What type of inflatable dingy?

[njlarry]

For all the usual reasons we have decided on purchasing an inflatable dingy. I am having trouble deciding on the type (slat floor vs air floor/keel) and size as I have no inflatable experience. ( I do however have a lot of deflating experiences.) Any advice would be welcome.
There is at most a $400 difference in the choices.
Option one; an 8-6 slat floor from WM 3, person rating.
Oprion two; a 9-0 air floor/keel from Archelles, 3+1 person
Option three; a 10-2 air floor/keel Archelles, 4 person.
They all weigh about the same, 50-60 lbs.
The admiral feels the 4 person rating is a priority but I like small and portable.
I am concerned that the slat floor will be harder to handle.
Our boat already has a 2 hp Honda so we will likely use it the first season at least.
Thank you.

 

[Brian D]

I would say if your are young and foolish, go with the smaller, lighter one. On the other hand, I hear the Admiral and would recommend the 10-2 for her comfort and safety.

However, you have to decided on what will be the purpose of the little craft. Haul gear or passengers? Maybe haul groceries or other items. Really depends on the intended use.

 

[njlarry]

Sorry I should had added intended use.
We home port at a marina but like to anchor out alot. Usually just the two of us but sometimes with another couple.
We would use it to explore the beautiful anchorages of the bay, run to beaches, restaurants and tiki bars etc. Not much grocery hauling. The WM model looks big enough for four when I saw it in a store by it is only rated for three dispite a 900 lb capacity.

 

[Rick D]

Four Person

I have had a lot of inflatables over the years and would recommend the air floor over the slatted one and the four person over the three. I have a three person rated one and two big and one small is a real limit; it gets less than stable when overloaded. OTOH, I usually use my hard dinghy. My 2c.

 

[Chief RA]

Have owned at least 7 inflatable dinghys. Option #3 and eventually get a Tohatsu 3.5hp for it. Chief

 

[Stu Jackson]

I agree with Rick, Brian and Chief.

You will NEVER REGRET BUYING BIGGER, Ever. You MIGHT regret buying smaller and wanting or needing bigger. Then whaddya do?

Air floor: simplicity defined. We have 120V pump, makes it a breeze, still use the foot pump for the air floor. Have a 9.9 on it, but your 2 hp would do for the first season if you can enjoy gunkholing. Actually some places have slow speed zones and I can't get up on plane on mine as much as I'd like.

Tip & trick: cover the air floor will medium colored outdoor carpeting. I learned this trick from a circumnavigator the first day we took our new dinghy out. We chose light blue, if I did it over I'd use a sand colored carpet.

10-2 air floor, you'll never regret it. Perfect fit deflated on your foredeck, and can maybe be stowed upside down afore the mast. Get a towing bridle, too.

If you ever get a heavier engine, get a Garhauer engine hoist, great thing. In the meantime, you'll enjoy just "handing down" the light 2 hp motor!!!

 

[njlarry]

Thank you all for your help.
Is the airfloor more maintenance than the slatted floor and will it be much better handling with low hp engine?

 

[Stu Jackson]

The air floor is zero maintenance. I've had "fit-in" floors before, horrible to set up. If by slatted floors you mean the ones that have a bunch of thin strips, not fully flat sections, they are very loose underfoot.

A small engine will work fine on a larger boat, you'll just go slower. A larger engine won't work on a smaller boat.

 

[Chief RA]

Stu, carpet idea is great! Chief