Good inflatable dinghy?
- Thread starter mutski
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starcrafttom
Active member
There are a lot of option on the market and everyone has a different brand and preference. WE have found that a good inflatable with a air floor and a blowup keel rows the best and does not require a motor for short trips to shore.
We like to drop the hook or grab a buoy then paddle to shore for walking the dog or going for a walk in port. If you want to explore more while on anchor and have no pets I would go with kayaks. We often carry two 10 ft old town loons on top. Much faster and more fun for poking around the islands and wildlife watching. Getting in and out of the boat to a kayak can be fun but its never been dangerous for us and I am no ballerina.
As far as getting a dinghy on and off the boat I just stand on the bow or the roof and pull the boat up by a rope to the bow of the dinghy until its standing on its stern then pull it up half way across the roof before tilting it down flat and swinging it around to go between the radar arch uprights.. its easier to do then explain.
We like to drop the hook or grab a buoy then paddle to shore for walking the dog or going for a walk in port. If you want to explore more while on anchor and have no pets I would go with kayaks. We often carry two 10 ft old town loons on top. Much faster and more fun for poking around the islands and wildlife watching. Getting in and out of the boat to a kayak can be fun but its never been dangerous for us and I am no ballerina.
As far as getting a dinghy on and off the boat I just stand on the bow or the roof and pull the boat up by a rope to the bow of the dinghy until its standing on its stern then pull it up half way across the roof before tilting it down flat and swinging it around to go between the radar arch uprights.. its easier to do then explain.
We also agree that an air floor and inflatable keel is easiest to row or use with a motor. We have used both the Suzuki 2.5 hp 4 stroke engine and the Torqeedo 3 hp electric motor.
Since we are elderly, we use a Garhauer davit to hoist the dinghy onto the to of a cabin. See my photo album with a specific page on the davit toward the end of the album photos.
For a "doughnut type of dinghy the Alaskan seems to be the tuffet.
Since we are elderly, we use a Garhauer davit to hoist the dinghy onto the to of a cabin. See my photo album with a specific page on the davit toward the end of the album photos.
For a "doughnut type of dinghy the Alaskan seems to be the tuffet.
The davit looks slick, Thataway! It looks like you have put an impressive amount of work into your C-Dory. It's a sharp boat!
Thanks all for the input! I'm still pondering. My original idea was to just run it up on the beach and let it go dry, but now I'm pondering the scrapes to the bottom. Our previous dory was wooden. I understood the material better and didn't worry too hard about putting it ashore. We also used to balance an anchor on the bow with a rope tied to its foot, push the boat off, then pull the anchor overboard when it had drifted a ways offshore.
Thanks all for the input! I'm still pondering. My original idea was to just run it up on the beach and let it go dry, but now I'm pondering the scrapes to the bottom. Our previous dory was wooden. I understood the material better and didn't worry too hard about putting it ashore. We also used to balance an anchor on the bow with a rope tied to its foot, push the boat off, then pull the anchor overboard when it had drifted a ways offshore.
Any thoughts on this one?
https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mariner-4- ... 06-20&th=1
Reviews say it's durable, has inflatable keel, comes in three- and four-person sizes - 9'9"x 4'2", 77 lbs or 10'9"x 4'9", 91 lbs
https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mariner-4- ... 06-20&th=1
Reviews say it's durable, has inflatable keel, comes in three- and four-person sizes - 9'9"x 4'2", 77 lbs or 10'9"x 4'9", 91 lbs
gulfcoast john
New member
77 pounds or more vs 47 on a CD22?
We think you should ask why EACH of the three boats now doing the SE Alaska cruise why ALL of them have Saturn KaBoats (full disclosure, we bought the 12 foot model off Calm-C used once).
Just food for thought.
https://saturnrafts.com/12-saturn-kaboat-en.html
Happy Hunting!
John
We think you should ask why EACH of the three boats now doing the SE Alaska cruise why ALL of them have Saturn KaBoats (full disclosure, we bought the 12 foot model off Calm-C used once).
Just food for thought.
https://saturnrafts.com/12-saturn-kaboat-en.html
Happy Hunting!
John
mutski":qqk7ltg5 said:
The ad says "vinyl material", without mentioning a scrim or what type of vinyl it is. My son bought a Costco inexpensive inflatable, for around the harbor in Dana Point. After 3 or 4 years it's seams are giving out and he is going to buy another one. ($100 a year, OK,,). My son also has an Avon Hypalon Boat which is the real dinghy--it is older, but still in good shape.
I suspect if you bought that inflatable on Amazon, it would be OK if you kept it in a cool place and clean between uses. But..using a motor on that. boat would be difficult. The inflatable keel we refer to, gives a "V" to the bottom so it planes well with the higher HP motor.
mutski":3hufp06i said:
I have the 3 person Intex dinghy. It is a better product than you might think. The material is PVC and reasonably tough. Mine has the inflatable floor (but not a V bottom). Still, it rows pretty well. The 77# seems a bit high. Might be the shipping weight. I think mine weighs less that 50# when in use. Getting it on top of the cabin is a bit of an effort, more from the size than the weight.
I've had more than 500# of people in my 3 place Intex without any issues.
Yes, if I was out in the wilds and really HAD to rely on a dinghy I'd have gotten something else. However, in my case, for infrequent use more for fun than anything, the Intex dinghy works just fine. Mine is 9 years old and is still in excellent condition. No repairs have been needed.
FWIW, there are lots of videos online of people who trick out the Intex inflatables for fishing. Some people can get pretty carried away, but the boats seem to do the job.
A couple of months ago I got a Bote Aero Deus. It is an inflatable kayak/SUP. I haven't tried using it from my C-Dory yet. It is a more "real" boat than the Intex, but then it cost about 9 times what the Intex 3 cost me. Time will tell if the Bote is any better than the Intex in actual practice.
The Intex is likely better for transferring people and supplies from ship to shore. It is wider and more stable. The Bote seems better for solo use (although you can probably carry some stuff on it).
The Intex boats have molded plastic rod holders for fishing. If you aren't going to use them, I suggest cutting them off (I removed mine). These holders get in the way when storing the dinghy inverted on the cabin roof.
mutski":3lqg4sl1 said:
I have the 3 person Intex dinghy. It is a better product than you might think. The material is PVC and reasonably tough. Mine has the inflatable floor (but not a V bottom). Still, it rows pretty well. The 77# seems a bit high. Might be the shipping weight. I think mine weighs less that 50# when in use. Getting it on top of the cabin is a bit of an effort, more from the size than the weight.
I've had more than 500# of people in my 3 place Intex without any issues.
Yes, if I was out in the wilds and really HAD to rely on a dinghy I'd have gotten something else. However, in my case, for infrequent use more for fun than anything, the Intex dinghy works just fine. Mine is 9 years old and is still in excellent condition. No repairs have been needed.
FWIW, there are lots of videos online of people who trick out the Intex inflatables for fishing. Some people can get pretty carried away, but the boats seem to do the job.
A couple of months ago I got a Bote Aero Deus. It is an inflatable kayak/SUP. I haven't tried using it from my C-Dory yet. It is a more "real" boat than the Intex, but then it cost about 9 times what the Intex 3 cost me. Time will tell if the Bote is any better than the Intex in actual practice.
The Intex is likely better for transferring people and supplies from ship to shore. It is wider and more stable. The Bote seems better for solo use (although you can probably carry some stuff on it).
The Intex boats have molded plastic rod holders for fishing. If you aren't going to use them, I suggest cutting them off (I removed mine). These holders get in the way when storing the dinghy inverted on the cabin roof.
ssobol":l75warq0 said:
Thanks for the detailed report! I had in mind to use it for ship-to-shore in side bays around Kachemak Bay, Alaska, where there could be wind but not likely big waves. Sound plausible?
I wonder if you could get the little electric motor and make a 12V lithium ion pack to avoid the heavy lead-acid battery. Like an electric bicycle battery pack.
Whoa! You can put a sail on it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCF10kga7nY
Brings back memories of the time I put a sail on my Klepper kayak and a sudden gust of wind turned it over in the middle of Seldovia Bay. I had to sit on the overturned kayak and paddle it upside-down to shore. Tales of stupidity and survival...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCF10kga7nY
Brings back memories of the time I put a sail on my Klepper kayak and a sudden gust of wind turned it over in the middle of Seldovia Bay. I had to sit on the overturned kayak and paddle it upside-down to shore. Tales of stupidity and survival...
Pat Anderson
New member
The best dinghy we ever had was the Alaska Series by Gary King. Very tough material, inflatable floor, and the Bearclaw bottom could be dragged over rocks, barnacles, or whatever. We had a 2 hp Merc, and it also rowed extremely well. But it weighed 50 some pounds and got too heavy for me to get over the bow rail and up on the roof, so we got a Sea Eagle 12 foot inflatable kayak the weighed just north of 30 lbs. But the Alaska Series was Baxter-approved!
The small trolling motor (non salt water series, or non "brand name", often will not hold up well in salt water use. The true electric outboards, have a larger prop than the trolling motors. (There are some expensive high thrust salt water series trolling motors which do have good blade area, and the thrust to push a boat.). I have about 10 years experience with a Torqeedo 3 hp (equiv) electric outboard, they work fine.
Also the bracket for the Intrex, does not look as if it will hold up to heavy use.
The fastest thing down wind on the water is an inflatable boat. As the wind picks up, it becomes more dangerous. I have had a situation where I had a brand name, inflatable, and a 3 hp outboard. I went downwind and past my larger boat. Fortunately, I was able to get in the lee of the larger boat, and then power to the transom. Trying to go along side, even with a 3 HP outboard, into the wind, was impossible. If there had not been that lee, I would have been blow out to sea. I have rescued several boaters who tried to row against wind and chop and were not able to prevail.
They show video and talk about the sailing kit--fine in a lake, and gentle breezes. Not so good with a ocean, higher wind and chop. You could easily find yourself trying to sail back to windward, and unable to do it.
The dinghy is also a life raft--or a boat you must depend on. You boat in some very cold water. Thus you want a very reliable dinghy. I have experience the rocks and barnacles in SE Ak. and they will take a toll on even a solid fiberglas boat bottom (RIB). I had to add a sacrificial layer of fiberglass each season on the bottom of. the RIB, from "beaching" on rocks and abrasive material. There is a very good reason that the "Alaska" Series of inflatables has the "bear claw" material. That does hold up to the rocks, and sharp barnacles, I doubt that the Intrex will hold up.
Please be safe.
Also the bracket for the Intrex, does not look as if it will hold up to heavy use.
The fastest thing down wind on the water is an inflatable boat. As the wind picks up, it becomes more dangerous. I have had a situation where I had a brand name, inflatable, and a 3 hp outboard. I went downwind and past my larger boat. Fortunately, I was able to get in the lee of the larger boat, and then power to the transom. Trying to go along side, even with a 3 HP outboard, into the wind, was impossible. If there had not been that lee, I would have been blow out to sea. I have rescued several boaters who tried to row against wind and chop and were not able to prevail.
They show video and talk about the sailing kit--fine in a lake, and gentle breezes. Not so good with a ocean, higher wind and chop. You could easily find yourself trying to sail back to windward, and unable to do it.
The dinghy is also a life raft--or a boat you must depend on. You boat in some very cold water. Thus you want a very reliable dinghy. I have experience the rocks and barnacles in SE Ak. and they will take a toll on even a solid fiberglas boat bottom (RIB). I had to add a sacrificial layer of fiberglass each season on the bottom of. the RIB, from "beaching" on rocks and abrasive material. There is a very good reason that the "Alaska" Series of inflatables has the "bear claw" material. That does hold up to the rocks, and sharp barnacles, I doubt that the Intrex will hold up.
Please be safe.
mutski":ui7cuz38 said:
They do make a motor mount and there are mounting points on the dinghy. It is meant for a 2-3 hp (or equivalent thrust). I thought about getting a mount and a motor, but for what I use the dinghy for, rowing it has worked out fine (plus it is good exercise). But I don't row it for long distances (less than 1/4 mile) or in very adverse conditions.
But as pointed out, the Intex can be sailed and you can get a cabin (or dodger) for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdE9E2viDsc
If you want to set it up as a life raft, you may not need to row it anywhere. Get a PLB and a sea drogue and let them come to you. The cabin might be useful to have in that case.
If you just want a fun boat to mess around with, the Intex will certainly work. At the cost, if something bad happens to it, you are not out a lot of money. Like any other boat, there are times when the conditions will be fine for using it and times when they are not. Same thing can be said about any boat, including your C-Dory.
Pat Anderson
New member
mutski":33os5shk said:
Excellent! That is what sold us. We tried one at a CBGT. We can step over the gunwale to get in or out standing up. We have 5,328 miles experience on the Great Loop, and we speak from experience!
Also Baxter-approved!
Pat Anderson
New member
Excellent! That is what sold us. We tried one at a CBGT. We can step over the gunwale to get in or out standing up. We have 5,328 miles experience on the Great Loop, and we speak from experience!
Also Baxter-approved!
Corretion - 5,428 miles!
Also Baxter-approved!
Corretion - 5,428 miles!
ssobol":z3eofk0g said:
I'm not thinking life raft nor ocean sailer. I just want to commute to shore where I don't want the C-Dory to go dry, e.g. too many rocks. In small bays and fjords on the south side of Kachemak Bay. There could be wind, but not big waves and if it's too windy, I can wait. I'm hoping not to spend $3000. Sigh. Just another hole in the water.