Dinghy - tender: affordable option?

jonelli · Jul 19, 2023

As a VERY "affordable" dinghy, these are getting popular. I have one, as well as an 8' Achilles. I use the Costco one way more.
It's bigger and more comfortable. Has an inflatable floor. You can't beat the price. It's PVC, probably won't last forever, but I've had mine for a couple seasons and I hardly ever put air in it.
I have a tiny 2-stroke 3.3hp motor on it that I can lift with one hand. It gets 6mph in this dinghy.

jonelli · Jul 19, 2023

xavpil said:
Nice!!!
Where do you use it? How does it behave broth with some small waves and wind ? As if we had to go back to the boat on a windy day in the ocean

It's as good as anything else I've used. It has an inflatable keel under the inflatable floor and the pontoons are very large. I use it on Catalina island to go back and forth to the mooring, also for fishing, and night time lobster hoop netting with my buddies. Big enough to fit 4 or 5 people comfortably. I tow it behind my sailboat to the island. I can JUST carry it by myself if I flip it on it's side and put my shoulder under the pontoon. I think it's just over 100lbs, not exactly sure.
Best part about it, if anything goes wrong or you don't like it, Costco will take it back, no questions, any reason, at any time.
And that price including shipping is a steal. I think I paid $599 PLUS shipping when I bought mine.

Sail22Capri22 · Jul 19, 2023

Wow, I'm not even in the market for a Dinghy and this has me intrigued! My wife had been talking about getting a Costco membership recently. Not sure she had this in mind though

capta · Jul 19, 2023

Just remember, if you get a small, underpowered inflatable, you are going to get soaked going into the wind in 1' or greater chop.

MikeHoncho · Jul 19, 2023

Check out Newports. The tubes are alot larger in diameter that typical inflatables and they are spec’ed for larger hp outboards. I have their smallest one with a 3hp propane OB on my davits. Anything larger than a 3hp and your going to need a OB crane. I hoist mine with the OB on while underway but do not leave it there in the slip. Our previous Typoon would get you wet iwhen sitting on the bow. You don’t with the Newport. I’m impressed with its construction also.

jssailem · Jul 19, 2023

I use a 9ft inflatable for the PacificNW waters. 6hp Yamaha.
Is satisfactory in waters similar to those you are contemplating. Your specifications about Ocean is a bit vague. The Bahamas are a group of reef Islands. The expectation of anchorage is you will be near the shoreline in the shelter of the islands. Yes storms will come up. Venturing on to the water in a small boat is going to be an issue when Small Craft Warnings are announced.

A small dinghy would not be the best but may be all you have.

Here is a good overview... How to Choose an Inflatable Dinghy
Inside your budget, a motor $1500 leaves $1500 for the boat.

Takacat boats makes an interesting inflatable dinghy.

Amazon.com

If your budget allows, a RIB would be a valuable upgrade. We used one in Belize waters and found it supported getting 6 of us back to the chartered Catamaran in a squall. We were wet but safe.

ggrizzard · Jul 19, 2023

Be aware that there are two types of inflatable dinghy material, Hypalon and PVC.
Hypalon is more durable and costs more.
PVC is cheaper and the UV in the Bahamas (or Florida, where I am currently) will
degrade the seams quickly.
Many cruisers buy or make sunbrella "chaps" to cover the tubes.

FastOlson · Jul 19, 2023

jssailem said:
Takacat boats makes an interesting inflatable dinghy.
Amazon.com

A friend has one of these and he & his wife use it a lot. Sez the quality is good. I have not (yet) had a ride in it. Anyhow, view this as a second hand recommendation.

High Current · Jul 20, 2023

Similar to the Costco option. I use this 9.6’ up in Maine with an electric trolling motor and have been quite happy with it. On my 3rd season and it gets hauled up on the beach/rocks a lot. Easily carries 2 adults & 2 kids.

Budget Prices Inflatable Motor Boats CB290 from Saturn

9.6' Affordable Saturn Inflatable Boat on Sale. Lowest Prices in USA. Small Quality Made Inflatable Dingy. Perfect Boat For 2 People. Heat welded seams

www.boatstogo.com

Someone mentioned spray in the wind/waves. That’s definitely a thing; I just assumed it was endemic to dinghies…

Captain Larry-DH · Jul 20, 2023

Anything that doesn’t have a hard bottom will tear the first time it contacts coral. That stuff is SHARP. You should try to find a used Portabote or RIB.

jviss · Jul 20, 2023

ggrizzard said:
Hypalon and PVC

Good point, but just a nit, there's no more Hypalon, for several years now, as Dupont, who owns the trademark Hypalon, stopped producing it. It's been replaced with "CSM," Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Rubber, slightly different formula. I think probably the best and most popular is Orca.

If one looks around, really good, not that old CSM RIBS can be had for around $3k. But then, you'd need a motor, probably $500 to $1000 for a good, used 3 to 9.9 Hp one.

jonelli · Jul 20, 2023

If you're new to dinghies....
Regarding PVC (less expensive) versus Hypalon (more expensive) dinghies, also be aware that you can ONLY use special glue and materials made for hypalon to fix leaks or repairs. No other glue works. And it's expensive and harder to find:

Repair Kit for Inflatable Hypalon Sport Boat | West Marine

Check out our Repair Kit for Inflatable Hypalon Sport Boat and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

On the other hand, PVC can be repaired with standard PVC glues, is more available and cheaper.

But, as others said, Hypalon is a longer lasting material. My hypalon Achillies dinghy is 30 years old. I would NEVER expect my Costco PVC dinghy to last that long. But will it last 5 years with regular use? Probably.

RIB's with a hard bottom (R-igid I-inflatable B-oat) will be heavier if you ever have to pick it up, but will likely be better for coral dragging as said earlier. However, plenty of people use non-RIB's for beach landings all the time.
Non-RIB's (removable floors or inflatable floors) are usually much lighter and the options for storage are greater. you can throw it on your bow, fold it up, etc.
Flat bottom vs dinghy's with inflatable keels - Flat bottoms will sit calmer if you are just hanging out or fishing. But getting somewhere will be slower and you'll push more water around and be less stable cutting through the water. Inflatable keel bottoms are better performing getting places.

patbratton · Jul 20, 2023

I always thought that one of these would be interesting.

Atkin & Co. - Takapart

Atkin & Co Boat Plans, boat designs, boat building, William Atkin, John Atkin, Billy Atkin, small boats, good boats

atkin.mysticseaport.org

ggrizzard · Jul 20, 2023

BTW, in the Bahamas, beach rock is more of a problem than coral.
It's everywhere at coves and beaches there.

Dinghy - tender: affordable option?

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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