Problems with my dink, can you help?

[The Garbone]

So it's pretty small, my boat, and it came with a west marine dink stowed under the companionway.

WM dinghy. This the dinghy.

I finally got around to inflating the thing this weekend and it turns out it is full of holes. Repairs are underway.

My problem is the thing is pretty large and the reviews say it is not that good for offshore. At 9+ feet I is too big to tie on deck.

I have a small Honda OB for it and we plan on a Keys trip this year.

Would you take this thing to the Keys?
Is it worth repairing for a trade?
Any suggestions on a low cost, smaller but more seaworthy tender?
What is the service life on these? It appears to be a few years old already.

I am thinking of a small slat floored dink from defender or a portabote if I can pick one up used.

Being new to the cruising and tender field any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[MarkJ]

In my experience dinks are not worth repairing. Ok if it has just one hole but if more then its going to be an ongoing catastrophe.

Women hate leaky dinks and getting wet in them.

A new better dinghy is optimal.

[zeehag]

only dinks worth repairing are the real hypalon ones from years ago ....they do repair and work fine after. pvc does not repair well and doesnt work well after attempts are made. some new hypalon is worthy of repair, as long as the material as not bubbled.

[jeremiason]

My first boat was a Catalina 27 and I used a similar roll up dinghy....

I considered the wood floored version, but didn't have the storage space. In hind sight I should have gone with the inflatable floor/keel version, which still rolled up.

If your current raft has more than one or two holes I would sell or trash it and purchase an inflatable floor/keel version...

Here is another thread on the subject
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ghy-46907.html

[captain465]

There is a portabote for sale at Sailorman in FT Lauderale....$500.00

[Paul Elliott]

Portabotes are good, but it sounds like you will have to store it collapsed, and probably tied against the stanchions. The seats also take up some room. I have one, but my wife prefers our Achilles with the high-pressure inflatable floor, as the Portabote feels too flexible for her liking. It works very well though, and rows / motors much better than a soft-hull inflatable.

Unfortunately, the Achilles or AVON (Hypalon) inflatables are quite a bit more expensive than the lighter-duty (PVC) ones.Hypalon weighs more. too.

PVC degrades in the sunlight, and this may be why yours has so many holes. The material is likely shot, and not worth repairing. PVC costs, and weighs, less than Hypalon, so depending on your budget that may still be your best option. Store it in the shade, or perhaps make some sun-covers for it. The inflatable high-pressure floor models work quite well, and stow in a small space.

You will find that a 9-ft, four-person raft probably only usefully fits three people, and that will be tight. You may be able to stow a larger one on-deck if you partially deflate it.

[Cheechako]

The West Marine inflatable is not worth repairing. A good one like an AB etc would be. If on a very low budget find an old Achilles hypalon one. They are often on Craig's list.

[The Garbone]

Thanks folks,

Looking at CL I see a few Achilles for under $200 nearby. Looks like a solution as I am on a budget, don't mind repairs and am looking for something of reasonable quality.

Anyone want a free WM dink? Local pick up only..

[Cheechako]

You can get spare parts for the Achilles. The od Red and Blue ones are great. Sold my '93 last summer. still going strong. Of course, this si the PNW where the sun doesnt bake them so bad. Try to find one someone's had rolled up in their garage....

[The Garbone]

Update:
Picked up an 8ft Achilles w plywood insert floor off of CL for $80, No oars but everything else and it appears to be in great shape. Rolls up smaller than the WM barge and is lighter to boot. Waiting for my Achilles repair kit to get here from Defender. It does not leak but it is good to be prepared.

[Cheechako]

I t hink you can get the proper oars for it new. I got a pair 3 years ago (still around here somewhere). Does it have the oar "studs" mounted on the dingy?

[brutb]

Gary,
Check your PM's

[The Garbone]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I t hink you can get the proper oars for it new. I got a pair 3 years ago (still around here somewhere). Does it have the oar "studs" mounted on the dingy?

Yup, has the studs n caps. Saw a set on Defender for $80. We are leaving on a trip next weekend so I will just have to make do w my WM oars and Honda OB as they would not get here in time. I see do see a new set in the future tho.