Used Dink

M

Maxwell

Member
Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
RO Number
31042
Messages
378
I finally got the admiral to realize the "need" for us to get a dinghy for next season and found a used one in my area. It is a hard bottom 2004 AB 9VS with a 2003 9.9 Mercury 2 Stroke. Although I'd rather have 4 stroke, I'm willing to settle due to the price. Has anybody had any experience with this model? Also, I am a big advocate of getting our boats surveyed, however how does that work with a Dinghy since there really aren't many systems to check. Do I just get someone that is well versed in inflatables to look at the boat and then do a compression check etc. on the motor?

Any input is appreciated.

max
 
AB's have a good rep. If the boat fits your needs and you're happy with the price, it should be fine. That's going to be a heavy set-up so I'm assuming you've considered how you're going to store/transport it. Also, while hard bottoms have many advantages, compacting and storing them is not one of them.

As for a survey, I would not bother on something like this. If the dink is clean and patch free, it's likely been well maintained. Make sure it's inflated for you. As for the engine, two strokes are pretty durable. If it's cold and the seller can start it without too much trouble, and it runs smoothly, you should be fine.
 
Sorry, I'll make one other point. While I'm a big advocate of buy good used boats, I bought a new dink and motor. I found that used set-ups we commanding top dollar (even pretty old). I figured I could get exactly what I wanted new plus the warrenties for not much more. And if I have to sell it, I doubt I would have trouble getting much of what I paid back. I bought during a boat show special and wound up with a new Suzuki year old left-over motor that still gave me a 5 year warranty.
 
here's a good starting point; http://www.iboats.com/sites/tendercare/ this fellow used to a salesman for the local Novurania showroom who went out on his own buying and selling used tenders off larger boats. the inventory is pretty good and should give you an idea about price. when it comes to RIB's you can generally buy one for about 1/2 the cost of a new one after 2-3 yrs of use. they are not cheap new so the savings is substantial.
 
Excellent... Thank you for the feedback. The price of the boat is about 35% of the quote I received for new. If the boat is in good condition, does this seem fair? I am currently looking into davits etc and will likely have to remove the motor every time. I am hesitant to pay an extra $500+ for a swivel motor mount knowing we probably won't hold our Carver for a long time and that a hydraulic platform will be a must on the next boat.

max
 
If you will be removing the motor on and off stay with the Merc 9.9. It is lighter than the 4 strokes. Also that 9.9 can become a 15hp with very minor modifications. Any Outboard Merc guy can do it. You need to change the water exhaust vent tube with adapter plate and change the carb if memory serves me. I have the same 9.9hp that was converted to a 15hp by Mercury.
 
Another benefit of the 2 stroke if you remove the motor from the dinghy is a 2 stroke can be stored in any position while 4 strokes can only be put down 1 way or oil can drain wrong. I have a 9.9 Mercury, 2005 I think, and have been very happy with it.

John
 
Max,

I think we have the same boat, and we are actually considering a hydraulic lifting platfrom to carry a 3 person jet ski.

In the mean time, we are also looking for a dink and a way to mount it on the back of the Mariner. If you come up with a good solution or having any pics of you set-up, please let me know. I am always interested in what Mariner owners have done to their boats..

We have made some nice, small modifications to ours, but I haven't taken any pics yet.
 
We haven't mounted our dinghy yet. I bought it right after we pulled our boat for the season and just had the dealer I bought it from store it for the winter. I did however take some pictures of another 36 Carver in our storage bldg that has the snap davits we will likely get. Send me an email mstrycker (at) gmail.com and I will gladly email them to you.

ms
 
I have the same motor - I'd LOVE to hear more detail on how to convert it to 15 HP. My son would be pretty happy, he runs it on his dink.
 
I also originally started looking at used dinks. There weren't many for sale and the ones that were weren't that cheap or in that great of shape. I have about $4500 into a Hypalon RIB 11.5" and 15HP four stroke both new. The used ones I was seeing were in the $3500 range and were definitely used. If I did fine a used one that appeared to be in the kind of shape I keep my boats in I would have bought it.
 
Nice boat, I have the 10 VS. You mention the davits, and not buying the motor swivel, so I’m assuming you’re talking Weaver davits. 140 lbs (without the motor) is gonna be pretty heavy to flip up on it’s side, plus lifting the motor off in anything but flat water’s a chore. I opened up the bow locker on mine and added 2 towing “eyes” to the hull so I can use a heavy duty bridle to tow it, up to 20 knots seems to work just fine. I’d suggest traditional style davits to lift the whole thing, if possible on your style boat. I found flipping a 10’ air floor and removing an 8 hp 2 stroke to be too much like work. I’m just sayin…….
 
On another thread someone suggested a Hurley davit as being easy. To use with the engine attached.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mariner36

On another thread someone suggested a Hurley davit as being easy. To use with the engine attached.

Click to expand...
seem with the dingy stored flat would solve the problem with stern lines crosed across the dingy when there stored vertical on the transome and the line up over the dingy rubbing.
 
it seems as if the Hurley Style davit will stick out to far in the back and will make docking very difficult for us due to the short side fingers.

Back to the drawing board.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top