Please CRITIQUE this DINGHY......

[High Cotton]

OK, I know I'm gonna catch Hell for this one, but what's wrong having this particular boat (or similar) as a tender ?
It looks comfortable, foam flotation, small outboard (which I want) and would be good from point "A" to point "B".........
What's the downside ?????
And for note, I have HEAVY DUTY davits that'll hold an iron bathtub.
All your opinions are welcome, the good, the bad and the ugly !
2007 Predator DLX

[hatteras]

I like it! You can even go fishing. It is normaly sold with an electric motor. Seems to hold alot of gear. Does it have a draine plug, that would be nice.

[senormechanico]

It depends on what type of seas you will encounter, what kind of stuff you want to carry etc. If you need to go out from the beach through surf, it would be way too time consuming to get aboard to get through the next wave. From a quick glance at the picture, there doesn't look to be much room for cruising stuff like groceries etc.

Steve B.

[hatteras]

True. From experience I know this craft will not do good in waves. I have almost flipped one in the Florida panhandle along the beaches.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by High Cotton

All your opinions are welcome, the good, the bad and the ugly !
2007 Predator DLX

I kinda like this one........


Having a table seems so dignified

Electric Mini Pontoon Boat

[High Cotton]

The pontoon boat is cool, love the table for cocktails and horsdevours, but maybe sitting up high either approaching or departing the shoreline in the Carribean may be too exciting??? I dunno, I hate climbing "down" into my CARIBE, I just don't like inflatables, so I'm looking for options........
it appears there are the "Inflatable" crews and the "hard" crews.......
I may be switching to "the dark side"!

[Jentine]

Nice dink if you are going fishing in the local pond. Too heavy, not enough freeboard for any kind of sea, no interior space unless you are including the live well, no guest space, not my idea of a respectable dinghy. I will take my Caribe any day or a Walker Bay for a hard rowing, small motor or sailing dinghy.

[Celestialsailor]

I agree if you are doing beach landings and take-offs, it might be a hand full. Although it has plenty of floatation, this robs its ability for stowage...just a thought.
Also it may be a tad large to be hanging off a 40ft. boat if you are cruising.

[44'cruisingcat]

It doesn't have much payload capacity. 3 people max. 7hp max is pretty low too. Looks nice for the money though.

[Rez]

What conversation piece!

[S/V Elusive]

The boat's model name says it all. How would that be in inclement weather? Especially if you are placing an anchor, picking one up? Think of all the duties your dink needs to accomplish.

[Kanani]

I know that they advertise "Good UV protection" but I have seen similar dinghies around, Sun-rotted after a few years.

[Seeratlas]

I have one very much like this. works great for a small lake boat and is pretty darned stable. Not easily rowed, heavier than it needs to be, and I sure wouldn't want to try and beach one in any sea higher than six or seven inches heheheh.

Take a look at the porta bote. Mine is 20 something years old, just as strong as the day I bought it. When 25 footers were running for shore to get out of the weather and building seas, I was out fishing, and stayed there. Thing bobs around on top like a petrel. You need a clever but simple modification to use more than a 60 lb motor, but even with a 5hp, and me at about 230lbs or so, mine planes just fine. Also folds up for storage on deck using about the same space as an old style 'classic' surboard of similar length. Stable enough to stand up in and walk around too. Can't say enough good about it. Main negative is the material is a beeatch to paint heheh

seer