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MarkJ · 23-06-2010, 08:45

We have had 2 1/2 years with 'Lil Dink and shes now 12 or 13 years old and she is reasonably close to retirement (this understatement is cos she hears!).

We are going to spend CRAP LOADS on a new dink because cruising is all about DINGHYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a male think of this: You think you have a life? NOT if your wench gets Dinghy Wet Bum!

Buy expensive and save your marriage!

Or

Buy big and get laid!

Mark

jkleins · 23-06-2010, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

This is fine for getting to the boat on a mooring but just won't cut it if you're cruising in the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

Why?

Jim

Vasco · 23-06-2010, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkleins

Why?

Jim

because your dink is your lifeline, your car, your truck, your tow truck, etc. When cruising you often travel many miles in your dink to get groceries, to get water, to go fishing, to go exploring, to go visiting friends etc., etc. Nothing less than a 10 foot RIB and a 2 stroke 15 hp Yamaha.

Two women on a B423 traveled with us on the way back from the Bahamas this year. It was their first trip, dink wasn't bad, a nine footer with a soft bottom but the motor sucked big time with the two of them in the dink. First thing they did in Nasssau on the way back was get a 15 hp Yamaha and they sold their 6 hp Honda. They lamented that the fact that they were stuck on the boat many days when a better dink and motor could have taken them ashore.

jkleins · 23-06-2010, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

because your dink is your lifeline, your car, your truck, your tow truck, etc. When cruising you often travel many miles in your dink to get groceries, to get water, to go fishing, to go exploring, to go visiting friends etc., etc. Nothing less than a 10 foot RIB and a 2 stroke 15 hp Yamaha.

Can't you go just as far in a smaller dink just at a slower pace? Is everybody in that much of a hurry? I cruised for 2 years with an 8 foot rollup with a small motor that wouldn't plane and we were actually thinking of going smaller next time since the motors are getting heavier and we never really seemed to need much more. To each his own I guess.

Jim

Windgeist · 23-06-2010, 10:37

Just purchased a Achilles 280 LX (9'2" lite) RIB with a 9.8 Tohatsu and love it. I've had a Zodiac with a wooden slat floor, and most recently a Avon with a inflatable floor..having used the Achilles RIB for the last couple of weeks on our trip I would never buy anything other than a RIB, except maybe one with an Aluminum floor.

If you keep the dingy exposed to weather? a Hypolon is the only choice, but if you only take it out on occasion than PVC will work.

My $.02

I would also echo what Vasco says above, the biggest you can get the better. I chose the 9' for now, but if we ever cruise anywhere outside the Chesapeake I would go with a 10' and 15hp no question, but for now what I have is perfect for us.

Vasco · 23-06-2010, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkleins

Can't you go just as far in a smaller dink just at a slower pace? Is everybody in that much of a hurry? I cruised for 2 years with an 8 foot rollup with a small motor that wouldn't plane and we were actually thinking of going smaller next time since the motors are getting heavier and we never really seemed to need much more. To each his own I guess.

Jim

You may get just as far in a smaller dink but it's not just speed or distance, it's getting over the waves, it's keeping dry, it's going long distances, it's carrying two persons and fuel or water jugs. I'm interested in where you went for two years and now are contemplating a smaller dink.

CSY Man · 23-06-2010, 11:08

Now back from the Mercury repair place where I dropped off the dink to have a new blow-up keel glued in.

Also mentioned to the guy that I get water in the dink and he showed me a seam on the transom that was starting to give just a little.

Told him to have that taken care of under warranty, but he explained that it is not included as Mercury does not consider the transom a part of the dink, but rather an accesorry..

( I am not making this up guys, it is as sh!tty as it sounds)

Told him to call Mercury anyway and explain the problem and the pizzed of owner.
If they don't fix the darn boat, I will file a complaint with the Better Business Burea and make sure every sailing and boating bulletin board gets the message about Mercury not only makes a poor product, but also tries to cheat customers on the warranty.

Meanwhile looked around this morning for a replacement and zeroed in on the Achilles 310 Airfloor, good reputation, good quality and only 79 lbs.

Should have done that 3 years ago..Kicking my arse every day for not doing it...The difference in price is about $600.00 and I have already lost that and more if I sell the Mercury for $500.00 right now.

agrainofsand · 23-06-2010, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

This is fine for getting to the boat on a mooring but just won't cut it if you're cruising in the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

I don't cruise the Atlantic at all, only the Pacific and it seems to do well here.

Misiu · 23-06-2010, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

Nothing less than a 10 foot RIB and a 2 stroke 15 hp Yamaha.

I couldn't agree more. I also think nothing less then Oyster 50 for cruising. And here I am with Catalina 30

. If I put RIB on my foredeck I would have a hard time to access bow... I think I have to find balance within my limitations.

jkleins · 23-06-2010, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

You may get just as far in a smaller dink but it's not just speed or distance, it's getting over the waves, it's keeping dry, it's going long distances, it's carrying two persons and fuel or water jugs. I'm interested in where you went for two years and now are contemplating a smaller dink.

We went from San Francisco to the Virgin Islands. You may be right about the Bahamas because we didn't go there (although the friends who brought our boat up didn't complain.) I can only say that you are overstating the case for the Caribbean as far as we were concerned.

We just kind of plunked along and seemed to do fine. We occasionally got a little wet going through a severe chop but we tried to avoid those anchorages. We definitely tried to avoid the waves completely except for those lovely beaches that had breaking waves which we seemed to handle with the same "grace" as our larger dinghied friends.

It was actually my wife who wants the smaller motor (maybe electric?) as she wants to be able to handle everything herself and even the 2 hp Honda is pretty heavy these days. I am not saying we want a smaller dink (8 foot is about as small as you can get and not sink with 2 people in it) just a smaller motor.

Jim

Randyonr3 · 23-06-2010, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

This is fine for getting to the boat on a mooring but just won't cut it if you're cruising in the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

Concerning a dink....We've always used a Fatty Knees.. never had any problems..
Whats different about the Bahamas or the Caribbean that a hard dink wont work.......
Just cruious as I've never heard a statement like this befor....

KittiwakeCD28 · 23-06-2010, 14:44

The smaller Achilles (7'10) Lite RIB seems to be real dry, and runs real well with 2 people, 2 water jugs. Small enough to put on deck without to much difficulty. Rated only up to 5 horsepower, so may be considered a little slow. There were some 2009 models marked down significantly earlier this year. Peace and Fair Winds, Bill

Vasco · 23-06-2010, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randyonr3

Concerning a dink....We've always used a Fatty Knees.. never had any problems..
Whats different about the Bahamas or the Caribbean that a hard dink wont work.......
Just cruious as I've never heard a statement like this befor....

Randyonr3,

Just one example, many folks go fishing in the Bahamas. Spearfishing. You usually have to go a fair distance to the good reefs and the waters are not always flat. A good RIB will get you there. Then there's the climbing in and out of the dink. With a good RIB no worries about capsizing, just don't poke the tubes with your spear. I don't know if it's possible to climb out of the water and into a Fatty Knees on your own.

Here's a recent get together on the beach on one of the cays. No hard dinks oops, there is one ... a Boston Whaler at the top of the picture.

It is possible to only have a small hard dink but you'll miss half the fun.