Dinghy

J

jmeirhofer

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No not me. Although my wife would argue that point sometimes.

Dinghys are yet another subject I am trying to learn more about. There are just so many choices out there. So I put it to the good folks at BoaterEd. What is good, what is bad? Hard bottom, semi hard bottom, inflatable bottom. While I am with the school of bigger is better, what is manageable by one person loading and unloading off a platform without a lift? What about outboards? 2-stroke or 4-stroke? What size fuel tank?

Any and all opinions appreciated.
 
I've got a 9' inflatable Avon RIB with a 7hp very old outboard. The rib is nice- I personally wouldn't want an inflatable floor if you are ever going to really use it. I would like to actually sell my RIB and get a full fiberglass one like a livingston or 11' boston whaler. Unless you are just rowing a 1 lb. poodle to shore, I'd either get a rib or a full fiberglass one. 4 strokes are heavier than 2 strokes so if you go that route keep it in mind. I would give the electric motor by torqeeto a strong look too.
 
John, since you are coming to MD.,,I have an Apex A9 hanging in my basement, that was new in 95, and used one time, before I sold the boat that had the davit. Perfect condition, which the Admiral told me to move on. New it was $1800. and I'm hoping for $700. I ran it with a 9hp Honda, and it went about 50,,so I dropped to a 5hp. which just made it plane, however was heavier than the 2 stroke.
I now have an infl. floor dingy, with that 5hp Honda.
 
These days just about all new dinghy-sized motors are 4-stroke. If you can find a used 2-stroke in the size you want go for it.

If you have to mount and dismount the motor frequently, the lighter the better. a 9.9 might be fun but getting it on the transom of a wobbly dinghy can be exciting, and possibly expensive. I use a lightweight 2.5 hp for just that reason. I'm willing to give up the speed for the convenience. Some folks aren't.

Electrics have their place. They're even lighter than gassers, are more convenient, easier to handle and "start", but they do have speed and range limitations. If you're only going from the anchorage to the beach or restaurant, they're well worth considering. If you want to go exploring all afternoon, you need a gasser. I carry (and use) both.

I like to build my own dinghys so I can't comment on what type to buy.
 
They don't make small 2-strokes any longer, but I prefer them (higher RPM for more torque, lighter to handle). We used to get by without a dinghy, but were offered a fantastic deal on an 8' with inflatable bottom and 2.5 2-stroke outboard and have been very happy with it. What's best is what works for you; what you can load and launch comfortably. Moreover, what will you use it for?
 
I have an Avon RIB 310. We started with an 8Hp 4 stroke that came with the big boat in the purchase. It was plenty of power but constant maintenance issue (like rowing back to the boat repeatedly!). I traded it for a new Yamaha 8Hp 2 stroke (my favorite). The 2 stroke was by far the easiest to maintain and operate, but my wife couldn't pull start it. We ended up WAY over powered and at the max. for the dinghy with a 15Hp 4 stroke with electric start. Now the Admiral can use the dink any time she wants to explore by herself. We're always hauling 4 people and a fat dog so the power is useful. I must say though, the 40 knots fully loaded is a rush and scary as hell when alone!

A consideration mentioned above is the ability to load and offload the dinghy. We have a 1,000Lb. lift electric davit on the foredeck and a Hurley Davit on the swim platform (only 7" above the water). I can load with both by myself. I suppose how you plan to transport the dinghy and whether you will have a hand loading it should factor in as much as your budget.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

They don't make small 2-strokes any longer, but I prefer them (higher RPM for more torque, lighter to handle). We used to get by without a dinghy, but were offered a fantastic deal on an 8' with inflatable bottom and 2.5 2-stroke outboard and have been very happy with it. What's best is what works for you; what you can load and launch comfortably. Moreover, what will you use it for?

Click to expand...


While I am not positive, I believe they have been outlawed in the USA. Only 4 strokers are available, new. Used is the only way to go for 2 stokers.
 
You are going to have to have some sort of lifting and mounting system, otherwise you will want something very small, say 8 ft, and a pure inflatable. Man handling almost anything up onto the platform is not going to be fun. Towing is an option if you don't want to install some sort of davit system.
 
Last year I purchased a 10 foot Walker Bay dinghy. Some type of plastic,very light and easy to row. As I have a gofast I don't bring it on board but use it around home for rowing, friends fish off it etc. I have been quite pleased with and it is very durable. You can also add a flotation collar that gives in more capacity, stability and greater horse power. Google Walker Bay and you get lot's of info.
 
I am running a Mercury 350 OceanRunner RIB with a 4-stroke electric start 20hp on the back. After having a RIB, I would never go back to a soft bottom again.
 
The boat I bought two years ago came with a 9ft Livingston dinghy on Weaver snap davits affixed to the swim platform, and with a 2004 Johnson 8hp 2 stroke outboard. My personal preference would be to have a rigid hull inflatable, but it's not currently within my budget. I don't care much for the Livingston -- it's heavy and I'm not big on the catamaran twin hull design, although it is stable and I haven't had any specific problems with it. It doesn't go very fast with the 8hp Johnson. I can pull the dinghy into the upright position on the davits myself, but it is heavy and requires *heft*. The Johnson outboard is great. I can easily lift it on and off the dinghy. I'd guess it weighs about 40 lbs. The snap davits are great too. They hold the dinghy securely in place even in rough conditions, and they hold it in place when in the water too for easy loading and unloading of people, gear, etc.

Go with an RIB if you can afford it.
 
We do plan to use it to both "go ashore" and for exploring. From what I am reading a RIB is the only way to go with type. Maybe around 9'. The Trojan does have a davit in the trunk to lift the dinghy and/or motor in and out.
 
I dunno about the "...the only way to go" I have a 9' soft bottom with the wood floor. I can pull it on and off my transom (Hurley) by myself and the 8HP motor stays on. It's not perfect and having a RIB sure would have been nice in a few situations but I'm reasonably happy with what I have to get ashore and putting around exploring. Removal and storage is great as it breaks down into its storage bag for the winter at home.

Then again, if you have the davit to lift in/out and no $$ issues, go for the RIB
 
When I was younger I toed a 16' Aluminum around behind my 22' boat.
Later I had a succession of inflatables. The best and easiest to handle was a Metzler 13' which I used a 6 Hp and a 9.5 on at different times.
I think....(easy now) that the Inflatable is easiest and most useful. In bad water it's like being inside a life preserver.

When arriving back at the boat, I deflated the Metzler a little bit, enough to fold it in half, and hung it off the back of the boat. Other times I vacuumed out all the air, and put the package down below.
The hard way I learned to cover it with a Sun proof cover of some kind.
The best accessory you can have on the boat, associated with the Dingy is a Vacuam Cleaner that will inflate as well as deflate the inflatable.

The Six was light enough to handle and made the boat go Six mph.
A Davit sure is handy for all the Dingy/motor functions. And a helping hand is pretty handy too.
Keep a good leash on that outboard. The tank will float but that outboard is going to the bottom if you make that mistake.
 
33' Trojan Express Cruiser

10' Hypalon air floor dinghy

the size works great for storage and it fits in the lazarette or simply set under the gunnel, beside the helm seats.

Hypalon is a superior material to PVC

We have a 9.9 Mercury 2 stroke built to 12 HP

The engine is 64 lbs and after setting it on the dink a few times we added a St Croix mini crane to keep the engine out of as Radioactive Bill said, Neptunes Basement.

The 2 stroke is far lighter than the 4 and it can be laid on it's side with no danger of any motor oil leaking out.

the 9.9 gives us lots of power and makes for some fun bopping around in the dink on plane.

For a 33' boat we feel this combination works well.

RWS
 
quote:
Originally posted by jmeirhofer

We do plan to use it to both "go ashore" and for exploring. From what I am reading a RIB is the only way to go with type. Maybe around 9'. The Trojan does have a davit in the trunk to lift the dinghy and/or motor in and out.

Click to expand...


Well, that's different then; your first post said "without a lift". Then I'll pile on the RIB bandwagon. A solid fiberglass boat like my Whaler is too heavy and clunky for that sort of set up in my opinion. Great boat and we love it, but just not what I would use in your situation. I also love the two stroke engines.

George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport
 
I guess that is one major drawback with a RIB and a 4-stroke.
I think my RIB tips the scales at 210 lbs and the engine about 130 lbs.
I am lucky as I have an electric davit that makes life easy.
 
George - The reason I said get out of the water without a lift is that murphy's law says when you need it most it will fail. I don't intend to get it in and out by myself all the time but I need to know that I can if I need to. Or if I need to just pull it up on the platform quickly.

Thud - I have a 21' foot bowrider that I really like but just don't anticipate using. Maybe that is the solution I should look for is how to tow that with me behind the trojan 8-)

As for losing the motor in the water, I can not understand why anyone would try to mount over the water without some form of safety strap. That would seem like a no brainer to me.
 
I'll agree with a RIB for what you want it for. All it's going to take are a few pointy rocks, boards, or other shoreline debris and you will either be glad you have a RIB or wishing you had one. Particularly when you are running along in murky water and hit it. We've been using an Avon 340 Rover with an 18HP Tohatsu 4 stroke and I can guarantee you will not be lifting either item, boat or engine, up onto the boat without a davit. We have a transom mounted davit that has a key fob remote control.
But if you have a need to pull the rig up onto the boat, perhaps you can mount chocks on the platform and use a winch? Take a look at this rig -> http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=1400 Perhaps it is removable when you are not cruising.
With our set up we have a 6 gallon tank and it has served us well. If we go on extended rides that are around 20nm long we will have to fill up the tank at the end of the day. Usually about 3 gallons.
I've used 2 strokes and it seems the mixture gets boned up once in a while and it always happens on a windless day so the blue haze follows the dink. As a result I will swear by 4 strokes.
 
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