Dinghy

JC290

So we are looking to buy a "dinghy" just not sure what to buy. doesn't need to plane just wanting to play around marinas we visit will be two people in it. looking for something easy to store and deploy will handle a small motor. so many out there thought i would see what my extended family suggested or are using. thanks in advance 

Handymans342

JC did you search for this topic first? I see it like every 2 months LOL

wm61356

Hi JC, I had a 10 foot inflatable with a high pressure air floor for many years. Of course, there are pros and cons to everything, but the advantages to an air floor inflatable are; light weight, ease of storage (mine rolled up into a big duffel bag) and good performance with a small outboard motor. There are many to choose from. The one I had was a Saturn brand. It was pretty inexpensive and it surprised me by being well made. I used it for 6 years and then traded up to a hard bottom inflatable last year. It was still holding air after 6 years of use and never leaked or needed patching. It was made from PVC as opposed to Hypalon (PVC supposedly does not last as long as Hypalon) but I had no problems with it. The person I sold it to is still using it. You can buy them on-line for about half the cost of a West Marine brand or Zodiac. Additionally, if you search the internet you will likely find dealers who sell brands like Saturn, Raider, etc. locally. There was a guy in Harrison Township, Spring Lake Boat sales, that sells them, for example. I purchased my current dingy from him and found him to have good prices and easy to deal with. Good luck!

diggin2day1

Check out boatstogo.com .... Very happy with my Saturn dink, was pretty easy on the wallet too. 

JC290

handy i did and didnt find the answer i wanted. Now i have my answer as Saturn was what i was looking at and now i know i can get it an hour away. oh and no i wont be using a oil burner lmao. Thanks guys 

Handymans342

Guess you have never seen an F350 launching down the track with a 6 inch pipe billowing black carbon. LOL

diggin2day1

JC290- I bought the 9'6" high pressure floor... I move it around with a Mercury 3.3 2-stroke(which fits under the rear cockpit seat of my fv270)...

Handymans342

Nice!  That would look good on the back of my oil burner

Black_Diamond

That Merc 3.3hp is a nice put around motor. Have one in the basement. Upgraded from a Mercury 270 airdeck to an AB9.5AL. Weighs less than the Merc 270. Get to test it with my Merc 9.9 hotrod motor Alswagg modified for me. Should be 15-18hp now. hehe

06Rinker270

@diggin2day1 do you use a davit system or just deflate with your 270? 

JC290

Thanks diggin that's is what I am Considering should work well on my 290. Planning on deflating and keeping on boat will be perfect for putting around marina. Handy I had a 350 tuned to the max miss that truck. 

diggin2day1

Funny you should ask this.... Last year I was dragging it up on top of the bow and tying it upside down... It worked but was real hard to see over it and difficult to access the bow cleats for tying up the boat. I purchased a 2-stage air pump from West Marine to inflate and deflate it with(think it was around $140 but worth every penny!!!!). 
Now the funny part: I literally just received a package from a buddy of mine that does incredible fabrication work. I had him fabricate 2 "connection points" out of 316 stainless steel to fit into the davit pockets so I could drag the nose of my dinghy up onto the swim platform and secure it. Here is the pieces that he made:This is how I am going to bring my dinghy along with me... Will obviously have to disconnect before backing into a slip!! 

Michael T

@D2D1.....Oh Man, do I love superior custom fabrication work! I have spent most of my life loving the opportunity to think outside the box with fabrication ideas. A big "tip of the hat" to you and your buddy. Ingenuity - I LOVE it!!!!!

JC290

nice work 

06Rinker270

very cool, post some pics once you have it completed.  Fabrication job looks awesome.    

Michael T

IF I were going to be on plane a lot with that dinghy I might have @boattech1 make me a canvas or acrylic skirt that covered the rear end of the dinghy just over the upper spray lines to protect the dinghy's material whne flying along at 32+ mph. I don't think it would cost much and could even have a couple of drain pockets built into it.....as I said, I love trying new concepts out!

Handymans342

Dragging that looks easy enough

Michael T

Steve, it isn't the drag that I'm worried about it's the wear n tear on the aft end of that dinghy.....I'd have a cool skirt made.....just my 2 cents.

Handymans342

I don't think that would hurt the dinghy Michael

JC290

might not hurt it at your rate of speed handy, but us gassers might 

diggin2day1

Had to pull back the cover and drop one in quick... 

Handymans342

Why you gotta be a hater JC? Remember that at the end of the trip I will still have enough spare change to buy your gas hog. 

06Rinker270

Any other 270s out there put a dinghy on their swim platforms?  

Handymans342

What's the beam on your 270?

JC290

Looks like a perfect fit

06Rinker270

9'1''

Michael T

@JC290. BAM!!!!! You dissed Steve's diesels!!!!! You are now OFFICIALLY a member of the Rinker Forum Elite! LOL

Black_Diamond

There are 2 - 270's by me. One uses davits, the other just pulls it up on the swim playform and ties it to the stern. 

Black_Diamond

I use this on my 342. Works awesome. 

https://hurleymarine.com/shop/dinghy-davit-boat/h3o/

Michael T

BD, great video but you might be in a different tax bracket than we mere mortals!

Black_Diamond

Not really. lol. Only way to get a RIB with motor on the 342 platform. Esp in waves. You'll spend $500+ for a Weaver set up. 

Nice RIB: $3-5k
outboard (new) $2-4k, used half that

do the math, the davit is not that expensive. Plus it WORKS.