Perfect Tender for a Macgregor

Capt. Kermie · Dec 7, 2007

Big Boys Toys

The concept is cool but I am not confident with the size. The videos show them operating under ideal conditions which is not always the case in reality. I will say that I prefer the inflatable with a MacGregor but I also prefer a larger one, I have a 9'9" Titan/Maxxon with a 5' beam and 17" tubes that I use with a 5hp honda. It all depends on your needs, the smaller ones do fine for dinghy dock service but I also like to take mine out in the harbour further to explore and scoot around, a larger dinghy has a higher safety margin in rougher water and one never knows when you may need to bail out. I can also take mine in the trunk of the car and go to a local lake or even out on the bay to do some fishing and the larger size accomodates more activities as a second boat. The 5hp gets me up on plane with sustained speeds of 10-12 MPH on the GPS and would likely be faster with a lighter person than myself. I tend to want more than just dinghy dock service (like fun) which is why I posted the link to another sail kit for inflatables, Sailboatstogo as an alternative because they make kits for larger zodiac styles, I am very tempted. I have never been to the Bahamas but it looks like quite a distance over open water on the charts and I would like a more substantial dinghy under those circumstances. Also consider how many will be in the dinghy at a time, is it just you, or you and your spouse, or you, spouse and children or other passengers? You may want to consider a worst case scenario when choosing a dinghy IMHO.The sailkits are definitely an attractive addition to the big boys toys arsenal but it will have to wait until I have spare cash to blow, more of a want (albeit a nice want) than a need.

MrBill_FLL · Dec 7, 2007

SOT kayak

I tow a single or double ocean kayak, SOT, sit on top style. its a little wet, but won't sink. (and I can sail with it on the side of the lifelines)-normally rowing inflatables is very iffy in any kind of wind or current.that said, the inflatable kayak looks pretty good.theres some acrylic hard bottom skiffs that I'd love to have, as its a 'glass bottom boat' but very pricey....

70623 · Dec 7, 2007

Perfection Doesn't Exsist

Try this link http://search.ebay.com/_WOsassZinfinity-wholesale They seem to have a good product at a good price. Also look at the Airaquatics dinghys, these are good too. Next a 14 foot dinghy is getting to the point where it's not a dinghy anymore but another boat. Get large enough to carry what you need, and yes no-one ever complains about their dinghy being too large, BUT 14 foot dinghy for a 26 foot boat? I tow my 9' with no problem, so I would guess a 14' should tow OK. 12' seems to be the largest I can recall as a dingy and the boat that used it was 46'. I didn't get my 9' for my Vn, but for my Bristol, a much larger boat. Remember these aren't easy to inflate nor deflate, and weigh more than you would think. They also carry more than you would think. 2-4 times what a hard dinghy of the same lenght will carry. They don't row well, and the larger they are the harder to row. Watched your inflatable kayak video, looked to me like the guy was getting a hell of a work out, and not going that fast or far. Add some extra dead weight in there and a cross or head wind, and I don't think I'd want to be without a motor on it. My 9' will cruise along at maybe 2 Knots with a Cruise'n Carry (1.5 HP) and gets on plane with a 3.5 HP. Unless loaded too heavy. Also if you are planning on using your sail boat's motor, make sure you have a short shaft. Inflatables hate long shaft motors, and can become very unstable on plane if you use a long shaft on them. I have a little experience with a sail kit on an inflatable, don't waste the money. Went down wind great (they do that with-out a sail too), couldn't even stay even on a reach. Strictly a down wind deal, take the outboard with you. Rowing to windward doesn't work well either. Keep in mind that while inflatable dinghys have served as life rafts, they have also carried many a cruiser right past their boats and out to sea to parrish due to their hard to handle charateristics. Carry spare spark plug, fuel, anchor and line , as well as flairs in these craft. A hand held VHF can be a life saver too.

70623 · Dec 7, 2007

Sorry Link Didn't work

Sorry link didn't work when I tried it. Try e-bay and look at all the dinghys there. Look at the specs. and see how much they hold and how much they weigh. Keep the dinghy light enough you can carry it, with enough capacity to carry what you need it to. Don't use a long shaft on an inflatable above put-put speed (don't go up on plane!!!!). Flips them real quick, an extra long shaft should be an even more interesting balancing act. PS; I use an 8' with my Vn just because I liked the 9' so much. The 8' Airaquatics carrys 2 divers and a passenger fine. The 9' better. The 8' I can lift aboard myself. The 9' requires mechanical help (block and tackle). Both are high pressure air floor types. Air aquatics seems every bit as good, with more attention to details than the 9' Boaters world.

70623 · Dec 7, 2007

SD260?

Heck the SD260 would be more stable and easier to handle. Holds more weight, and has more room inside. As for motorring, if you ever want to get on plane you are going to have to get a short shaft for the inflatable.

70623 · Dec 7, 2007

Shop Hard

Kayak or dinghy, stick a motor on it and it will need registration in Fl. I think you would find more room in the dinghy than the kayak, remember you can sit on the tubes, as well as the seats. And the cooler if it's my dinghy, seems that is the number one thing carried back and forth all the time, other than the dog. Yes the bigger dinghy would be better if it's not too heavy. Hyplon or PVC the sun will kill them. A cover is nessasary for either, indoor storage and a little care and they will last a long time. The bottom will wear out before the top on most dinghys anyways, from dragging on the beach. Just use a cover and the PVC will be fine. SD260 has a 770 lbs load rating so I don't understand how the Kayak would work(500), but not the SD260? If in doubt go larger. Shop hard, I didn't pay even $500 for either of mine. And I got the Airaquatics new.

Capt. Kermie · Dec 7, 2007

UV abc's

For protection from the sun 303 protectant works and so do many other sunscreens for toys. The dinghy only gets exposure during sailing season and then only when on trips so exposure in northern climes is no big deal but I suppose a cover will do, I use spf for toys and it works fine.I know of a family of five that uses the 9'9" Titan/Maxxon w/6hp engine on a 26x and it works fine for them. All five can fit in it. It weighs 80# and I am sure one could fish or scuba dive from it. I think 12-14' is just another big boat that will require a trailer and truck to tow around, but hey it's your money and muscle, what ever works. The Titan holds 1100# and takes 8hp and has 17" tubes, it is fairly big and a lot to tow behind a Mac. With a 14' 9.9 you could tow the Mac.

Stan Breaux · Dec 7, 2007

I got an 11' Baltik inflatable Dinghy on ebay

I have 3 kids. ages 5, 9, 11.The nine year old can easily row the dinghy when he was 8. If you look at that guy in the video paddling the kayak, he really is having a hard time. His kayak paddle is also too short, and he's having to bend over a lot. That would be magnified for a kid.My thoughts on the kayak would be if there are 5 of you in it, you better get in and stay put, because it's probably not wide enough for any of the kids to move around in. My other comment is that you better ask your wife. I almost guarantee that she would prefer the comfort/ feeling of safety in a dinghy compared to a kayak.Dinghy's aren't very roomy, either, but they are definitely roomier than a kayak.My 11' dinghy is too heavy for me to handle by myself, but I'm not a very big guy. Beyond the weight, though, is the sheer bulk of it when deflated.

MrBill_FLL · Dec 7, 2007

Sevylor Fiji Inflatable Kayak

this looks good... if you can stand purple.Hey CaptE, I know where this store is.. very close to downtown. waterplay sold kayaks and parts. do you want me to stop by and take a look for you?I could snap some photos too.. but what am I looking for? anything specific?

70623 · Dec 8, 2007

Act Fast

Grab the 9'Zodiac. If you don't like it you will have no problem selling it for $500. If you like it, that's a good price.

70623 · Dec 8, 2007

How OLD is OLD

Yes 5-10 if out in the sun. If it was rolled up and stored it could last much longer. Check for cracks, if it holds air all day up to pressure it should be fine. They make paint just for these so if it doesn't look A-1 it's easy to fix. A lot of people get these thinking they will inflate when needed and deflate and store below otherwise. After finding out who much work that is, they get deflated and stored never to be used again. As long as they were stored in a cool dry place, out of the sun or any sources of Ozone, they will last a very long time. If they don't hold air well on your first inflating, check the valves first. A little dirt or a valve not set right is usually the problem. But at $500 for a 9' Zodiac, that's a steal. When used heavily they usually wear out where the boat has been dragged on the beach or ripped by a rock. They can be patched and most of the time these patches hold well, MOST. Some times there can be a hole that just won't patch right and always leaks. This is when it's time to have them professionally repaired. I wouldn't buy one that has any seem leaks. Some times even the pros can't fix these. If the material is worn thin and air leaks through it, it's time to look at a different one. That's why I like the rub strakes on the bottom of mine. They came on the Airaquatics, I added them to my Boaters World dinghy. They also make bottom paint for inflatables too, and kits for putting you registration numbers on (the sticker numbers don't work, and some states won't let you use a board). So how old is old for an inflatable? well you kind of have to measure it in how much it has been in the sun, and how hard it has been used, against how well it has been cared for. Kind of like a MAC/Vn. Some can be 5 years old and a piece of junk, others can be 30 years old and excellant.