Dinghy Size Question?

[Pseudomind]

Let’s say all else being basically equal between two storable, portable dinghy’s except for length, what parameters does the different length affect?

Both are made of the same material, PVC, both are rated at 3HP, both have the same type of bottoms, are even made by the same manufacture and look identical in appearance, except for length, beam, and stowage bag weight.

Naturally there are few differences, but I am more concerned with handling characteristic differences;

Dingy one, 9 feet 6 inches in length, beam 4 feet, 2 inches, stowage bag weight 32 pounds

Dingy two, 11 feet 4 inches in length, beam 4 feet, 6 inches, stowage bag weight 38 pounds

So since this is a storable dinghy should I get the second one over the first, due the larger size?

Thanks

:thumbsup:

 

[Henry Boyd]

There are two issues. If they are going to be stowed the larger will be 'better' in terms of space, but will require more HP. Larger boat means more stuff/people put in it, means more weight to be pushed around equals need for more HP. Since both appear to be rated at same HP level, larger boat may not powerful enough under difficult conditions e.g. opposing currents or wind unless lightly loaded.

Second issue is that if the dinghy is not stowed and you want it up on the transom it should be no longer than the width of the transom or it will impact the performance of the larger boat.

I'm surprised by the 3 HP rating on an 11 ft inflatable. We had a 13' soft bottom Zodiac we used as a beach boat to ferry guests and kids down to the beach and that was rated at 45 HP.

Henry

 

[Newbie]

I'd say it depends on how you plan to use it. Do you really want to inflate and deflate it each time you use it? I'd imagine not. With an 11'6" dink, when you strap it to your platform, its on the limits of being too wide for your boat (isn't your beam 12'6"?) Max beam is not at the back of the boat, closer to midship so 11'6" might stick out beyond your width at the back. That could make it tough backing in a slip.
How many people do you plan to carry around in it? If only 2-3, the 9 footer would be fine.

What kind of dinghy are you looking at that has a 3hp capacity? Most 9'6" ones I've seen can handle 6-8hp.

 

[Hampton]

If the smaller one suits your needs, it'll be a lot more manageable and will perform much better with 3HP. If you were going over 8 HP, then, the larger one could have better handling characteristics, but not at 3 HP. It'll just go slower and be harder to handle once you're putting it on the boat or in the wind...

 

[MarkD]

If you EVER decide on more HP, the larger dink will be far more stable than the smaller one. It will also be able to carry more people and stuff. 6 lbs isnt alot of difference, so weight wont be an issue.........but as I am re-reading your post, I am beginning to think of a pool toy type boat... These can be rated for 2-3 hp with a special bracket. If I am right, then neither will be real good for handling and sea keeping or going even short distances (i.e. 1/2 mile). Consider a different type of dinghy such as a quicksilver or similar, you wont be sorry you did.

 

[fc3]

I don't know. No matter which one you choose, and for which logical reasons you select that dinghy, there's always that "My dinghy is bigger than yours," and nobody wants to get caught with a wee dinghy.

 

[Sublimetime]

the weight of these seems very light. Are these real dinks or pool toy type suggested above??

 

[Pseudomind]

If you EVER decide on more HP, the larger dink will be far more stable than the smaller one. It will also be able to carry more people and stuff. 6 lbs isnt alot of difference, so weight wont be an issue.........but as I am re-reading your post, I am beginning to think of a pool toy type boat... These can be rated for 2-3 hp with a special bracket. If I am right, then neither will be real good for handling and sea keeping or going even short distances (i.e. 1/2 mile). Consider a different type of dinghy such as a quicksilver or similar, you wont be sorry you did.

the weight of these seems very light. Are these real dinks or pool toy type suggested above??

Well! This is why I am asking the questions?

I say this model at A West Marine Grand Opening thi spast weekend.

Solstice 4-person Dinghy

I will not have any children or dogs to be moving, No tubing, or much other water type sport activities, just primarily used for some close exploring, going to shore.

So I am not so much against having to do the inflate route, I am also thinking of just getting a transom mount installed to attach probably (something less -weight consideration for installing to dinghy) then a ten HP outboard.

But if I am going to be sending this much money, I might as well spend a little more and get something a bit better. I am still not so sure about using a davit system on my boat after reading a number of posts regarding loading the dinghy's back on.

...(isn't your beam 12'6"?)...

According to Sea Ray it is "Beam.....................13' 0" (3.96 m)"

:thumbsup:

 

[MarkD]

thats a new one... I have never seen that model dinghy... looks better than one of those pool toy type models you see at Wally World (i.e. Walmart). Costs 4x as much too. I am just not convinced that this model will suit your needs. I dont know you or your lifestyle, but like most boat owners, you get a small model first, then have the "I want bigger disease". It is also evident that you probably paid alot of money for your boat (which looks really nice btw) and if it were me, wouldnt want something........shall we say....cheapo, hanging off the transom.

Consider this. If you purchased a slightly better tender, and kept the motor relatively small, you would only pay a small uptick in price. Eventually, if your horizons expand and you wanted more power, you could always sell the smaller motor and upsize. The dink could accomodate the bigger motor. FWIW, used motors typically sell very fast and hold their value. How do I know this is true.... I did it. I went from a semi-cheap Dynous 8.2' hypalon with 4HP to a 11.5' Avon RIB with 25HP.... the little boat was decnet but any time i wanted to explore or carry more than 3 people, I was hosed. Now I never want for more power or capability from my tender. Just my .02

 

[Pseudomind]

thats a new one... I have never seen that model dinghy... looks better than one of those pool toy type models you see at Wally World (i.e. Walmart). Costs 4x as much too. I am just not convinced that this model will suit your needs. I dont know you or your lifestyle, but like most boat owners, you get a small model first, then have the "I want bigger disease". It is also evident that you probably paid alot of money for your boat (which looks really nice btw) and if it were me, wouldnt want something........shall we say....cheapo, hanging off the transom.

Consider this. If you purchased a slightly better tender, and kept the motor relatively small, you would only pay a small uptick in price. Eventually, if your horizons expand and you wanted more power, you could always sell the smaller motor and upsize. The dink could accomodate the bigger motor. FWIW, used motors typically sell very fast and hold their value. How do I know this is true.... I did it. I went from a semi-cheap Dynous 8.2' hypalon with 4HP to a 11.5' Avon RIB with 25HP.... the little boat was decnet but any time i wanted to explore or carry more than 3 people, I was hosed. Now I never want for more power or capability from my tender. Just my .02

Do you have any other photo's of how you have yours mounted? If that is what you have now, looks like a lifting Davit system. It does not look too bad.

If you have the lift system how well does the dinghy ride at optimum/maximum cruising speed.

I could maybe be sold on something like that providing my transom can be beefed up for the mounts.

You are corrrect in you stating this;

"I went from a semi-cheap Dynous 8.2' hypalon with 4HP to a 11.5' Avon RIB with 25HP.... the little boat was decnet but any time i wanted to explore or carry more than 3 people, I was hosed. Now I never want for more power or capability from my tender. Just my .02"

I do not want to be making changes later.

:thumbsup:

 

[Hampton]

I have a 9'6" Hypalon Dinghy with a Hard-Inflatable floor and a 2-stroke, 8HP engine. I went with this setup because I needed a dinghy soon, and I needed one that I could deflate and put on board. Also, I can lift the engine without help. I didn't have davits (still don't), but I want them.

If/when I do get davits, I will want to upgrade to a RIB (rigid/plastic) hull dinghy. I like the little boat-like dinghies with the center console... But, those may be too heavy for my 340. I'll probably keep my inflatable, add davits, and then upgrade to a bigger boat with a RIB dinghy (center console) after college - the kid's college, that is.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Bigger is always better (pun intended). Check out the real dinks and the cheaper copies. Ebay, craigslist, local papers, you may find a deal. I use my cheapie dink more than the SR. For the money the Baltic off ebay is hard to beat. The material is twice the thickness of the one your considering.
I wish you luck,

 

[dc380]

Like Hampton I also have a 9'6" dinghy with a hard inflatable floor, with a light weight 2 stroke. I have the Weaver Davit system. When the dinghy is not attached, only the plate is left on the swim platform. The engine fits in the trunk, or under the rear seat.

It's a good compromise to the center console heavy tenders.

Excuse the messy wires, I had just arrived in Mystic, and was hooking everthing up, when the picture was taken.

 

[Pseudomind]

I have a 9'6" Hypalon Dinghy with a Hard-Inflatable floor and a 2-stroke, 8HP engine. I went with this setup because I needed a dinghy soon, and I needed one that I could deflate and put on board. Also, I can lift the engine without help. I didn't have davits (still don't), but I want them.

If/when I do get davits, I will want to upgrade to a RIB (rigid/plastic) hull dinghy. I like the little boat-like dinghies with the center console... But, those may be too heavy for my 340. I'll probably keep my inflatable, add davits, and then upgrade to a bigger boat with a RIB dinghy (center console) after college - the kid's college, that is.

Like Hampton I also have a 9'6" dinghy with a hard inflatable floor, with a light weight 2 stroke. I have the Weaver Davit system. When the dinghy is not attached, only the plate is left on the swim platform. The engine fits in the trunk, or under the rear seat.

It's a good compromise to the center console heavy tenders.

Excuse the messy wires, I had just arrived in Mystic, and was hooking everthing up, when the picture was taken.

So what would you two guess the maximum weight for the swim platform and davits to be for dinghy for the 340 or 380?

Lets say a possible maximum figure of;
160 pounds for a dinghy
60 pounds for an outboard
25 pounds for 3.2 gallon of gas

This is 265 pounds, plus the davit weight. Would you see this as a bit much?, 0r expect any noticeable performance hits due to the additional weight at the stern?

I have not see this issue addressed before, what would one guess to be a probable swim platform maximum?

I am sure I will eventually end up with something which is not too heavy, but if I were to go with something like Hampton eventually wants to go with, (RIB Dinghy) the above example weights would probably be close. A larger outboard would probably add another 30 or so pounds.

Thanks

:thumbsup:

 

[dc380]

There were several 380da, and a few 340da with RIB dinghy's in my marina last year. So no problem there. I think the max weight Sea Ray recommends is 500 lbs, (Need to verify this) but that seems too much weight to me.

160 lbs to 220 lbs would be fine. Mine weighs 60-70lbs so I don't even know it's there, and my wife can raise and lower it. With one person the dink flies, with 2 I can easily keep it on plane.

 

[promocop]

So I have a AVON 9'6 with a small 2hp honda, no davit and now I;m thinking of moving up to the Zodiac Futura Classic MK1. Always wanted a red boat! Anyway, any thoughts on this dingy and what size motor? I will have to go to some kind of davit system as well. Any thoughts?

 

[promocop]

BTW Decided to keep the Avon and move up from the 2HP Honda. What would be the next step up in engine size while still being able to stow it in the transome locker (something with self contained gas tank)?

 

[Hampton]

BTW Decided to keep the Avon and move up from the 2HP Honda. What would be the next step up in engine size while still being able to stow it in the transome locker (something with self contained gas tank)?

So, you're going with 4-stroke for sure? I would start with the max you can by looking at the dinghy's rated limit, then see if it weighs too much. If so, go to the max size that you can lift. If not, go with the max rated HP. Then, once you find that number, start to research whether or not it'll fit.

Bottom line: Buy the biggest one that you can lift, that the dinghy can take, and that'll fit. The fit will be the hardest to determine. What are the chances that you're going to find someone else with a late model 4-stroke dinghy engine of a brand that you like that they lift into the 390's trunk to determine if it works? Not good. You may have to get your hands on a likely model and test it out.

 

[promocop]

I'm now thinking of the 5 HP Mercury . Has built in gas tank and MAY fit in the transom locker

 

[mawyatt]

The 2.5hp 4S Suzuski just fits in our transom locker. Have to lay it down sideways which is OK if you lay it on the arm. It is light enough for me (~30#) to move around. BTW F&S mag (saw it somewhere on-line when I did a Suzuski search) did a comparison of the Honda and Suzuski, they concluded the Suzuski was much more capable.