Dinghy Help for my 280DA

gnealon said:
:smt089

I figure I am going to have so much on my plate learning the new boat and just learning boating in the beginning... I would stay away from a major install like that for now. Thanks guys,
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Its not a major install, eight(8) screws/bolts and you done. You'll get more use out of the dink. I installed my DinghyRamp three weeks ago and its great, I could not imagine deflating and removing the motor everytime. Just my thoughts.

Motor $1300
Dinghy $850
Dinghyramp $1200

www.dinghyramp.com
 
B-Fitting said:
Its not a major install, eight(8) screws/bolts and you done. You'll get more use out of the dink. I installed my DinghyRamp three weeks ago and its great, I could not imagine deflating and removing the motor everytime. Just my thoughts.

Motor $1300
Dinghy $850
Dinghyramp $1200

www.dinghyramp.com
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interesting.. you're really twisting my arm now! haha :wow: If one has a dinghy ramp, would it make more sense to get a RIB?
 
gnealon said:
interesting.. you're really twisting my arm now! haha :wow: If one has a dinghy ramp, would it make more sense to get a RIB?
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You can, I have a inflatable floor but what ever you do try to keep the weight down. You're the one pulling the dink with motor attached up onto the swim platform. My boat's platform is roughly 20" off the water not sure what yours is. Nautley makes a Dinghyramp HD extended which gives an extra 4-8 inches on your swim platform.
 
B-Fitting said:
You can, I have a inflatable floor but what ever you do try to keep the weight down. You're the one pulling the dink with motor attached up onto the swim platform. My boat's platform is roughly 20" off the water not sure what yours is. Nautley makes a Dinghyramp HD extended which gives an extra 4-8 inches on your swim platform.
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check out this pic... the swim platform is really low to the water. Would that be a problem for the davit system you think? I wonder if the tender could hit the water while cruising?!?!

http://media.channelblade.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company10923/43713_f.pdf
 
Swim platform height is a function of equipment installed on the boat. My single engine no gen boat sits higher than Presentations twin engine plus gen equipped boat. See his sig and mine.

Like everything it is a matter of taste. The dinghy davits look neat, but they also look like real toe stubbers.

Henry
 
TurtleTone said:
you mean that little POS plastic thing on the bottom of the transom that that breaks if you look at it?
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Yup, the same one that keeps "2 adults and a dog. Or one adult and 2 kids. Maybe two adults and 1 kid. Or 3 dogs and one adult" from bailing like hell.

I just meant that it is a good idea to pull the drain plug with the dink stowed upright on the platform while underway or when rain is expected. :smt001 I keep my plug pulled, even with the cover on, but I live in the Pacific Northwest so I have good reason.
 
Bel_Mar_Pointe said:
Yup, the same one that keeps "2 adults and a dog. Or one adult and 2 kids. Maybe two adults and 1 kid. Or 3 dogs and one adult" from bailing like hell.

I just meant that it is a good idea to pull the drain plug with the dink stowed upright on the platform while underway or when rain is expected. :smt001 I keep my plug pulled, even with the cover on, but I live in the Pacific Northwest so I have good reason.
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yes I pull my drain plug now while under way, ever since I got caught in that storm. but, I still don't like to climb into a wet dinghy, not sure salt spray is good for the outboard either.

When the 280 hops up on plane, you'll get much more clearance. Figure the top of your drives are showing so it's like 1 1/2'? Anyway, a davit will have plenty of room to come out as long as you are talking about a reasonabley sized dinghy.
 
gnealon said:
haha... you are right. It's such a hard decision. I have read his post so many times. But since he has a 290 (and I have a 280) his seating arrangement is much different. I was still nervous. Also, he finally settled on a 240LR. On the west marine web site, I can't even find it?!?! Only thing i can compare it to is the RU-260, but the damn thing looks so small in the store. ERRR... very frustrating! Thanks for the reply. Please let me know if you decide on something and how it works out for ya!
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Gnealon,

You may be beyond this by now in your thinking (I just found this thread), but I bought my Zodiac 240LR from www.defender.com. West does not sell the same model as far as I know. Zodiac has replaced the 240LR with the 240 Airlite (the HP floor version of the Roll-Up), but as best I can tell it's the same dinghy. Defender is unique in that they give the stored size of almost all the dinghies they sell, so if you are thinking of storing it deflated, that can be a big help. However, the 280, as you said, probably won't work like the 290 for underseat stowage of the dinghy.
 
Sadler said:
Gnealon,

You may be beyond this by now in your thinking (I just found this thread), but I bought my Zodiac 240LR from www.defender.com. West does not sell the same model as far as I know. Zodiac has replaced the 240LR with the 240 Airlite (the HP floor version of the Roll-Up), but as best I can tell it's the same dinghy. Defender is unique in that they give the stored size of almost all the dinghies they sell, so if you are thinking of storing it deflated, that can be a big help. However, the 280, as you said, probably won't work like the 290 for underseat stowage of the dinghy.
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Sadler... that is HUGE. It is a lot easier now shopping when I know the stowed size of the dink. Thank you very much for pointing that out. btw... what size engine(if any) do you have for your 240?
 
I have the Honda 2 hp. It's small, very light, and easy to take on and off, and gives the dink about 6 mph, plenty for what I use it for. It's also air cooled, so no winterization, no worry about sucking mud or sand up, and no impeller to maintain.
 
TurtleTone said:
Well you can pretty much kiss the whole back cockpit goodbye if you want to store a dinghy and outboard on a 280. If you are taking a 6hp 4 stroke on and off every weekend, plan on buying another before the season is done, because you will drop it in the water.

Here is what I did. 6.5' dink with a 2.5hp 4stroke. no where near a speed demon, kind of a wet ride. But just pull her up on the platform, strap her down and off you go.

IMG_0175.jpg
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Good advice Mike. I was considering an 8.5 footer until I read this thread. The 6.5' ia a much better fit for a 280. I found a fairly new one on CL for $400. Now, I'll keep my eyes open for a 2.5hp motor.
 
TurtleTone said:
You can fit 2 adults and a dog. Or one adult and 2 kids. Maybe two adults and 1 kid. Or 3 dogs and one adult.
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I like the way the dink mounts and am about to order the Merc 200 rollaway plus a Suzuki 2.5. But, was wondering about 3 normal dogs and another really smart dog.
 
As long as the smart one can drive.
 
Hey the Dinghy is more popular at the beach - than the Sea Ray. Maybe I should start a thread Zodiac versus Sea Ray...

All kidding aside - the 10' one I have is too big for beach runs only - but when my wife is sleeping in - I can run around in the Dinghy at 20 mph and have a blast. It is also good for running with the dogs around. I have 1 smart dog and one crazy 1. I bought an outboard lock for my 6hp Tohatsu - 4 stroke. I knew it was just a matter of time before it was dropped in the water - so decided to just lock the outboard up.
 
My dingy has been a work in progress.

Before I bought my Cruiser, I purchased a Sevylor 6 person dingy for turkey hunting in some river bottoms for $50 from Sams. Most importantly, it had a boot and also had paddles and a manual pump. I would carry it in a canvas bag. I found it was pretty light (about 30 pounds) and durable. I used it for 3 or 4 years in terrible swamp bottoms with no punctures as the boot makes it a DURABLE craft.

Don't laugh and think it can't possibly be any good. The boot really does do some great things. Its protects the PVC against punctures and UV and dramatically increases rigidity.

After I got the cruiser, for the first year, I just put the system with a 12V pump in the motor compartment of my single engine 280DA. Typically, I used the boat for quick trips to shore. It inflates quickly, I would row to shore, and it would just as quickly deflate and stow.

Last year, I made a sectional floor out of high quality road board and some alumimun struts. The main reason for the floor is the fear that my Labrador's toe nails would punch some holes in the material (they never did, but now they can't). I also purchased the $70 motor mount from Bass Pro. For propulsion, I used one of my 30# trolling motors and a battery. It still stowed quite nicely. In general, I was very pleased but hated dealing with the battery.

This year, I have just purchased a 3HP Tanaka/Gamefisher/Aquabug and will be using this motor. This motor only weighs 28#'s and is a fine reliable outboard. I have a pretty good idea how this will perform as my son has this same outboard on a fishing pontoon.

Total cost so far is about $400 - including the outboard. It is a nice compact system, lightweight, easly to deploy, and stow. This should last many, many years with only an occasional boat replacment if that. If I did have to replace the boat, I would replace the boat for a current price around $170 or so with the Hunt/Fish version.

All in all, this is a great addition to the cruiser.

Finally, I am making a removable outboard motor mount for the 280's DA swim platform. This little 3HP has a two speed transmission for pushing heavier loads. I plan to use the above outboard as a last resort power system to hopefully provide some steerage to shore if necessary. I will let you know how it tests out.
 
gnealon said:
Sadler... that is HUGE. It is a lot easier now shopping when I know the stowed size of the dink. Thank you very much for pointing that out. btw... what size engine(if any) do you have for your 240?
Click to expand...
Hey I've been looking for a dink and motor since before Christmas. Settled on an off brand Seamax out of Canada. They have 3 styles and 3 sizes of each style. Bought a Suzuki 2.5hp from Portaboat for less than $700. Great little outbaord and is real simple.:smt038
P.S. The Suzuki weighs 29lbs real lite!
 
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