Dinghy's, pro's and cons

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Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Due to unforseen circumstances I am getting a new dinghy, I saw them at SIBS yesterday and would like to know the pro's and cons of the inflatable floors and keels. We have a Mercury 3.3hp engine which has hardly been used, and had the Zodiac 260 slatted dinghy, I was considering upgrading to a bigger dinghy, but would that mean a bigger and heavier engine would be required to run it?

We only use it rarely, and of course I have to consider the storage of it as well /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Any advise gratefuly received /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Our little 2.6metre one has an inflatable floor it works very well as long as you keep the pressure up. Even planes with two people (merc 8hp).
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

We have a 2.6m inflatable with inflatable floor and keel with a Merc 4hp which will plane with just me aboard and is CE rated for up to three adults + sprog + luggage also will take up to 10hp, I have however not conducted or seen a risk assesement for it's abrasion resistance.

David
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

I've been looking at Zodiac's as that is what I have, or should I say did have, I like them because they fold up into a small bag, are there any other makes I should look at that fold as small? Thanks
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Pete,

The Honda 270TI is an awesome tender. It has an inflatable V Floor and snub nose tubes which means it works a treat. Have used it with a 2.5hp and ir goes fine. It planes with a 4hp on it! Does not seem much bigger than my Suzumar 230 when packed away (but it is slightly larger). Have a look at them at the show, they are great.

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

I cant remember the make of ours but that also folds up into a bag it is a hassle though, you need a descent pump that sucks as well as blows.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Pete,

Get an inflatable floor. I got a slatted floor model for our current dinghy on grounds of making a small saving, and have regretted it ever since. Next time I buy a dinghy, it will have an inflatable floor - they are more rigid, will track better through the water and are infinitely preferable. They take up a little more space but I reckon the difference is marginal. I don't know how big a dinghy you're considering going for (do you really need a bigger one?), but I'd stick with the 3.3hp outboard unless you're considering something huge. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

I have the AVL inflator/sucker thing so no problems with that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The weight of my 260 Zodiac was 28kg and the engine 13kg.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

I have just been told by a dealer that the Zodiac 310 with inflatable keel and floor costing around £1,200 is IDENTICAL to the one they make for Yamaha at a cost of £815 and 34kg. A Tohatsu 9.8 apparantly is perfect for that but weighs in at a hefty 26kg. Anyone know anything about any of these now we are looking at inflatable floors?

The company selling the Yamaha's are also the biggest dealer of Zodiacs, Barnet marine on stand E69 at the show, so if anyone is going and passing could they tell me if these boats (Zodiac 310 and Yamaha 310) are identical bar the name /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

[ QUOTE ]
A Tohatsu 9.8 apparantly is perfect for that but weighs in at a hefty 26kg

[/ QUOTE ] I think you need to decide what you want the dinghy to do. A 9.8 will get you seriously on the plane and could be a good laugh for messing about but, if you just need to use the dinghy to get ashore occasionally, from an anchorage or mooring, you are going to find it a nightmare lifting 26 kg on and off the dinghy's transom, particularly from the boat.

Personally, I'd stick with the small outboard unless the need for speed is so imperative that you can't even resist it in your dinghy, and get something bigger and ballsier to store in the transom garage when you get your next boat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

[ QUOTE ]
(Zodiac 310 and Yamaha 310) are identical bar the name /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

the Yamaha used to have a futera hull and the zodiac had the mid v.

not seen the 2006 range but no they were not previously the same.

the zodiac 310 with a wooden floor is c rated not sure about the yam.

I have the Zodiac 310 with tohatsu 9.8 and I am very pleased with it.

My vote is that you get some gaffer tape for your old bag.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Just found out ours is an XM 2.6mtr of which our local chandler has one left at £390.00. Ours is three years old now always left inflated in the water and in perfect condition.
Marine scene Penarth 02920705780.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Hi

I have a waveline 270 with inflatable keel & merc 3.3 goes on plane with me in it on my own (15st). only downside I can think of is its nearly impossible to get it back into storage bag. Bought the 2 stroke outboard specifically for lightness & stowage.
I can get 2 adults & 2 kids (12 & 9) & one large red setter in no problem
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Hi again

Hope you dont me asking, I was just wondering what the chaps that did the work in your engine bay said about the dinghy mishap. apollogies if you have already posted this info

alan
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

Inflatable floor is the only way to go. It is light, assembles and disassembles in seconds compared to slatted, or panelled floors, easy to keep clean, and much much easier to stow on board. Also dingy when inflated is easier to lift on board if required (ie motor taken off and mounted on transom bracket).

The inflatable keels enable them to plane depending on size v's engine, but say an 8hp 4-stroke on a 3m all air dingy will fly along with 2 crew on board. Othewise 3 or 4hp plenty.

Light, compact and easy to stow quickly.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

If you are not going to store it with the engine left on on davits, then stick with your 3.3 hp. Trying to fit a 26kg outboard in a choppy anchorage will be a nightmare. I was using a 2.3 hp with a 3.1 metre RIB this summer, and it was fine for tender duties, but not so good for trips up river etc.
 
Re: Dinghy\'s, pro\'s and cons

They said it should have been strapped down, the only person to blame was the spaz who thought leaving a dinghy rolling about in an engine room was ok.
 
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