We are currently looking for a dinghy for our H340 and have some concerns about what size to purchase and how much hassle it will be to store it on the foredeck (ie will it interfere with the headsail?) We would like to know what other H340 owners have purchased including any "must have" options and if they are happy with their purchase. We would also like to know how they store them on-board and if that has caused any dilemmas. Whatever we buy will have to cope with coral beaches !! We would greatly appreciate all feedback on this subject.
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Alan Orr
My dinghy
I've had them all, but the best is the folding Porta-Boat. I've had it for 8 years and I can't say one thing bad about it. It's light(60lbs),unsinkable, needs only a 3 or 4 hp motor to plane, and you can fold it and tie it to your lifelines. It also tows very easily and if it manages to hit your boat surfing down a big wave, no problem no damage!
I've had them all, but the best is the folding Porta-Boat. I've had it for 8 years and I can't say one thing bad about it. It's light(60lbs),unsinkable, needs only a 3 or 4 hp motor to plane, and you can fold it and tie it to your lifelines. It also tows very easily and if it manages to hit your boat surfing down a big wave, no problem no damage!
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Carl and Juliana Dupre
8 ft 6 in Zodiac
Hi, Gail. We purchased an 8 ft. 6 in. Zodiac inflatable for our H340 with foredeck storage as one of the selection criteria. We measured before buying and that model just fit on the foredeck; anything bigger won't fit. It did not interfere with the headsail, and there was just enough room to squeeze by to the anchor locker if we needed to. The 8 ft. 6 in. size we have found to be OK for 3 people, or 2 people and a dog, and that has worked for us; if you want/need to carry more, you need to think bigger. But after all that, in two seasons we have put the dink up on the foredeck only once; the very first sail to home harbor after delivery; ever since then we have towed. If we need to make this decision again, foredeck storage might not be a criteria. Think about it. Other issues. We got a model with an inflatable high-pressure floor. The HP floor is very rigid and secure, and we are so far very pleased with that. It is a 'roll-up' model, and deflating/carrying/storing is very easy. We got a straight PVC-based model instead of Hypalon. Hypalon is supposed to stand up to sun and weathering better, but it is significantly more expensive. With our 6-month New England season we decided to try PVC; if you sail in an area with a longer season and more intense sun you may want to go Hypalon. We have a towing bridle which we really like. The motor. We have a 4 HP, 4-stroke Yamaha. GREAT motor, but weight is an issue; it's a heavy motor to lift back-and-forth between the dink and the rail mount on the boat. Along with horsepower and 4-stroke versus 2-stroke, consider weight and handling. We are currently considering a Forespar collapsible motor lift. Good luck! Carl and Jule H340, s/v 'Syzygy'
Hi, Gail. We purchased an 8 ft. 6 in. Zodiac inflatable for our H340 with foredeck storage as one of the selection criteria. We measured before buying and that model just fit on the foredeck; anything bigger won't fit. It did not interfere with the headsail, and there was just enough room to squeeze by to the anchor locker if we needed to. The 8 ft. 6 in. size we have found to be OK for 3 people, or 2 people and a dog, and that has worked for us; if you want/need to carry more, you need to think bigger. But after all that, in two seasons we have put the dink up on the foredeck only once; the very first sail to home harbor after delivery; ever since then we have towed. If we need to make this decision again, foredeck storage might not be a criteria. Think about it. Other issues. We got a model with an inflatable high-pressure floor. The HP floor is very rigid and secure, and we are so far very pleased with that. It is a 'roll-up' model, and deflating/carrying/storing is very easy. We got a straight PVC-based model instead of Hypalon. Hypalon is supposed to stand up to sun and weathering better, but it is significantly more expensive. With our 6-month New England season we decided to try PVC; if you sail in an area with a longer season and more intense sun you may want to go Hypalon. We have a towing bridle which we really like. The motor. We have a 4 HP, 4-stroke Yamaha. GREAT motor, but weight is an issue; it's a heavy motor to lift back-and-forth between the dink and the rail mount on the boat. Along with horsepower and 4-stroke versus 2-stroke, consider weight and handling. We are currently considering a Forespar collapsible motor lift. Good luck! Carl and Jule H340, s/v 'Syzygy'
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Bob
Zodiac 8'6" also
I have the same zodiac as Carl and Juliana, but with the Merc 3.3 engine (28 lbs I believe). After 3 seasons with Zodiac and Merc, no regrets, no problems.
I have the same zodiac as Carl and Juliana, but with the Merc 3.3 engine (28 lbs I believe). After 3 seasons with Zodiac and Merc, no regrets, no problems.
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Miles
10' Achilles + inflatable kayak
Our 10' Achilles won't fit on the foredeck of the 340 so we end up towing it. We also have an inflatable kayak which is easy to deflate and store on board. As you know the 340 really doesn't have much storage space anywhere for a deflated dink. If I was going to do it again I'd consider a smaller one that could fit on the foredeck but what we have work pretty well. The kayak is great for overnight trips where you just want to get to shore and don't want to mess around with a dinghy. Good luck!
Our 10' Achilles won't fit on the foredeck of the 340 so we end up towing it. We also have an inflatable kayak which is easy to deflate and store on board. As you know the 340 really doesn't have much storage space anywhere for a deflated dink. If I was going to do it again I'd consider a smaller one that could fit on the foredeck but what we have work pretty well. The kayak is great for overnight trips where you just want to get to shore and don't want to mess around with a dinghy. Good luck!
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Houston Jones
H340 Dinghy
We have the 8' porta-bote for our 2000 H340. It sets up easy on the foredeck and slides easily over the side by un-attaching the forward lifelines. It stows well along the lifeline stanchions. It would be a good boat for possible coral encounters (hopefully only dead coral heads). The ride is good and the boat fairly stable but will only support about 360 lbs, good for two people, motor and some gear. We also have a sevylor 11' roll up inflatable with a motor mount if we need to haul more people. It rolls up and stores nicely in a back corner of the aft storage locker. The porta-bote rows very nicely as well. We have a 3HP 4 stroke honda which is light and powers the porta-bote fine. Houston Jones Luna-Sea H340
We have the 8' porta-bote for our 2000 H340. It sets up easy on the foredeck and slides easily over the side by un-attaching the forward lifelines. It stows well along the lifeline stanchions. It would be a good boat for possible coral encounters (hopefully only dead coral heads). The ride is good and the boat fairly stable but will only support about 360 lbs, good for two people, motor and some gear. We also have a sevylor 11' roll up inflatable with a motor mount if we need to haul more people. It rolls up and stores nicely in a back corner of the aft storage locker. The porta-bote rows very nicely as well. We have a 3HP 4 stroke honda which is light and powers the porta-bote fine. Houston Jones Luna-Sea H340
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Ed Ruiz
We have a 10'6" Pota-Bote
And like the 8' version can be kept strapped to two lifeline stanchions, and rows nicely. Since it's a bit larger it can hold three adults and gear, plus it can support a 5 HP outboard. It was only $50 more than the 8' version, which is why we bought it. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
And like the 8' version can be kept strapped to two lifeline stanchions, and rows nicely. Since it's a bit larger it can hold three adults and gear, plus it can support a 5 HP outboard. It was only $50 more than the 8' version, which is why we bought it. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
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Terry
HI GAIL, I'VE HAD TWO NINE FOOT...
inflatable tenders. Instead of towing them (which I loath) or storing them on the foredeck (gets in the way) I store mine laying on its side on the step transom while under sail. I use a line with a shackle on each end secured from the toe rail to each corner of the boat. This arrangement makes it very easy to launch and load with a boat hook. Terry
inflatable tenders. Instead of towing them (which I loath) or storing them on the foredeck (gets in the way) I store mine laying on its side on the step transom while under sail. I use a line with a shackle on each end secured from the toe rail to each corner of the boat. This arrangement makes it very easy to launch and load with a boat hook. Terry
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Gail Cook (S/V Dream Hunter)
Thanks for all the feedback
We're surprised at how many H340 owners use a Porta-Bote. I found a web site on these recently and have been chasing up some information on them in Oz (pretty difficult to road-test one here - they only have ONE dealer in the whole country !!) Seems to be such a great solution though. Just a couple of things.... (1) How do you attach it to the stanchions AND make it thief-proof (or do you stow it below when you leave the boat) (2) (to Ed Ruiz) Can you assemble the 10'6" on the foredeck if you have to??
We're surprised at how many H340 owners use a Porta-Bote. I found a web site on these recently and have been chasing up some information on them in Oz (pretty difficult to road-test one here - they only have ONE dealer in the whole country !!) Seems to be such a great solution though. Just a couple of things.... (1) How do you attach it to the stanchions AND make it thief-proof (or do you stow it below when you leave the boat) (2) (to Ed Ruiz) Can you assemble the 10'6" on the foredeck if you have to??
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Kobi Maru
10' Avon Inflatible
I tow a 10' Avon inflatible (hypalon material) with an inflatible keel and wooden floorboards and transom. I use the 50' yellow poly-type line (which floats) to avoid the potential of a wrapped prop. While docked, I pull it onto a small floating platform on the water to keep the growth off. Used 10' hypalon namebrand inflatibles run around $500 on the west coast and a will last for years. For a motor I use a Mercury 6hp 2-stroke, which I store on the transom railing. Towing just the inflatible (using a long tow-line) has not yet presented any problems.
I tow a 10' Avon inflatible (hypalon material) with an inflatible keel and wooden floorboards and transom. I use the 50' yellow poly-type line (which floats) to avoid the potential of a wrapped prop. While docked, I pull it onto a small floating platform on the water to keep the growth off. Used 10' hypalon namebrand inflatibles run around $500 on the west coast and a will last for years. For a motor I use a Mercury 6hp 2-stroke, which I store on the transom railing. Towing just the inflatible (using a long tow-line) has not yet presented any problems.
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