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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/16/2007 : 04:26:40

Still looking for a dink, have considered making one but would guess the cost of making one would exceed this...
http://www.directboats.com/sandpiper8.html

Any history?

paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 07:46:48

Nice dinghy Paul,
And a good price. Before I ran into a great deal on my Quicksilver inflatable I was looking at the WM hard dinghy. It's a couple more bucks but has a trihull configuration which wouldn't be as tippy and it's a little longer at 9'4".
[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/33644/377%20710%20879/0/Rigid%20Dinghies/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%20879&Ne=0&Ntt=Rigid%20Dinghies&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5005&subdeptNum=10&classNum=854"]West Marine Dinghy[/url]

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 08:39:48

425 lb capacity is rather low (2 people + gear + motor => 400lbs). Do you really want to putt around buried to the gunwales?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 10:33:37

The WM boat adds about as much weight as load limit. But the tri-hull should be more stable. (For stability, however, you generally can't beat an inflatable.)

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 12:28:48

Paul,
A hard dinghy like you show is great for rowing, but like Ilnadi said, the capacity is on the low side, especially if you put an engine on the back. However they're fun to row and track in nice straight lines. If you're just using it to go back & forth between the boat & shore while at anchor, it's probably OK.

If however, you're going to be carrying a bunch of stuff, I'd be looking for an inflatable. I'd think in your area there'd be a fair number of them coming up for sale on Craigslist. We found our Avon 3.15 & a 4hp engine on CL for $795. They don't track as well, and they tend to be "slippery" on the water when you're getting in and out of them (don't ask how I know), but I think the load capacity on mine is 825 lbs?

We like ours, and our chocolate lab has worked out getting in and out of it for the most part when we do a poo run for her. She still has a bit of a problem getting out of it onto land, she seems to expect the water to be solid if she goes out the non-shore side, which leads to some humorous moments while watching her. To get into it from the boat, she will (mostly) hop right in from the boarding ladder well, and with a bit of encouragement will get back on the boat the same way. I figure that's not too bad for a 12 year old dog learning new tricks.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 12:44:44

Paul, I recently made a dinghy purhase. I went with http://stores.ebay.ca/Affordable-Inflatable. I got a 9.5'. I am extremly happy witht he product. I considered smaller like the one you are looking at as most of time 2 person would be ok but already on 2 occasions, I had three so I was glad I got larger one. I paid not much more than what you paid. The dinghy is the least expensive part. I got a 6hp motor for around $1200. Yikes. Guess it depends how you are going to use it. If in harbor, then you dont need motor. But if island hopping, then you should consider motor as I do. I look at it as life boat as well. And I have heard from others on this site, your type of dingy is not for ocean. My inflatable is not hypalon but I didnt want to spend $2k either for a new one. You could get a used hypalon for about what a new pvc cost.
But I will tell you there is a lot of work in owning a dinghy. Consider that. If you want more info, email me.
Steve

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 13:03:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 ...I think the load capacity on mine is 825 lbs?...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yup--my 8-1/2' Achilles roll-up weighs 63# (PVC is lighter) and is rated for 840#. I'm not sure what David means by "slippery", but I can say I feel secure standing in it, and it can carry four.

Edited by - on

stampeder
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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 13:25:23

I have a 9'6" Zodiac with a wood floor. The dog can jump from the bow of the Zodiac into the cockpit of our C25. We like the load carrying capacity and the stability. Especially the stability since we are often in situations where we are battling wind and waves.
We don't have an OB, but I think we'll get one for next spring. We've broken two oar-locks. (zodiac calls them oar anchors)
Keeping a Hypalon boat clean is more difficult than keeping the C25 hull clean.
We have a mooring ball - we transport our Zodiac fully inflated from home to lake on top of the tonneau cover on our truck. Sliding the zodiac on and off the tonnueau cover gets the zodiac dirty. Pretty much the only thing that gets Hypalon clean is Hypalon cleaner, which is bleach based, and is therefore hard on clothes.
I still think the Zodiac was the right choice, but wasn't expecting this much maintenance.
Also, I recently ripped a 5" tear in the bottom. I took it to the dealer I bought it from. He repaired it with a patch inside and outside and it appears to be as good as new.(the rip was not in an air containing chamber, but on the keel) We had been attempting to get back to shore in 30knot winds and got blown onto a beach with a lot of wood and junk, I think there was a nail in a piece of wood. I think that if we had been in a hardshell, the hardshell boat would have taken a damaging beating. Had I had a powerful enough OB, and not been rowing, this would probably not been an issue. given that we often encounter these kinds of wind conditions, I have decided that a 2HP would probably not be enough.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 13:29:50

Well, it is not the least expensive option but we love our Walker Bay 10. It is rugged, carries 449 pounds of cargo, rows beautifully, and tows like a dream behind our C250. I just bought the RID kit for it (good sale at hamiltonmarine.com) which ups the cargo capacity to 562lbs, makes the dinghy very stable, and still rows and tows great because the tubes are above the water line. With the RID kit you can go up to 6hp. We are sticking with 2hp because we want a super-light outboard (Evinrude 2-stroke = 22lbs). Total cost, not including the outboard, was $1600 ($800-dinghy, $800-RID kit) but we look at it as a long-term and important purchase for our crusing. The WB RIDs have gotten very good reviews from Practical Sailor and other reviewers.

Lots of choices for someone looking for a dinghy.

By the way the 2hp Evinrudes are frequently on e-bay and a nice one goes for about $450.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 10/16/2007 13:31:56

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 10/16/2007 : 13:32:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">'m not sure what David means by "slippery",<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think because mine has an inflatable keel which doesn't provide much in the way of lateral resistance, and a roll away floor which buckles a bit if you're standing on it , when I step down into the inflatable from the boat or pier, it feels like it wants to slide away from me more than I expect*. Some time ago I made the mistake of stepping down onto the thwart instead of the bottom of a friends inflatable from his boarding ladder and went swimming instead (Puget Sound is COLD). I've also managed to fall in mine while "handing" it along the rub rail to get to the off-slip side to scrub with a brush. Fortunately even Rita didn't see me do it, so the embarrassment factor was low. It felt like it just "slipped" away from me, one second I'm standing chest high to the rub rail, the next I'm laying out full length in the boat. Had I fallen perpendicular to the way I did fall, I'd have most likely been swimming instead.

*You should take this with a grain of salt, I've had an inner ear injury, so my balance can get wonky at times.

Edited by - delliottg on 10/16/2007 13:35:28

djn
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1561 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2007 : 13:58:39

To bad you are not in Michigan. I am selling my fiberglass dinky with a motor, ores, and gaff rigged sail. Cheers.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2007 : 21:19:36

yup, michigan is a way to go, even though my wifes brother lives there.

Is your dink in the swapmeet?

paul

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2007 : 16:51:19

Paul, dont know if you made up your mind yet but here is link comparing various types. Check it out: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/inflatables.htm
Steve

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 19:19:03

A hard dink to consider: from Boater's World, a Pelican Scorpio. Cathedral hull and has a drain. LOA 10'3", capacity 520 lbs., up to 7 hp o/b. Page 332 of their '07 catalogue. 50 bucks more than the Watertender 9.4.

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Turk
Admiral

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736 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2007 : 21:54:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Still looking for a dink, have considered making one but would guess the cost of making one would exceed this...
http://www.directboats.com/sandpiper8.html

Any history?

paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Boy, I got a walkerbay 8ft from West marine and regret it to this day. Injured my upper back rowing - it was never stable, and could only take one person at a time to my boat on the mooring. Motor I had was a 2 hp and could not use it with this dinghy. Seating all wrong.

I went with "Affordable inflatables" 11 ft model with air floor - got it for $610. A wonderful inflatable! I use 303 from 3M to protect it from UV from the sun. Great product.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
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Response Posted - 10/24/2007 : 12:03:11

Turk, based on your personal experience and others, I went with Affortable Inflatables I got from Ebay. I have only used it twice, once on a trip to Catalina and it performed beautifully. I got the 9', seats 4 and 6hp Tohatsu. I look forward to many years of enjoyment. Thanks again for you imput.
Steve

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2007 : 17:54:10

Hi Brit, nope, it is still in the water next to my boat. BUT, I am bringing it home next week to clean up and paint for sale. I am dropping my stick tomorrow and will get a makers name. Cheers.

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Turk
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736 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2007 : 21:38:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Turk, based on your personal experience and others, I went with Affortable Inflatables I got from Ebay. I have only used it twice, once on a trip to Catalina and it performed beautifully. I got the 9', seats 4 and 6hp Tohatsu. I look forward to many years of enjoyment. Thanks again for you imput.
Steve
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Great - you'll really like it. By the way, I purchased the "stretch" cover for mine from Affordable and it is absolutely horrible. In one season of sun, it turned brittle and is now useless. $117 down the drain. Looking into a ripstop nylon type cover.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 10/29/2007 : 06:59:59

Turk, Bummer re cover. No, did not purchase one. I keep in my garage when not in use.
Steve

Edited by - on

jesse camp
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2007 : 10:38:02

Hey Paul,
Hows it going. I thought real hard about a dingy. The nice thing about a inflatable is that you can store it aboard and it is not being subjected to the weather when it is not in use. I bought 9.5 ft from Affordable Inflatables on ebay and that is the same as a Saturn which is available in the Miami area as well, so you can go look.
It is big enough for myself, Carmen and even Buddy(Golden Retriever). I also bought a 4 HP 2 stroke Suzuki long shaft OB that I rebuilt for $175.00. The 4 hp is small and light enough to mount on the rail after I put an additional support on the port aft side and mounted a white plastic Tee type support. So for worst case I have a 4 hp long shaft back up OB, in case my 9.9 4 stroke Yamaha/Mariner decides to conk out. The 4 hp is fine and gets the boat going great for hops from anchoring out or going to eat. Check around, you may find a good deal on a used small outboard on the website smalloutboards.com, also Jerry in Rockledge has a couple of small OBs.
I think a 2 stoke is a better choice because it is lighter and cheaper for something you dont use as frequently as your 9.9. Well thats my story and Im sticking with it.
I will be down at Thanksgiving visiting my sister in Coral Springs so if you need a 2nd or 3rd mate let me know.
Jesse

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2007 : 16:41:30

Thanks Jesse, we'll be at home over thanksgiving, but probably taking another trip at the end of November.

This weekend we're headed for our stomping grounds in Biscayne bay as they (catalina) cancelled the rendezvous in St. Pete.

We'er still hunting for a dink but the coins just got thiner!

Tom Potter uses a 2stroke on his outboard. I saw that when we both went on the BEER cruise. I just tossed our old inflatable (WM mini dink) in the garbage.

Did you move up yet?

Paul

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 11/05/2007 : 17:06:30

Jesse, Congrats on inflatable. I also the the 9.5 affordable inflatable from eBay but got a new 6hp Tohatsu-55 lbs, not good for my bad shoulder and wrist. But good luck on folding it up and storing on the boat. I couldn't without loosing a lot of room. I keep in garage at home, rolled up best I can. Cant even get it to fit in bag it came with. Enjoy it.
Steve
PS I know many will disagree, but I tow inflatable with my engine mounted. Never had a problem, YET! I made a rail mount for it but just too hard taking off and on, with broken down body.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2007 : 18:38:43

Hey Paul
Here's a [url="http://www.sailnet.com/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=9"]link[/url] to some used dinghies.

Sounds like many bought their inflatables from [url="http://stores.ebay.com/Affordable-Inflatable"]Affordable Inflatable[/url] same guy I bought mine from a few years ago.

I've gone through several dinghy's before I found the inflatable on ebay. Looking back, I wish I would have just bought the inflatable first and saved my money on all the others.

I have a 9.4 water tender like pictured above (came with Knotty Cat when I bought her). I towed it a couple times and although it is "somewhat" stable, the Boston Whaler design front makes a lot of noise being pulled behind the boat. I still use it for a small fishing boat on the lake.

Good luck searching.

Edited by - on

jesse camp
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2007 : 12:01:28

Paul,

Regarding moving up. I think I am in love with the Catalina 36.
I have been looking at a 92-94 year range. If things dont work out I will get a new set of sails instead.

Have a great holiday.
Best Regards,

Jesse Camp

Edited by - on

tchowes
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2008 : 18:42:49

I'm researching dinghys. I've got the use of a "borrowed" 13' Whaler, but I'm concerned about towing that beast (never mind the water slapping noise). I'm leaning towards an 11' or 12' Baltik inflatable. I'll be cruising with my wife and two small kids (4, 7) so I want something that can haul all of us and use for excursions for destinations we visit. The 12', with its 18" tubes, seems like it would be pretty substantial.

I have the use of dock float space to store the boat, so portability isn't absolute.

Any opinions?

Edited by - on

John Russell
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Response Posted - 02/01/2008 : 19:00:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tchowes
 I'm researching dinghys. I've got the use of a "borrowed" 13' Whaler, but I'm concerned about towing that beast (never mind the water slapping noise). I'm leaning towards an 11' or 12' Baltik inflatable. I'll be cruising with my wife and two small kids (4, 7) so I want something that can haul all of us and use for excursions for destinations we visit. The 12', with its 18" tubes, seems like it would be pretty substantial.

I have the use of dock float space to store the boat, so portability isn't absolute.

Any opinions?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Seems awfully big for a 25' boat to me. I don't think I'd wnat to pull more than 10'

Edited by - on

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