Dingy for Hunter 420?

[Jim Dort]

I am interested in an inflatible dingy to fit into the lazarette on my Hunger 420. Any ideas as to make/model, or other suggestions? Email to jdort@san.rr.com. .... thanks, Jim Dort

 

[Kenneth Pfaff]

Just bought one

I have a hunter 290 so I don't know how large your lazarette, so I don't know how much help this will be, but the 10' Quicksilver dingy I bought is still very, very large even folded up. It must be at least 3'x2.5x2.5 and that is just a guess, but if anything I underestimated the size.

 

[Steve Dion]

Are you going to keep it stowed?

Jim:If you are going to keep it stowed when not in use, a PVC unit like the Zodiac or West Marine units may serve you well. If you want to leave it inflated and in the sun I would recommend a hypalon unit (Avon, Achilles, AB, Caribe etc). I may also suggest that you get one with an inflatable floor rather than plywood. These plywood floor are a SOB to install. Installing them on deck would make it even worse.A couple of things to look out for. If you have a dog and need a dink to ferry them to shore, PVC is not very forgiving. Also you need to be careful with any fuel spills on PVC it can degrade the fabric quickly. The sun is NOT PVC's best friend. I had Quick Silver units and they replaced 3 of the hulls in about 3 years. Finally sold it and got a Hypalon unit and have never looked back. I know several people that have had good luck with PVC, but I was not one of them.

 

[Hugh McCully]

Small is good (if not best)!

If your dinghy is for convenience in anchorages and marinas, I feel that small is best. Last spring, I got the smallest Titan PVC about seven feet, with inflatable floor and put a Nissan 3.5 motor on it. There are many things this combination won't do like get some place in a real hurry, or plane. On the other hand with a motor that weighs less than 30 pounds and the dinghy that weighs about 60 pounds, I found the dinghy to be very easy to move from deck to water and back, and the motor convenient to mount on and remove from the dinghy transom. An engine with a neutral option is also a plus as was the inflatable "keel". This arrangement moved two adults and a dog very conveniently.