Our new Dingy:

[Angry Ranch Hand]

Recently I re-married an absolute angel, and took on her kids.
So it was time to move up to a bigger boat and dingy for my bigger crew.
Been a dogs age since I bought a dingy.

I asked around what's now "Da Kine" inflatable that will give me the least problems?
Everyone I know with inflatables told me for the small ones it's Achilles.
I got online and everyone concurred. "Spend the extra $$ you won't regret it."

So I got the best price I could find online, and was able to beat it at a local shop.
It came in a small box, but was straight forward in inflation and set-up.
Researching, I found the more you spend on a Dingy,, the better quality, conveniences and features they have. Ya really get what you pay for IMHO.

It was tempting to spend the $600 on the cheap-o Avon,, but owners all mentioned if ya have the extra cash, put in in the dingy and skimp on the motor size if you have to.
They all make quality BIG inflatables,, the only good small inflatable is Achilles" I heard over and over again.

It came in a bag-in-a-box:

Inflated to 3 psi with the electric pump in a few minutes, I topped off the 8 psi "high pressure" floor with a really quality foot pump that came with it.

I was blindsided that putting your CF numbers and sticker on is a PITA with Hypalon fabric. Hypalon is like Teflon, nothing sticks to it.
The license plate kinda dealio people have been using seemed kinda clunky, I wanted to try something different.

So I got back online and found a few old jaspers back east that had some tips that really came in handy.
"Ya use the Krylon Fusion Paint, stencils, but skuff the area gently first with some fine emery cloth, clean with Acetone, then most important of all, spray the Fusion type paint on super thin. Thick it will loose it's adhesion,, the trick is good prep, and a thin coat of paint, let it dry hard for 24 hours"

I ordered a stencil online with our CF numbers.

Had to use a special resin to glue on our CF sticker holder.
Took over a day to set.

I searched outboard motors.
I wanted something that was lightweight and powerful.
The wife insisted it be quiet.

The biggest complaint with the Suzuki 6 HP which for 2011 is also the Yamama 6HP is they are noisy. LOUD we hear.

So the Tohatsu 6HP 4 stroke took the nod because it's way quieter,, and way way cheaper.
I ordered it blind online after I seached a bit, and a place in Tenn had a one day sale if ya buy the Nissan version. It was $200 cheaper than the exact-same Tohatsu ($580 cheaper than the Zuki and Yamaha), free shipping, no sales tax, and it comes complete ready to run. Gastank and line, tool kit, extra parts,, all ya do is add the oil.

I jumped on it and it arrived a couple days later.

So I needed to build a stand to service and run the outboard on.
My 11 year old hadn't used his backyard fort in a few years, and he said fine, convert it into a outboard motor running stand:

The remains of our kids fort. ^
Turned into an outboard running stand:

Then the kids added some paint and decals:

Hung the outboard and added the 15oz of oil to the crank:

Then, first time start-up:

YouTube - First start up 6 hp Nissan Outboard.

The numbers and CF sticker holder are working well.

 

[trit21]

I have the same setup except I use a Tohatsu 6hp. I love the way it rides and fully inflatable it is easier to store when deflated. Now the question is how to mount it on the boat when traveling.

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

I have the same setup except I use a Tohatsu 6hp. I love the way it rides and fully inflatable it is easier to store when deflated. Now the question is how to mount it on the boat when traveling.

Good to read!

 

[firecadet613]

Very nice, and a timely thread. I'm purchasing a dinghy right now.

Any way you could take some measurements of that stand you built? Looks ideal!

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

Very nice, and a timely thread. I'm purchasing a dinghy right now.

Any way you could take some measurements of that stand you built? Looks ideal!

3 feet in every direction.
I use a couple 10# weights on the back.

 

[Pseudomind]

Recently I re-married an absolute angel, and took on her kids.
So it was time to move up to a bigger boat and dingy for my bigger crew.
Been a dogs age since I bought a dingy.

I asked around what's now "Da Kine" inflatable that will give me the least problems?
Everyone I know with inflatables told me for the small ones it's Achilles.
I got online and everyone concurred. "Spend the extra $$ you won't regret it."

So I got the best price I could find online, and was able to beat it at a local shop.
It came in a small box, but was straight forward in inflation and set-up.
Researching, I found the more you spend on a Dingy,, the better quality, conveniences and features they have. Ya really get what you pay for IMHO.

It was tempting to spend the $600 on the cheap-o Avon,, but owners all mentioned if ya have the extra cash, put in in the dingy and skimp on the motor size if you have to.
They all make quality BIG inflatables,, the only good small inflatable is Achilles" I heard over and over again.

It came in a bag-in-a-box:...

What models Achilles did you get?

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

The LSi 260

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|215570|216319|295567&id=1510031

 

[floriduramax1]

Have you had it in the water yet? I'm curious how the air floor feels and if it is hard to stand up in it.

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

Have you had it in the water yet? I'm curious how the air floor feels and if it is hard to stand up in it.

It's outstanding. Runs excellent with 2 adults and slows a bit with 3 or more, but still great.
I'll get the kids to post a You Tube next time out.
The inflatable keel is amazing. Not a gimmik, really works.

 

[Hampton]

I've been running an Achilles LSI 96 (9'6") for four years now - it's the same style. The blow up floor works fine. My biggest complaint is that you can't afford to get sand or dirt inside because it all gets trapped between the two floors. There's always a little spill of fuel/oil, so, you get one heck of a sludge in there. Even if you keep it clean, there will be some growth down there. It has served us well, but we are ready to move up to a RIB. I will add that the hard inflatable floor dinghies are awesome if you intend to deflate it and stow it away on board at times. Also, it's great for just laying on the platform lift and not worrying about chocks.

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

I've been running an Achilles LSI 96 (9'6") for four years now - it's the same style. The blow up floor works fine. My biggest complaint is that you can't afford to get sand or dirt inside because it all gets trapped between the two floors. There's always a little spill of fuel/oil, so, you get one heck of a sludge in there. Even if you keep it clean, there will be some growth down there. It has served us well, but we are ready to move up to a RIB. I will add that the hard inflatable floor dinghies are awesome if you intend to deflate it and stow it away on board at times. Also, it's great for just laying on the platform lift and not worrying about chocks.

Thanks for the tips.

The inflatable floor removes/installs real easy and real quick for cleaning.
Attaches with the same kinda sliders as the seat.
Just deflate and slide out.

 

[stephens013]

Great post; very informative

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

Their is a Fourth of July dinghy decorated parade in Two Harbors, Catalina island. This years theme is Patriotic. My kids want to use some PVC pipe and squirt guns, painted with the grey fusion paint,, mount it all on the dingy,, and go as Seal Team 6.