Looking for a dingy

[Johnny5]

Im looking for a small inflatable dingy suitable for two that will take a 2.5hp outboard (I think 2.5)
Mostly for just running about on the river but would also like some short costal fishing trips.
I don't want to pay to much and I have been looking on eBay etc but wondering if second hand is the way to go ?
Wondering if anyone has any recommendations
Have seen the sunsport range they do a complete package for just over £800 but don't know much about them.
what are the better makes and is there any to avoid ?

 

[wonky]

Hi there, personally I wouldn't go too small. I got a 2.3m waveline last year and although it's great for river use there is no way I would go coastal fishing at in it.

I think almost all of them will take a 2.5 engine.

 

[volvopaul]

Hi , if you want a cheaper dinghy and outboard contact, andydent2000 on this forum he has one surplus to req .

 

[Ripster]

I agree, going off coastal fishing a small inflatable is not ideal but actually fine if its nice and flat. There is a Honwave on ebay at the Mo and they are well made. Other reasonable ones are Sunsport, Wetline blue series, Excel, Avon of course, Zodiac, Quick silver, Seago - there are many. Have a look on Ron Hale for some of the tougher makes. A new price of about £500ish will get you something. S/H they fetch sort of 250 and up for something reasonable.

Air floor will give you more buoyancy and greater weight capacity. V keel give you a bit more stability under way. Tube sizes are between 37 and 43mm dia usually. Most will take a 2.5hp 4st and up.

Good luck, loads to choose from.

 

[Matt341]

I previously owned a Zodiac 2.6 with solid transom, it would take our Honda 2.3 comfortably and in general it was a great dinghy. However, I stored it in a tight locker and it had to be folded up exactly perfect due to the solid transom restriction so ended up selling it on Ebay and bought a Waveline 2.3 round tail instead which can be folded a lot easier and bundled into the locker without needing to fold it perfectly. There is a clip on bracket for the outboard but even our 2.3hp seems a bit on the edge for it. And I certainly wouldn't use it for anything else than a short hop ashore to walk the dog.

Interestingly when I sold the Zodiac on Ebay there was quite a few bids and it sold for a lot more than I expected. . . . There seems a very good second hand market for brands such as Zodiac, Avon etc.

Before the Zodiac I had a Quicksilver 340 air deck. It was bought because we then had our yacht on a mooring for the Summer which was quite a distance from the shore and I wanted something fairly substantial to take us out to the boat. That was a brilliant dinghy which I would have had confidence to use for coastal fishing etc (I did a few times). I only had a 5hp engine on it at the time which was OK but I believe something with a bit more power such as an 8 or 10hp would have been good. I think it would take a 15hp max.

I guess it all depends on how far you are planning to go from the shore, storage restrictions, budget etc.

Ian

 

[BosnBill]

Johnny5, you might find some useful information here: inflatable boat information

 

[mbird]

I have a 2.3m Waveline with 3.3 Mercury 2-stroke for sale at the moment. PM me if you want any details.