Hard or Soft, Whaler or RIB?

alexleclainche · 04-12-2007, 12:34

Hey guys, I have another issue I am imbetween! I have a 37' Beneteau Oceanis and did a two month trip throughout the Bahamas this past summer. I know how important a dinghy is when you really want to explore. In our case, we are all avid free divers and spearfishermen. I am torn between going with an 11' Boston Whaler with a 2000 four stroke merc. with low hours; or going with say an avon rib with 15-25hp. My main reason for wanting to go with the Whaler is the fact that spears and shafts cannot put holes in it as well as it is probably a bit more comfortable to travel to and fro. On the other hand, I figure that we are going to have to constantly keep it alongside our boat with fenders. This is not really a concern to me unless others believe it will become one. What I am mainly concerned is during larger crossings in the summertime from Bahamas to Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico is that towing the Whaler will be a bit of a hassle. I do not know how much it will effect our speed, how much water it will be taking on while the bilge is constantly pumping, and how much it will effect our sailing. Should I just go with the rib??? Please let me know what you guys think!!!

Warm Winds,
Alex

SkiprJohn · 04-12-2007, 12:56

Aloha Alex,
I lost a dinghy while towing offshore once and will never do that again. It was a friend's boat made of fiberglass about the same shape as a Walker Bay 8 and I have felt bad about it ever since. That was in '83. Go with a dinghy you can carry safely on deck or in davits.
Regards,
JohnL

Kanani · 04-12-2007, 13:16

Towing a dinghy off-shore is a recipe for disaster. It goes much farther than just loosing it and there is a big chance that you would.

What size boat do you have? Have you looked into the Livingston Dighy?
Livingston Boats - Home

I had a 9' and loved it (after many deflatables). My wife and I are divers. We took it all over the world. It stowed perfectly between our main mast and the front of our dodger (ketch rig, center cockpit)They are easy to get in and out of. Comfortable, hold a reasonable amount of weight and can be put on deck on most boats.

If your boat is big enough, go for the 10'. It will take a 25hp engine and lots of gear. VERY comfortable and safe.

Celestialsailor · 09-12-2007, 22:25

I have a Livingston 7.5 with a Tohatsu 6hp. Scarry fast and planes at 1/2 throttle allowing you to throttle back to 1/3 to maintain. It is a little squirrly but loads of fun. you really need to pay attention though. It fits nicely on deck and is light enough that i can struggle it onboard myself.

04-12-2007, 12:34	#1
alexleclainche Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 23	Hard or Soft, Whaler or RIB? Hey guys, I have another issue I am imbetween! I have a 37' Beneteau Oceanis and did a two month trip throughout the Bahamas this past summer. I know how important a dinghy is when you really want to explore. In our case, we are all avid free divers and spearfishermen. I am torn between going with an 11' Boston Whaler with a 2000 four stroke merc. with low hours; or going with say an avon rib with 15-25hp. My main reason for wanting to go with the Whaler is the fact that spears and shafts cannot put holes in it as well as it is probably a bit more comfortable to travel to and fro. On the other hand, I figure that we are going to have to constantly keep it alongside our boat with fenders. This is not really a concern to me unless others believe it will become one. What I am mainly concerned is during larger crossings in the summertime from Bahamas to Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico is that towing the Whaler will be a bit of a hassle. I do not know how much it will effect our speed, how much water it will be taking on while the bilge is constantly pumping, and how much it will effect our sailing. Should I just go with the rib??? Please let me know what you guys think!!! Warm Winds, Alex

09-12-2007, 22:25	#4
Celestialsailor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Big Island Boat: Ingrid 38 Posts: 555 Images: 4	I have a Livingston 7.5 with a Tohatsu 6hp. Scarry fast and planes at 1/2 throttle allowing you to throttle back to 1/3 to maintain. It is a little squirrly but loads of fun. you really need to pay attention though. It fits nicely on deck and is light enough that i can struggle it onboard myself. __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"

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04-12-2007, 12:56	#2
SkiprJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kea'au, Big Island, Hawaii Boat: Cascade, Cutter, 42 - "Casual" Posts: 3,922	Aloha Alex, I lost a dinghy while towing offshore once and will never do that again. It was a friend's boat made of fiberglass about the same shape as a Walker Bay 8 and I have felt bad about it ever since. That was in '83. Go with a dinghy you can carry safely on deck or in davits. Regards, JohnL

04-12-2007, 13:16	#3
Kanani Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Southern California Boat: Was - Passport 45 Ketch Posts: 654	Towing a dinghy off-shore is a recipe for disaster. It goes much farther than just loosing it and there is a big chance that you would. What size boat do you have? Have you looked into the Livingston Dighy? Livingston Boats - Home I had a 9' and loved it (after many deflatables). My wife and I are divers. We took it all over the world. It stowed perfectly between our main mast and the front of our dodger (ketch rig, center cockpit)They are easy to get in and out of. Comfortable, hold a reasonable amount of weight and can be put on deck on most boats. If your boat is big enough, go for the 10'. It will take a 25hp engine and lots of gear. VERY comfortable and safe.