Good deal on a Dinghy?

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:34 pm

We have been very happy with our Maxxon air floor.

http://www.funtimeinflatables.com/Produ ... maxxon.htm

http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/maxxoninflatables.html

http://www.boatownersworld.com/maxxon/m ... series.htm

We bought it locally for $999 three years ago. It rows as good as any, it does have an inflatable keel which helps a lot. It planes out nicely with our 6hp outboard. Ours is the CS300 model. We wanted the 1,100 lb capacity for our family of 5 with 2 dogs. It easily takes us all to shore in one trip.

PVC boats are just as durable as Hypalon boats. Hypalon wins for UV resistance but in our northern climates this really isn't an issue.

On boats as small as ours I can't see ever using a hard floor RIB, storage would be next to impossible. We carry the air floor dinghy rolled up across the windows on the bow just behind the hatch. I use a SS caribiner on each of it's grab lines to clip to the lifelines. It actually makes a great seat when cruising yet is low enough there that it does not block the view forward.

To inflate it I just roll it out between the mast and the bow pulpit, bow forward. It's easy to inflate there and can actually be carried inflated there for short distances although the higher dinghy transom up at the mast does block the view. It is light enough to just toss over the side to launch and two people can easily pull it pack on board.

One new product that does look quite interesting is the Walker Bay inflatable floor units. They have a different floor design.

http://www.walkerbay.com/products/odyssey_air.php

The airfloor itself is Vee shaped rather than flat with an inflatable keel tube under it. This looks like a better design than the loose fabric botton stretched over the keel tube. They also have lot's of other nifty features. No doubt though much more expensive than the Maxxon.

If you get an air floor you'll really want a better pump than the ones most come with. You need to get higher PSI in the floor than is possible with the standard high volume foot pump.

The best I've found is the Bravo Ten *Greenie available here

http://www.theboatpeople.com/atr_pumps.html

It has a second stage high pressure outlet that will let you get the pressure you need for a nice stiff floor.

Shane · Post by **Shane** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:45 am

Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote: ....We carry the air floor dinghy rolled up across the windows on the bow just behind the hatch. I use a SS caribiner on each of it's grab lines to clip to the lifelines. It actually makes a great seat when cruising yet is low enough there that it does not block the view forward.

Sometimes the simple solution is the easiest to forget. I did look at storing ours (inflated) on the foredeck, but too big; hadn't thought about leaving it collapsed. I'll have to think about that one some more.

Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote: ....One new product that does look quite interesting is the Walker Bay inflatable floor units. They have a different floor design.

http://www.walkerbay.com/products/odyssey_air.php

We're really pleased with the 240AF we got. Small (2.4m/8ft), but 1100 lb. capacity. It doesn't leave much room for gear if you have 3+ people in it, but it can carry a big load. I've got it powered with an 11 year old daughter for now, but it's rated for up to an 8hp

. We'd tried & were considering a cheapie to do us for a couple of seasons, but BWY brought a 240 & a 270 to their rendezvous last year and they hadn't sold by the end. Their price was good, and they threw such a good bash it was easy to talk ourselves in to it, and I think a much wiser way of going. I just hope they don't bring any kickers with them to the next rendezvous

Regards,
Shane

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:17 am

By towing I mean in ruff conditions as well -

This is off Kay Largo, East side, in Dec 06

Post by **NiceAft** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:39 am

We should start a thread titled "Show Your Dinghy"

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:01 am

I could not get a good picture crossing the Gulf Stream however here is my buddy boat, a Mac 25. Conditions got worse in about 2 hrs. To wet to take pictures.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:42 am

Its a VERY Tuff decision at best.
I can see that if never actually make it to the Islands an inflatable will cost far less than any type of hard bottom. If in fact I somehow pull off this adventure, a Hard bottom would assure me of having a dink for the entire trip. Small inflatables don't seem to last long on Coz due to the iron shore as even sandy beaches seem to have sharp bits and pieces only where you land...
Right now so far the only comment I am getting from the wife is a few laughs and rolling of the eyes....
No matter I got those before I bought te Lake Front Cottage in Michigan The House on Coz, The Mac Gregor and The Road Bike. I get it a lot so It can mean, minds are open just how good of a salesman am I ?????

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:45 am

NiceAft wrote:We should start a thread titled "Show Your Dinghy"

Yes in fact a thread about or even in this thread the more info about dinks and uses and problems the better. Would you buy this dink again if you had to buy another and why . Where are you using your dink and what is on the back / motor. BTW Is That a O.B. Motor I see in the picture of your dink, being towed?

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:17 am

The dinghy crowd break roughly into two groups...the 2000 USD guys who are leaving it on a mooring or using it in a place where failure really is a hassle, and the 300 USD crowd (like me) who dont need the serious gear for our needs

You can search Sevylor, Sevytex 250, and Watertender to see some of the threads on the cheap route. THese arent great boats, but they are good enough for some purposes - especially if you live in a place without full sunshine/ozone which kills the plastic boats of course.

ChrisP and Pam · Post by **ChrisP and Pam** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:20 am

Tahoe Jack,
We don't bother about speed with our inflatable and the 3.3 Mercury. It's more about powering instead of rowing and minimizing weight, storage and handling. Even with gas, the dinghy and motor weigh in less than 100 lbs. But we do have a 5hp Merc that will get it up on plane but only with one person in calm water and a long run-up.
Ours has the large tubes and an 1100 pound capacity. We have never come close to that but the stability of this thing is amazing. It's 10'4" and so it's spacious. She can stretch out and sunbathe while I have a cooler and legroom. And when we need a quick on-the-water fix, we take the dinghy. And what tells me that I made the right choice is Pam enjoys it too.
And when Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy!

Chris

Harrison · Post by **Harrison** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:57 am

I’m seeing 5-6 mph with our 2.5 Merc here at 5000 feet. When I tow it, I find the best place for the dinghy is to position it so it’s surfing down our wake. I just keep messing with the length of the painter to find that sweet spot. By the sweet spot, I’m referring to the tension on the painter. I get it so the tow tension is as light as possible. I’m sure as surface conditions change, the distance will be adjusted as needed. BTW, I also tow the dinghy empty. The motor is mounted on my ladder.

---Harrison

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:58 am

All this discussion about inflatables has me thinking of selling my 12' folding rigid Portabote Genesis IV and going inflatable for my next long cruise. The Portabote has been wonderful and maintenance free, but some of the places we would like to explore are so narrow it would be hard to turn around a 12 ft boat.

A question for you guys that have used the blowups for years: Don't the inflatables of any material come with a cover or traveling case that prevents UV exposure when stored uninflated, outside? IF jnot I could make one. Would a couple of weeks of intense UV exposure once per year do serious harm to a plastic unit if it was protected with a coating of UV inhibitor, and a cover at all other times?

Harrison · Post by **Harrison** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:05 am

Oh I almost forgot, while towing, fully loaded, 2 adults on board, Merc 60BF with a 11p prop, calm conditions. . . 19.1 mph.

---Harrison

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:14 am

Nightsailor:
My inflatable came with a large cover to wrap it in while stowed un-inflated. (a large hockey bag would also work) I also bought a ATV cover /tarp for it while inflated but at 9'6" the inflated dinghy is about 6" too long and I cannot quite get it stretched over so I will have to pass it onto someone with a 8'6" dinghy, it would stretch nicely over that size and keep the waves out while towing.
I also use the UV inhibitors but living in a northern clime and only having my dinghy exposed a month of the year it is not so cruicial.

Mr Bean (Beene)
Take your dinghy selection seriously and don't purchase something that is just good enough for some purposes you will live to regret it - waste of money. Buy quality and serviceability as top priority, theses things are not just for dinghy dock service or make do with. The model Duane speaks of is what I have but here in Canada it is called Titan not Maxxon. These bigger better stronger inflatables open up a multitude of more uses, they are perhaps a second boat. You can roll it up and put it in the trunk of your car and take the motor with you and go fishing in a nearby lake. The larger ones have a larger diameter tubing (17") and provide good freeboard in rough water, you can scoot right across the Georgia Strait in mine if conditions are not extremely rough, just pick your times. They are the greatest toy with the right HP (5hp+) on them and you can use them to explore a long distance from the Mac mothership. You can use them for gas runs to the nearby marina or for grocery runs to the nearby supply store plus you can take the whole family along as Duane does. The last thing you want to do is limit your possibilities by making do. Spend your money wisely the first time and don't be cheap. The high pressure floor and infatable keel make these things track and tow quite well. There is no place on your M to secure an outboard, you will be relegated to carring it on the dink transome so go with the higher HP and and have some fun. My 5hp honda is only adequate I wish it was 8 or 10hp so that I can fly with it, does get up on plane with one person though. Personally, I can't stress the point enough about dinghy selection, you absolutely need to get it right the first time, they are just too cool to get wrong on.

BTW I had to row the first year cause the dinghy cost a lot, engine came second year but I got it at a price I could not ignore so 5hp it was, if not for the deal it would have been 8hp or a 9.8 Nisasan 2S.
Your dinghy purchase can be just as enjoyable as your Mac purchase was, just make sure it fits your needs including future/anticipated ones.

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:52 pm

Well Cat

I have my little W/M mini dinghy weighs 22# with the the SBM 12V electric motor & a booster pact for power wanna race !!!!!!

Post by **NiceAft** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:32 pm

OK Dive, here are your answers.

Yes I would but this again. Not a moments hesitation in thought. Where I use it is in Lake George, NY and in a local man made lake near me. Since the only rocky shores I touch are in Lake Nockamixon ( in Lake George there is always a dock near by) I don't have the need of a hard bottom dinghy.

That is an outboard motor in the back of it. I have it tilted up for towing. It is a 6HP Merc. The largest size motor recommended by the Mfg. is 8HP. The dinghy has an inflatable floor, and an inflatable keel. It is 9'6" long, and can carry four adults.

I use it for a dinghy behind Nice Aft. I also use it to go fishing. I have a small mushroom anchor that I use to stop drifting. The motor gets me to where I wish to go rather quickly; once I get up on plane, and when I get close to a fishing spot, I use the oars. Once I do get up on plane (when alone) I then have to lower the throttle because it will go too fast for me to control when by myself. It's like a stone skipping across the water. I can also get it up on plane with me and the Admiral on it (along with a cooler) if the water is not too choppy. With four persons on board, I wouldn't even attempt it.

The oars are very strong, and the boat rows well. I have heard about dinghy's not doing that well, but I believe those boats don't have a keel.

Four years ago I went to a boat show to buy a Zodiak. I saw the Achilles, and went back and forth. The Achilles was much cheaper than the WM Zodiak. Today, I don't know if that is true of not. Maybe my dealer just really wanted to sell me the boat. He also sold me the 6HP Merc.

The oars come apart for storage, and the boat folds into a storage wrap that makes it easy to handle. It does weigh 75Lbs. But, at 58, I'm still in good enough shape to pick it up, and carry it from my SUV to the water.

The motor weighs 40Lbs, and I can carry that also, but the awkwardness of its shape (all of the weight on one end) makes it more tedious to carry.

The Achilles also came with a foot pump that works extremely well. I can inflate all four chambers in about twenty minutes.

Happy New Year To All

Ray

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Good deal on a Dinghy?