Dinghy suggestions...

[badtothebones]

Hello, we bought our SD few months ago and will like to install a dinghy to swim platform...will really appreciate suggestions as of how to do i, and recommendations as of which dinghy be best for our size of boat.
Thank you in advance.

 

[KSalibs]

Hello, we bought our SD few months ago and will like to install a dinghy to swim platform...will really appreciate suggestions as of how to do i, and recommendations as of which dinghy be best for our size of boat.
Thank you in advance.

Hey glad to hear your getting into a dinghy I love mine. I have a 320 DA and have a 9' dinghy on the swim deck using the Hurley H20 Davit Solution. Its a bit of a squeeze and hard to strap down but at the end of the day it works. Before you start looking for your dinghy you should identify your goals, then find the tender that will meet your needs. (how big can you go, soft or hard bottom, do you anticipate getting on plane, etc.)

This is my set up: 9' West Marine Hard bottom, 8 HP Merc w/ Doel-fin Hydro foil (the Fin makes the diff) H20 Davit system.

My suggestions would be:
1. DON'T buy a PVC dink... I made the mistake and paid for it :smt021... go hypalon...
2. If you go with the Hurly davit solution be sure to get the extended mount so the boats fare enough off your swim platform to allow for function.
3. Hard bottom is the way to go if you can manage it.
4. The AB manufacture seems to make the nicest boats (opinion) Really like the aluminum hull option!
5. The Hydrofoil is key to getting these little boats on plane. (and balancing the weight)
6. If you go with a 9' hard bottom like i did i would say that the 8 hp with the wing is the min you would need to easily get on plane. (once on plan you can expect to do 11-12 knots... this is with my wife and i about 3250 all together)
7. Get a small light from Navisafe. Works awesome at night for when you moving or just tied up at the bar. (don't want anyone hitting the boat while your dining)
8. Spring for the Stainless steel thumb ratchet straps.
9. Don't over strap the boat down... unsure if West marine just makes a crap Dinghy or if i strapped down to tight but i fractured the hull on my dink and had to repair with Marine Tex.... to prevent this from happening again i ordered keel guards for the keel and chine's


Sounds like a lot but hey its boating that's half the fun. Hopefully these pointers will save you and others a few headaches. Dinghy's are awesome! they add such a cool dynamic to the experience. If you can fit it go for it.

 

[Loose Cannon]

My perspective is from someone with a smaller boat and modest requirements, I previously owned a 240DA and now a 280DA. Regarding davit systems, it seems like the dinghy will be in the way on boats with smaller beams and swim platforms. I am sure there are some great setups that address this but I like that area clear. When considering dinghy size, besides the usual questions such as expected passengers/gear/weight, ferrying distance and speed requirements, etc... for me, it came down to 1) How often do I intend to use it and 2) how quickly do I really need to deploy it. As an infrequent dinghy user, the least intrusive option for me was a small inflatable/rollup that fits in the dock box and mid-cabin when not in use. The disadvantages include smaller size and longer time to deploy (can deploy mine in about 15 minutes or deploy ahead of time and strap to bow). Since I use mostly for ferrying at low speeds, I did not care about getting on plane. I use a Torqeedo electric motor that snaps on and starts up with no gas, no choke, just instant on as long as the battery is charged. GPS is built in so I know how much further I can travel at current speed; this motor is more expensive than a comparable outboard. I love my setup but also enjoy riding in friend's larger dinghies that jump on plane and have more room. My point is, think about your intended usage as this may factor in.

 

[Madifonzo]

On my 280 I have a 9' Zodiac Zoom 260 with Merc 6hp. I also have the Hurley H2O system and think it's great. Not sure about installing it on a boat with an integrated platform but there ar systems that work. Your beam is 8'6" so I would suggest max a 7' dink.

 

[Strypes]

Definitely go with a hard bottom!

 

[Arizona Mike]

I spent a couple years Cruising on the Baja and your dinghy was the only way to get to shore, explore snorkel and haul supplies. After that the only boat we had for years was a 14' RIB with a 20 hp motor. Great Boat and lots of fun!
Recently we bought a 270 Sun Dancer. The 14' RIB was way to big and heavy to be used as a tender on the 270. We needed a dink to get the dogs to shore. Distance, speed were not a consideration, stability and stowability are.
I bought an 8' roll up inflatable from west marine. It is small and light enough to easily stow on the swim platform or deck inflated or rolled up in it's bag. Plenty stable for two adults and two wet Labradors. (Stable enough but not necessarily glamorous) For propulsion I use a small electric trolling motor with battery. I can stow the dink with motor on the battery is easy to lift out.
My suggestion is get a dink that is not longer than your boat is wide and has a motor that you an easily stow on the Mother Ship when not in use.
I agree with the folks that say the rigid bottom is the way to go, but on a boat as small as ours they are heavy and hard to stow.

My Two Cents...

 

[Molson]

We love our highfield alum bottom 9'6 dink, light, 2 seats, forward storage, works well on the caddy and the price wasn't too bad.

 

[skolbe]

I have a 320 and have a 10'2" dinghy and I wish it was smaller. I had a 260 (Older Style) and would have been hard pressed to make a dinghy work on the back of my boat, it can be done, but would be a big obstacle. For us it is a luxury and sometimes I question whether it is worth the hassle. We do use it to shuttle to a beach near our favorite anchoring spot.

 

[JeffM]

The size that will work best for you will depend on the max number of passengers you want to carry, size motor, expected use, etc. The size that will work best for your boat, though, is more dependent on your swim platform and beam. My beam is 8'6", but our swim platform is an extended version, not integral. Finally, keep in mind that the width of your swim platform is less than your beam (measure it! Don't ask how I know...). We have an 8'6" Achilles, and it hangs over the ends of the platform. We needed to carry four, which drove our choice, but it isn't ideal.

We've carried the dink without davits, on its side on the swim platform, secured to the two aft cleats, but that blocks access from the platform, and is also less than ideal. I'm looking at the Dinghy Caddy because it looks like it will keep the platform clear, allow me to keep the motor on the dink (big plus), and gets out of the way at anchor (plop it into the water and it can function as a swim ladder).

 

[almostenuff]

I have a Walker Bay 8' and am considering shelling out $400 for the floats. Anyone have this setup? Pros/Cons?


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[tbontrager]

KSalibs, I tried to send you a PM but unable. What size extension did you use with your Hurley? I was thinking of going with 8" extension for use on my 320 with a 8'6", and 62" beam aluminum RIB with 8HP. Thoughts?

 

[HardHead]

If you decide to go with the Weaver Snap davit system, I have 2 receivers in good shape, for sale, that will install on swim platform.PM me.

 

[Dgautreau]

Hi All,

Lots of good options discussed here and I completely agree that you need to figure out what "your use case is". Regarding mounting/storing the ding motor when not in use... I have a small 6hp 2-stroke merc I need to store when the ding is not in use. What have people done to mount motors on-board? (2002 AmberJack 340)