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Inflatable vs. Fiberglass Dinghy

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Downbucket
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/23/2009 : 18:37:23

O.K. I just dropped off my inflatable to have another leak repaired. This, after spending $200 having it patched last week. So now I'm thinking maybe I should buy a fiberglass dinghy. What do you think? If you were going to buy a dinghy would it be an inflatable or fiberglass and why?

Thanks.

Will

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 20:57:47

Pound for pound, for stability (esp. stepping in and out) and carrying capacity, inflatables rule. Try a hard dinghy before you buy. My 8.5' Achilles rolls up and rides in the boat. (Different boat.) Doing it over, that'd still be my choice for a tender... But I have to say the Walker Bay sailing options makes their hard dinghy interesting--although I suspect it's best with the inflatable tube around the rigid hull, giving more of the stability of an inflatable. All of that is way out of my budget.

How old is yours?

Edited by - on

Rich G
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Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 20:59:35

I had an inflatable puncture and sink on me. I ended up getting an 8' Porta-Bote as a replacement. They're a bit pricey, but not much more so than a good inflatable. They're indestructible, float even when collapsed and/or swamped, and fold up to about the size of a surf board. We keep it lashed to the starboard beam in between the shrouds. You can set it up on the cabin top under the boom in about 3 minutes. The only problem is that the center seat does not fit in the cockpit locker, so it usually stays in the rear berth.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 07/23/2009 : 21:06:57

Will,
I think it depends on what you need. An inflatable can carry boatloads of equipment usually in the neighborhood of 900-1200lbs of gear, people, dogs, etc. A hard shelled dink on the other hand will have load limits at less than half of that for the same size. A hard shell will row more easily, an inflatable won't track as well.

The obvious answer if you've got the cash is a RIB / RHIB, the best of both worlds. You get the hard shelled bottom for tracking and row-ability, plus the cargo carrying capability of an inflatable.

I'd love to have a Walker Bay with the flotation tubes, but can't see spending $1500 for it used.

I've got an Avon 3.15 roll away with an inflatable keel, and I like it well enough. It tracks OK, can easily carry me, Rita & the hound with no problems. I can't get it up on plane with me in it & my 4 HP two stroke, but I'm not exactly a light weight. With Rita in it by herself, it'd probably be a piece of cake. It'll roll up into a sausage about 4' long x 1.5' in diameter, and weighs about 100# which is a bit of a grunt.

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DaveR
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 05:47:33

Will,
I'm not sure the RHIB (Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat) is the best, I think our boats are a little small for those, where you do put them, on the foredeck? I really like my 8" Roll up (blowup keel/floor) Quicksilver inflatable and have heard the rigid floors are a pain (no personal experience). Maybe if you're having to repair your current dink so much it's just too worn but as has been said the stability of these are great and the stowability is great as well.

edit; I got mine from a local boat salesman for a fraction of a new price. They often get the leftovers from boat sales and so are a good place to look when trying to but boat stuff at a reasonable price.

Edited by - DaveR on 07/24/2009 06:04:42

DaveR
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 06:07:04

Oh, and Rich, that's a great pic there of your boat. Fish eye lens? The masts are pointing everywhere! Makes for an interesting prospective.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 06:30:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 Oh, and Rich, that's a great pic there of your boat. Fish eye lens? The masts are pointing everywhere! Makes for an interesting prospective.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...and makes me dizzy!

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 07:37:52

We use a Walker Bay 10 with the tube kit. Combines the ease of rowing with the stability of the tubes. I can stand on the gunwale of the dink and it doesn't tip. We tow our dink when cruising so on-boat storage is not an issue. Because the tubes do not touch the water when the dink is level it is efficient to tow as well as row. Not an inexpensive solution but we like it.

I'm toying with the idea of buying the sail kit for it.

Here's Pat rowing us around Montague Harbor:

The dink on the trailer:

Towing the dink at Spencer's Spit:

Edited by - Nautiduck on 07/24/2009 07:42:33

delliottg
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 08:04:21

Randy,
I noticed in your "dink on the trailer" pic that the tubes aren't there. Is that a "before they were installed" picture, or do you actually remove them? I seem to remember you got the Walker Bay first, then added the tubes later?

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 08:54:39

Good eyes David! Yes that is from our 2007 cruise, before the tubes. Here is how we travel now:

Note that we now have split PVC pipe covering all of the trailer elements that come into contact with the dink to avoid abrasion.

By the way, the 2007 cruise taught us that the dink is wonderful to row and tow but is tippy when boarding/unboarding. The tubes completely resolve that and are a must IMHO.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 07/24/2009 08:58:59

delliottg
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 09:35:49

Wonder if they make them in stainless?

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 11:05:57

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Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 11:19:12

One disadvantage to an inflatable that I hadn't thought of until after I owned one is that they are susceptible to damage by long term exposure to sunlight. That means an inflatable has to be shielded from sunlight when you aren't going to use it for awhile. A fiberglass dink can be stored for years on an outdoor rack, but an inflatable has to be shielded.

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aeckhart
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 11:36:03

My bucket list.....if I had one, would include the Walker Bay with tube and sail kit. That being said, I've used my 7.5' Zodiac for 12 years without issue. While cruising I tow it easily and it tracks well using a bridle. I generally use the oars when cruising which is not ideal since its wood slat floor doesn't steer well. I use a 30 # thrust electric trolling motor from shore to my mooring otherwise. Again tracking is an issue but....there's no physical effort involved. It easily carries 4 adults with day sailing supplies and remains stable when stepping on the tubes to get into the Catalina.

Also on the down side, two of the slats rotted and broke but were replaced with treated plywood at a huge savings over new replacments and I replaced the stock paddles with aluminum canoe paddles which are longer and provide more thrust in the water.

On the whole I've gotten 12 years of good, relieable use out of a $750 inflatable and have never regretted the purchase. It is still in great shape and expect to be using it for another 12 years....if I'm around that long.

Edited by - aeckhart on 07/24/2009 11:39:17

windsong
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 12:24:16

Wow, this post could not have come at a better time. I have a 'Dinghy Wanted' ad running right now on craigslist, and I expect to get responses from owners of both types - inflatable and fiberglass. Thanks for the great thread.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 14:42:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 One disadvantage to an inflatable that I hadn't thought of until after I owned one is that they are susceptible to damage by long term exposure to sunlight...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Hypalon is more resistant (although not totally impervious) to sun exposure than PVC, and also a little heavier and generally more expensive. Most WM inflatables are PVC (by Avon). Achilles are Hypalon. I know people whose Hypalon dinghies have been out in the sun, in the water, for 10+ boating seasons with no apparent damage.

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delliottg
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 15:49:16

I think WM are made by Zodiac, and they are PVC, Avon makes Hypalon (like ours) although I seem to remember that Avon & Zodiac merged a while ago? Ours originally belonged to a charter boat, and I'd be willing to bet it spent most of it's life out in the sun. Other than some diesel exhaust staining when we first got it, it's in pretty decent shape for an 11 year old inflatable. We put 303 preservative on it, and store it upside down on a rack in our marina in the off season.

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Dave Bristle
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Response Posted - 07/24/2009 : 22:11:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 I think WM are made by Zodiac, and they are PVC, Avon makes Hypalon (like ours) although I seem to remember that Avon & Zodiac merged a while ago?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes, Avon and Zodiac are now one companhy, and WM's inflatables are from them, and are PVC. That's not necessarily a bad thing unless you want to leave your inflatable out in the sun all season. Ironically, I don't, but I have a Hypalon boat--only because of a very good sale.

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Rich G
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Response Posted - 07/25/2009 : 06:54:43

I just saw that Costco (yes, THAT Costco) is having a special on an inflatable dink.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11473807&search=boat&Mo=92&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=boat&Ntt=boat&No=8&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 07/25/2009 : 08:28:31

This thread got me to thinking about a sail option for my WB 10. I didn't realize they have a High Performance Kit that includes a jib and main. I've been thinking it would be fun to have a smaller boat to sail. Looks interesting.

[url="http://www.walkerbay.com/products/sailboats/sailboat_10highperf_features.html"]WB High Performance[/url]

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John Russell
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Response Posted - 07/25/2009 : 08:39:31

Randy, I think you NEED it.

I wonder how the tubes effect the sailing. Probably hard to turtle the thing but, if you did, equally hard to right it again.

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delliottg
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Response Posted - 07/25/2009 : 10:01:40

I think it'd be a blast to sail your Walker Bay like that. However, I'd be cautious about sitting up on the gunwale as they show in the picture. My experience with small sailboats is you want your weight as low as it can go, which means your butt is on the deck, or you're hiked out on a trapeze (which they probably don't have for the WB).

There's a guy on the local CL who's selling the whole package (not sure if it's the high performance sails or not) for $1500 here in the Seattle area.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/25/2009 : 10:18:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 ...However, I'd be cautious about sitting up on the gunwale as they show in the picture. My experience with small sailboats is you want your weight as low as it can go, which means your butt is on the deck...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...which isn't what he's doing? Looks like he's on a nice reach where he doesn't need to hike out--a lot like a Sunfish or a Laser. I like the looks of that rig!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/25/2009 10:20:23

britinusa
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Response Posted - 07/25/2009 : 12:13:56

Just ordered the Costco Dinghy, thanks, that meets our needs within budget.
Came to $529.00 including tax, shipping and handling was included in the original $499.00

Sweet!

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 07/25/2009 12:14:43

piseas
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Response Posted - 07/26/2009 : 15:42:27

Couple of years ago, a member from this site recommended [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/A-8-5-INFLATABLE-BALTIK-DINGHY-SCUBA-RAFT-FISHING-BOAT_W0QQitemZ170363943833QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27aa7b7b99&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1|294%3A50"]this one[/url]. I did get the 8.5' and paid around $550. It has held up very well and made several trips to Catalina.
Steve A

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Mike013
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Response Posted - 07/26/2009 : 23:15:28

Randy,

I like the neat manner in which you secure your mast for trailering. Could you provide more detailed pictures of how you secured the mast to the mast raising system, the mid ship mast support, and the manner in which you tie down the furled jib?

Mike

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