Need an inexpensive dinghy. Help

[Hayden]

I need a dinghy for infrequent use (like maybe once a year) and don't want to spend $1000 on one. I'd prefer something I can blow up when I need it and then let the air out to store it below when I don't. Also, some collapsable oars.Any suggestions. I just want to get to shore without getting too wet when I'm riding the hook in a gunk hole.Cheap is the operative word....ThanksHayden

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Try this

Check the boating classifieds in the daily papers of Salisbury, Annapolis, Easton. While they may not have a dingy right now, choose the one with the most boating listings in general and run your own ad: Wanted to buy, dinghy cheap. You can pick up an outboard using the same system, perhaps simultaneously. Worked for me. An alternative is to develop a short flier and tape it on prospective dinghies that appeal to you at any boatyard or marina. You'd be surprised how many of these are quasi-abandoned. The SPCA should be alterted.

 

[Mark Burrows]

Porta-bote on Ebay

Porta botes seem to pop up on Ebay fairly frequently. They seem to be under $1000.Inflatable kayaks are less than a grand also. The non-inflatable ones are $500-600.Mark

 

[Bill Bell]

Used Inflatable

We had a marine flea market here a month ago. I sold a 4 year old Quicksilver Airdeck 300 for $400. One inflatable went for $150. There were some for $500 to $800 that didn't sell.You have flea markets around Annapolis in the spring I think. Go Look.Bill

 

[John Dawson]

Costco dinghy

Some have used the Sevlor inflatable stuff that turned up at Costco last summer. Couldn't say what the long-term durability is.