Air, Wood, or RIB

andy k

andy k

Active Member
Feb 7, 2009
505
Lake Erie
Boat Info
40.3
Engines
Yanmar
I am looking at purchasing a 2005 280 sundancer, I would like to know what size and type you guys recomend. I would like to have a capacity of 4 if possible. My Dad purchased a mercury airfloor last year and after the first ride he ordered a woodfloor because it cruised really poorly, you could feel the floor move up and down for every wave. I am not sure if other manufactures offer a better ride. I would like to get up on plane and cruise for a few miles with 2-4 people in the boat what do you guys recomend.

Thanks
 
The air Floor is only good if you plan on breakign it down every time you use it. The problem with the air floor is that it has to be at the rated pressure at all time or will not perform. Take this into account, you fill it up on an 80 degree day, put it in 60 degree water and you need to fill it up again. Take it out of the water and you need to let air out. TO much work if you dont intend to break it down.
RIB would be the best if you could handle the weight, and they usually require a higher HP motor.
 
I have a QS 270 Airdeck (Hypalon) w/ an 8 hp Merc 4 stroke.
I haven't broken it down in the 2+ years I've owned it, sits on a jet dock next to the boat. I have not had problems with the floor flexing excessively- but as noted above- the floor pressure is MUCH higher than the tubes. If not properly inflated it ain't worth a damn. I can't recall the pressure spec, but it's hard to get that amount of pressure from the hand pump.

Edited to answer your question better: You mentioned you want to be able to plane with 2-4 people aboard. Big difference-in a dinghy context- between 2 and 4. I can plane w/ 2 adults max with the 8 hp. Not gonna happen with 4, even with a 10 hp. It's going to take a much larger inflatable- and a lot more horsepower- to accomplish that. Since you mentioned RIB's, I assume you're planning on towing whatever it is you end up with behind the boat?
 
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I think they take 3 in the tubes, 9 in the floor, and then, 3 in the keel.
 
Our 270 airdeck is rock solid and I have the hp maxed at 9.9hp (2 stroke). As stated above the only thing to consider is the preasure has to be at spec in the keel and the floor. We can get ours up to 20 MPH and there is no to very minimal flexing at this speed. (I on the other hand am holding on for dear life...)
 
Have a Mercury 270 Airfloor (Hypalon) with a 6hp Mercury 4-stroke. Moves out great with 1 or 2 folks, slower and not so comfortable for 3-4. Planes easily with 1-2. Floor pressure is 11psi. Carry the dingy and motor in the rear floor area of a 260DA. Launch by inflating tubes and floor to 3psi on top of seats and transom, push it out over the transom, top up the floor, mount the motor and head on out. Reverse the process at the end of the trip. Maybe 10 –15 minutes each way. No problem with floor flex if inflated to 11psi, but see note below.

Two additional thoughts:

First, if you get an airfloor model be sure to look into the Scoprega aka Bravo BST 12HPP air pump, Be sure you are looking at the HPP or high pressure model. Makes inflating easy and quick.

Second, my 270 is from 2004 but factory calls it a 2005 model. Floor, which is PVC on all models (even Hypalon), developed a leak near the valve. Took it back to the dealer to have it repaired. $150 repair and it leaks worse than ever. Have tried to get a new floor (at my expense since while hull is warranted for 10 years, floor is only for 1). Mercury keeps sending floors they think are correct, but after two still can't seem to find the correct unit. Replacement floors cost between $300-400.

Love having the dingy, but if I had it to do all over again, might not buy a Mercury Airfloor…
 
Went with a Artigiana Batelli 9'6" RIB w/ Honda 15hp for our tender when at the lake. Would not work on davits for our older 290. Stored/transported it on front deck upside down. Hard to see over it while underway unless canvas was undone. We would launch it once for the week at the lake and then put it back on the bow at the dock for the trailer ride home.

The hull was 150# and took two strong people to launch over the bow rail. Ackward to attach that heavy a motor once in the water. But... performance was spectacular. 26mph on GPS w/1 person; planes w/ 4 people, and my 110# daughter wakeboards behind it.

1966Ford001.jpg


And of course, had to go larger...
 
Guys, where do you keep the dingy and motor on a 280 Sundancer?

I went down this road last spring. By the time we got something big enough to meet our needs we could not store it.

Eventually we decided to buy a used 3 person wave runner. Our daughter follows us with the wave runner when we want to anchor and play.

If we don’t bring the wave runner, I also have a 3 person Coleman rubber raft that stows under for forward most cushion in the V-birth along with many other items. The oars come apart and take up very little room and also store in that same compartment.

Just for what its worth, in our area if you have a motor on anything, even a small rubber raft, you now must have the state registration numbers on the boat. If you don’t have a motor you don’t need to have those numbers and do not have to pay the licensing fee. It made local news when a warden issued a ticket to a child with a small inflatable toy that had a small electric motor. This thing was really intended for swimming pools.

36448_M1.jpg
 
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I personally like a RIB. The upside is substantial........ With the right sized motor, it becomes a little boat (not just a tender) capable of traveling quite some distance at speed. They are more comfortable in a chop since they are heavier. Some have dedicated storage lockers in the front to hold your gear. As a guide to you, my 11.5 Avon (180lbs dry) will do 32+ mph on gps with a 25hp motor (112 lbs) . To fit 4 people comfortably, you will likely need a 10' model with at least a 15hp motor. I suspect the 15HP engine will barely be enough to plane with 4 adults (who are bigger than Twiggie) :)

My concern, as others have said, is space on your boat. Where do you plan to store this? These dont break down and stow as an inflatable would. Plus they are HEAVY. It will affect your performance if hung off the transom. As far as towing one, I would hesitate to do that, although I have seen it done. Never with a motor though. I did try once and the motor made the rig unstable and stern heavy. Plus the motor weight makes taking it off in all but the calmest waters difficult. God forbid you have a back problem or dump it in the drink...ouch!!

Oh yeah, and theres the price difference... RIBs are more....
 
I plan on placing the boat on back of the boat, with a davit flip up deal. I want a 4 person capacity so it can handle two adults and two kids, would a 9' 2" be to wide or should I stick with a 8' 6"
 
I have a Mercury 310 and wish - I would have gone a bit smaller.
 
MarkD said:
It will affect your performance if hung off the transom...
Click to expand...

Do you have an estimate if how much it will affect your performance?

And this may seem like a strange question, but is there a difference between the boat up on the hanging davits versus the swim platform mounted davits regarding the affect on performance?


I know I have asked this before, but here goes again, is there anyway to see some more pictures of the hanging davit system on your boat?
 
My Merc 310 with a 6HP 4 Stroke - does not affect performance. Right now - mine will just sit on the platform - of course it is tied down.
 
Ok whether they are Hurley davits, some other brand or these,

Nautley

I have read some comments about the weight and the problems loading some of the dinghy's, so why could one not install inside their transom, those that have a rear opening transom door, a small 12 vdc operated winch?

:thumbsup:
 
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