What type of Dinghy?

T

TMK988

New Member
Sep 17, 2009
118
Lloyd Harbor, NY
Boat Info
290 Sundancer 2006
Engines
Mercruiser
I will be mooring my first boat (Searay 290) and will need a dinghy to get to and from it. I have found what seems like a good deal (Red Star Buccanner 8' inflatable boat, $600). Do you all use inflatables or rather the fiberglass tenders? I will be, I suppose, attaching it to my mooring while I am out and about. The inflatable appleals to me in that I guess I could deflate it and take it along with me if I felt the need. Any suggestions here?
Thank you,
Tom
 
A good inflatable is more stable than fiberglass (been there, done that, have the waterlogged cell phone to prove it).

I don't know anything about the Red Star brand. We've had Zodiacs for years both as dinghies and as beach boats. Zodiac isn't perfect, but the 1-2 times we've had a problem they have stepped up and made good.

Henry
 
Have you considered building a dinghy? I am just finishing up a 7'6" design from Same Devlin, http://www.devlinboat.com/polliwog.php

It's a great winter project and an easy first boat to build if so inclined.

Jeff
 

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Just ask yourself what you REALLY intend to use it for-
Only ferrying YOU or everyone out to the boat? Ever want to take it with you? Gonna fish in it? Gonna run it up on the beach?
My opinion is to get the SMALLEST(that's right) INFLATEABLE dinghy that will accomodate your needs. Less to handle/lift- easier to store/power/take with you.
My father still has an Achielles(sp?) inflateable that is 20+ years old. Not pretty but has been through hell and keeps going. I have the smallest one from west marine- I use it RARELY.
 
Thanks Henry, I think that I will go with an inflatable. Do you leave it moored to your bouy when you are out? I think that I am anxious about it being stolen. And Jeff, yikes, that looks like it requires some fine skills! I do enjoy a good project but I would do bad things to that. I hope you will post some pictures when you are finished.
 
TMK988 said:
Thanks Henry, I think that I will go with an inflatable. Do you leave it moored to your bouy when you are out? I think that I am anxious about it being stolen. And Jeff, yikes, that looks like it requires some fine skills! I do enjoy a good project but I would do bad things to that. I hope you will post some pictures when you are finished.
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Yes, we just attach it to one of the pennants. Our mooring is right behind our house with all of the neighbors. It is either on the mooring, or tied up to our dock. I don't have a motor on it, so it is a pretty unattractive target. I did used to lock up our larger inflatables during the week using a waterproof padlock and plastic coated steel cable run through the outboard. But even then it was meant more as deterrent for drunks.

Henry
 
Thanks Quint4, I think that I am going to go with an inflatable. Now the quest is to figure out which one, what it should be made of, what kind of floor, how big!!!! One question, how long does it take you to inflate yours?
 
TMK988 said:
Thanks Quint4, I think that I am going to go with an inflatable. Now the quest is to figure out which one, what it should be made of, what kind of floor, how big!!!! One question, how long does it take you to inflate yours?
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I got a 12 volt pump from our Zodiac dealer. Its a serious pump and not one of the 'blow up toy' ones. It is made in Italy and takes no time to blow up our 8'-6" dinghy. If you are interested let me know and I'll dig it out and get the name.

Henry
 
I have a 12v pump and a foot "bellows" style pump. I can blow it up with the foot pump in under 5 minutes.
 
Quint4 said:
I have a 12v pump and a foot "bellows" style pump. I can blow it up with the foot pump in under 5 minutes.
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+1 ... I use a foot pump also- 10 mins- worse shape than quint
 
You guys are teriffic. I am going to buy one of these inflatables this month figuring that the prices would probably be lowest in January. Any thoughts on waiting until the 20th and buying one at the NY Boat Show? I actually have always wanted to buy a car or a boat at a show, getting some crazy 'show' deal. Well, maybe I still can...
 
TMK988 said:
Thanks Henry, I think that I will go with an inflatable. Do you leave it moored to your bouy when you are out? I think that I am anxious about it being stolen. And Jeff, yikes, that looks like it requires some fine skills! I do enjoy a good project but I would do bad things to that. I hope you will post some pictures when you are finished.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom; I've really enjoyed the project. It's actually a starter project to try out the stitch & glue building process and I needed a dinghy anyway. I am working up to building a 28' offshore skiff designed by Dave Gerr of Gerr Marine, http://www.gerrmarine.com/images/boat_images/power/gerr28skiff/gerr28skiffC.GIF

My 320 is on a lake which is about an hour from the ocean; I used to trailer my 270 between lake and ocean and have been toying with trailering my 320 but for about the same money as the custom trailer, alteration to hinge the radar arch, and fitting out my truck I can pay for the materials for the 28' and enjoy building her over a period of several years.

Enjoy the dinghy, whatever you go with. We used a 17' sea kayak in place of a dinghy the last 3 trips to the ocean and it's a real hassle at the dinghy dock!

Cheers
Jeff
 
TMK988 said:
You guys are teriffic. I am going to buy one of these inflatables this month figuring that the prices would probably be lowest in January. Any thoughts on waiting until the 20th and buying one at the NY Boat Show? I actually have always wanted to buy a car or a boat at a show, getting some crazy 'show' deal. Well, maybe I still can...
Click to expand...

It is possible to negotiate the at the boat shows if they have last years model they want to get rid of. Baltik also sells theirs on eBay and you can negotiate with them. I bought my 9.5 last year pretty cheap. There is an older post on the board I contributed a while back with costs, if you do a search.
 
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