Inflatable Dinghies...

higgs · Apr 30, 2009

With dogs I would avoid an air floor. I think a slatted floor would be best. WHEN their claws go through the floor it will be much easier to repair a floor that is not inflated.

Wooden floors mean you will need a larger area upon which to set the dinghy up. If you are anchored on your 27 and want to assemble your dinghy on deck, the wooden floor will make things a challenge.

A slatted floor will be easy to repair when (not if) the dogs puncture the membrane.

The slatted floor stores in restricted places. For the size of your boat, and your intended use, that is the way I would go.

sailingdog · Apr 30, 2009

I would recommend getting solid dinghy if you're going to transport dogs in it.

Also, hard dinghies tend to row far better than inflatables.

Generally, most states do not require you to register small, human powered boats.

Steve Dion · Apr 30, 2009

PVC is susceptible to fuel spills and abrasion. I really do not think most PVC units are worth the savings. You may also want to look for a used hypalon unit.

We have had our hypalon unit since 1994. It has been exposed to the elements for all of those years. It is finally getting to a point where a new skin is in order.

caguy · Apr 30, 2009

I bought the Baltik 8.5 and it works great.
1) I only use mine occasionally and keep it in the storage bag during the winter. It also comes with a nice cover (extra <$100).
2) I would not worry about the dogs. I think the inflatable will hold up to the dogs.
3) I opted for the inflatable floor. It is an inflatable floor that is inserted in the bottom of the boat and inflated. It is very firm and tough. I don't think there is that much of a disadvantage to the wooden floor.
4) Towing has not been a problem, my painter is made of poly and floats. I spliced thimbles and snap shackle into the bridles. They are attached to D rings on the dink. I tow from the starboard side. I use my spring line between the painter and the bridles to absorb shock. I have read comments about letting it ride on the face of the second wake. I for the life of me cannot find a "second wake". I have also read somewhere that shortening the inside bridle will cause it to ride outside of the wake, which make more sense to me but I haven't been able to get that to work either. I have pulled it up tight to the stern when things get snotty. I will probably deflate slightly and place on the deck.
5) In California you don't need a boat numbers without a motor. While on the island it is nice to have a motor especially in Catalina where you sometimes have to moor a quarter to half a mile away.

Manny said:
Passengers will be limited to just me, the admiral, a smallish husky, and a small mutt.

6) Probably not a good idea to refer to the admiral as a smallish husky.

kloudie1 · May 1, 2009

I dunno, Manny.. Rowing and dogs seems to indicate a hard dink..?? Have you looked at the smallest PortaBote? http://www.porta-bote.com/index.html They are thin but long when stowed.. Much better to row, and dog proof.

Mike B · May 1, 2009

Manny, we have an Achilles LSI104 which is a hypalon, inflatable floor model. While I have an 8hp outboard in it I do row it occassionally with my Golden Retriever on board. Especially for the last run of the night to shore for her business. I hate to ruin a beautiful night with the sound of an outboard. No worry about her damaging the hull or floor and rowing is easy when it's just the two of us. Add the Admiral and now it gets tough. The additional weight forward sets her off her lines and the rowing goes south. Not much chance to move the wife towards the rear as there'd be no room for me to row. As for an inflatable floor vs a wood or aluminum, there's no question in my mind the inflatable is the way to go. It weighs less, is easier to store and sets up quicker. We have an inboard motor so I can't help with your towing scenario other than to suggest you tow it from the opposite side from the motor. Good luck with your decision. Dinks make exploring those back coves while on the hook that much more fun. For one you can duck into Still Pond (I'm talking the cove on the right, not in by the CG station) and run back up Churn Creek. Or the countless coves on the Sassafras. Have fun!
Mike

sailingdog · May 1, 2009

I like the Porta-botes... and have the 12' 6", which my wife bought me to use as a fishing boat.

I've also used it as dinghy on my boat, but have the advantage of being able to assemble, disassemble, and stow the boat on my ama deck. They row fairly well, and do very well with even a small outboard.

Stu Jackson · May 1, 2009

If you buy an inflatable floor

which we did and think it's great, just get some outdoor carpeting for the floor. Even if you don't have a dog, it keeps the bottom of the dink cleaner looking, because the minute you get into your new boat the floor gets dirty, dirty, dirty and you'll spend wasteful hours trying to clean it. I learned this trick the day we got ours and had motored over to a restaurant for a congratulatory lunch. There was a liveaboard/cruiser puttering around his his new dink which was exactly the same as ours and he showed us this trick.

We used to have a plywood (or "need to be assembled" floor - doesn't matter what material). Got real old, real quick, and made inflation take twice the time and three times the headache.

Experienced "wisdom" says: buy the longest biggest boat you can. Reason: even if you oly put a small hp engine or none at all, you may eventually want to use it for longer or more HP'ed jaunts. The longer boats work better when the (eventually) go faster. If that's NEVER gonna happen to you, "Get Shorty."

Good composition catch, there, Frank!

MerSea · May 1, 2009

Dog nails

2) Will the tubes and an air floor be able to withstand being punctured by dog nails?
Manny[/quote]

My Dad had a Zodiac (380,I think) and a 110lbs german shepherd.He used to put a tarp on the side and floor ; the boat was never punctured or scratched by the dog.

Franklin · May 1, 2009

kloudie1 said:
I dunno, Manny.. Rowing and dogs seems to indicate a hard dink..?? Have you looked at the smallest PortaBote? http://www.porta-bote.com/index.html They are thin but long when stowed.. Much better to row, and dog proof.

They seem expensive

sailingdog · May 1, 2009

Considering that they'll out last several inflatables, maybe the price is worth it.

Franklin said:
They seem expensive

Franklin · May 1, 2009

sailingdog said:
Considering that they'll out last several inflatables, maybe the price is worth it.

I don't know about that. There is a ton of mis-information on their website so I'm not putting too much stock in what they say. In fact, it's the "lasting" is what I'm worried about, especially at the joints when taking apart and putting together and vise versa a lot.

I just called and the prices aren't as bad as I thought. Not really anymore then an inflatable, but the weight limit is too low. For a 10', which is about as big as i can get for my boat, only supports 585 lbs, where as my inflatable holds 1100 lbs. Just me and two of my friends weigh about 660 lbs and that doesn't include motor or ice chest or anything else.

I guess I'm back to thinking about building my own with more width in hopes it can support more. After I finish the repairs to my boat I'm sure to have enough glass left over

Bad Obsession · May 1, 2009

The Porta-boat looks really interesting but I didn't find the price list.

Not that I am in the market for a new dink but that is just another option to consider down the road. They look like a pretty good idea and storage would be nice with them.

Franklin · May 1, 2009

Yeah, I had to call to get a price quote. 8' = $1399 (supports 445 lbs) 10' = $1599 (supports 585 lbs). Sailing kit = $849 but not available for 8'.

Franklin · May 1, 2009

said something about $150 off and free shipping if ordered now

Bad Obsession · May 1, 2009

Hrm....1600 for a good dingy is about the same as a 10' rib as well. Interesting. I would like to get my hands on one and mess with it before I bought it but it seems like a cool option.

kloudie1 · May 1, 2009

Yes, the web site looks a bit hokey. I've never owned one but I've known a couple of people who did and they loved 'em. One was a 12' used as a fishing boat and the other was a 10' used as a dink. My dink is a normal PITA wood floor Hypalon 9+ foot which lives in the back cabin most of the time. It is 18 years old but looks brand new because it lives inside almost always. There weren't many options back in '91 whenI bought it from the Boat US store in Houston.... Before they sold out to West Marine.

MoonSailer · May 1, 2009

For better or worse I ordered a Saturn 9'6" inflatable dinghy. I won't arrive for a couple of weeks. It looks OK online but who knows??? I have a walker bay 8 that is too tippy in larger waves. It is also about impossible to get into from the water. Hopefully the saturn will be OK. We have a Tohatsu 3.5hp 2 cycle that we are planning to use with the boat.