Best Dinghy solution for a Sundancer 310 DA

[gpopp]

I just purchsaed a 2013 Sundancer 310 DA. We purchased it for travel and going to beaches. One problem is that in anchorage there is a need for a dinghy. I am looking for suggestions from others that may have current solutions. One challenge is finding and hauling a dinghy and motor solution for the boat shown and selecting the proper dinghy and motor. There are many models and types of dinghys and from what I hear you need a rigid bottom for beaches or tight areas with mangroves. THe other challenge is finding the hauling solution. The swim deck is small and there are access panels in the floor. Little room for davits. Please share your solution or suggestion.

 

[Craigalan]

For me its a french production Zodiac Aero (8ft 6in) with a yamaha 2.5 HP. If Zodiac, dont get a chinese one, as they have moved to glued seams starting this year, as I was told be Defender.


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[gpopp]

What type is the dinghy? Ridget bottom, roll up, or high pressure?

 

[Strecker25]

I'm fighting the same thing as we have a 98 290 that is similar in size to your 310. I have a West Marine 310 with a HP floor and a 6hp outboard. The dink inflates/deflates in less than 8 minutes with an electric pump, and the outboard fits in our transom locker (1969 Johnson 2stroke)\

Right now if I don't feel like deflating it i pull it up on the swim platform and ratchet strap it down (bottom of boat facing aft) If I'm feeling ambitious the electric pump can deflate it quickly and rolls up into a 4x2x2 bag that goes into the vberth or aft cabin

 

[gpopp]

Ryan
Do you have any isseues when approaching a beach with a HP floor? It is looking more and more like I need to have a roll up deflatable type dingy and just limit what I do with it. Another option is to add a swim platform which may open a few additional options.

 

[gpopp]

I looked at the Zodiac Aero. Nice but it only seems to come in PVC. Living in southern Florida the sun really effects the material and life of the material. I like the design price and especially the weight.

 

[Strecker25]

I haven't beaches it yet. Ours is a 99, so French made and seems high quality. The floor has an extra layer of thick black material to protect the bottom of the hull and it seems quite durable. We'll find out when we pull up on sand this summer. Also, were in upstate ny fresh water so major Uv or salt water really isn't a concern for us

 

[Molson]

Take a look at Highfield dinghies. Aluminum bottom. We love ours, fairly light and we carry it on a dinghy caddy.

 

[gpopp]

JIm

This is perfect and seems to be same as my situation especially with the swim platform. It appears the davits are mounted from vertical beam and not bolted to the horizonal plane of the swim deck. Sorry I did not see \that you used Dinghy Caddy. I looked it up and it appears to be a good solution. Thanks - Very Helpful

 

[Molson]

The caddy is mounted on Weaver quick connect plates. Ill see if I can get some pictures for you.

 

[Molson]

Here is the Caddy in the water being used as a ladder.

 

[Craig77]

Hey Jim,

This looks like a Ross Kelley Ohlsson davit. Is it? We had one on our trawler, loved it so much we bought it back from the folks we sold the trawler to and are now thinking of using it on the 2005 SeaRay 280 Sundancer we hope to own later this week. We intend on getting an aluminum hull inflatable (8.5 - 9' max, as the beam is 9'5" and the swim platform is 7' wide) with a 6hp 2-stroke to keep the weight down. Two questions: 1) do you think the additional weight in the stern and the wind resistance (if any) will be a problem getting on and staying on plane and 2) do you think a 9' dingy on a vessel with a beam of 9'5" will be a problem if we use fenders when docking? Thanks!!

Craig

 

[Craig77]

Hey Jim,

This looks like a Ross Kelley Ohlsson davit. Is it? We had one on our trawler, loved it so much we bought it back from the folks we sold the trawler to and are now thinking of using it on the 2005 SeaRay 280 Sundancer we hope to own later this week. We intend on getting an aluminum hull inflatable (8.5 - 9' max, as the beam is 9'5" and the swim platform is 7' wide) with a 6hp 2-stroke to keep the weight down. Two questions: 1) do you think the additional weight in the stern and the wind resistance (if any) will be a problem getting on and staying on plane and 2) do you think a 9' dingy on a vessel with a beam of 9'5" will be a problem if we use fenders when docking? Thanks!!

Craig

 

[Craigalan]

I beach my Zodiac HP floor all the time. I use a little caution and common sense and it remains a tank. No problems at all. But...if living in S Florida and maximum sun exposure is expected, then I would go Hypalon.


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[Molson]

Hey Jim,

This looks like a Ross Kelley Ohlsson davit. Is it? We had one on our trawler, loved it so much we bought it back from the folks we sold the trawler to and are now thinking of using it on the 2005 SeaRay 280 Sundancer we hope to own later this week. We intend on getting an aluminum hull inflatable (8.5 - 9' max, as the beam is 9'5" and the swim platform is 7' wide) with a 6hp 2-stroke to keep the weight down. Two questions: 1) do you think the additional weight in the stern and the wind resistance (if any) will be a problem getting on and staying on plane and 2) do you think a 9' dingy on a vessel with a beam of 9'5" will be a problem if we use fenders when docking? Thanks!!

Craig

Hey Craig,

Its a "Dinghy Caddy" (Dinghycaddy.com) made locally here in Ontario. We have the 9'6" Alum bottom highfield, 9.9 2 stroke Merc, 6 gal fuel tank, and the other misc. stuff that gets tossed in the dinghy and never noticed any issues getting on plane or wind resistance. My last boat had a 10' beam and we had no problems, every so often I'd bounce it off the dock but as its on chains it can move around quite a bit if need be.