Solid Aluminum Hull "Titan" Dinghy feedback?

Jimmy Buoy

Well-Known Member
Dec 3, 2008
2,454
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Boat Info
2003 Cobalt 293
Engines
Twin Volvo-Penta 5.0 270hp & DuoProps
I'm looking to replace our current Achilles 8.5' inflatable floor dinghy and wanted to go with a rigid hull. I currently have a 5hp Merc 2 stroke and would like to keep it due to its light weight and integrated tank.

Anyone know of Titan aluminum hull products? http://www.barrettmarketingltd.com/titan/product_al260.html This model is virtually the same size as my current Achilles and @ 66 lbs is also the same weight (impressive). It seems to be well built and the hull is quite deep, but someone told me that the hull bottoms will not retain their nice white powdercoated finish. Instead they say the paint will chip and I'll constantly be repainting.

Going with a FRP hull of the same size would likely require a larger/heavier motor (with a space robbing external fuel cell) to have the same performance. The sales guys tell me that any RIB (FRP, Aluminum, or Plastic) will be more efficient since the hull does not deflect as on my current model's inflatable floor. Sounds like it makes sense, but I've never experienced the difference between the two. With the deeper hull, it is noticeably more comfortable to sit on the tube while your feet are planted at the bottom of the "V".

My goal is to have a light, durable, easily deployable dingy with more comfortable erogonomics while using my current outboard. Thoughts anyone???
 
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Have you looked into how the aluminum will hold up in a salt water environment? That would be my first problem, the second is that I love that our inflatables don't bang against the boat when tied up, the aluminum dink will need fenders to keep it from scratching the hell out of your SP or hull.
 
It looks as only the hull is alum., inflatable tubes. Also looks as if the hull is painted, its lighter than my zodiac. I like it!!:grin:
 
What sort of performance are you looking for ?
I bought a 2nd hand Quicksilver 2.7M so I presume about the same size as yours and the one you have linked there. The quicksilver has the FRP base. Came complete withe a 5hp 2 stroke outboard, which has the integral tank and the plug in for a external tank. So I presume the same outboard as yours.
With just me, I can jump it up onto the plane and hoot along. With 2 or 3 on board it still gets along well, and have had 5 (probably past its max) and it still has no issues.

I have a lot to do with aluminum and powdercoating, we manufacture a traffic control product in aluminium and powdercoat it. Powdercoat takes a fair amount of knocking etc. However if you are going to skid a tender up onto the beach and clip rocks etc, then I would think chipping the paint is going to be a definate. Depending on the knock, quality of the finish etc. It may not result in just a scratch, you may find a larger piece actually chips off.

With the FRP base, you just tend to end up with a scratch, shallow or deep in the bottom.
 
Humph... salt water won't be a problem where Jimmy Bouy is...lol

I like the idea a lot. You will deffinately notice a difference between air floor and rigid. You will love the rigid. As far as the paint... if it is preped correctly it should not flake off... I would ask the seller if this has been a problem or if they have had one. If you had a problem a quick sand and a barrier coat of zinc cromate will protect the bottom and then paint what ever color you want... good luck I like the idea...
 
What sort of performance are you looking for ?
I bought a 2nd hand Quicksilver 2.7M so I presume about the same size as yours and the one you have linked there. The quicksilver has the FRP base. Came complete withe a 5hp 2 stroke outboard, which has the integral tank and the plug in for a external tank. So I presume the same outboard as yours.
With just me, I can jump it up onto the plane and hoot along. With 2 or 3 on board it still gets along well, and have had 5 (probably past its max) and it still has no issues.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

As far as "performance", with our current setup I can get on plane (sort of) with me and my wife, but it is pretty slow and if there is any waves of any size unless we both want to get VERY wet we have to come off plane. Actually, I am considering getting a new 8 hp Yamaha 2 stroke with this aluminum bottom dinghy. It's about 12 lbs heavier than the 5 hp (with a full integral gas tank), but I think it will make the unit more functional while keeping the total unit's weight to a minimum. I find many fellow boaters with large dinghy/motor setups only use it at the marina - rarely take it with them when they cruise. Their reason is "it's too much hassle". I'd probably be the same.

The dealer is proposing to sell the motor at their cost if I buy the dinghy. The dinghy would be $2195, the motor $1699 + tx. From what I've seen on the net, the motor usually sells for over $2000. Sounds more than fair to me.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far.

As far as "performance", with our current setup I can get on plane (sort of) with me and my wife, but it is pretty slow and if there is any waves of any size unless we both want to get VERY wet we have to come off plane. Actually, I am considering getting a new 8 hp Yamaha 2 stroke with this aluminum bottom dinghy. It's about 12 lbs heavier than the 5 hp (with a full integral gas tank), but I think it will make the unit more functional while keeping the total unit's weight to a minimum. I find many fellow boaters with large dinghy/motor setups only use it at the marina - rarely take it with them when they cruise. Their reason is "it's too much hassle". I'd probably be the same.

The dealer is proposing to sell the motor at their cost if I buy the dinghy. The dinghy would be $2195, the motor $1699 + tx. From what I've seen on the net, the motor usually sells for over $2000. Sounds more than fair to me.

Yamaha still makes 2 strokes? I am in the market for a new 8-10 hp motor and I would prefer a 2stroke. Where are you able to find the new 2-stroke motors?
 
Well, I called them to close the deal... TOO LATE - that model was sold out!! That was unfortunate, but they offered me a model one size larger (model 280) http://www.barrettmarketingltd.com/titan/product_al280.html for the same price as the 260. One catch, to add the 8 hp Yamaha 2 stroke was now going to be $2200 + tax (instead of $1699 with the purchase of the smaller boat). So I decided to buy the dinghy only and give my existing 5 hp motor a try. If it's not enough umph I'll start looking around for a deal on a 8-9.9 hp outboard.

So much for slow sales on boats - at least here in Canada...
 

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