Dinghy for Bahamas, RIB or Soft Bottom?

bobalpep · 22-08-2009, 04:42

My avon 310 RIB met its demise recently due to an encounter with a I/O prop and we're getting ready for a first time trip to the the Bahamas. Should I part with the bucks to replace it with another RIB or conserve a few dollars with a soft bottom? We usually boat in the Chesapeake. Got a pal who just bought a Avon soft with inflatable keel and floor and I'm impressed with its performance but it is a bit wobbly compared to my RIB.
Also I'm concerned about corral ripping the fabric.
thanks for your opinions
bob

captain465 · 22-08-2009, 05:17

It seems like you have answered your own question with your last sentence.........

JusDreaming · 22-08-2009, 05:53

definately RIB for your own reasons

Talbot · 22-08-2009, 05:59

My heart says RIB with Hypalon - UV degradation and rough beaches/coral.

My head says - where do you plan to stow the RIB, that will be safe in bad weather?

If it is angled up sufficiently that breaking waves are not your concern (they should be), what about the "sail" area in a 50 kt blow.

Just as confused!

Sunspot Baby · 22-08-2009, 11:07

The vast majority of cruisers in the Bahamas are running RIBs. You see a few inflatable floor and wood floor sport boats, but only a few. Beginning to see a few catamaran inflatables. My cat inflatable is a wetter ride than a rib in rough water.

I think the majority has the right idea.

George

imagine2frolic · 22-08-2009, 11:47

I have had the floor board dinks, and inflatable keels. I would do my best to avoid those. A hard bottom will take up half the foredeck, and for me personally I worry about davits in crummy weather..........i2f

Talbot · 22-08-2009, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunspot Baby

The vast majority of cruisers in the Bahamas are running RIBs. You see a few inflatable floor and wood floor sport boats, but only a few. Beginning to see a few catamaran inflatables. My cat inflatable is a wetter ride than a rib in rough water.

I have no difficulty with the coastal cruising - RIB requirement. I was answering from a blue water viewpoint. I agree with I2f that a RIB in deep water passage is a bit of a liability. I would want to deflate my dink and stow it away.

Worth a read of Richard Woods experiences and troubles with his dink in the storm that ended in his abandoning his Eclipse (see Woods Designs Sailing Catamarans under articles - eclipse - perfect storm)

Sunspot Baby · 22-08-2009, 12:37

Talbot: No argument. However, since the question was related to use in the Bahamas where cruisers tend to island hop and seldom make long offshore passages and make every effort to avoid big weather when they do, and considering using the dinghy very often I still think the majority has it right. Boy talk about a sentance that runs on. :-)

George

slomotion · 22-08-2009, 12:55

In the Bahamas we pretty much used our dinghy every day. One way or another that bottom will take a beating over time. RIB or other hard bottom will last a lot longer for that kind of use.

Talbot · 22-08-2009, 13:03

My response was probably also coloured by the fact I would have to travel over an ocean to get to the Bahamas.

I well understand the utility of a dink that doesnt puncture, and gets on the plane faster etc etc,

However, bad weather is also a concern.

billyehh · 22-08-2009, 13:34

I'll also endorse having a RIB in the Bahamas/Caribbean. I have a 10 year old Apex with a 15 hp 2stroke Yamaha. It is the ideal combination comming in at about 200 lbs. Ihave been impressed with the AB aluminum RIB from AB. It is lighter and stronger than fibreglass and will really take a beating.

Davits are usually fine for interisland sailing, but I would deflate and lash the dink for any passage more than 2 days. It is not that difficult and most boats could accomodate it on the foredeck or cabin top.

Unless you are marina bound, it is your primary transportation and it had better be reliable.

svcattales · 22-08-2009, 13:53

Another option is a hard dinghy. We made several trips to Bahamas with our Livingston catamaran dinghy and love it. Compared to our RIB and soft bottom inflatables, it is far and away a better dink for us. Here are some advantages: it is dry and stable; I can stand on the gunnel without flipping it; with a 15hp it planes with 2 large adults and groceries; it never gets soft over night; it has stainless rub strakes on both keels for beaching; the sun doesn't "eat it"; it is impervious to fish hooks, spear tips, and lobster feet; it handles like a real boat; it rows well; we are not confined to the boat waiting for repair patches to dry; the weight is about the same and it is half the cost of a RIB.

imagine2frolic · 22-08-2009, 14:03

A dinghy that never gets soft over night????????????????? I couldn't help myself...heeheehee.....i2f

nautical62 · 22-08-2009, 14:06

I've needed to go with a soft bottom on a few of my smaller boats due to storage issues. In about 150 days of Bahamas use, I never hit any coral with it. That said, I much prefer a RIB if I can manage it.

In addition to storage issues, the thing that has kept me away from hard dinks is that most are hard to enter from the water after snorkeling.

motion30 · 22-08-2009, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

A dinghy that never gets soft over night????????????????? I couldn't help myself...heeheehee.....i2f

What he said,,

22-08-2009, 04:42	#1
bobalpep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kent Narrows, Md. Boat: Gemini,3200, 32', My-Gem-An-I Posts: 16	Dinghy for Bahamas, RIB or Soft Bottom? My avon 310 RIB met its demise recently due to an encounter with a I/O prop and we're getting ready for a first time trip to the the Bahamas. Should I part with the bucks to replace it with another RIB or conserve a few dollars with a soft bottom? We usually boat in the Chesapeake. Got a pal who just bought a Avon soft with inflatable keel and floor and I'm impressed with its performance but it is a bit wobbly compared to my RIB. Also I'm concerned about corral ripping the fabric. thanks for your opinions bob

22-08-2009, 05:17	#2
captain465 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stony Point, NY Boat: 38ft Irwin center cockpit sloop MERIDIAN Posts: 167	It seems like you have answered your own question with your last sentence......... __________________ Do not go where the path may lead......... go instead where there is no path........ and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson

22-08-2009, 05:53	#3
JusDreaming Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Stuart, FL & Bahamas Cruising Boat: Lagoon 37 Posts: 446 Images: 13	definately RIB for your own reasons __________________ Denny and Diane Formerly "NCDD" S/V JusDreaming Lagoon 37 www.svjusdreaming.com http://www.sailblogs.com/member/svjusdreaming/ "The only way to get a good crew is to marry one." -Eric Hiscock

22-08-2009, 05:59	#4
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,990 Images: 23	My heart says RIB with Hypalon - UV degradation and rough beaches/coral. My head says - where do you plan to stow the RIB, that will be safe in bad weather? If it is angled up sufficiently that breaking waves are not your concern (they should be), what about the "sail" area in a 50 kt blow. Just as confused! __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

22-08-2009, 11:07	#5
Sunspot Baby Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Bern, NC Boat: Prout Manta 38' Catamaran - Sunspot Baby Posts: 1,263 Images: 14	The vast majority of cruisers in the Bahamas are running RIBs. You see a few inflatable floor and wood floor sport boats, but only a few. Beginning to see a few catamaran inflatables. My cat inflatable is a wetter ride than a rib in rough water. I think the majority has the right idea. George __________________ She took my address and my name Put my credit to shame Sunspot Baby, sure had a real good time Bob Seger

22-08-2009, 11:47	#6
imagine2frolic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: N.E. Florida Boat: Simpson, Catamaran, 46ft. IMAGINE Posts: 3,405 Images: 114	I have had the floor board dinks, and inflatable keels. I would do my best to avoid those. A hard bottom will take up half the foredeck, and for me personally I worry about davits in crummy weather..........i2f __________________ BORROWED! No single one of us is as smart as all of us! SAILING is not always a slick magazine cover!

22-08-2009, 12:37	#8
Sunspot Baby Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Bern, NC Boat: Prout Manta 38' Catamaran - Sunspot Baby Posts: 1,263 Images: 14	Talbot: No argument. However, since the question was related to use in the Bahamas where cruisers tend to island hop and seldom make long offshore passages and make every effort to avoid big weather when they do, and considering using the dinghy very often I still think the majority has it right. Boy talk about a sentance that runs on. :-) George __________________ She took my address and my name Put my credit to shame Sunspot Baby, sure had a real good time Bob Seger

22-08-2009, 12:55	#9
slomotion Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 983	In the Bahamas we pretty much used our dinghy every day. One way or another that bottom will take a beating over time. RIB or other hard bottom will last a lot longer for that kind of use. __________________ "There's nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats." Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows (River Rat to Mole)

22-08-2009, 13:03	#10
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,990 Images: 23	My response was probably also coloured by the fact I would have to travel over an ocean to get to the Bahamas. I well understand the utility of a dink that doesnt puncture, and gets on the plane faster etc etc, However, bad weather is also a concern. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

22-08-2009, 13:34	#11
billyehh Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waiting for engine parts in Prickly Bay, Grenada Boat: Voyage 38 - Oceanaire Posts: 105	I'll also endorse having a RIB in the Bahamas/Caribbean. I have a 10 year old Apex with a 15 hp 2stroke Yamaha. It is the ideal combination comming in at about 200 lbs. Ihave been impressed with the AB aluminum RIB from AB. It is lighter and stronger than fibreglass and will really take a beating. Davits are usually fine for interisland sailing, but I would deflate and lash the dink for any passage more than 2 days. It is not that difficult and most boats could accomodate it on the foredeck or cabin top. Unless you are marina bound, it is your primary transportation and it had better be reliable. __________________ Billyehh

22-08-2009, 13:53	#12
svcattales Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Apollo Beach, Fl Boat: Privilege 37 Posts: 332 Images: 10	Hard Dinghy Option Another option is a hard dinghy. We made several trips to Bahamas with our Livingston catamaran dinghy and love it. Compared to our RIB and soft bottom inflatables, it is far and away a better dink for us. Here are some advantages: it is dry and stable; I can stand on the gunnel without flipping it; with a 15hp it planes with 2 large adults and groceries; it never gets soft over night; it has stainless rub strakes on both keels for beaching; the sun doesn't "eat it"; it is impervious to fish hooks, spear tips, and lobster feet; it handles like a real boat; it rows well; we are not confined to the boat waiting for repair patches to dry; the weight is about the same and it is half the cost of a RIB. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Greg, SV Cat Tales

22-08-2009, 14:03	#13
imagine2frolic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: N.E. Florida Boat: Simpson, Catamaran, 46ft. IMAGINE Posts: 3,405 Images: 114	A dinghy that never gets soft over night????????????????? I couldn't help myself...heeheehee.....i2f __________________ BORROWED! No single one of us is as smart as all of us! SAILING is not always a slick magazine cover!

22-08-2009, 14:06	#14
nautical62 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Iowa Boat: Beneteau 32 - Aurora Posts: 870 Images: 11	I've needed to go with a soft bottom on a few of my smaller boats due to storage issues. In about 150 days of Bahamas use, I never hit any coral with it. That said, I much prefer a RIB if I can manage it. In addition to storage issues, the thing that has kept me away from hard dinks is that most are hard to enter from the water after snorkeling.

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