Bombard Max 3+ vs. Baltik 8.5" Air Floor

the 2.5hp has enough to get you around. BUTTTTTTTT, I would go bigger, and I would go 2 stroke. If you get the 2.5hp, you'll go weeeee for about 1 month, then you'll be kicking yourself for not getting a bigger one. I would go 5hp or 9hp. The fun factor will go up 100 fold. If you go 2 stroke, the size (I think) is smaller than a 2.5hp 4 stroke.
 
It's gonna be tough to find a two stroke - no one makes them anymore and there is a "demand" for good late model used ones - that said Mike's right - try to get at least a 4 so it has F-N-R spining the motor all the way around to reverse is a pain. As far as power is concerned if your not going to get a big enough motor to plane it really does not matter. These things are super weight sensative. I have both a 5hp and 8hp outboards for my dink - with just me it will plane with the 5 - with my family I need the 8 - I keep the 5 because it weighs about 45lbs (the 8 weighs 70) and its easy to start and simpler to use.
 
When I bought the dinghy - I was thinking of buying the 9' model and at the time - Defender had leftover 10'-2" models for less money - I was thinking how hard can it be to inflate and store a dinghy. It's much more work than I originally anticipated. In retrospect - I wish I would have purchased the smaller boat. I have the 6 hp motor which is good for moving around by myself - struggles with 2 people - trim tabs would help.
 
My dinghy


[YOUTUBE]yzgMebrMJZ8[/YOUTUBE]

My gps mount on the dinghy.

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I have a 260, and I have a baltik 8' 6 with the wood floor. I put some davits on the boat and it works out great, I even trailer down the highway with the dinghy on the back. I like the wood floor it seems to give a better ride.
 
I was testing my new package (baltik 8.6' with 4hp 4stroke tohatsu) and I'm very satisfied with it. I've noticed an issue to get it on plane, but it all comes down to a wait distribution. If I sit right next to the motor the it becomes stern heavy and it take a while until she takes off. However, as I move to the mid seat the bow pushes down and it's a night and day difference.
 
Mike, I have to disqualify that as a dinghy. That, my friend, is an actual boat.

Andy - What kind of davits did you get?

Alex - So would you recommend this combination? It sounds like you do...
 
Had a great time over the weekend with my 8 1/2 dingy and 4hp. 4 stroke Yammaha Now I have the typical Back pains after humping that damn Motor. Whish I had a 2 stroke. JG
 
...
Alex - So would you recommend this combination? It sounds like you do...

Yes, I would recommend the baltik boat (it's a good buy for the money) and for how I intend to use my package it's fine. It flys while on plane with just me (I haven't try having additional person, yet). I took crew from two boats (4 adults and 2 kids) for a slow troll just to explore the area along the shore and the boat hadnled the weight like a breeze.
 
I ended up with a new 8.5' Baltik air floor. I used the "make offer" button to submit a lowball a price. I had figured that I would get a counter offer, which I did. I didn't reply beacuse I was still deciding on which size boat to get. They followed up a few days later telling me to email them if I wanted the 8.5' for my original offer. I took them up on it. They tacked on $9 for insurance. They told me flat out that they would be using up all of their existing inventory filling the full price sales, and that I would have to wait for the next shipment. It took about 3 weeks, but I didn't need it during that time anyway and the price was really good. It arrived last Thursday.

All in all, I am impressed. The build quality looks good, the seams look well done, and the air floor is very comfortable. Affordable apparently forgot to put the MSO paper back the sleeve attached to the box when they put the packing slip in, so I can't register it yet. I received an email this afternoon telling me that they sent the replacement MSO today.

I rowed it around a little on Saturday at Fairlee Creek. It really moves well with suprisingly little effort. Hehe - funny story... I have never rowed anything before in my life. So... I'm messing around in Fairlee, just learning to row. I look over my shoulder, point the bow at a wide open area, and start rowing. I get about 10 good strokes in, and the dinghy is really moving along in what appears (looking backwards) to be a nice, straight, line. I'm thinking "Hey, I'm starting to get the hang of this when all of a sudden, I hear a "squeeeeeek" and feel the boat come to a stop. I turn around and see that I had a collision with an anchored bowrider of some sort. I was too embarrassed to look at the boat, or the owner, who was sitting at the helm. All I could do was give him a sheepish grin, and a "hey... I'm learning to row...". I immediately went back to my boat and had a beer.

I am now shopping for a motor. I'm not looking for "fun factor". The dink will be used primarily in short distance transport situations so I'm 90% sure that I will end up with a 2.5 or 3.5 HP due mostly to the light weight aspect. Does anyone have any opinions on the Suzuki engines? Their 2.5 HP short shaft is listed at 31 pounds. That is 11 pounds lighter than the Tohatsu, Nissan, Merc. variation.
 
I ended up with a new 8.5' Baltik air floor. I used the "make offer" button to submit a lowball a price. I had figured that I would get a counter offer, which I did. I didn't reply beacuse I was still deciding on which size boat to get. They followed up a few days later telling me to email them if I wanted the 8.5' for my original offer. I took them up on it. They tacked on $9 for insurance. They told me flat out that they would be using up all of their existing inventory filling the full price sales, and that I would have to wait for the next shipment. It took about 3 weeks, but I didn't need it during that time anyway and the price was really good. It arrived last Thursday.

All in all, I am impressed. The build quality looks good, the seams look well done, and the air floor is very comfortable. Affordable apparently forgot to put the MSO paper back the sleeve attached to the box when they put the packing slip in, so I can't register it yet. I received an email this afternoon telling me that they sent the replacement MSO today.

I rowed it around a little on Saturday at Fairlee Creek. It really moves well with suprisingly little effort. Hehe - funny story... I have never rowed anything before in my life. So... I'm messing around in Fairlee, just learning to row. I look over my shoulder, point the bow at a wide open area, and start rowing. I get about 10 good strokes in, and the dinghy is really moving along in what appears (looking backwards) to be a nice, straight, line. I'm thinking "Hey, I'm starting to get the hang of this when all of a sudden, I hear a "squeeeeeek" and feel the boat come to a stop. I turn around and see that I had a collision with an anchored bowrider of some sort. I was too embarrassed to look at the boat, or the owner, who was sitting at the helm. All I could do was give him a sheepish grin, and a "hey... I'm learning to row...". I immediately went back to my boat and had a beer.

I am now shopping for a motor. I'm not looking for "fun factor". The dink will be used primarily in short distance transport situations so I'm 90% sure that I will end up with a 2.5 or 3.5 HP due mostly to the light weight aspect. Does anyone have any opinions on the Suzuki engines? Their 2.5 HP short shaft is listed at 31 pounds. That is 11 pounds lighter than the Tohatsu, Nissan, Merc. variation.

Michael,

That's a funny story... I'd be interested in knowing where you land on engine selection, particularly as it relates to the "current" running through the cut at the entrance to Great Oak Landing. I'm also in the market for an inflatable and have a slip @ GOL. I'm struggling with what (minimum) HP would be needed to effectively navigate that current. I'll assume you were "learning to row" somewhere far from that raging hazzard :smt043

Best of luck and congrats on the new toy.
Joe
 
Now that is funny. I had the almost getting swept out into the bay event about 30 minutes before the crashing into the anchored boat event.

I'm not sure how many HP my poorly coordinated rowing was putting out, but I gotta believe that a 2.5 horse would be 100% better in the propulsion department.

I'll be more than happy to do a current test at the inlet for ya', but I'm gonna have my real boat on standby with the motor running in case I need a rescue. I just hope I don't piss off the admiral right before I do it - she might let me go...
 
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I ended up with a new 8.5' Baltik air floor. I used the "make offer" button to submit a lowball a price. I had figured that I would get a counter offer, which I did. I didn't reply beacuse I was still deciding on which size boat to get. They followed up a few days later telling me to email them if I wanted the 8.5' for my original offer. I took them up on it. They tacked on $9 for insurance. They told me flat out that they would be using up all of their existing inventory filling the full price sales, and that I would have to wait for the next shipment. It took about 3 weeks, but I didn't need it during that time anyway and the price was really good. It arrived last Thursday.

All in all, I am impressed. The build quality looks good, the seams look well done, and the air floor is very comfortable. Affordable apparently forgot to put the MSO paper back the sleeve attached to the box when they put the packing slip in, so I can't register it yet. I received an email this afternoon telling me that they sent the replacement MSO today.

I rowed it around a little on Saturday at Fairlee Creek. It really moves well with suprisingly little effort. Hehe - funny story... I have never rowed anything before in my life. So... I'm messing around in Fairlee, just learning to row. I look over my shoulder, point the bow at a wide open area, and start rowing. I get about 10 good strokes in, and the dinghy is really moving along in what appears (looking backwards) to be a nice, straight, line. I'm thinking "Hey, I'm starting to get the hang of this when all of a sudden, I hear a "squeeeeeek" and feel the boat come to a stop. I turn around and see that I had a collision with an anchored bowrider of some sort. I was too embarrassed to look at the boat, or the owner, who was sitting at the helm. All I could do was give him a sheepish grin, and a "hey... I'm learning to row...". I immediately went back to my boat and had a beer.

I am now shopping for a motor. I'm not looking for "fun factor". The dink will be used primarily in short distance transport situations so I'm 90% sure that I will end up with a 2.5 or 3.5 HP due mostly to the light weight aspect. Does anyone have any opinions on the Suzuki engines? Their 2.5 HP short shaft is listed at 31 pounds. That is 11 pounds lighter than the Tohatsu, Nissan, Merc. variation.
The suzukis are great motors - I had a 6hp and never had a problem - the guy I bought it from sold it to me because it was getting to heavy for him (he was 78) and he bought a suzuki 2.5.....The honda 2 may be even lighter but its air cooled (no impeller to worry about) and LOUD compared to the others - just remember none of these have reverse - it may not sound like a big deal but a 4-6hp would have that convenience and more power too
 
Now that is funny. I had the almost getting swept out into the bay event about 30 minutes before the crashing into the anchored boat event.

I'm not sure how many HP my poorly coordinated rowing was putting out, but I gotta believe that a 2.5 horse would be 100% better in the propulsion department.

I'll be more than happy to do a current test at the inlet for ya', but I'm gonna have my real boat on standby with the motor running in case I need a rescue. I just hope I don't piss off the admiral right before I do it - she might let me go...

If your admiral gets pissed, just let me know, and I'll have my boat at the ready...:lol: You should let me know in advance anyway, b/c too little propulsion and your going backwards, a little more and your running in place :lol: In either case, I would be great to watch...:smt043
 
...the guy I bought it from sold it to me because it was getting to heavy for him (he was 78) and he bought a suzuki 2.5.....The honda 2 may be even lighter but its air cooled (no impeller to worry about) and LOUD compared to the others - just remember none of these have reverse - it may not sound like a big deal but a 4-6hp would have that convenience and more power too

Do you know if he found the 2.5HP to be sufficient for his needs? Did it have sufficient thrust to be safe in a current or wind situation?

Right now, I'm trying to find the lightest, smallest motor that will safely suit my needs. Its tough to do when you don't have all of the data. It would be nice if there was a calculation that could be used to determine the motor size based on boat size, weight, and desired speed.
 
Beware of the THIEVES. Just had my Bombard C3 dinghy stolen right off boat in the Delaware with Mercury 4hp. I hold the serial numbers. Just put it in the water 3 weeks ago to take the girls for a ride and teach them how to use it! If you come across someone trying to sell, please let me know. Navy and Grey Thank you.
 
Sorry about your situation. I don't have any lock on the dinghy, but I do have a lock on the motor, so it cannot be taken off the dinghy. But, if they take the whole dinghy breaking the lock won't be too hard, though.
 
Do you know if he found the 2.5HP to be sufficient for his needs? Did it have sufficient thrust to be safe in a current or wind situation?

Right now, I'm trying to find the lightest, smallest motor that will safely suit my needs. Its tough to do when you don't have all of the data. It would be nice if there was a calculation that could be used to determine the motor size based on boat size, weight, and desired speed.

Michael:

Did you ever decide on an engine for the dingy? We are looking into a similar arrangement and I was wondering if you had deflated the boat and stored it....how much trouble was this. If you did buy a small outboard which one and how does it work with the Baltik?

Thanks for any help you can give.
 
Hey Michael, I just bought a dink myself and was scouting the internet for a 2011 2.5 Suzuki. Portaboat quoted me a price of $695. no tax and free shipping. That price included a $25. discount from Suzuki.
Bugsy
 

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