Light Durable Dingy

[RunawayC47]

I would like to get opinions on a durable light weight dingy that can hold a min of 6 people. I hate to make 2 trips going to dinner and do not like to overload my dingy as I see done so often. My current 14' inflatable easily held 8 persons and with my 25hp 2 stroke Yamaha engine would plane with 6 persons. It weighs about 130lbs. It is a 420 made by West Marine (not the best but cheap on sale) of PVC and was great for about 3 years but since then I have had issues with air leaks and now transom problems. I am looking for something under 150lbs that can be easily hoisted for passages on the stern of my catamaran.

Let me know what you have seen or what has worked for you. My guess is a 12' dingy might work well. I am entertaining all designs.

[oceannavigator]

OMG. This is my dream tender too. Can't wait to see what is suggested.

[Pauls]

Dave Gerr (Gerr Marine) has plans for a nesting pram. As I recall it is about 10 1/2' long, he says it will carry six. Glass covered ply construction, again per recollection it weighs about 120 lbs. The nesting feature lets it break down into a length of less than 6', or you can keep is assembled on your davits. Gerr has a chapter on it in his book "The Nature of Boats", which is an excellent reference for many things.

[Cheechako]

Nothing other than an inflatable will be as stable as your 14 footer was with 6 people. My guess is a 12 ft RIB may be as stable as that was and more durable and rigid. Not sure if any get you down to the 150# or not though.

[onestepcsy37]

porta-bote. the 14 footer weighs maybe 130 pounds. rated for 5 people but i'll bet you can squeeze in 6.

[Terra Nova]

Something like this Hypalon inflatable>
Achilles LSI-360E, Air Floor 11' 8", Gray Hypalon, 2014

[RunawayC47]

I see many inflatables In the Caribbean. Does anyone have personal experience with which ones hold up the best? I know that Hyperon holds up better than PVC.

[sailor_andy]

Last year at the boat show">Annapolis Boat show I purchased a 10'3" Walker Bay Superlite Hyplon RIB. Hull is firbreglass and the RIB only weighs 79Lbs. Purchased a 9.9Hp for it as this was recommended for 4 people and still come up on plane. The RIB is rated for a 15Hp but the dealer told me it would be too fast. I purchased an extra seat so I could take 6 people if I had to, but was more focused on 4 plus supplies.

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by sailor_andy

Last year at the Annapolis Boat show I purchased a 10'3" Walker Bay Superlite Hyplon RIB. Hull is firbreglass and the RIB only weighs 79Lbs. Purchased a 9.9Hp for it as this was recommended for 4 people and still come up on plane. The RIB is rated for a 15Hp but the dealer told me it would be too fast. I purchased an extra seat so I could take 6 people if I had to, but was more focused on 4 plus supplies.

Now we're talking!

A RIB, to me, is a requirement. You need that V shape to eat up the chop in rough conditions.
My Hypalon RIBs have all outlasted the ownership of the main boat.

What I have always wondered is why they are built so damn heavy. The fiberglass is terrible. Cheap, chopper gun glass jobs weighing a ton. Why don't we see nice, cored RIBs with less weight?

[groundtackle]

Weaker bay makes exactly that
"Cored light weight"

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by nshawdvm

Weaker bay makes exactly that
"Cored light weight"

Ooooh! Checking that out. Thanks!

[Cotemar]

Something along these lines may work for you.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1347622

[smj]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Something along these lines may work for you.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1347622

When do they go into production?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by smj

When do they go into production?

I have hull number two that looks a bit different than the one you see there.
Will have to post some new pictures with the anchor lockers and rub rails on.