Giggles
Bryan, Performance: With the 4hp it will plane with one person, not with two. I really don't go that far with it and I try to never get in a hurry. It is rated at 1,078 lbs capacity so it will carry four. Max hp is 10. Stability: It is extremely stable. The only qualifier I would have is that it is my first inflatable so I don't have a lot to compare to other than the hard dinks I have owned in the past. You can just plop down anywhere you like without fear of flipping it. Handling: With the inflatable keel it rows better than most. It is a little difficult to get used to a boat this light when it planes. It gets a little squiggally. Stowability - Storeability: When it is deflated, it fits in its' own case that is a little wider than the plywood transom and about 18" tall. It is sitting in the corner of my bedroom right now. It should ride nicely right in front of the companionway on the 320 without obstructing the view too much. When coasting, I'll either put davits on the boat or tow it. It only takes about 15 mins to pump it up with the foot pump. Hope that answers most of the questions. Kent Arriving soon: s/v Giggles
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Jon Bastien
Another thought...
I didn't mention this earlier, but if you're trying to save a few $$ on your dink, you can sometimes find a 'refurbished' one (i.e., patched by the customer svc center) at the West Marine Web page. I bought my SB-285 for about $400 cheaper than the store price by using their auction system; The boat arrived at my doorstep a week later with a small patch in the floor (not even in one of the inflatable chambers- Just the floor). There are also a bunch of PVC inflatables available through the WWW; Yahoo has auctions and classifieds galore with these items. My original plan was to buy a roll-up hypalon dinghy (fit my budget, would have managed other tasks), but I've found that the hard floor model meets my needs a bit better. I was able to purchase the hard floor in near-new condition, with a warranty, for the price of a roll-up. Bryan C is right about one thing- it's a real PITA to set up the hard floor model when you don't have a big flat space to work in. I've found it's easiest for me to put in just enough air to make it float, throw it in the water, wedge in the floorboards, and then finish inflating while it's in the water. Also, the weight is an issue; my dink weighs in at about 100 Lbs (when there's no water under the floorboards- Like that ever happens! ;o). Again, good luck in your search... --Jon Bastien
I didn't mention this earlier, but if you're trying to save a few $$ on your dink, you can sometimes find a 'refurbished' one (i.e., patched by the customer svc center) at the West Marine Web page. I bought my SB-285 for about $400 cheaper than the store price by using their auction system; The boat arrived at my doorstep a week later with a small patch in the floor (not even in one of the inflatable chambers- Just the floor). There are also a bunch of PVC inflatables available through the WWW; Yahoo has auctions and classifieds galore with these items. My original plan was to buy a roll-up hypalon dinghy (fit my budget, would have managed other tasks), but I've found that the hard floor model meets my needs a bit better. I was able to purchase the hard floor in near-new condition, with a warranty, for the price of a roll-up. Bryan C is right about one thing- it's a real PITA to set up the hard floor model when you don't have a big flat space to work in. I've found it's easiest for me to put in just enough air to make it float, throw it in the water, wedge in the floorboards, and then finish inflating while it's in the water. Also, the weight is an issue; my dink weighs in at about 100 Lbs (when there's no water under the floorboards- Like that ever happens! ;o). Again, good luck in your search... --Jon Bastien
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Bryan C.
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Bob Petersen
How about a non inflatable
Have you looked a the Porta-boat. Folds to 4 in by 24 in by the length either 8 10 or 12. The 12 foot weights in a just under 70 lbs. Bob Petersen Zippidee Du
Have you looked a the Porta-boat. Folds to 4 in by 24 in by the length either 8 10 or 12. The 12 foot weights in a just under 70 lbs. Bob Petersen Zippidee Du
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Eric F
Try hoops instead of dragging or deflating
I bought a Zodiac 9'4" with fiberglass floor, inflatible keel. The Mariner 8HP is more than adequate. I also recommend storing the dinghy on the transom in hoops. The dinghy slides into the hoops and rotates up against the aft rail. ~$150. I had to raise the hoops as they initially didn't keep the dinghy out of the water with the rail in the water on my Vision 32.
I bought a Zodiac 9'4" with fiberglass floor, inflatible keel. The Mariner 8HP is more than adequate. I also recommend storing the dinghy on the transom in hoops. The dinghy slides into the hoops and rotates up against the aft rail. ~$150. I had to raise the hoops as they initially didn't keep the dinghy out of the water with the rail in the water on my Vision 32.
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