Shopping for a dink Four people without getting soaked or two and two labs. light enough for me to pick up Would like to lash just ahead of mast when underway and and astern when under sail also want to fit with small motor rail mountable and light enough for me to handle alone. All thoughts appreciated
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Ed Ruiz
Consider a 'Pota-Bote'
They make three sizes - 8'6", 10'4", and 12'. I have the 10'4" which weighs 58 pounds, can hold three adults, gear, and a 5HP motor. When not in use, I keep it folded and strapped between two life-line stanchions. When folded, it takes up 10"4" x 2' x 4". It's made of polypropalene, which means it can't sink, and is virtally indistructable. My only problem with it is that it takes about 30 minutes to put together. That's why I'm looking for stern-davits that will keep it in the ready-to-go position. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
They make three sizes - 8'6", 10'4", and 12'. I have the 10'4" which weighs 58 pounds, can hold three adults, gear, and a 5HP motor. When not in use, I keep it folded and strapped between two life-line stanchions. When folded, it takes up 10"4" x 2' x 4". It's made of polypropalene, which means it can't sink, and is virtally indistructable. My only problem with it is that it takes about 30 minutes to put together. That's why I'm looking for stern-davits that will keep it in the ready-to-go position. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
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John Bannister
A Miracle
I think you are probably going to have to make one or 2 compromises here. If I am wrong however, I would be more than interested to hear what you finally settled for. Good luck in the hunt. I have an inflatable that can comfortably take 2 adults and a small child. I store in im much the same way you intend to yours. Manageable ? well now .. sometimes it is almost !!!!
I think you are probably going to have to make one or 2 compromises here. If I am wrong however, I would be more than interested to hear what you finally settled for. Good luck in the hunt. I have an inflatable that can comfortably take 2 adults and a small child. I store in im much the same way you intend to yours. Manageable ? well now .. sometimes it is almost !!!!
Hypalon Inflatable
Tony: My suggestion is that you get a dink that is made of Hypalon (avon, achilles, caribe, etc.). My choice here would have been an inflatable floor to cut down on weight. I would not suggest an inflatable floor witht he dogs. The floors are made of PVC material (not too good with doggie toe nails). Rigid floors are a real pain to install. The other option my be a small RIB. Caribe now has a light weight unit with a single ply floor. Most of the RIB's are double and make it VERY heavy. I think you want to be able to sail with the dink on deck incase the weather gets bad too. Because of the dogs and the carrying capacity required I do not think that anything but an inflatable is going to do for you. The inflatable is definetly the most stable (especially with the dogs)
Tony: My suggestion is that you get a dink that is made of Hypalon (avon, achilles, caribe, etc.). My choice here would have been an inflatable floor to cut down on weight. I would not suggest an inflatable floor witht he dogs. The floors are made of PVC material (not too good with doggie toe nails). Rigid floors are a real pain to install. The other option my be a small RIB. Caribe now has a light weight unit with a single ply floor. Most of the RIB's are double and make it VERY heavy. I think you want to be able to sail with the dink on deck incase the weather gets bad too. Because of the dogs and the carrying capacity required I do not think that anything but an inflatable is going to do for you. The inflatable is definetly the most stable (especially with the dogs)
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Carl
i have a plastic dink !
i have a water tender 10'4 its plastic and lite i have a 3.5hp motor moves it along well its rated for three people (compromise) i keep it at the dingy dock in town instead of bailing it i just pull it out of the water and tip it over when it rains motor and all not to mention yu can get one at west marine for like 450 bucks plus it has a cathedral bow so its real stable
i have a water tender 10'4 its plastic and lite i have a 3.5hp motor moves it along well its rated for three people (compromise) i keep it at the dingy dock in town instead of bailing it i just pull it out of the water and tip it over when it rains motor and all not to mention yu can get one at west marine for like 450 bucks plus it has a cathedral bow so its real stable
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Ron Mills
I have one on order.
I have ordered one of the WATERTENDER 9.4. I am sick of inflatable and the price. This boat seems to be very stable, lightweight, and rated for 5hp. From all my investigation this is the best boat(dinghy) for the money. Comes in white/white or sand/blue.
I have ordered one of the WATERTENDER 9.4. I am sick of inflatable and the price. This boat seems to be very stable, lightweight, and rated for 5hp. From all my investigation this is the best boat(dinghy) for the money. Comes in white/white or sand/blue.
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Paul
avoid walker bay
I bought one of the Walker Bay plastic dinghies that West Marine sells. Even with a 2.5 hp engine, the transom freeboard was about 2 inches when I was in there alone--which was often since my wife thought it was too tippy and wouldn't get in. I'm sure it tracked straighter than an inflatable when being rowed, but that wasn't how I planned to use it. I sold it and bought a Zodiac, which has worked out well. I have the next-to-smallest model, which I can either tow, or roll up into its carry bag and store in the sail locker beneath the v-berth. It (the Zodiac) carries four adults just fine. I think it cost $800. Paul sv Escape Artist
I bought one of the Walker Bay plastic dinghies that West Marine sells. Even with a 2.5 hp engine, the transom freeboard was about 2 inches when I was in there alone--which was often since my wife thought it was too tippy and wouldn't get in. I'm sure it tracked straighter than an inflatable when being rowed, but that wasn't how I planned to use it. I sold it and bought a Zodiac, which has worked out well. I have the next-to-smallest model, which I can either tow, or roll up into its carry bag and store in the sail locker beneath the v-berth. It (the Zodiac) carries four adults just fine. I think it cost $800. Paul sv Escape Artist
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Bob F
Inflate it.
I have a WM 8'6" inflatable with slatted floor. In a pinch 3 adults is fine. Its a pain to row, but the 3 HP kicker does great. Has far as the dogs toenails and the floor goes, just cut a piece of in/outdoor carpet to fit the dink floor. The best part of these smaller inflatables is they weigh next to nothing, easy to manhandle around (except on a windy day!) and they stow and tow well.
I have a WM 8'6" inflatable with slatted floor. In a pinch 3 adults is fine. Its a pain to row, but the 3 HP kicker does great. Has far as the dogs toenails and the floor goes, just cut a piece of in/outdoor carpet to fit the dink floor. The best part of these smaller inflatables is they weigh next to nothing, easy to manhandle around (except on a windy day!) and they stow and tow well.
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John Thomas
Water Tender 9.4
I bought the Water Tender 9.4 to use with my '79 H30, and it is great! It'll carry double its rated weight before it starts to get scarey, and does nicely with the Nissan 3.5hp that I got. I've even used it as a tug boat to push the sailboat around when I ran it out of fuel in a tight bayou. Only $450, a bargain.
I bought the Water Tender 9.4 to use with my '79 H30, and it is great! It'll carry double its rated weight before it starts to get scarey, and does nicely with the Nissan 3.5hp that I got. I've even used it as a tug boat to push the sailboat around when I ran it out of fuel in a tight bayou. Only $450, a bargain.
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Henry Rozanski
Make it a RIB
Once you've tried a RIB ( hard bottom ) inflatable you'll never be satisfied with an all inflatable. Try an ARIA RIB. The hull is made of a space age plastic that's much lighter than fiberglass (70lbs vs 120 lbs for a 10'2"). The tubes are Hypalon - much more durable than PVC. Inflatable Experts are selling some last year models about $1000 less than the big name brands.
Once you've tried a RIB ( hard bottom ) inflatable you'll never be satisfied with an all inflatable. Try an ARIA RIB. The hull is made of a space age plastic that's much lighter than fiberglass (70lbs vs 120 lbs for a 10'2"). The tubes are Hypalon - much more durable than PVC. Inflatable Experts are selling some last year models about $1000 less than the big name brands.
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Barry
Rib's Too Heavy
Besides towing like a stone you'll never lift it on deck. Sold mine after one season and got a roll up inflatable. It meets my needs much better since it's easily lifted, towed and stored. Barry
Besides towing like a stone you'll never lift it on deck. Sold mine after one season and got a roll up inflatable. It meets my needs much better since it's easily lifted, towed and stored. Barry
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Jack
Love my porta-bote
I have the 8'3" porta-bote. It stores easily--unlike a hard tender--and tows, rows and motors well--unlike a inflatable. As to putting it together, I've got it down to 10 minutes. Finally, I no longer worry about leaks and punctures from running the dinghy up onto a beach.
I have the 8'3" porta-bote. It stores easily--unlike a hard tender--and tows, rows and motors well--unlike a inflatable. As to putting it together, I've got it down to 10 minutes. Finally, I no longer worry about leaks and punctures from running the dinghy up onto a beach.
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