I own a 27' Hunter and need a new tender. Smaller boat, smaller tender. I have done my research and I think I have narrowed it down to the Achilles LS4-RU, (8'-8") vs. SeaEagle 8.10, (8'-10"). Aesthetically I prefer the Achilles, but I am willing to sacrifice some looks for durability and stability. The major difference I see is the Sea Eagle has an inflatable floor and the Achilles a slat floor. The cost is close enough where that is not a consideration. In either case I would probably get a 5 HP motor. How durable is an inflatable floor? This dingy will not stay in the water, it will be inflated only when needed, although it will be stored (deflated) down below, of a 27’ sailboat. I look forward to reading your experiences and suggestions regarding my query. Smooth Sailing!
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Hello Wind Dancer - You might be seeking more
replies to your question, but I sense you may have missed that some of us have already responded. Go down to bottom of page and click on to topics 26-50 and then go about a third of the way down. Ignore if you know this. Good luck and go with an air floor.
replies to your question, but I sense you may have missed that some of us have already responded. Go down to bottom of page and click on to topics 26-50 and then go about a third of the way down. Ignore if you know this. Good luck and go with an air floor.
If ease of storage and set up is your main priority
go with the inflatable floor. At around 50 lbs 5hp engines are a little heavy to be lifting and lowering from the rail. Recommend a 2hp air cooled 4 stroke Honda or a 3.3HP Mercury/Tohatsu. Both engines weigh around 29 lbs with built in fuel tanks.
go with the inflatable floor. At around 50 lbs 5hp engines are a little heavy to be lifting and lowering from the rail. Recommend a 2hp air cooled 4 stroke Honda or a 3.3HP Mercury/Tohatsu. Both engines weigh around 29 lbs with built in fuel tanks.
Go with the air floor
I have a 10.5 zodiac and like that it only weighs 85 lbs it is stable, and easy to store. I also agree with Benny, a 5 hp will not get you on plane, and is too heavy, so I went with the 3.5 tohatsu 4 stroke it weighs 46 lb and is easy to put on and place back on the rail of the boat. Though it won't plain it will save me from having to row the boat.
I have a 10.5 zodiac and like that it only weighs 85 lbs it is stable, and easy to store. I also agree with Benny, a 5 hp will not get you on plane, and is too heavy, so I went with the 3.5 tohatsu 4 stroke it weighs 46 lb and is easy to put on and place back on the rail of the boat. Though it won't plain it will save me from having to row the boat.
Inflation time
I have a slatted floor dinghy and it is not particularly stable when walking on the floor. The good thing is that i can have it inflated and in the water in about 15 minutes. I wonder if having a floor to inflate makes much difference in how long it takes to get the craft ready for use.
I have a slatted floor dinghy and it is not particularly stable when walking on the floor. The good thing is that i can have it inflated and in the water in about 15 minutes. I wonder if having a floor to inflate makes much difference in how long it takes to get the craft ready for use.
The air floor chamber inflates in just minutes.
and is very easy on bare feet. After the first inflation, the floor can be deflated and it will stay in place when the boat is rolled up for storage.
and is very easy on bare feet. After the first inflation, the floor can be deflated and it will stay in place when the boat is rolled up for storage.
Air Floor Air Keel
The air floors usually come with an air keel for improved tracking and usually perform better than a slat floor. They are easier to row as well. The down side to air floors are that they can easily be torn over rocks and barnacles but as long as one is careful it should not be a problem.
The air floors usually come with an air keel for improved tracking and usually perform better than a slat floor. They are easier to row as well. The down side to air floors are that they can easily be torn over rocks and barnacles but as long as one is careful it should not be a problem.
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