Inflatable Dinghy

[Brian Andrews]

It's time for us to procure a new and more substantial dinghy now that we will be mooring our CD25 rather than keeping her in a slip. Any recommendations as to manufacturers, features etc. would be greatly appreciated. The smaller Zodiacs have piqued my interest. Does anyone have knowledge to share concerning the slatted, hinged or inflatable flooring offered by that manufacturer?

[Larry Austin]

Hi Brian..I'm looking to buy a new dinghy this year as well. I was down at BoatUS a few days ago and saw the Seaworthy SW 9.2 which looked good and seemed to be the *right* size for storing up on the CD deck. If anyone has any comments on this or any other brand I'd be interested in them too. Thanks. (I think the 9.2 is on sale for $999.)

Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA





laustin@us.ibm.com

[Ken Cave]

Take a look at the Quicksilver six foot model-called the 230. It comes equipped with huge side tanks, a hard floor, and a additional tube to blow up the bottom of the boat to make it tow easier-as well as planing with a 3.3 horsepower engine!!

I have carried four adults in mine-have stood on the side of the dingy when climbing up on the boat, and have used it for over four years.

Only draw back: Don't try to drive it on a rocky beach-you will rip the bottom to no end.

Easy to tow-does not cut the speed down, and costs around $800 with a discount.

Ken Cave



bcave@whidbey.net

[john churchill]

people that know me will tell you that i am the world's greatest cheapskate. i prefer the term frugal. when i suggest buying the most expensive brand, it means that i firmly believe that it will hold its value. my redcrest (homemade ply floor) is about 15 years old and still holds air and the fabric and seams are all in good shape. it has seen only light use, but most inflatables die of neglect rather than wearing out. west has apparently twisted avon's arm to but their label on the avon boats now and i believe the price has come down a bit. it still represents for me the best value on an annual basis.
i would NOT buy a PVC boat because they simply do not stand up to hard use and are difficult to repair.
john

[steve]

HI,
I've been looking for new dinghy as well and have decided on a 9'4'' Zodiac. Price about the same as the west marine product . Also decided on plywood instead of inflatable floor . Once I put the boat in the water it will be at the dock or behind my CD 27 until the end of the season so ten pounds of difference isn't so important.
Plus it's 400+ less than the inflatable floor model. In a chop and with a guest or two and some supplies, less than a 9' inflatable gets small quick.
If you sail only out of your own harbor on nice days less than 8' is OK but if you're cruising, less than nine feet of inflatable can be mighty uncomfortable.
Also I think I've decided on a BF2 2hp. Honda 4 stroke for the inflatable.
Be interestd in your final choice.

Steve



neastsail@aol.com

[Gary]

I purchased a 6'7" Zodiak two years ago and after one season sold it because in anything other than calm water, it would get swamped. It towed well and stored easily but was unsatisfactory in terms of dryness. I would recommend buying a larger one.

BTW, I decided to go with a hard dinghy and ultimately bought the Walker Bay 8' for $399. It tows well and is very dry and stable.

Gary



garym@taxinvest.com

[Larry DeMers]

Last year, we switched over from a hard dinhy (9 ft. nesting D4 dinghy), to an inflatable, simply because we are now traveling away from the coastline, and I don't want to have to deal with a towed dinghy in a blow. I know too many people that had to cut theirs free in a storm, due to the dinghy either acting like a propellor behind the sailboat (flipping up and then rotating while tightening up on the painter, resulting in the dinghy eventually flopping into the cockpit..usually on top of the helmpersons head.
Or with a hard dink, giving up a knot of speed towing that thing along.

So we bought an Avon Roll-Away, and stow it on the coach roof in a low cradle that I put together. This is ideal in that it offers the safety of a platform that is 10 min. max from being manually inflated and launched, with floorboards already installed, and maybe 3-5 minutes away with an electric inflator. There is no speed penalty since the boat is out of the water for the longer passages.
The only negative is that inflatables row like a brick. They have no carry at all. And they are very subject to the wind pushing them sideways, so rowing out an anchor is unlikely if there is a big wind blowing (we have found that we prefer to use the mainship to do this anyway).

My advice as far as Zodiac is concerned is that I would not touch them with a 12 ft. oar. They had serious delamination problems with their products..all of them. The Coast Guard finally had to get involved, forcing them to recall their entire base of inflatables for repair to the transom, which was delaminating on a lot of boats. PVC is a lousy material to repair..nothing sticks to it very well. So holes are a constant problem since the patches don't last very long before leaking.
As for me, when companies behave like Zodiac did (refusing to voluntarily recall their defective products), I stop doing business with them.

It's interesting that Zodiac felt the pressure so thoroughly that they bought Avon last fall I believe.

This is all my own opinion, and ymmv.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

It's time for us to procure a new and more substantial dinghy now that we will be mooring our CD25 rather than keeping her in a slip. Any recommendations as to manufacturers, features etc. would be greatly appreciated. The smaller Zodiacs have piqued my interest. Does anyone have knowledge to share concerning the slatted, hinged or inflatable flooring offered by that manufacturer?

demers@sgi.com

[Ken Coit]

I considered a Walker Bay and decided the capacity wasn't adequate unless there were only two us to transport at any given time. In order to maximize capacity without going to a RIB, we have purchased an 11 ft. Avon RollAway 3.41 (99 model) which has a capacity of over 1200 # and is very stable. I think the mate is very interested in dinghy stability and we would hate to leave anyone behind if we were going to navigate the shallows to an outer banks beach, let alone some other circumstances that can arise.

We found the best price for the Avon at Defender.

As for dryness, I have been told that the answer is to plane. As a result, we will power with a 100# 15 HP Suzuki 4-stroke. You can get a de-tuned 9.9 HP version for a couple hundred less and if you intend to use it on some controlled lakes, that may be a consideration. Suzuki is offering a 6-year warranty through the end of the month. The Suzuki we are buying from a friend of a friend (Causeway Marina, Morehead City, NC), at a very competitive price compared with Hondas and Yamahas. I am told that Suzuki manufactures the OMC 40 HP 4-stroke.

Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

I purchased a 6'7" Zodiak two years ago and after one season sold it because in anything other than calm water, it would get swamped. It towed well and stored easily but was unsatisfactory in terms of dryness. I would recommend buying a larger one.

BTW, I decided to go with a hard dinghy and ultimately bought the Walker Bay 8' for $399. It tows well and is very dry and stable.

Gary

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Michelle d'Aoust]

How about a Tinker Inflatable made in the UK. They are a bit pricey, but probably the best in the business. The Pardeys raved about it. And Nigel Calder bought one for his family to use on his new Pacific Seacraft. They row and power beautifully and have an optional sail rig and survival canopy which converts it into a real lifeboat. You might want to check out the North American Web Site at http://www.tinkers.com/



madaoust@ix.netcom.com

[M. R. Bober]

If John recommends an expensive brand--and he doesn't have a fever--I'd pay attention.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330



thebobers@erols.com

[bob pence]

I considered a Walker Bay and decided the capacity wasn't adequate unless there were only two us to transport at any given time. In order to maximize capacity without going to a RIB, we have purchased an 11 ft. Avon RollAway 3.41 (99 model) which has a capacity of over 1200 # and is very stable. I think the mate is very interested in dinghy stability and we would hate to leave anyone behind if we were going to navigate the shallows to an outer banks beach, let alone some other circumstances that can arise.

We found the best price for the Avon at Defender.

Where do you put a 11' roll up and a 100# motor on a CD36 and who lifts it up on board? I'll take an Avon Redcrest with a motor I can lift easily, not over 45#.

As for dryness, I have been told that the answer is to plane. As a result, we will power with a 100# 15 HP Suzuki 4-stroke. You can get a de-tuned 9.9 HP version for a couple hundred less and if you intend to use it on some controlled lakes, that may be a consideration. Suzuki is offering a 6-year warranty through the end of the month. The Suzuki we are buying from a friend of a friend (Causeway Marina, Morehead City, NC), at a very competitive price compared with Hondas and Yamahas. I am told that Suzuki manufactures the OMC 40 HP 4-stroke.

Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

I purchased a 6'7" Zodiak two years ago and after one season sold it because in anything other than calm water, it would get swamped. It towed well and stored easily but was unsatisfactory in terms of dryness. I would recommend buying a larger one.

BTW, I decided to go with a hard dinghy and ultimately bought the Walker Bay 8' for $399. It tows well and is very dry and stable.

Gary

sixpence@dmv.com

[larry mace]

Larry,
Could you describe your cradle in more detail? Last year, we switched over from a hard dinhy (9 ft. nesting D4 dinghy), to an inflatable, simply because we are now traveling away from the coastline, and I don't want to have to deal with a towed dinghy in a blow. I know too many people that had to cut theirs free in a storm, due to the dinghy either acting like a propellor behind the sailboat (flipping up and then rotating while tightening up on the painter, resulting in the dinghy eventually flopping into the cockpit..usually on top of the helmpersons head.

Or with a hard dink, giving up a knot of speed towing that thing along.

So we bought an Avon Roll-Away, and stow it on the coach roof in a low cradle that I put together. This is ideal in that it offers the safety of a platform that is 10 min. max from being manually inflated and launched, with floorboards already installed, and maybe 3-5 minutes away with an electric inflator. There is no speed penalty since the boat is out of the water for the longer passages.
The only negative is that inflatables row like a brick. They have no carry at all. And they are very subject to the wind pushing them sideways, so rowing out an anchor is unlikely if there is a big wind blowing (we have found that we prefer to use the mainship to do this anyway).

My advice as far as Zodiac is concerned is that I would not touch them with a 12 ft. oar. They had serious delamination problems with their products..all of them. The Coast Guard finally had to get involved, forcing them to recall their entire base of inflatables for repair to the transom, which was delaminating on a lot of boats. PVC is a lousy material to repair..nothing sticks to it very well. So holes are a constant problem since the patches don't last very long before leaking.
As for me, when companies behave like Zodiac did (refusing to voluntarily recall their defective products), I stop doing business with them.

It's interesting that Zodiac felt the pressure so thoroughly that they bought Avon last fall I believe.

This is all my own opinion, and ymmv.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

It's time for us to procure a new and more substantial dinghy now that we will be mooring our CD25 rather than keeping her in a slip. Any recommendations as to manufacturers, features etc. would be greatly appreciated. The smaller Zodiacs have piqued my interest. Does anyone have knowledge to share concerning the slatted, hinged or inflatable flooring offered by that manufacturer?

lmace@gt.com

[Ken Coit]

Bob,

We have a hoist for the engine and expect to tow the dinghy most places we will go. When that is unwise, we will heft it on deck with a three point sling and a spare halyard, roll it up and either stow it below or on deck. It sounds like a lot of work, but I really didn't like the idea of having to make two or three trips to get the crew to where we were going. Four adults and gear is a reasonable load for the 3.41. I was told the Walker Bay was not very stable and two adults were the max load. The Avon looks very solid and comforting.

Take care,

Ken

I considered a Walker Bay and decided the capacity wasn't adequate unless there were only two us to transport at any given time. In order to maximize capacity without going to a RIB, we have purchased an 11 ft. Avon RollAway 3.41 (99 model) which has a capacity of over 1200 # and is very stable. I think the mate is very interested in dinghy stability and we would hate to leave anyone behind if we were going to navigate the shallows to an outer banks beach, let alone some other circumstances that can arise.

We found the best price for the Avon at Defender.

Where do you put a 11' roll up and a 100# motor on a CD36 and who lifts it up on board? I'll take an Avon Redcrest with a motor I can lift easily, not over 45#.

As for dryness, I have been told that the answer is to plane. As a result, we will power with a 100# 15 HP Suzuki 4-stroke. You can get a de-tuned 9.9 HP version for a couple hundred less and if you intend to use it on some controlled lakes, that may be a consideration. Suzuki is offering a 6-year warranty through the end of the month. The Suzuki we are buying from a friend of a friend (Causeway Marina, Morehead City, NC), at a very competitive price compared with Hondas and Yamahas. I am told that Suzuki manufactures the OMC 40 HP 4-stroke.

Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

I purchased a 6'7" Zodiak two years ago and after one season sold it because in anything other than calm water, it would get swamped. It towed well and stored easily but was unsatisfactory in terms of dryness. I would recommend buying a larger one.

BTW, I decided to go with a hard dinghy and ultimately bought the Walker Bay 8' for $399. It tows well and is very dry and stable.

Gary

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Larry DeMers]

Larry,

Hi..glad to meet you. The cradle I built was done in two steps. Step one was to construct a pine "box" that goes around the companionway's Seahood. It had to be scribed to the deck camber, and it had to be designed solid enough to take green water directly thrown at it, and stay attached to the boat. So, the box was designed out of pine, but it was then transfered over to teak boards with cedar and oak reinforcements inside.

Step 2 was to create another box frame that fit on the first box frame. The second box frame is what holds the Avon in place while heeled, so it is strong, has gussets in all corners, and has some fancy curlicues and fret work done on the sides where it would be visible (cut with a sharp chisel and mototool with a sanding drum attached.

In the end, the design has a fold down front apron that allows the Avon to be slid forward for inflation/deflation. The sides also are on brass piano hinges, and fold away, to form a flat area for working on the dinghy..pumping her up and then attaching the harness to swing her over the side with the help of the main halyard.

Lastly, to protect the Avon from sun damage, there is a sunbrella cover that goes over the whole box and raft assembly, which is held on with shock cord in the hem of the cover, and small J shaped hooks placed around the outside of the top box section. The J hooks hold the cover in place along with the shock cord.
We can open the box, unfold the Avon roll-away, and inflate her using a foot pump provided with the Avon, and then launch her using the main halyard, in around 10 minutes. Recovery and removal of air is about the same or a tad longer.

We also store the two oars (disassembled) and the lifting harness inside the dinghy cradle, under the sunbrella cover, and attached with shock cord loops that are drawn tight when the paddle pieces are in place.

The hardest part is the scribing of the deck camber, which is a compound curve. A simple review of the theory and use of scribing helped to complete this step..as did watching Norm Abrahms on "New Yankee Workshop". Use a cheap compass with a pencil in it.

I built this over the past winter, and am anxious to do a final fit and then the finishing with Cetol (I have used Cetol on my bright work in the cockpit with great success, and compliments..the cockpit table has 2 coats of cetol satin, and 8 coats of cetol gloss (clear), and has lasted 3 years now without a bit of work. It could probably use a top coat of gloss this spring. Good Stuff!

Get in touch via E-Mail if you run into further questions..glad to help.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Larry,
Could you describe your cradle in more detail? Last year, we switched over from a hard dinhy (9 ft. nesting D4 dinghy), to an inflatable, simply because we are now traveling away from the coastline, and I don't want to have to deal with a towed dinghy in a blow. I know too many people that had to cut theirs free in a storm, due to the dinghy either acting like a propellor behind the sailboat (flipping up and then rotating while tightening up on the painter, resulting in the dinghy eventually flopping into the cockpit..usually on top of the helmpersons head.

Or with a hard dink, giving up a knot of speed towing that thing along.

So we bought an Avon Roll-Away, and stow it on the coach roof in a low cradle that I put together. This is ideal in that it offers the safety of a platform that is 10 min. max from being manually inflated and launched, with floorboards already installed, and maybe 3-5 minutes away with an electric inflator. There is no speed penalty since the boat is out of the water for the longer passages.
The only negative is that inflatables row like a brick. They have no carry at all. And they are very subject to the wind pushing them sideways, so rowing out an anchor is unlikely if there is a big wind blowing (we have found that we prefer to use the mainship to do this anyway).

My advice as far as Zodiac is concerned is that I would not touch them with a 12 ft. oar. They had serious delamination problems with their products..all of them. The Coast Guard finally had to get involved, forcing them to recall their entire base of inflatables for repair to the transom, which was delaminating on a lot of boats. PVC is a lousy material to repair..nothing sticks to it very well. So holes are a constant problem since the patches don't last very long before leaking.
As for me, when companies behave like Zodiac did (refusing to voluntarily recall their defective products), I stop doing business with them.

It's interesting that Zodiac felt the pressure so thoroughly that they bought Avon last fall I believe.

This is all my own opinion, and ymmv.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

It's time for us to procure a new and more substantial dinghy now that we will be mooring our CD25 rather than keeping her in a slip. Any recommendations as to manufacturers, features etc. would be greatly appreciated. The smaller Zodiacs have piqued my interest. Does anyone have knowledge to share concerning the slatted, hinged or inflatable flooring offered by that manufacturer?

demers@sgi.com

[K. LeMans]

Okay, so I've heard the PVC vs. Hypalon message.....anyone have any opinions or knowledge about Achilles boats? Same price as Zodiac, but Hypalon instead of PVC.



lemans@gte.net