Inflatable Dinghies...

caguy · May 1, 2009

It's in my driveway I'll take a picture tomorrow. I don't think I would go with anything smaller than 8-5. That was as big as would fit on my foredeck. I like the idea of the carpeting too. It really does get messy no matter how careful you are. I bought and electric motor for it and tried it out in he harbor with a pretty good wind. It pushed it along pretty well but really draws on the battery. Not even close to the estimated charts on the motor. I picked up a used 8 hp Nissan 2 stroke for $200. Little bit of an over kill but the price was right. I got a good deal on the Batik as well. I bought it on Ebay off season. The shipping would have been a killer but the importer and his wife work out of their house in Anaheim. I ended up paying $600 including the tax. with the inflatable floor. I'll set video the set up tomorrow. My grandson wants to go out Sunday and he loves to screw around the harbor in the dink. Its getting close to decent weather and time to shake it out.

Marco Garcia · May 2, 2009

Frank,
I also bought an 8.5 Baltik, at 500.00 on ebay mid 2007. I am very happy and it looks no different than any other inflatable as per other patron's comments at the marina. I left it inflated during the 07-08 winter on the dinghy rack and deflated it last winter for storage (about 15 months inflated). It is in great condition but I noticed what seem to be stitches splitting at the edges between the tube and the bottom skin where the inflatable floor lodges. No water intrusion or openings from the outside. Maybe is mine only as my son and friends have used for kids fun rides. Could you check that area and let me know if yours has any of that.
Thank you,
Marco

caguy · May 2, 2009

Here are pictures of the Baltic boat in the bag.

The scores in the drive way are 32". The stored boat measure about 18x15x45''.
My electric air pump is in the boat so I will assemble tomorrow at the docks weather permitting.
Marco, I carried mine around in the back of my truck last summer. When I stored it last winter I hadn't noticed any irregularities but I will check it out tomorrow.

Charisma · May 2, 2009

PVC, inflatable floor, dogs

We have a PVC mercury with an inflatable floor, and have had it for four seasons. Two of those seasons we left it in the water with a cover, using it only on the weekends. Most of the time I place it in the pick-up and bring it home, its that light. The reason we have it, other than the fact my wife loves to row in the evenings. This raft is a breeze to row, it has an inflatable keel, and i have a small merc 5hp that we use when we cruise. When we tow it under sail it is so light we hardly no it is there. Oh and BTW we also have two pitbulls that love it! Its really there boat! If I was to buy again I would get the same thing!

druid · May 5, 2009

Hypalon vs PVC: Back in the day when the only PVC dinghies were "pool toys" I figured I could buy a NEW PVC dinghy every 2 years and come out ahead. 10 years later I still had the first one. PVC is FINE.

7.5 is pretty small for more than 1 or maybe 2 people. I have an Aquamarine 7.5 for flyfishing and an 8.5 for tender. The 8.5 has an aluminum floor which I would highly recommend. I looked at slatted floors and they're not even as sturdy as an air floor. The aluminum is heavy and a bit hard to set up, but MUCH more stable.

I'd also recommend an Aquamarine off eBay: I have two and several people in FlyBC have them and we're all delighted. (the "Aquamarine Fleet"

)

Having said all that, I agree that a hard dinghy would work better for you, unfortunately it wouldn't fit in the lazarette

I also have reservations about the porta-bote given the cheezy, hard-sell website, but owners swear by them. I'd also be concerned that doggy might put a claw through the canvas hinge.

The PVC is pretty sturdy - I've never gotten a hook caught in it in all my years of flyfishing out of one. I like the idea of a carpet or tarp over... and with the alum floor, and I think you'd be Good To Go.

Oh, and although you're talking rowing, which is A Good Thing, I'll pound my drum one more time for electric outboards: you can get a Minn Kota Max40T and mount it on the back - it would scoot you along at 4 knots or so for over an hr, or putt along all afternoon.

druid

sailingdog · May 5, 2009

You're a bit confused. There's no canvas on a porta-bote, unless you're talking about the sail, in the sailing rig kit. The hull of a porta-bote is fairly heavy duty and not prone to being punctured by anything, including rocks.

druid said:
Having said all that, I agree that a hard dinghy would work better for you, unfortunately it wouldn't fit in the lazarette I also have reservations about the porta-bote given the cheezy, hard-sell website, but owners swear by them. I'd also be concerned that doggy might put a claw through the canvas hinge.

Capt. Kermie · May 5, 2009

Hypalon vs PVC
In the southern climes it is a no brainer, get hypalon. In the northern climes PVC is fine especially considering the short season of exposure. If you are worried about UV abc exposure you can get protectant spray with SPF for your toys and this will protect it from the sun's harmfull rays easily. I sure wish I had heard the carpet trick a few years ago.

Persy · May 7, 2009

Manny said:
T

At this point I'm leaning towards the Baltik 7.5 ft air floor model. Looks like it is a pretty decent pvc dinghy and about the right size for my needs. Any firsthand experience with the Baltik models would be appreciated.

Manny

DON'T get a Baltic. I bought one and it fell apart after 1 year
* seams simply fell apart
* skin 'melted'
These things are absolute junk and only good for lake toys.

I have a hypalon Achilles with aluminum floor and love it. Yep, up front cost was much higher, but it is still as solid today as the day I bought it a few years ago...

good luck

Inflatable Dinghies...

caguy

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Marco Garcia

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caguy

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Charisma

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Manny

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druid

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sailingdog

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Capt. Kermie

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Persy

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