Dinghy

[asalotto]

First cruising boat, a 32 foot. Sailing in Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, Nantucket Sound, Cape Cod Bay, etc.

Thinking about a dinghy. Not sure how much I'll need it. I'll usually be in a slip, but when cruising it seems like an oar powered (to keep life simple) way to get from mooring/anchor to shore would be nice. And something that could serve as a life raft would also be nice. But the boat is small. Not sure how I'll keep it while cruising.

Looking for feedback on this topic, as well as suggested appropriate dinghies to consider. Thanks!

 

[sail sfbay]

I have purchased a number of dinghy's and recently purchased a PRU-3 roll-up inflatable PVC boat from West Marine for $650 "on sale" for my Hunter 46 as it meets my needs. Buy it when it comes on sale.

Roll-Up Inflatable Boat - Bag, Oarlocks, Lifelines & Repair Kit | West Marine

Experience the Roll-Up Inflatable Boat, complete with carrying bag, oarlocks, lifelines, and a repair kit. Ideal for easy transport and storage, offering high performance on the water.

www.westmarine.com

 

[nightowle]

We have the less expensive West Marine RU-250 Roll-Up Inflatable Dinghy. I'm not sure what the specific difference is to the PRU-3 model, although it appears the length is the same. We got it when it was on sale for $100 off. Probably like yourself, we don't use the dinghy much and on a 35' boat I like the idea I can easily pump up the dinghy while on the deck and easily drop it over. I use a small battery inflator from Coleman and then finish it off with the foot pump. The only negative is that with a flat bottom this style of dinghy doesn't track well, but the trade-off for weight and size makes much more sense for us. We alternate between using the oars or an older 3hp 2cycle Mercury engine I had.

 

[sail sfbay]

We use a Torqeedo electric motor to drive the PRU-3 dinghy.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I've had two Achilles RU -8's. Love the boats.

 

[dlochner]

We have an 8' Achilles Hypalon RIB with a 5 HP Honda. The RIB rows better than other inflatable types and tows well. At 8 feet and ~75 lbs it can be stored on the foredeck if necessary. The RIB can plane if we get the weight distributed correctly.

 

[DougM]

I have a Zodiac 9’6”with an air floor. When inflated, it has a bit of a ”v” bottom, so it tracks fairly well.
When its deflated, it rolls up into a large backpack size that stows in my cockpit lazerette.
As it turns out, I really don’t use it all that much, because I mostly day sail.

What you have been looking at may just be all you would need. I would suggest a small outboard for power though. Rowing is highly overrated.

 

[Terry Cox]

Purchased a used Avon eight foot inflatable soon after taking possession of our first boat, an H28. Riigged a way to carry it on our transom as I preferred not to tow. Also purchased a 1950s vintage rebuilt Lightening Three Evinrude. Seldom used the motor unless the trip to shore was a long distance or there was crew to take ashore.

Did the same when we purchased our current boat, a Passage 42. It came with a five horse Mercury. Most seasons it was never used. Rowing to shore was the method, again unless the distance was great or there was crew. The eight foot Avon rests nicely on the transom in all weather conditions, never interferes with sailing and it is easy to launch and stow.