Prior to our Catalina trip this past September, I waited and watched Ebay for our inflatable. I took about a month, but I ended up with the 8.5’ air-floor for $480.
---Harrison
Good deal on a Dinghy?
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Hardcrab
- Captain
- Posts: 868
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:25 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: "Cease-fire", White 05 M, 90hp, Boggy Bayou, Niceville, FL
Beene,
We also have the 9.5' airfloor from Baltic. Very well made. I tend to think whoever makes this particular boat in Korea badges it to many other sellers/brand names.
As to speed towed, we usually run 18 knots over to Catalina with plenty of tow rope to get it in back of the last wake about 40' or so. It always towed fine, with lots of looking over my shoulder at first. Went WOT (24/25 knots)a few times when crossing the shipping channel, but I wasn't looking backwards
.
The dinghy always arrived with us. Just remember to haul in most of the tow line when you slow down and get close to stuff.
We use the Honda 2hp 4 stroke due to it's 27 lb's, air cooled, and automatic neutral/ forward. We simply lay it down and strap it to one of our stern seats for transit. Simple solution to a difficult problem. We never tow at speed (anything above 8-10 knots) with the Honda installed. Loading and unloading the motor onto the dinghy has always been easy.
After we figured how to put the inflated dinghy on the bow for distance runs, we have not towed hi-speed/distance since. The 9.5' fits like a glove on the deck. The method uses a correct length bridle, the jib halyard, genny block mounted on the jib track (to act as a turning block) and the Admiral at the winch. Works slick as snot. Easy on- easy-off.
We are not frequent dinghy users. So far it's limited to docking from mooring bouys/anchorage, and short cruises around the mooring fields. The 2hp will not set any speed records, but it's positives outweigh the negatives for our use.
We also have the 9.5' airfloor from Baltic. Very well made. I tend to think whoever makes this particular boat in Korea badges it to many other sellers/brand names.
As to speed towed, we usually run 18 knots over to Catalina with plenty of tow rope to get it in back of the last wake about 40' or so. It always towed fine, with lots of looking over my shoulder at first. Went WOT (24/25 knots)a few times when crossing the shipping channel, but I wasn't looking backwards
. The dinghy always arrived with us. Just remember to haul in most of the tow line when you slow down and get close to stuff.
We use the Honda 2hp 4 stroke due to it's 27 lb's, air cooled, and automatic neutral/ forward. We simply lay it down and strap it to one of our stern seats for transit. Simple solution to a difficult problem. We never tow at speed (anything above 8-10 knots) with the Honda installed. Loading and unloading the motor onto the dinghy has always been easy.
After we figured how to put the inflated dinghy on the bow for distance runs, we have not towed hi-speed/distance since. The 9.5' fits like a glove on the deck. The method uses a correct length bridle, the jib halyard, genny block mounted on the jib track (to act as a turning block) and the Admiral at the winch. Works slick as snot. Easy on- easy-off.
We are not frequent dinghy users. So far it's limited to docking from mooring bouys/anchorage, and short cruises around the mooring fields. The 2hp will not set any speed records, but it's positives outweigh the negatives for our use.
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beene
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2546
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:31 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Ontario Canada, '07 26M, Merc 75 4s PEGASUS
Thanks Ray... very nice of you... I'll bring some fish and we can have a salmon steakIf you happen to swim this way, we'll make room for you.
Harrison
I like the price of the 8.5, but with family of 4 and not wanting to buy another dinghy for years, I am thinking the 9.5 is better suited to our needs.
Hardcrab
Thanks for the insight into the Baltic 9.5. Always nice to hear from an actual owner. It seems that the Affordable Inflatable ebay store carries these all the time, so I am not worried about taking my time to make my decision. The 9.5 does seem to be the perfect size and specs for my needs.
Thanks again
G
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Québec 1
- Admiral
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:02 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Honda BF 50 - MACM0047E303 Lévis, Québec Canada
I went sailing 40 times in this 669$ sailboat dingy this summer 
. It was great as a sailer-rower 
..yes it rows pretty good to get out of the current. I rowed myself out of 5 knot currents with no wind more than once. 
It holds 660lbs and up to 4 people...personally I think 2 fit just right ! I sailed in the Pacific Ocean ....off Jerico Beach in Vancouver, on Lake Superior in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and about 30 times in the Saint Lawrence river across from Québec City. I had a blast. I carried it in the trunk of my car all summer. It fits in 2 35lbs bags and I inflated it with a portable power box or directly from the cigarette lighter in the car . When I was sailing on the St Lawrence some guy in his 150,000$ sailboat told me I should not be out in such an embarcation on the St Lawrence. I looked at him and said ...where were you sailing last week...I was in the Pacific...He answered ------------------ Right ...carry on mate!
http://www.sailboatstogo.com/v_page.php ... Seahawk_II
. It was great as a sailer-rower ..yes it rows pretty good to get out of the current. I rowed myself out of 5 knot currents with no wind more than once. It holds 660lbs and up to 4 people...personally I think 2 fit just right ! I sailed in the Pacific Ocean ....off Jerico Beach in Vancouver, on Lake Superior in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and about 30 times in the Saint Lawrence river across from Québec City. I had a blast. I carried it in the trunk of my car all summer. It fits in 2 35lbs bags and I inflated it with a portable power box or directly from the cigarette lighter in the car . When I was sailing on the St Lawrence some guy in his 150,000$ sailboat told me I should not be out in such an embarcation on the St Lawrence. I looked at him and said ...where were you sailing last week...I was in the Pacific...He answered ------------------ Right ...carry on mate!http://www.sailboatstogo.com/v_page.php ... Seahawk_II