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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Dinghies

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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/11/2006 : 09:42:29

The wife has finally had it with getting wet strolling from the boat to the beach. She has sent her minion (me) forth to find a good dinghy. Any advice from you sage and experienced folks? I know they come in every shape, size, color, and price range. I think I'd rather have an inflatable that I could store in the boat, but, not if I have to accept lower quality. Thanks

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 12:46:49

I've got a 10' Zodiac that I inflate every time I sail, as my C25 is on a mooring ball 100' from shore.

I can deflate it and have it rolled up and into the trunk of my Nissan Maxima in about 5 minutes or less. This includes removing and rinsing the five wooden floor boards and the wooden seat.

Inflating takes about 10 minutes using an electric pump that I run from my car battery. The electric pump is only marginally faster than the foot pump that came with it.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 14:11:55

I've also been thinking about a dink. Leaning to a 9.5' hard dink that Westmarine has for about $500. It gets great reviews. Which is easier to tow behind a sailboat - inflatable or hard?

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 06:18:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 I've also been thinking about a dink. Leaning to a 9.5' hard dink that Westmarine has for about $500. It gets great reviews. Which is easier to tow behind a sailboat - inflatable or hard?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have a West Marine walker bay for sale for $400. I'll bump the link up in the for sale area.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 08:54:20

I have a 7.5 foot Zodiac roll-up. Generally I tow it when cruising and use an electric trolling motor for propulsion. Nice and quiet and no muscle strain.

I've used it for seven years and wouldn't change for anything, except maybe a new one. It's light, tows easily, carrys two adults comfortably, and is easy to care for. The only drawback thus far is that two of the floor slats rotted and broke this year and need to be replaced.

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 11:13:46

Consider a Sevylor HF360, a 12' inflatable roll up that weighs only 45 lbs and takes a 2 horse outboard. With oars, transom engine bracket, and hand pump, all for around 250.00. Check out this website: www.inflatablesstore.com

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 19:50:06

Frank, they have that on sale for $134!

paul

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 20:26:28

That's exactly what I paid for the basic boat. The motor mount transom, hand pump, and oars upped the total to 230.00 including sales tax and shipping.

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dphalsmer
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 11:12:47

Hi All, great forum!
I always viewed those inflatables, except of the high-powerd established brand dingys, as kind-of toys, are they rugged enough to stand up to the wear? Anyone had much experience with them?

David Halsmer
Lady Kristine #177

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AADIVER
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 19:08:28

David, I only use a dink two or three times a year so no need for a higher quality, higher priced inflatable. Mine will get tested in a few weeks during a 4 day cruise to Catalina Island.

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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2006 : 06:16:13

I bought a dinghy off EBay. The brand is Baltik Boats. 7.5 foot dinghy cost me 396 bucks including shipping. It resembles a Bombard and holds two grownups quite easily. I think that's 1/3 the cost of most other brands of dinghies. It's inflatable and weighs about 70 lbs.

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2006 : 11:45:16

Forget about the Sevylor HF360. It's unstable and does NOT handle a 2 horse gas o/b very well despite its claims. Next...?

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 07:04:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JohnMD
 I bought a dinghy off EBay. The brand is Baltik Boats. 7.5 foot dinghy cost me 396 bucks including shipping. It resembles a Bombard and holds two grownups quite easily. I think that's 1/3 the cost of most other brands of dinghies. It's inflatable and weighs about 70 lbs.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I bought a Baltik air floor - 11 footer and it is great. I did not expect the quality I got for the money. There are several companies selling this same inflatable under another name for around $1495. I paid $648 with two seats and $99 for shipping. If you e-mail the company and talk to the owner he said he would honor that price for everyone. I bought mine on E-bay and waited for an "offer" auction and that is the price he accepted.

Hi,
Yes, we can sell your friend one for the same price.
Please send him this email, so he can pay by using the button below:
Let me know if you need any help with it.

Regards,
Robert

If anyone is interested I would be happy to help get that price. The air floor is great and will support up to a 10 hp outboard. Wood floor (or composite) will go up to a 15 hp outboard. Guys at my marina were amazed at the quality. PVC the same thickness as the lower end Zodiacs. Just buy yourself a spray bottle of 303 UV protectorant.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 07:21:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Baltik air floor - 11 footer<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thats a pretty good looking dinghy, worthwhile checking their site for the manufacturing and materials details.
Frank Farmer may want to go look at that site!

Paul.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 08:11:55

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 12:37:49

Yes, a very nice boat. Do they make a 7 footer?

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 16:12:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 Yes, a very nice boat. Do they make a 7 footer?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yep - look them up on Ebay. Look at his feedback rating and click on some of the previously won auctions. Look for the lowest price for a 7 footer (air floor or wood floor) and offer him that amount striaght up. He will take it.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2006 : 17:14:29

Here's a look at the Baltik 8.6 footer with a HP floor. Bought it a couple years ago. Very stable. Can't beat the e-bay price.

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