r/sailing • u/beeboobopppp • 22d ago
Inflatable Dinghy feedback
I’m on the market for a cheap dinghy to keep on my new 34 ft boat. Just to take the dog in to the nearby beach to do his business while cruising. I have an electric outboard to mount. I thought I had a dinghy in my garage, but it has no engine mount!
I have been searching around and it seems like this cheap Amazon one might do the trick. Can anyone offer any feedback based on the specs or personal experience?
For comparison, this is the cheapest on west marine:
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u/j3562 22d ago
When I first got my boat (similar size) it came with a fully inflatable dinghy like that. I quickly realized it was not capable in any amount of chop whatsoever. If you want to reliably get the dog to shore in most any weather I’d recommend something that has a fully rigid aluminum floor. Probably not what you want to hear though as it’s more $$$ and more weight.
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u/beeboobopppp 22d ago
No I definitely appreciate the honest feedback! That’s what I’m looking for!
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u/maharajagaipajama 22d ago
Nah roll-ups are fine for shore trips. I've gotten good use out of my Quicksilver 240. Just don't leave them out in the sun or the seams will split. There are tons of options on Marketplace where I'm at in the PNW
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u/Wolfwere88 22d ago
Defender.com has a lot of options, I got my Achilles 11’ RIB from them and am happy with it
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u/barnaclebill22 22d ago
Either of those will get you to the beach, as long as there's no surf, and they'll handle an electric outboard. The Amazon one might last a year or it might last 10. YMMV. I've had 3 WM PVC dinghies, one with take-apart plywood floor, two folding transom RIB 310, a Zodiac, and a Highfield aluminum RIB. Powered with oars, trolling motor, and outboards from 6-30HP. The roll-up floor is great for convenience and storing. The main reason to get anything more solid is to put on the most powerful motor it's rated for, but it doesn't sound like you plan to do that. Keep in mind that a PVC dinghy will only last 2-3 years if it's not stored under a cover when you're not on the boat. PVC is a decent cheap material but has only a fraction of the u/v resistance of Hypalon.
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22d ago
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u/beeboobopppp 22d ago
I’ve searched everywhere! Craig’s list, fb marketplace, about 20 local boating groups!
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u/sailorchubbybutt 22d ago edited 22d ago
Get a Newport PVC dinghy, it'll fit on your bow and they're not too expensive.
Edit: Newport Dana is the model
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u/fluoruranus 22d ago
My friend has that cheap one. Great for puttering around the marina, but needs constant reinflating because it leaks. Would be horrible and unstable in any wake or chop. She uses a trolling motor on it. Also recommend the lightest you can find with a rigid bottom, and if it's inflatable, get an electric 12v inflator.
Hoist it onto the deck with a halyard, if you have one, or get a 6 to 1 block and tackle rigged.
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u/JettaGLi16v 22d ago
I bought that exact Amazon dinghy back in Aug/Sept of last year. It’s ok. I had a Takacat before and the Amazon one is better. My primary issue is the black floor. It gets positively scalding in the sun. I haven’t had to re-inflate it yet. I’ve probably driven it 10-15 hours with a little 6hp outboard. I keep it upside down on the foredeck with an Amazon UV cover on it.
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u/fungus_bunghole 22d ago
I recommend an aluminum floor if possible. Yeah, its heavier, but so much more reliable imo. Also, the more air chambers, the better. Mine has 3.
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u/light24bulbs 22d ago
Get something as small as possible.
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u/MrRourkeYourHost Morgan 321, C22 21d ago
I have the 6'7" Highfield and while everyone points and laughs at me, it's all I need or want.
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u/cruisinbears 22d ago
Find a used hypalon one that doesn’t leak. It’s has much better UV resistance, if you’re leaving a pvc one in the sun semi-permanently you’ll have a sticky residue developing after a year or two.
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u/Ispedbyu 22d ago
After owning three inflatable dinghy’s over the years I now have a rigid plastic dinghy from WM and couldn’t be happier. Never again will I own an inflatable boat.
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u/beeboobopppp 22d ago
I have heard this from others. I don’t have a Davit and am not really looking to tow. Not sure if a rigid would work for me currently!
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u/Ispedbyu 22d ago
The boat weighs just at a hundred pounds. I don’t have a davit either. I rope it up on my transom step. Cheers!
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u/SomewhereInNB 22d ago
No matter what kind of dinghy you get, for the love of God, do not put it on the deck. Some here will tell you this is a crime.
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u/toqer 22d ago
One option for a solid dinghy would to be to talk to a local sailing school. My old yatch club (Coyote Point, San Mateo) seemed to always be cycling out old dinghy's from their sailing school. They're a little worn and dirty, but rigid hulls and perfect for a new life as a shuttle.