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Inflatable/RIB - Any Recommendations?

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JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/03/2005 : 17:47:02

I am very much still a neubie and value the knowledge and experience that this forum has to offer. This past year I have sailed almost every weekend and enjoy the thrill of the wind powering my boat. As the season is in a lull right now, I am thinking about upgrades for the upcoming 2005 sailing season and I am considering adding an inflatable or RIB to my inventory. My question is - what is the best option for a 250, size wise, performance wise and of course value wise?
I sail only on the ocean in the Southern California area and I keep my boat slipped in a marina. I would like something that could be used as a tender as needed, easily and quickly deployed and able to be compactly stored (am I asking too much?). My slip neighbor recounted an experience of his where his previous boat hit 'something', sprung a leak, and was lost to the ocean within minutes. Should something similar happen to me, I would be much more comfortable having an emergency craft onboard ready to deploy.

Does anybody use a RIB - are they the way to go with a 250?

Any experiences and opinions are greatly appreciated!

John
"Enchanted Becuma"
C250 '04 WK #746

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2005 : 20:51:57

John.... I'm not very savvy about the choices.... I can simply tell you what I have, what works good about it and what doesn't.

I have a 9'6" inflatable sportboat from Zodiak. In its valleze it will fit in the V berth locker of the 250 w/b, but its a tight fit and takes a good wrestle to get there. Getting it out, installing floor boards and inflating takes significant effort and time and I wouldn't think it offered any safety unless it was towed or hauled on the foredeck.

Inflated, it will store on the foredeck cross wise under the life lines while on a long cruising leg. I use a gin pole to hand it there.

I did have a mishap while it was strapped to the boat trailer on a hot day and kids got into it and overstressed the bottom seam while the bottom was unsupported.

I'm not sure I'd buy another inflatable with floor boards as they are a hassle to deal with, both to setup and store.

I purchased it because of price which was half of what the dinghy I probably should have bought cost. As little as it gets used, it was perhaps still the best decision.

My suggestion, if it will be used very much... look farther than one with floor boards.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2005 : 21:58:34

Arlyn-

When you store the dingy on the foredeck does it get in the way of the jib?

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2005 : 22:53:25

cathy...not with a 110 anyway... and, it even clears just aft of the anchor locker so that the anchor can be set. It does however require stepping through the dinghy to get to the anchor locker and for that reason I've always stowed it on the deck upright rather than inverted, I just pull out the transom drain plug in case it rains.

I looked for a picture of it stowed there but evidently don't have one.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 08:01:34

John,

Sounds to me like you have two issues; you need a tender (perhaps you keep your boat on a mooring), and you are concerned that you need a life raft in case of a catastrophic accident at sea. Like Arlyn, I use a Zodiac inflatable. Mine is a 7 footer which I use as a tender to get to and from my mooring. I tow it rather than haul it when coastal cruising. I would emphasize "coastal" cruising. The Zodiac would not provide adequate protection or crew space as a life boat for offsore cruising. If you plan on doing extended cruising offshore than you should get a true liferaft. I believe Switlik makes one that is reasonabley priced - $1600? These need to safety certified and repacked periodically, normally by professionals, which costs extra dollars of course.

Given that you are sailing a 25 footer, I suspect that, like most us, you are planning coastal or short-duration offshore cruises. I would recommend an inflatable like the Zodiac, which can serve as a tender and limited capability life raft. It should have a rigid transom to carry a small gas or electric motor - I use an electric which is powerful enough and very quiet. It should also be large enough to carry your cruising crew in case of an emergency. A sailing rig would be a nice addition but I don't think you'll find one for any price. I plan on trying to fabricate one for my Zodiac this year.

Finally, you should have an abandon ship bag packed with emergency gear in case you do have to leave your boat in an emergency. There are many sources which discuss what the bag should contain.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 10:39:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 ...I would emphasize "coastal" cruising. The Zodiac would not provide adequate protection or crew space as a life boat for offsore cruising. If you plan on doing extended cruising offshore than you should get a true liferaft...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
...and a true offshore cruiser.

Regarding Arlyn's experience with floorboards, some of the newer models from Zodiac (private-labeled by West and BoatUS) have slatted floors--reasonably rigid, lighter, and at least somewhat more convenient. For a fair amount more, there are the high-pressure bottoms--even lighter and better performing. Rigid bottoms sort of defeat the advantage of an inflatable as a tender--you can't deflate them and roll them up. Their advantage is the high speeds that you can only attain with an engine that's probably larger than you would want to horse around for a take-along tender. (Whether you tow or stow a tender, you shouldn't leave the engine on it.)

From what I've seen, if you can catch a sale on a West/Zodiac inflatable (or similar from Defender or others), you're getting a decent value, a good compromise, and a tough, proven boat.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/04/2005 12:04:35

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 11:03:13

Hi JJM, I see you're from Simi. I grew up there and now live in San Diego. Do you have a trailer? Where do you keep the boat? I think San Diego/Mission Bay Fleet 7 is planning our summer cruise to the Channel Islands (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and maybe San Miguel) and we might have a stop in Ventura harbor or Channel Islands harbor.

Please consider joining us! We'll be there in early August.

By the way, I use a 2 man kayak which I got from Sports Authority for about $500. Its kind of a cross between a canoe and a kayak and its the kind you sit in and don't get wet. It easily transports on the foredeck of the boat and also tows pretty well. We also have a Hawk Seaquest inflatable which we got at Costco for $100. Its actually pretty good and stows easily inside the boat. I made a motor mount and use a 3.3 HP Mercury on it.

Heres a photo of the kayak

On the boat

The dinghy

Check out my web pages

http://www.indiscipline.org

In my opinion, if you want performance above 5 knots, you won't be happy towing a RIB for long distances.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 11:54:10

My $.02

The Walker Bay 8' fit's perfectly upside down in the cockpit when trailiering. It is light, indestructible, and tows very nicely. It will take a motor, rows well and there is a sail kit available. We've fit two adults and two kids, but that was pushing it, until I installed the "tube" around it which effectively makes it a RIB. I don't know if it would fit in the 250 cockpit with the tube......

Inflatables do not tow well (lots of drag).

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618 )
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 12:15:47

OK ... I can't take it any longer ... what is an "RIB?"

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 15:57:24

I think it's the same as a RHIB (Rigid Hull, Inflatable Boat). Anyone with a more accurate response feel free to correct me.

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 17:04:53

Arlyn,

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Zodiak. Not sure I want to be fidgeting with getting, installing and inflating it in critical times, so I acknowledge and value your experience here.

Al,

At this point I am definately a coastal cruiser. I like to see the shore while I am sailing, or at least a landmark (should that be oceanmark?) that would tell me I am heading in the right direction. (I also have a GPS that I am learning to use!) I would like to go to the Channel Islands and use the inflatable as a tender to get to and from the islands, and actually slip my boat at Channel Islands Harbor. I like your idea of a Zodiak with a small electric motor - sounds like a good setup.

Dave,

Those inflatables with high pressure bottoms also sound like a good choice here, and I will make sure to look at one at my local WM and make an evaluation.

Jim,

I don't have a trailer - keep my boat at Almar Marina in the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. The feet 7 trip sounds great! I will also look into the kayak and Seaquest for sure (can't beat that price from Costco!) (LOVE your pics and for sure do not want to tow anything...)

Oscar,

Thanks for .02 - please place in in my 'Boat Fund' jar. Actually I always appreciate your commments here - thanks sooo much!

Buzz,

AS far as I know (the neubie I am) RIB = Rigid Inflatable Boat.

Edited by - on

Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2005 : 21:03:23

John you night consider an inflatable kayak. They are much smaller to store and some of them can be inflated with a co2 cartridge. They make them in two person touring models which do quiet well in open ocean. They do take some getting used to though.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2005 : 09:50:46

I have a Coleman 3 man inflatable raft from Big Lots for $20. In one year it has yet to be used. But it is there rolled up and sto'd in the aft berth shelf/bin with the spare PFDs. I also bought a Coleman cordless 12v rechargable blower type inflator. Of course if I was offshore I would have it inflated and ready to deploy.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 11:49:05

John, Almar Marina sounds like a perfect port of call for us this summer. Perhaps I can sail up and visit you. If you're not ready for solo offshore by then, you can certainly tag along out to Anacapa and even beyond to Santa Cruz. In August this is a piece of cake, especially with experienced friends to follow.

I want to go to San Miguel, and you should take it one step at a time. Your boat is a fine sea boat and you need to build up your experience a little at a time until you are ready for heading out of sight of land. Just go out a little farther each time for now. You'll be fishing Anacapa and anchoring in Coaches Prieto (Santa Cruz) before long.

Consider making the Catalina Rendevouz at Two Harbors this July.

I suggest a book : Cruising Guide to Southern California Islands by Donald Fagan, available at West Marine.

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2005 : 16:37:36

Jim,

I very much appreciate your experience and guidance here. I try to build my confidence little by litle, and my wife and I have actually made it to Anacapa and back the day before Halloweeen. What a beautiful sail/day/adventure/experience that was!!! I would certainly like to expand upon my ocean travels, and look forward to hopefully meeting you one day as you sail the Southern California Coast.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2005 : 23:45:46

I think RIB is easier to pronounce than RBI - Rigid Bottom Inflatable.....

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618 )
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - on

kgl
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2005 : 18:01:26

Speaking of Kayaks, check out this video of a killer whale attacking a kayak. I wonder if an inflatable would have faired as well.

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/whaleandkayak.html

Ken

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2005 : 20:39:27

GEEEEZZZZZZZ! I wonder how a Catalina would have faired? I remember my dad had a 19' cuddy cabin and would go off shore fishing. He tells a story about a huge manta ray brouched next to his boat Jinker. It would have been the end if it had landed on him.

Edited by - on

s3tbuell
1st Mate

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47 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2005 : 11:42:38

An Bombard AX2 will just barely fit down below fully inflated!! It is only rated at 2/3 people, but works great for my family. Also has built in pumps and slat floors. And as I stated it stows fully inflated. It also tows well for me with a outboard motor on it.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2005 : 22:57:17

You might go have a look at this 'full-on' cruisers commentary on inflatable dingys... I've heard his sentiments echoed in other cruisers logs.

http://www.redact.org/tsingtao/Gulf_32/Modifications/Dinghys/dinghys.html

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2005 : 01:48:37

John, here is my two cents as well. We have an 8' roll up inflateable that came with the boat. It rolls up to store pretty compactly and settting it up is only a matter of inflating it, no floor boards to install. I bought a 2.5 yamaha to push it around. The valise that came with it was shot so I had my wife make a harness for it. It consists of two 2" web straps with fastex buckles that secure around the rolled up boat. To these two staps are affixed a pair of straps that allow me to carry it on my back with my hands free. This has proved most useful.

Our little boat is not very fast and it gets pretty wet on a windy day but it has gotten us where we want to go. The most I have transported in/on it was three adults and three 8/9 year olds I think. Four adults would be my max, less if they were large. Since it has a flat bottom it is a little weird to steer until you get the hang of it. I like that I can run it into the side of the boat and use the motor to hold it there until I can secure the dingy. If I were to buy another one I would consider the high pressure floor model for its increased speed and the way it tracks but it weighs more.

Since we motor about in Morro Bay harbor after dark I bought the battery powered LED nav lights that West Marine sells. I mounted one base on top of the outboard and one base is secured to the bow. I did this by using one of the patches in my patch kit. A patch is a circle of fabric. I cut out the center to fit the base of the light and then glued base and patch to the bow. It works great.

Jim I wish I could join you this summer but I will be at a reunion in Wisconsin in July. Next year for sure!

Edited by - on

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