My husband and I just bought a 1986 Hunter 23. It did not come with much gear, or a dinghy. My first thought was to get an inflatable one. Any thoughts from those of you with similar boats? Thanks! Karen E.
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Dingy Desires
There are two schools of thought. Ones says get a hardside tender since it can hold more, is more durable/stable and costs less. The other school says buy an inflatable because it won't turn into a sea anchor if it capsizes, is lighter so it is easier to pull topside to stow on deck when not in use, and it can be deflated so it is smaller when in storage. All that said, I am happy with my 9 foot Avon inflatable with a 3hp motor (28 pounds). I use a fairly short painter to tow the dingy and put the motor on a stern rail bracket. I would look on eBay for a good deal on an inflatable.
There are two schools of thought. Ones says get a hardside tender since it can hold more, is more durable/stable and costs less. The other school says buy an inflatable because it won't turn into a sea anchor if it capsizes, is lighter so it is easier to pull topside to stow on deck when not in use, and it can be deflated so it is smaller when in storage. All that said, I am happy with my 9 foot Avon inflatable with a 3hp motor (28 pounds). I use a fairly short painter to tow the dingy and put the motor on a stern rail bracket. I would look on eBay for a good deal on an inflatable.
That is not everyones school of thought.
Particularly the thoughts of stability. An inflatable is nearly impossible to turn over. Either from top side occupant actions or getting back inside from a swim. As far as cargo, check the load plates. Again, stability of an inflatable makes them hard to beat. Hard dingies certainly have their uses and fans but lets keep each types' attributes in the proper column.
Particularly the thoughts of stability. An inflatable is nearly impossible to turn over. Either from top side occupant actions or getting back inside from a swim. As far as cargo, check the load plates. Again, stability of an inflatable makes them hard to beat. Hard dingies certainly have their uses and fans but lets keep each types' attributes in the proper column.
Dinghy can drive you dinghy
Give some thought to how often you will use a dinghy. I have an inflatable with a 4 hp outboard. It has a hard floor, it is very nice for going ashore when we visit barrier islands. I usually tow it behind our Hunter 340. But to be sure, the dinghy is a pain. It doesn't really fit well anywhere, it is hard to lift if it gets water in it and it is always in the way at the marina. I can't leave it in the water because of barnacle build up, and it's too bulky to stowe aboard easily. I could install davits, but that would ruin the swim platform on my boat which is one of its nicest features. So I would ask you, do you really want a dinghy? I have used mine once, and I just brought it for the kids. They enjoyed it, but it is a lot of trouble.
Give some thought to how often you will use a dinghy. I have an inflatable with a 4 hp outboard. It has a hard floor, it is very nice for going ashore when we visit barrier islands. I usually tow it behind our Hunter 340. But to be sure, the dinghy is a pain. It doesn't really fit well anywhere, it is hard to lift if it gets water in it and it is always in the way at the marina. I can't leave it in the water because of barnacle build up, and it's too bulky to stowe aboard easily. I could install davits, but that would ruin the swim platform on my boat which is one of its nicest features. So I would ask you, do you really want a dinghy? I have used mine once, and I just brought it for the kids. They enjoyed it, but it is a lot of trouble.
Don't waste your money or time
23 foot boat whats the point unless you need to get to and from a mooring and have no other choice.
23 foot boat whats the point unless you need to get to and from a mooring and have no other choice.
Don't spend your time or money
23 foot boat whats the point. Unless you are dealing with a mooring.
23 foot boat whats the point. Unless you are dealing with a mooring.
Dinghy
unless you're using it to go out to your mooring I'd use a Sevlor. On my 25.5 I keep one in the cockpit locker, it is very handy for going ashore when I'm at anchor. Very cheap and easy to use.
unless you're using it to go out to your mooring I'd use a Sevlor. On my 25.5 I keep one in the cockpit locker, it is very handy for going ashore when I'm at anchor. Very cheap and easy to use.
I still need a dinghy too...
I've been looking at the Sea Eagle brand - the soft transom SE-9 looks like it would do the job, with the wood floor and wood bench seats. Not the common inflatable look, although they do have those too. A friend has the SE 8.6 - he says it's well made.
I've been looking at the Sea Eagle brand - the soft transom SE-9 looks like it would do the job, with the wood floor and wood bench seats. Not the common inflatable look, although they do have those too. A friend has the SE 8.6 - he says it's well made.
Go get one
I love the dinghy. I have a 10' Zodiac with 5hp Merc. Yes it is a pain, yes it requires extra maintenance, and yes it requires extra effort to get into the water and out in the dinghy rack after the weekend. I take my dog to shore when anchored out, I take it across the harbor to restaurants and bars in the evening (proper lighting is another thing to do), I take if fishing and claming, visiting other boats in the anchorage and sometimes just go exploring to places I can't get my 5' draft H380 in. I can't imagine not having one. Just my $0.02 worth...
I love the dinghy. I have a 10' Zodiac with 5hp Merc. Yes it is a pain, yes it requires extra maintenance, and yes it requires extra effort to get into the water and out in the dinghy rack after the weekend. I take my dog to shore when anchored out, I take it across the harbor to restaurants and bars in the evening (proper lighting is another thing to do), I take if fishing and claming, visiting other boats in the anchorage and sometimes just go exploring to places I can't get my 5' draft H380 in. I can't imagine not having one. Just my $0.02 worth...
Jim, all good points.
I'll touch on the safety aspect of a strong capable tender. I think they are akin to the value of an anchor. Probably more valuable. They can be used for retrieving fuel after running out,,,,
for setting a THIRD anchor or stern tying to the beach, or as a life raft or removing injured crew to help quickly or used as a float pod for a helicopter evacuation, or, or, or, what ever you need to do to insure ship safety. P.S. The best analogy is a 'car in the driveway'.
I'll touch on the safety aspect of a strong capable tender. I think they are akin to the value of an anchor. Probably more valuable. They can be used for retrieving fuel after running out,,,,
for setting a THIRD anchor or stern tying to the beach, or as a life raft or removing injured crew to help quickly or used as a float pod for a helicopter evacuation, or, or, or, what ever you need to do to insure ship safety. P.S. The best analogy is a 'car in the driveway'.And they make a
good tow boat or should I say push boat. I've used mine to push my boat 15 or so miles last year when I lost my engine and mainsheet halyard on a run to Camden,Maine. So all I had at the time was the 110 genny and the dingy to move the boat. Real fun but we made it "just a day later.
good tow boat or should I say push boat. I've used mine to push my boat 15 or so miles last year when I lost my engine and mainsheet halyard on a run to Camden,Maine. So all I had at the time was the 110 genny and the dingy to move the boat. Real fun but we made it "just a day later.
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