I am planning on replacing my baltik 8'6" dinghy with a 10'ish dinghy this season. My budget is $2,000. I am mostly interested in the Mercury line of dinghy's. I would like one that will handle rough water better and give me a drier ride than my solid 3 piece floor. Other than the obvious dual layer floor vs the single layer floor (ocean runner vs dynamic) what would be the advantages/disadvantages of both. Like I stated I am looking for a dry ride and something that can handle rough water better. Thanks for your help.
Mercury ocean runner vs dynamic
- Thread starter andy k
- Start date
Ctsearay
Member
- Apr 19, 2009
- 857
- Boat Info
- Formula 40PC Volvo IPS500's Pod Drives Joystick- SOLD 2002 360 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin Volvo IPS 500s with Pod Drives
LONG GONE Twin Mercruiser 8.1 HO's
I lover our Walker Bay Genesis with dual layer floor, Trim Tabs, storage compartments.
Boatingnut
Active Member
I have a 5 year old 330 Ocean Runner, and it has exceeded my expectations. It is a heavy dinghy, so it needs plenty of power, if you want to get up and run. But it is smooth and handles rougher water. I love the flat floor, makes it very easy to move around and is very stable. Not sure what/if you have a davit system, so the weight would be a consideration if you have a very "manual" system of loading.
randerson
Member
- Mar 15, 2006
- 371
- Boat Info
- 1998 400 DB
- Engines
- 7.4 Mercrusier Horizons
We owned the 310 dynamic for 3 years, we found the single layer floor to be uncomfortable. We moved to the 350 Oceanrunner and are much happier. The weight doubles but the comfort level tripled. The Oceanrunner is very durable and I know several people that own them and have not heard any complaints.
Can't guarantee a dry ride, it depends on how rough of water you're thinking about...
Can't guarantee a dry ride, it depends on how rough of water you're thinking about...
Last edited:
onthejob
Member
- May 1, 2013
- 266
- Boat Info
- 2003.5 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer, Raymarine A97 and Quantum radar. Hurley Davits with a Zodiac 310 Wave
- Engines
- 2x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon with V-Drives turning 4 blade wheels
Get a RIB. I went from a Mercury 310 Airdeck to a Zodiac 310 Wave RIB with a Yamaha F9.9 on Hurley Davits with no regrets. Very stable getting on and off the dink with the admiral and ensigns. Much more stable at planning speeds (up to the low 20's mph solo). The Mercury was squirrelly and lots of flex when you got on it and when you tried to get on a plane. If you want to plane on a dingy then a RIB id the way to go. If you are doing less than 8 MPH then the other options are a better choice. Yes, the RIB handles waves at slower speeds of course way better than a soft bottom. Total set up was around 215 pounds dink, engine, fuel.
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Irie308
Well-Known Member
- May 28, 2013
- 2,593
- Boat Info
- 2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
- Engines
- Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
I picked up one of the highfields aluminum bottoms last year and we are extremely happy with. It's the 9' 6" model and weighs in just under 90lbs. Paired it with a Tohatsu 8hp and I believe the setup weighs in about 180 lbs. I can load it on my davits myself and the ride is pretty nice. It has a V floor which I like as it gives you a bit of leg room on long rides and it it keeps the kids tucked in nicely. Boarding and unloading is very stable under foot. Cost was under 2k as well.
