dinghy dilema

[nyx2k]

my children want me to get a smallish inflatable and a 6hp ish engine so we can get about and have a play on the estuary.

i already have an old but very sound speedboat hull that i keep on the beach so would just need to buy an engine or do i buy a 3mtr inflatable and engine. total spend i was hoping was about £750.
regards Nick

 

[ccscott49]

Buy an engine for the old boat, probalby safer.

 

[Kipper]

Depends how old your kids are and how big the boat is really.

 

[nyx2k]

the boys are 10 and 11. the speedboat is an empty hull at 13ft long. i keep it on the beach tied up to some railings. i used it last year with an old seagull and it was fine even when the sea picked up to a f4-5 it rode very well.
ive seen this item on eBay 250146319627 and can have for 850. can anyone advise whether its ok for us. i will always be going out with the children so need space for one large bloke and 2 children.

 

[Nick_H]

If you can fit a couple of bench seats in the old hull, that leaves you all your budget for a new 6-10hp four stroke outboard which will be cheap to run, quiet and reliable. Sounds favourite to me.

 

[nyx2k]

i found an old scaffold plank and cut it up for bench seats and were very comfortable and when the sea turned rough they could be removed so the boys could sit lower in the hole. as usual some scrote nicked them but i could go to timber merchant and get new wood.

 

[Nick_H]

Thinking a bit more about it, your 13' hull will comfortably take a much bigger engine, so if your budget will stretch why not buy a 30-40 hp and fit a steering system (easy and cheap), then your lads can try waterskiing or you can tow them round in Ringos. If the hull is really light you may even get away with a 20hp tiller steer and still be able to tow them. Depends on whether you would be happy leaving the engine on the beach with the hull I suppose. I think it would open up the possibilities for having more fun, and your boys would think you were the best dad ever (although i'm sure they do already)

 

[nyx2k]

i couldn't leave the engine on the beach overnight but i can get the car on the beach to within 30mtrs of where the boat is so i could use a 6hp ish 4stroke. ive been looking for new engines but ive drawn a virtual blank on google.

could someone look at the ebay item 250146319627. its fairly local and a good size and it has launching wheels .

 

[landlockedpirate]

Looks quite clean, with a decent amount of bits with it (If you need them). The diameter of the tubes are a bit small by modern standards-not dangerous, but you will get a wet bum ! These types of floor are also a real pain to put together, but it will give good planing performance with the inflatable keel. Engine is mid eighties so getting a bit long in the tooth.

IMHO its too much. Would suggest £300 for engine and same for the boat- thats taking into account the high prices that stuff is going for on ebay at the moment.


Just seen this on another post that ari found on B&O, its a lot better value than the ebay one.

Mark