WM Mini Dinghy

[Shippy]

Anyone familiar with this dinghy? WM is running a fall special which includes a small 12v motor. I was looking for something inflatable that we could use aboard our 29.5 that I could easily stow, would allow the wife and I to slowly motor to a dock when we anchor out, that was reasonably stable and we could handle without davits. I realize that I do not want to tow this guy in any kind of weather, nor do I want to depend on him as a life raft, but just for the purpose of getting us ashore in the chesapeake on nice calm days, it sounds like a bargain. Any experience would be approciated.

 

[Drew]

Dinghy

I've got the dink - it is very compact, comes with a bag and is easy to store. Seems relatively well put together, too.I don't have the engine, though. I've heard it's very slow, but hell, if they are throwing it in free you can't go wrong with this deal. If you pull the trigger on this, let me know if I should buy the motor!!Good luck.

 

[Darren Mayes]

For what it is worth...

Here are the reviews from West Marine site:

 

[Rich]

May be okay for your purpose, but look it over

Shippy, I wrote one of the 2 reviews on the WM site (hint: not the guy with the beer!) and as I said there, this is an extremely light-duty craft. It doesn't have anywhere near the wall thickness you get with the traditional inflatables--it looks like a sevylor toy with a sturdy canvas cover to hold it all together. You'll really want to look over a sample on the showroom floor--it may be too light-duty for a salt-water marina even on calm days.

 

[Chris3720]

got one...but...

I saw it in the newest catalogue and went to the nearest store. It looked good to me, so I got one. They didn't have any motors in stock, and in fact didn't even know that there was a sale with it being included with the dinghy. I showed them the catalogue and they proceeded to make one phone call after another. Finally someone had an answer for us, the rebate was not ready yet. Needless to say, they ordered a motor for me and I am getting free, without having to hassle with the rebate. So, if anyone goes to get this dinghy, take the ad with you!!As for the boat itself, it looks good when inflated in the back yard. I can't wait for sailing season next year.ChrisM25 Chara

 

[Anchor Down]

I Wouldn't Put

my worst enemy in that thing. It would have to be a VERY calm day with no wind and flat as a mill pond before I'd put my dog in it.Does it come with ear plugs, so you can't hear the laughter as you troll by other boats?

 

[Rana Toro]

Great little boat

Used one all summer for lake sailing and left my Avon (hypalon) at home.Light easy to handle and store. No motor for mine, rows easy but not control is fun on windy days.Nylon cover is sturdy and held up well to the UV all summer. For a couple of hundred bucks it's hard to beat.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Maybe I'll trade in my 11.5 Avon RIB for it.

Wonder if my 25hp Yamaha will bolt up? No worries, I'll trade that too.

 

[Peter]

As it's now getting to Wiinter.

If you can wait awhile, try e-Bay this winter. Although, as Fred, I already had a high speed planing HPIF Zodiac tender and the OB for it, I bought a '91 lightweight (38+/- lbs.) 8+ ft Achilles hypalon soft transom "donut dink" for under $300, a 2HP Evinrude motor for $100 (runs great after a putting in carb kit at $15 and about one hour of my time), and a heavy-duty bag to put the dink in for under $25. A little more $$, and some time, but a real dink setup I won't be embarassed by for under $500. And I'm sure the hypalon will last lots longer. They're there frequently on e-Bay if you're flexible and patient!

 

[Ray Bowles]

WM 9.4 Water Tender

When we were live aboard cruisers (ending last year)we used a WM 9.4 foot Water Tender. It was a roto-molded tri-hull barge 4 feet wide with 3 bench seats. We powered it with a 4 hp motor. The boat was great for transiting from the 38 to shore and would easly carry both of us and about 130# of goods. We hung it from davitts with the motor on the lifeline tubing when in transit.The boat was less than $500 and in my opinion a much better craft than an inflatable. She lasts about twice as long and isn't a target for theives that inflatables are.They also are very easy to scrape shell life off of, something you must use care with in an inflatable.It will alos tow much better than a blow-up boat.RayRay

 

[Drew]

Shippy

As usually, you asked two sailors for an opinion and got seven. The dink for your stated intentions, with a free motor, is a decent value. I vote go for it.

 

[Mike]

Don't worry be happy....;D

Don't worry about the likes of Anchor Down and what others think of your tender. If you intend to use it as you said in your post then it should make a nice addition to your boating pleasure. While others may chuckle, you've saved a ton of dough on something you may use for 20 minutes all season.As far as owning a tender which carries a 25 horse outboard and is 11 feet + long: Well that sort of thing tends to be fueled by testosterone and plays out as a big "equipment" contest.Take the $2,000 you save and buy some nice dinners out and use the tender to get to the dock so you can go out to eat at the ports you visit on the hook.Cheers,Mike

 

[Mike Misko]

WM Dinghy Sale

Echoing Chris' comments, when we went to the local store they said the whole deal had to be ordered. They first learned about it when another customer came in and asked about it. They even tried to take care of the customer by calling other area stores, but nobody stocked it. Our local guys give good service and seemed a bit frustrated they learned about this package after the fact rather than directly from HQ.

 

[Shippy]

Great Reponses

We had a full size tender while down in the BVIs this summer and it was great (no one laughed either). We towed it eveywhere and it was a necessity when gettimg from the mooring balls/anchor to shore. I don't want something that I always need to tow nor am I ready to install davits on our 29.5 but there have been a couple of occasions where we have gone places that I would rather have anchored out and motored to sure for a nice dinner, but had to pay for a slip for the night rather than risk trying to anchor at night after dinner. something like this looked like a nice alternative to a more expensive and potentially more work full size tender. What I really want to know from anyone that owns (or did own ) one, is how tender is it? Can the admirmal and I get it inflated on deck quickly, launch it from the transom and safely (and dryly) get to sure from say 200 ft in a protected harbor? Or it so flimsy that it is like staying on a raft when someone is trying to knock you off? Will the mnotor even move you (two adults)? Like Mike said, for what I need, I can save the $2000 and enjoy some nice meals ashore.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Hey Mike,,,,

You just showed your experience with that testosterone comment. That tender with that engine was singularly the MOST valuable accessory aboard (with davits) on our cruise to Trinidad and subsequent play in the Eastern Caribbean and back. The watermaker was second. The only 'problem' with the tender was that it got picked by default for social exploring with new friends. Lucky we never had to use it as an escape pod. But with a range of 150 miles at 32 miles per hour, it would have done that well too. And I left out a lot of stuff. All good. Wouldn't want to diminish the male legend.

 

[Tim R.]

What works

As sailors, we tend to try the cheap/easy solution first. "Not that there is anything wrong with that" but I think you will find what most others have. It will work fine for the short term but you will decide it is too small or too hard to row or too wet.I started out with an economical used $200 redcrest. I would haul it to the public launch and inflate it and then row out to my boat. Yeah, that's mine...the one you can barely see because it is on the outer edge of the field! 2kt cross tidal current also. I must have rowed further diagonally than anyone on this board! 1 1/2 seasons of that and I bought the tuffy 8' for $250. Easier to row but had to cartop. This year it was joining the local YC and take advantage of the launch service. I also upgraded to a CD10 with sail rig. Easy to row and fun to sail around an anchorage. I have a friend with one and we are planning on doing some racing. Unlike Fred, I don't need speed or size. "Not that there is anything wrong with that". I just either row or sail where I need to go. And I don't want anyone else except my wife with me.My point: Buy it and use it. You will either love it or learn from it.Tim R.

 

[Drew]

Like I said...

...it is fine for what you are looking to use it for. I can't speak to the motor 'cause mine didn't come with one, but the dink does come with oars included, too. If you have to "help" the motor move you 200 feet in a sheltered harbor you are still two thousand bucks ahead of the other guy.

 

[Rana Toro]

Same as Drew

I own one. It did not come with a motor but I'm sure it would work well with a small trolling motor.It inflates easily and stores easily. We either towed it or hung it from the stern seats with velcro straps when underway.We are able to load my 200#'s and my wife's 130#'s plus the 15# schnauser in it when going ashore. Keep in mine this is lake sailing and not ocean surf. (For that I have a 10'Avon with a 10 hp motor).Obviously it is much more comfortable for one person than two with gear and the dog. But, loading it down is good for a few laughs and comments from onlookers. Don't expect to step out of your boat into this dink carrying all your gear and not hold on to something. You will end up in the drink. Weight transfer is done with care but once in it is stable for it's size. It is what it is ... a "mini dink".We love ours and I think it's well worth the money but in some conditions it does not replace the Avon. Hopes this help your decision.

 

[don954]

what i did a few years ago that worked out

pretty good was a Sevylor (yes, they make heavy stuff too, not just pool toys) 12' Caravelle, it had like 4 air chambers and a doubble main chamber, much safer than this baby west marine boat. It was 129$ at bass world, another 29$ for the motor mount, another 59$ for the canvas liner (sharp shells in our canals). I put a 60lb trolling motor on it for a speed of 2-3 knots, put many miles on that little cheap boat..

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Rana , you've got us beat.

Our Schnauzer is only 14 pounds. This is Bailey. At two years old, he's know old enough to vote. (family style)