Dinghies

[climber49]

I recently purchased a 39 ft. Island Packet. Where I cruise I need to anchor out in shallow water so I need a dinghy. I'm looking at three possibilities:

1. Portland Pudgy
2. Porteboat
3. RIB

From what I've seen on this forum the Porteboats are highly rated but I haven't seen anything on the Portland Pudgy. I will either need to tow the dinghy or store it folded up. I don't know if I have enough room to store the folded Porteboat.

If I tow the dinghy I need to be able to haul it out of the water for storage when at home. The Pudgy is heavier than the Porteboat. On the other hand, the Pudgy looks good as a lifeboat.

The general consensus is to stay away from the inflatables. I would like an 8 - 10 ft dinghy and an RIB that small may not be very stable or dry.

Anyone have any opinions? Thanks.

Climber49

[FSMike]

I spend a lot of time in shallow water in Florida and the Bahamas and I prefer a RIB, preferably with enough motor to plane. In the Bahamas you frequently find your self covering some distance to settlements, bars, grocery stores, etc., and planing speed comes in handy.

[Cheechako]

a 10 ft RIB is super stable, much more so than your other options. Nothing wrong with them... just sayin. I used a 10 ft and 9 ft extensively. Had the ten foot in probably 6 foot swells (15hp). I'd take that boat in anything really. Super stable and safe.
You can visit places 5 miles away etc, no problem without taking the big boat there.

[belizesailor]

Where is there a concensus to avoid inflatbales (including RIBs I assume)?

An 8-10' RIB is quite stable and dry... and it planes. This is what the vast majority of cruisers run.

[model 10]

I've made just about all the mistakes in buying dinghies. In the end you need a 15hp rib.

[onestepcsy37]

Have you considered davits?

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[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Guy

I've made just about all the mistakes in buying dinghies. In the end you need a 15hp rib.

Yep... for most larger craft anything else is just money spent along the way to that realization.......

[Stu Jackson]

How can you not have room to store a Portabote on a 39 foot IP?

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by Guy

I've made just about all the mistakes in buying dinghies. In the end you need a 15hp rib.

You guys must be SERIOUS cruisers. I've never had anything bigger than 3.5hp and it works for me in florida/bahamas. Since 1978....

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[nimblemotors]

Not serious CRUISERS, but seriously in a hurry..
I plan to have a 50hp dinghy myself..

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

You guys must be SERIOUS cruisers. I've never had anything bigger than 3.5hp and it works for me in florida/bahamas. Since 1978....

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[rossad]

I recommend a Takacat (google it) after buying the 3m with a 5 hp Yamaha i can do 15 knots... it amazing.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

You guys must be SERIOUS cruisers. I've never had anything bigger than 3.5hp and it works for me in florida/bahamas. Since 1978....

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If we look around the anchorages out here in the SW Pacific, places not thronged with short term cruisers/day sailors, we see lots of RIBs, ranging from ~9 to ~12 ft with outboards in the 8-15 HP range. There are a few diehards with various forms of hard dinks, some with only oars, but once away from places near to yachting centers, the inflatable/biggish o/b combination is clearly the common denominator. Onestep may be happy with a non-planing dink, but not so many long distance cruisers agree with his choice.

As for us, we've had inflatables, earlier soft bottoms, later RIBs, all in the ~12 foot range, all with 15 hp two stroke o/bs ever since we left SF in 1986. We've never felt that we would rather have a smaller dink, or a different type.

Cheers,

Jim

[SV Lift]

I might surprise all of you and suggest.. A 15hp RIB (but make sure it's hypalon for FL).

And davits. What I wouldn't do for some davits...

That said a smaller inflatable with the above mentioned 3.5 sure beats rowing. It will work fine in FL, ICW, etc but for Bahamas or further the ability to travel and not get soaked is huge. 8hp will plane with 1-2 people. 9.9 is pointless as it is the same price and weight as a 15, and a 15 will plane 2-4 and a boatload of provisions. And works pretty decent as a towboat.

[onestepcsy37]

Yes jim, not a long distance cruiser, boat or dinghy....

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[climber49]

First of all, my apologies for a typo. My boat is 29 ft. long, not 39 ft.

There is a thread from earlier this year where most people said they preferred a rigid dinghy.

Most of the RIBs I've looked at are very heavy and expensive - $7000 - $10000. That includes a motor in most cases. I don't know that I can handle a 300+ pound RIB by myself.

Davits on my boat will block the transom access ladder making it very difficult to get on board.

I'm still looking - any more ideas? I appreciate the feedback.