Yacht Tenders

[Valkyrie]

When faced with same question, we bought an Achilles LT-4, which weighs 56 pounds. Being made of Hypalon, it outlasts every other material out, short of fiberglass. With wooden floor, oars and outboard bracket in place, we can easily slide it under the tall radar arch. Our last Achilles, which this one replaces, lasted 19 years.

A note on putting any inflatable on top of a C-dory: do so from the bow, wher ypu can get much better leverage. Pictures can be found in page three of our album.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[thataway]

Although we have towed "dinghies" up to 20 feet in length behind larger boats and I have a friend who tows a 25 footer to the Caribbean every year--we avoid towing inflatables. They can act like kites when the wind gets under them. I have seen some lost, capsized and fill with water.

We prefer to either carry the inflatable--inflated on top up side down, or deflate the boat. With an electric pump we find that we can inflate the boat in less than 5 minutes and it is much easier to deal with rolled up.

[teflonmom]

Fred,

Your kayak type blow up should work very well for you. The way it sounds you solo a lot. The air floor inflatables are very light and will move very well with a 5HP kicker.

We used a 5HP Nissan 2 stroke as a tender motor for a number of years. We also used it as a get home on our 246 Rosborough. We made about 3 knots in calm conditions. The Rosborough was a lot heavierer than our 22. We now power with a single reliable Honda 90.

Fred and Pat Messerly

[ffheap]

Folks,

I went out and purchased a 7" West Marine rollup inflatable. No engine yet. I should be able to carry two people and two dogs, and be able to hoist it on my cabin (cockpit) top when inflated. When not, it goes in the bag in to the bunk.

I am going to start looking for a small outboard soon.

Thank you for you interest and help.

Fred

[Doryman]

[Adeline]

I'm looking at the Achilles LT-2 At 7'3" and 38# it's similar to the Alaska Series 220 for about 1'2 the money. Both are Hypalon which seems to be considered superior to pvc (Decitex(Mercury Rollup)). I'm also looking at the Mercury 240 RU but at 7' 11", PVC, 61 Lbs I doubt I could horse it onto the roof. Finally, a boat like the Bombard X-2 Slat at 6' 7", PVC, 46 Lbs seems more workable. It and the Mercury 200 Rollup seem like a good compromise. However, Pat Anderson's(Daydream) poetic imagery keeps ringing in my ears. On the RU200

[SEA3PO]

Years ago I was towing a 8' fiberglass dink and got caught by a following wave and almost sunk my boat, we cut it away as soon as we could...and the coast guard get it back later that week....torn into shreds by the water...destroyed.. it was a cheep lesson... I don't tow in anything but flat water...and then not for far..

What I now use is a Avon 8.5' with an inflatable bottom... nice inflatable with large side tubes... (keeps ya drier) and I use an ancient Mercury 4hp one cylinder ..... works just fine... 3 gallon tank I carry in the bow of the inflatable. I also have a 8hp Johnson that I sometimes carry if I plan on taking the inflatable any distance....but don't use it much as it is heavy and I don't like lifting it into the boat.


If anyone is interested I have a good Johnson 4 hp two cylinder motor that I will sell for $200...(in Chester Ca)


Joel
SEA3PO

[Little Catelyn]

Hmmm, I still have a never-been-wet Mercury RU200 with cover and underseat bag that was not included with the sale of our boat... Anyone interested could send me an email.

And, for that matter, I also have one of those Mystic Sea VHF/GPS hand held units that I will no longer need.

Corwin

[El and Bill]

Like all such decisions, it is important to determine the use of the dink and then make the choice, since most decisions are a matter of compromise.

Our uses are simple:

1. To take us to and from boat and shore when on anchor, usually because tidal range is too great to put Halcyon's bow on the shore. So, we need a light dinghy, easy to lift to roof and to deploy. Therefore, a small inflatable. No need for motor or a rigid floor -- keep it simple -- we can row, and do (and the g'kids love to row it around).

2. Secondary use is as a life raft in an emergency situation. Needs to be quickly and easily deployable -- so, the small inflatable fits this bill as well.

Therefore, we have a small inflatable inexpensive Sevlor dink. We have it, inflated, on the roof for our salt water or remote cruising with a tie that can easily be released or cut in emergency and it has worked perfectly for us.

Keep it simple, we suggest.

[Best Day]

The info I've found on the internet says the Mercury RU240 weights 41 pounds not 61. So weight wise it and the Achilles LT-2 look like winners. The Achilles is about 3 inches narrower inside, about the same length inside but is about $230 less than the Mercury. I'm leaning toward the Achilles.

Does anyone else have experience using such a small dingy? Until I see one in person I have no idea if it is suitable for two people. Maybe sometimes I would try and squeeze three in.

Thanks,
Bill

[Swee Pea]

Buster's Marine http://www.bustersmarine.com/Inflatables/inflatables.html has a Mercury 240 Roll Up for $695.

John
Swee Pea

[thataway]

We used a 6'7" West Marine (Bombard) with slat floor for several years on the C Dory 22. For one person, it was fine. For two people it was satisfactory for short distances. For two and a dog--it became marginal. My son (6' 4", 220 lbs and myself 6' 2" 190 lbs) was too much--but we made it back and forth to the dock in calm water. The soft floors are difficult to get in and out of, the slat floors are easier--solid plywood, air or aluminum floors are much easier.

We went to an air floor 9 foot boat, because with the Tom Cat 255, we will be taking the dinghy much further than we would have with the CD 22. The air floor will plane--and we may go with an engine large enough to plane the inflatable. Also we have a davit to lift the dinghy aboard and even put it on top of the cabin (we have not yet rigged the mount for that yet--but do have it for the side and stern).

If you are going to row, I think that the rounded boats are fine. For an engine I prefer the transom type. (I had several Avon Red Crests, Red Seals etc in the 60's and the motoring was not all that satisfactory, but it will work for short distances.)

As long as you are only going short distances in protected water--anything (sturdy) will do--but remember if you get caught in heavy wind, that you can not row against it--or even a 2hp will not be enough.

Bob Austin

[Best Day]

Swee Pea, thanks for finding the great price on the Mercury 240. I think because the Achilles is made of Hypalon I'm leaning towards it. Do you know of any great prices on it?

Bob, thanks for your great info as usual. Your experience of you and your son (410 lb's) in the Bombard matches up to the load capacity of the boat (385 lb's). Now I know that those factory load capacities are realistic in calm water. Both the Achilles lt2 and Mercury 240 are rated at 690 pounds. That is fine for 3 people or maybe 4 smaller people.

Thanks for the info guys,
Bill

[Swee Pea]

Busters sells Mercury inflatables. But if you go to Defender's website, they have some '06's left for $749 and 07's for $798. Boy do I like spending other people's money. http://www.defender.com/

In your price range?

John
Swee Pea

[Best Day]

Thanks John, Defender was the best price I was able to find on the internet also. I just booked my tickets for the SBS, so I'm going to wait and see if I can find a deal there. Otherwise it looks like Defender is the way to go, or I have a local dealer I can call tomorrow.

Thanks,
Bill