I am so done with inflatables...

dlochner · Jul 15, 2017

Wayne,

Hard dinghies, like everything else, have advantages and disadvantages. I don't own a hard dinghy and probably never will, unless I build one myself.

The photo looks like it is a PVC model not a Hypalon (or whatever the current name is). PVC is really susceptible to UV degradation, hypalon less so. That alone could be part of the problem.

Another issue is its history. Why was the seller selling the boat? Had it been repaired? Had it been repaired properly?

Until the boat is in the water, I never fully inflate my dinghy. I try to keep it inflated enough that creases don't form and weaken the fabric, but not so inflated that it over stresses the seams. Once in the water, the water will help dissipate any heat and pressure that builds up from being in the sun. It is best to fully inflate the boat during the heat of the day rather than early in the morning or in the evening. Helps to keep the pressure down and stress off of the seams.

Finally, you purchased the boat on Craigslist, Caveat Emptor.

ggrizzard · Jul 15, 2017

The water tender has been around for decades and served us well over several seasons in the Bahamas.

Bill Roosa · Jul 15, 2017

There are cheaper options. I built an "8-Ball" stitch and glue hardshell dingy with sailing option for around $400. without the sail hardware (mast, blocks, sail, dagger board and rudder) it would have been around $250. Supper simple to build. Took me about a month of after work and weekends. Plans are available on line.
I'm not a fan of motors so I row my 8-Ball. Can make about a mile in 5 minutes fully loaded. She will cary 2 adults and gear easily. Max loading is 4 adults. Flat bottom makes boarding easy and I have gotten here to plane under sail in 12 knots of wind. Made of epoxy fiberglass and painted I'v seen NO indication of UV problems in 11 years

jviss · Jul 15, 2017

You bought a used PVC dinghy on CL, glued something to it that may have caused the failure, it failed, and concluded inflatables suck.

There's a reason inflatables are the most common tenders out there: they work better over more applications than rigid tenders. There's a reason CSM (Hypalon) is the preferred material: it lasts and lasts. PVC is false economy.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Jul 15, 2017

6'6" B and B Yacht design Minpaw Weighs 60 pounds. he guy in back is 6-2 and 240

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Jul 15, 2017

jviss said:
You bought a used PVC dinghy on CL, glued something to it that may have caused the failure, it failed, and concluded inflatables suck.

There's a reason inflatables are the most common tenders out there: they work better over more applications than rigid tenders. There's a reason CSM (Hypalon) is the preferred material: it lasts and lasts. PVC is false economy.

rofl- one of the four dinghy docks in Boot Key Harbor

Meriachee · Jul 15, 2017

7' solid glass unit made by a guy in Nanaimo 20 years ago, 65 lbs, (the boat, not the guy) and complete with 2 floatation chambers. The only downside it that it's a little tippy.

Rick D · Jul 15, 2017

OK, I have one that I have used for over 18 years. I had one for six years before that which was the same but branded differently. I got tired of carting around, inflating and deflating and I replaced three. I tow it and have never had a problem. It weighs about the same as a Hypalon. I used it to take a dog to a rocky shore without worry and can leave it at the dock with work boats without concern. I do have an inflatable which I sometimes carry for overnight races and long trips home, but not often. I was impressed enough with the Watertender that I explored distributing them before West Marine picked them up.

This is our cheapie dink that gets towed all over and for which we had custom cushions made that cost more than the dink itself!

Rick D
Sep 26, 2008

Tim22 · Jul 16, 2017

Hi Wayne
I just bought a water tender and it is very stable. It is rated for a 5 hp engine so I got a 5hp mercury but found that it is a bit heavy for the boat. Mine is a 4 stroke so heavier than a two stroke which might be OK. In the end I decided to return the engine and get a 2.5 hp instead. I don't get the 2.5 until later this week but will let you know once I've tried it.

I spent yesterday morning in the water tender chasing my grandson around in his optimist dinghy. The water was pretty flat but the WT with the 5hp worked well. It was a great morning!!

Tim

Capt jgw · Jul 16, 2017

I have a Watertender and like it a lot. Not quite as stable or the weight capacity of an inflatable, but hasn't dunked me like my Walker Bay 8 did. Turned that one over twice. Had two inflatables in the past but couldn't keep either one from leaking air out or water in. Got the Watertender at West Marine as a close out, only $500. One thing I really like is they're made right here in Muskegon, Michigan. Buy local. There's about fifty boats in our mooring field and about ten are using Watertenders. More than any other single brand.

All U Get · Jul 16, 2017

Don't give up, I've seen owners repair some awful gashes and seam separations in their inflatables. (and not on the first try) I have no problem with the hard dinghies either. Seems like more of them are on the Canadian boats that we see heading south. They are well cushioned to keep them from chipping the gel coat on the mother ship and row easier. We had two young women raft with us in Vero that had a collapsible boat that they assembled in 20 minutes. They were able to row that against a stiff breeze without the spray we were getting with our RIB motoring through the chop. What ever you decide, see if you can sea trial it in your usual sea conditions.

All U Get

Benny17441 · Jul 16, 2017

Never had any problems with our Zodiac. Inflatables have large load carrying capacity and superior stability making them a desirable tender.

jibes138 · Jul 16, 2017

There is a very old saying that I just made up "Try it for a week." See if you can get one used for cheap and if you don't like it sell it and try something else. If you like it, keep it. Re: motors. I had a 10'2" Achilles for 20 years, it was rated for maybe a 9 HP motor or so. I used a 2.2 Mercury 2 stroke on it and while it wouldn't plane or go very fast it always got me where I was going included fully loaded with four people and gear and it was very light to put on and take off when towing it. Larger motors need a crane or I see people towing inflatables with the motor still installed causing excess drag.

jviss · Jul 16, 2017

BlowMeAway said:
Well done @jviss, that's exactly what I submit! Your talent to read and comprehend what the OP (me) has stated is beyond contestability. I could care less about the dinghy or dinghies that others can afford or own. Save your breath and keystrokes, I only want to know about the Water Tender 9.4. Stop following @jon hansen. He only knows how to hijack a thread with his input and ownerships. OK? Simple questions here. You know or you don't.

I'm not following anyone. I recognize that hypalon boats are expensive, and not for everyone. While a rigid dinghy does not compare in utility to an inflatable, it does far outlast it. I have one! I have a Pearson 7 1/2' sailing dinghy that's probably 30+ years old, full sail rig with wooden mast, boom, rudder and dagger board. It could probably take a 2 HP engine. I would not want to be stepping into this in rough conditions: I've experience 3' waves in Vineyard Haven harbor. Last year I replaced my hypalon RIB of 16 years with a new AB VL9, which takes the 15HP two-stroke Merc from the previous one. I've towed guys in rigid dinks w/ 3HP when they couldn't make headway in the harbor in rough conditions. So, yes, it was $4k for the AB, but I am experiencing fabulous utility, and expect 15 years out of it, with it sitting in the sun most of its life. I know it's a lot, but such is life.

I only recommend you consider the use you anticipate, and evaluate whether a rigid dink will do it. If it will, great!

p.s. I bought my Pearson dinghy on craigslist!

Bill Roosa · Jul 16, 2017

The "8-Ball" is 90 lb in full sail trim, about 80 lb when set up for rowing. On a related note, my oars have never "not started" or "ran out of gas" or been a PITA getting it into/out of the boat," or "has gas storage problems" or "required winterization" or "needed maintenance beyond cleaning".
It will accept an 5 HP motor if that is your thing.
I'm also not at all certain that a hard shell is less stable from a getting in/out viewpoint.