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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Anybody have the Mercury 240ru inflatable?

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/06/2005 : 13:42:31

Hi folks.
While on my keys trip in april I came to the realization that I do need a "real" dingy with a small motor, not the cheap inflatable $100 rowable plastic thing I have now.
My requirements are for light weight, stowability, and ability to handle a 3.5 hp motor. After looking at all the choices, the Mercury 240 ru is 8' long, and weighs about 40 lbs, and has a roll up slat floor. If I had a Catalina 36 Mark II (one of my dream boats) I would certailnly have a rib on some davits of course.
I would prefer a hypalon boat, but they are more expensive, and heavier. Besides, I won't use it that much anyways.
Dwight (another fleet 89 member) had the 6' long Mercury inflatable on our trip, but it's just too small.
So anybody have this model? If so, how do you like it? how is it's stowability?
Like most major purchases, I start researching it about a year in advance, and save my milk money.

Frank Gloss
Formerly 89WK/TR
85 Ericson 32-3 shoal draft "Molto Bene"

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 14:19:56

I bought the Mercury <s>RU260</s> 240 AIRDECK, I think it is, last year. I got it online from a place on the east coast at a decent price. It is 8.5 feet long and has an inflatable floor and "keel". It rows easy due to the keel and can carry two adults or one adults and two kids very well. Weighs about 75 pounds and folds down to a package about 2.5x1x4 foot. Inflated, it ties down nicely on the foredeck as shown below

Sometimes I wish I had purchased the nine footer but then it wouldn't have fit so nicely on the foredeck. Always compromises.

Edited by - sterngucker on 06/07/2005 14:07:08

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 14:55:25

Charile,
Can you sail with the inflatable up on deck like that? Looks like you can. I bought a 8.6 inflatable on E-bay last week, (haven't received it yet) and was wondering if it would fit on the bow. Looks like you've answered that for me.

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 16:54:20

Hi Frank,

I have the 240. 2004 model still in the box waiting for me to put a C-25 under it.

Best deal around is BUSTERS Marine Long Island NY.

I'll try to find the number.

PW

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 16:59:01

<font size="5"><font color="red"></font id="red">YIPEE I found it</font id="size5">

Here's the link Frank.

http://www.boats-4-sale.com/dealers/displayad.asp?displayad=buma

PW

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 19:05:42

Thanks, PW.
I don't have to buy one until next winter/spring. Maybe there will be end of year sales there, or defender (which has them on sale now for 738, cheaper than busters) I think I'll get a mercury/tohatsu/nissan 3.5 hp motor with the forward/neutral shifter. Maybe I can get some kind of package deal somewhere.
If I was a better mechanic I would look at used motors.

But still let us know how you like the 240 roll up. I think the 40 pound weight is just right. How big of a package does it roll up into? did it come with a carry case?

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2005 : 19:55:56

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2005 : 02:19:14

Charley's sounds very nice. Our West Marine roll up is very similar but does not have the inflatable keel and it does not track for anything. It is hard to keep in a straight line with the motor and rowing it is next to impossible. Also without the added bulge at the bow it will not plane with my 2.5 Yamaha even with just me in it. A 3.5 motor might be just right. I did not know you could get a roll up slat floor model with an inflatable keel I thought you had to go to the inflatable floor models which sound cool but are a lot of money.

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sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2005 : 13:52:36

Now that you mention it PW, I bought mine at Buster's also. They seemed to have the best price at the time. I checked back at their [url="http://www.bustersmarine.com/inflatablePVCair.html"]website[/url] and my boat is the 240 AIRDECK.

Having the inflatable on the foredeck poses no problems while sailing. It's a little more difficult to see ahead while sitting down behind the wheel but then I steer often from the side. The jib and jib sheets tack across with no problem. The inflatable pops in under the lifelines with a little push and holds there very well. In rougher seas it would easy to tie lines across from the pulpit to each stanchion. The inflatable floor is NICE! Small amounts of water drain underneath it and keep your feet drier and it feels very secure when boarding. If the price difference is not great, I would recommend it highly.

Edited by - sterngucker on 06/07/2005 14:05:20

seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2005 : 20:35:49

We have a Bombard (Zodiac) PVC 9 foot inflatable with a 2 hp Honda 4 stroke. $2000 launched, 1125 boat, 875 motor, from the marina. Probably overpaid a bit, but we were looking for a quick solution after finding out that our $100 Sams Club special raft with sectional oars (oars separated enroute to mooring) wasn't suitable...and our boat was already launched.

Since I don't want to give up boatspeed by towing it, I'm happy to see here that it's possible to carry it on the bow. Pix available on request.

PS...It's rated for 4 hp max, although I've seen 9.9's on them and they don't seem to sink...dunno how safe/practical 9.9 is though.

Bob

Edited by - seastream on 06/15/2005 20:39:16

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.