Dinghy Search is On!

scooper321 said:
I have a West Marine 310 inflatable. I carried in on the platform of my prior 320da. No davits, we just strapped it underneath to the cleats. It fit fine. It would fit well on a 340. Somewhere around here I have an unused dinghy sling (google it). I love the thing but never used it (!). Nice way to carry a dinghy without davits. I never used it because I went to a 400db that had a davit system.
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i did a 310 on our 290 lol. It was something to see and it liked to fill up nicely with water coming down off plane. If we would go on long trips I would just deflate it and stick it under the rear bench
 
Strecker25 said:
i did a 310 on our 290 lol. It was something to see and it liked to fill up nicely with water coming down off plane. If we would go on long trips I would just deflate it and stick it under the rear bench
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Deflating it was the original idea on the 320. It wasn’t that bad to INflate but sort of a pain to DEflate. So we never did. Until the end of the season.
 
scooper321 said:
Deflating it was the original idea on the 320. It wasn’t that bad to INflate but sort of a pain to DEflate. So we never did. Until the end of the season.
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i very quickly bought a 12v pump, especially since the air floor requires 12psi. Lifesaver!
 
zool said:
This is the model Im considering for the 330, coupled with a small merc 4hp that weight 57 lbs.
https://www.boatstogo.com/9.6-cheap-inflatable-boats-cb290.asp

If I got a few years out of it, the price is still good.
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Based on my experience, the 4hp wont get that boat on plane, so you’re going to top out around 6mph. Same speed as a 2.5hp. Even the 2.5hp will hit the hull limit and any more rpm just makes more noise. IMO, I would just get the 2.5hp unless the 4hp is going to get you less noise or some other advantage.
 
jmauld said:
Based on my experience, the 4hp wont get that boat on plane, so you’re going to top out around 6mph. Same speed as a 2.5hp. Even the 2.5hp will hit the hull limit and any more rpm just makes more noise. IMO, I would just get the 2.5hp unless the 4hp is going to get you less noise or some other advantage.
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The 4 hp allows for an external tank hookup, drastically increasing range, as far as I know, the 2.5hp doesnt.
 
That’s true. I do have a small gas tank that I can throw in the dinghy for this reason.
 
I ran a Zodiak 310 Cadet with a 3.5hp Tohatsu on my 1999 340 and absolutely loved it. 5 or 6 person capacity, light weight, easy to manage. I'd highly recommend it.

I'd also recommend at least installing Weaver snap davits. On my 340 I was pulling the dink up onto the platform. On my 400 I actually had snap davits and it was a life changer for a small/lightweight dinghy.
 
To the original poster Bill...I had a 340 years ago, and based on the information you asked about you should consider the fact that whatever dinghy and engine combo you go with you'll need to pull it up 24 inches to the swim platform because the 340, (perhaps unlike many other boats) is that height. I am pretty agile and strong and was able to haul up a Mercury Airfloor 8'6 with a Mercury 5 HP engine combo. The detachable and simple Hurley H1 davit made it all possible. That combination was the biggest but lightest, most powerful but economical combination I could recommend to a 340 owner.
 
brewster16 said:
To the original poster Bill...I had a 340 years ago, and based on the information you asked about you should consider the fact that whatever dinghy and engine combo you go with you'll need to pull it up 24 inches to the swim platform because the 340, (perhaps unlike many other boats) is that height. I am pretty agile and strong and was able to haul up a Mercury Airfloor 8'6 with a Mercury 5 HP engine combo. The detachable and simple Hurley H1 davit made it all possible. That combination was the biggest but lightest, most powerful but economical combination I could recommend to a 340 owner.
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The OP has a 1999 340. This is before the switch in body style. His swim platform is maybe 10" off the water...max. My Zodiak 310 tubes would be above the swim platform edge. Easy to load/unload so long as you go with a small outboard.

This is a 1999 340...my old boat:
36037071480_ae4de44cc3_h.jpg
 
We bought a new 290 with inflatable floor last year from Seabright in NS and run a 6hp 2S yamaha on it. We do multiple night camping trips with groups though so lots of shuttling of passengers and gear. They are very well built and getting pretty popular up here. This is the 2nd boat I have bought from them. 1st was a 380.
Great people and very helpful. Their 270 (8'10") is very manageable, weighing in at 78 lbs with the air floor. Their site lists in CAD$.
seabright marine, seabrightmarine, inflatable boats, inflatable boat, hypalon, RIB, RIBs, hypalon inflatable boat, hypalon inflatable boats, hypalon rib, hypalon ribs
 
BillinPA said:
Last year was my first with a boat big enough for a dinghy.
We moved up to a 99 340 and I would love to be able to dink the wife in for dinner.
I thought about the WM 250, but that’s probably too small. Maybe 8’ 6” which I’ll tie on the platform or put on top. Not interested in Davits yet, just something small, lite and under $1k.

what would work for 3 people at most?

Bill.
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I just saw a Saturn CB290 at boatstogo for 499.00. Anyone have this model?
 
BillinPA said:
I just saw a Saturn CB290 at boatstogo for 499.00. Anyone have this model?
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Thats the one im considering, they have a non budget 290 model for $899 too, not sure the difference is worth the squeeze.
 
Has anyone seen or heard anything about these?

http://www.foldablerib.com/

It seems like the perfect solution for those of us who want a rib tender but don’t want to have to keep it on the platform all the time. It just doesn’t seem like they’re available. I sent an inquiry to the company and got no response.
 
The bris that I purchased came with a bag and instructions for folding it. I carry it on my swim platform folded. Secured with two sea suckers.

0E6D7F1E-7798-4FFC-80B0-5E9B22024117.jpeg
 
jmauld said:
The bris that I purchased came with a bag and instructions for folding it. I carry it on my swim platform folded. Secured with two sea suckers.

View attachment 118263
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Same with my Newport Vessels dinghy. I couldn't imagine inflating / deflating all the time...mine only gets deflated to come home in the fall.
 
That’s why we got the trailer for it. I’m looking for a davit system that I like, but that damn center door and the fact that I’m already a tight fit in my slip is making it difficult.
 
jmauld said:
That’s why we got the trailer for it. I’m looking for a davit system that I like, but that damn center door and the fact that I’m already a tight fit in my slip is making it difficult.
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The sky-high platforms on your model boat are uniquely perfect for the 'ole Hurley H30. With an extension you could walk laps around a 310 dinghy on your platform :)
 
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