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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/08/2008 : 07:42:35

I sold my original Nissan 9.8hpxl so now I have the cash to buy a dinghy

Looking at the mercury roll up 7'11" slatted floor inflatable.

Any reviews here?

Paul

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

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

SCnewbie
Navigator

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166 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 09:54:35

I have the baltik boats with removable floor. I never deflate it so it works well. If I were going to deflate I would want either slats or inflatable floor. I bought the 10' one. It realistically fits 3 adults but won't plane with 3 aboard and a 9.8hp. All in all, I would have gone with a bigger dink if I realized I needed it. Keep in mind, my dink is used to get me to and fromo my boat out on a mooring which is about a mile from the boat landing.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 10:54:00

Hi Paul,
I've got the Quicksilver version of what you're thinking about (same boat). The difference in mine is that I have the inflatable floor instead of the aluminum type. I love mine, it's very stable and handles well. I put a Suzuki 2.5 on it (that has the gas tank on the motor) and it putts along very nicely. Oh, and the inflatable floor works great and is one less extra piece to deal with.

And SCnewbie, you need one of these

Edited by - DaveR on 10/08/2008 11:06:43

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 11:04:38

Paul,
We have an Avon 3.15 with the roll up floor. I think if I was going to do it again, I'd either get the inflatable floor, or just go with a RIB. The roll up floor works well once it's in, but it's sort of unsteady under foot (bad for Rita's ankle, imagine standing on a set of louvers on a waterbed), and a real pain to get into the boat if you've stored it in it's bag. It's not so bad to get out of the boat once you get it going. The trick is having enough air pressure, but not too much. An inflatable floor is nice because you can kneel on it comfortably, and since it's high pressure, you can get it pretty firm. This requires a two stage pump to inflate it, but that's what will come with it anyway. Actually our Avon has the two stage pump so you can inflate the keel, but I haven't found it to be necessary, the LP pump side seems to work just fine.

We've got a Mercury 4hp two stroke on it, which won't push it up onto plane with me on it, but probably would with just Rita. Having the integral gas tank is a plus, you don't need to futz around with an extra tank & lines, but obviously you're limited to how far you can go. I have no idea how far this is, it uses very little gas.

No idea if this was helpful, but you've got my $0.02.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
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1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 12:16:11

I've been using my Zodiac 7.5' for 10 years, mostly for getting from shore to our mooring. I use an electric trolling motor. It also has a slat floor.

When cruising I drag it behind. It tracks well and doesn't seem to hinder performance. Since it's illegal to have a motor on the inflatable without the boat being registered, I just use the oars. They are not very efficient moving the boat through the water but suffice.

I have been very satisfied with this choice as a dinghie.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 13:58:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 Since it's illegal to have a motor on the inflatable without the boat being registered<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hadn't thought about that! Good point.
(So... do you have to have extra insurance ????)

Paul

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 14:57:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Since it's illegal to have a motor on the inflatable without the boat being registered <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually that's not entirely true in FL. If you're using it only as a tender you may just display "TT (in my case) Bamboo" on both sides. TT meaning "Tender To". I bought a little plate w/line made for this very thing at West Marine. [url="http://myfwc.com/boating/safety/law_summary.htm"]Here's the link[/url] to the law documentation and I'm sure about the "TT Bamboo" display but can't find the link to that.

Edited by - DaveR on 10/08/2008 14:58:35

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 15:07:38

Paul, congrats on selling the old outboard! I prefer hard dinks. We tow a Walker Bay 10 with the RID (Tube) kit. It rows and tows very nicely and the tubes give it great stability.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 16:34:01

Paul, I have Baltic 9.5' with 6hp Tohatsu. I use mainly for trips to Catalina and tie the painter to a stern rail with the engine on the transom, which I would not due during roof seas. It has an inflatable floor. I paid a hair over $500 new on Ebay. Motor was around $1200 I think.

I really like it but wish I didn't have to have one. Its a lot of work. By the time I return to port, it takes me several hours cleaning-both boats and both motors get flushed- and I am already exhausted- the sun has been beating down on me for 5 or 6 hours!
As my marina wont let me keep two boats in my slip, I take the air out and roll up and keep in my garage.

I cant do all this the next day cuz I am back to work. Otherwise, I would go home and relax and come back next day. But I feel dinghy is a necessity for safety reasons-crossing 30+ miles of ocean. And I use it to explore Catalina Island and Newport Harbor. Its loads of fun.

So bottom line, think how you are going to use it, maintain and store it.

Steve A

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 19:13:53

Dave, I read those details on that [url="http://myfwc.com/boating/safety/law_summary.htm"] link [/url]
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Vessel Registration

All vessels operated on the waters of the State of Florida are required to be registered with the following exceptions:

A vessel used exclusively on private lakes and ponds.
A vessel owned by the United States Government.
A vessel used exclusively as a ship’s lifeboat.
A non-motor-powered vessel less than 16 feet in length, and any nonmotor- powered canoe, kayak, racing shell, or rowing scull, regardless of length.
Vessels must be registered and numbered within thirty (30) days of purchase.

Registration numbers must be displayed on the forward half of the vessel on both sides above the waterline. The numbers must be bold block letters at least 3" high in a color contrasting to the hull.

The vessel registration decal must be renewed annually and is to be displayed within six (6) inches of, either before or after, the registration numbers on the port (left) side.

Documented vessels without a state registration in full force and effect, must also obtain a Florida registration and display the validation decal on the port side of the vessel when using Florida waters.

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

That seems to indicate that we do need registration for the dink if it has a motor.. ????

Paul

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2008 : 21:24:56

Here you go Paul, I know you'll like this [url="http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/871111559.html"]dinghy.[/url]

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2008 : 06:31:55

Awww Tom! takes me back!

If you wanted to go all out and get a dink that pretty well covers every possible need, then that's close, but [url="http://www.wam-v.com/index.htm"]this[/url] is closer

Paul

Edited by - on

DaveR
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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2008 : 07:55:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> All vessels operated on the waters of the State of Florida are required to be registered with the following exceptions: A vessel used exclusively on private lakes and ponds. A vessel owned by the United States Government. A vessel used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
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Response Posted - 10/09/2008 : 08:03:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> All vessels operated on the waters of the State of Florida are required to be registered with the following exceptions: A vessel used exclusively on private lakes and ponds. A vessel owned by the United States Government. A vessel used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Here in NC the verbiage is almost the same, except the end. You should check on it, not worth the ticket.

"Ship's lifeboats or dinghies do not need to be registered if they are used only for emergency lifeboat purposes. However, if they are motorized and used for non-emergency purposes, they do require registration."

Edited by - Tom Potter on 10/09/2008 08:17:13

SCnewbie
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166 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2008 : 08:37:03

Dave I can't see the second picture. Can anyone else?

My dink is registered as in SC any boat with a motor has to be registered. My outboard is also registered as any motor over 5HP needs to be. I added my dingy and its outboard to my C250's insurance. It cost about $25 a year more. It is covered as a tender.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2008 : 14:56:14

I believe most states are the same. If it is powered by "machinery", even an electric trolling motor, it must be registered. A dink with a motor on it and used a tender might be a stretch as a survival raft if the CG or DNR opts to check you on it. As for me, I'm illegal with my trolling motor motoring out to my mooring, but chances of the CG or DNR passing by are slim. Chances of running into them coastal cruising on Lake Superior are a little greater so I only use the oars and I have a better argument for it being a survival "craft".

You may want to look into the Walker Bay with a sail kit. I believe they run around $300 for the kit. An alternative might be to rig your own mast and sail from an old cast-off dinghy or fabricate a mast from 2x4's and buy a used sail from one of the many used sail lofts. A friend of mine used a Sunfish rig to power his Walker Bay which workded very well.

If you opt for the inflatable, and choose to row, you may want to concider the inflated hull since they tend to track better under oars.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2009 : 15:33:38

My two cent's worth:

A couple of years ago, I bought a (cheapo, made-in-Korea) Baltik inflatable, and I've not been very happy with it. We've been very careful with it, but, after only 3 seasons, I think it's probably no longer usable. I should have bought a "real" inflatable like a Zodiac or Avon.

The first season we inflated it only once, and it was good for the summer. Now we have to re-inflate it every few days. Extrapolated from this, I suspect that it really won't hold air at all by next summer.

I was not very happy with the purchase experience (from AffordableInflatable.com), either; I've detailed this on Yelp.com:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/affordable-inflatable-anaheim

Hope this is helpful,
Martin

Edited by - MartinJW on 09/26/2009 15:39:05

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2009 : 19:28:32

Martin, I too have a Baltic which I got based on several members positive experiences. I have had mine for about 3 seasons but have only used it about 6 times. It has been great for me. When not in use, I keep it in the garage protected from the sunlight.
I went to the guys house who sells them and it seemed legit. I will keep you posted as it ages.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 09/26/2009 19:36:19

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