Best inflatable dinghy/motor combination.

[AirBoyzT]

Looking at purchasing a storable inflatable dinghy that I can use to get to shore from anchoring and cruising around the marina and a small motor to attach to it. Any suggestions. Would only have 2-3 people on the boat at a time.

[foggysail]

Someone once asked and got the answer---"depends on what the meaning of is is!"

How do you define "best?"

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by foggysail

Someone once asked and got the answer---"depends on what the meaning of is is!"

How do you define "best?"

Reliable motor, gets me from point a to b, can hold 3 people and can be deflated and stowed

[AirBoyzT]

I can stow the outboard on a motor
Mount. Not sure if I should get 4 stroke or 2 stroke and thinking 2.5 hp

[skipmac]

Achilles roll up dinghy with a Yamaha outboard. 2-strokes are lighter, generally more reliable but not sure if you can buy a new 2-stroke in the US.

[sww914]

The Nissan/ Tohatsu 2 strokes have been really really good to me. My current Nissan 9.9 made in 1990 starts first pull 100% of the time. PVC dinghies usually prove to be a mistake in the long run.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sww914

PVC dinghies usually prove to be a mistake in the long run.

+1 for that.

[StuM]

Takacat and Torqueedo?

[sww914]

I've discussed Torqueedos with 2 cruisers and neither was really happy. They were a little happy but there are problems with range, charge times, and battery longevity.

[AirBoyzT]

I really like the reviews on achilles and found a site that offers free shipping. Now for the engine, having a hard time finding 2 strokes and the 4 stokes have internal fuel tanks...

[Celestialsailor]

Have to disagree with 2 strokes more reliable in the long run. I've had both. Love my Tohatsu 6hp, 4 stroker.

[Gerrycooper56]

A 5 year warranty on new PVC products is pretty good and given a few people add chaps they can last.

[Bestathook]

I have had incredibly long, good service from Avon dingies. Achilles has done well, but not yet tested as long by me. I had a Zodiak melt, just sitting in a garage in Florida. Zodiac had a class action suit over that issue. The glue let the transom loose from the tubes just sitting deflated.

Motors? I love British Seagulls. Yes, they guzzle oil, vibrate, and smoke a bit. But they will always get you home. There are 8 steps to starting a Seagull, but if you do them all, it will be very, very dependable. You can usually pick up a 40featherweight or a 40+ for about $250 used. They run forever.

I hit a submerged log in murky coffee colored Florida fresh water. The Seagull came off the transom, and hit the water running, and went under. I held on to the tiller and retrieved it. On the river bank, with a 6" crescent and one screwdriver, I took apart the carb, removed and cleaned the fuel tank, pulled the plug, and spun it, removed and cleaned the fuel line and filters, and put it back together, all in the dark with only a single LED head lamp. It started right up, and got us home. Show me another outboard that you can do that with.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by sww914

PVC dinghies usually prove to be a mistake in the long run.

+2 for that

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Bestathook

I have had incredibly long, good service from Avon dingies. Achilles has done well, but not yet tested as long by me. I had a Zodiak melt, just sitting in a garage in Florida. Zodiac had a class action suit over that issue. The glue let the transom loose from the tubes just sitting deflated.

Motors? I love British Seagulls. Yes, they guzzle oil, vibrate, and smoke a bit. But they will always get you home. There are 8 steps to starting a Seagull, but if you do them all, it will be very, very dependable. You can usually pick up a 40featherweight or a 40+ for about $250 used. They run forever.

I hit a submerged log in murky coffee colored Florida fresh water. The Seagull came off the transom, and hit the water running, and went under. I held on to the tiller and retrieved it. On the river bank, with a 6" crescent and one screwdriver, I took apart the carb, removed and cleaned the fuel tank, pulled the plug, and spun it, removed and cleaned the fuel line and filters, and put it back together, all in the dark with only a single LED head lamp. It started right up, and got us home. Show me another outboard that you can do that with.

Avon is now made by Zodiac. So you can imagine the quality now. Achilles seem to be hanging in there.