Any thoughts on a DRY inflatable?

[bcripps]

Any thoughts on a DRY inflatable?

This is a toughy because to respond to my thread, with any authority, you have to have experience with a bunch of inflatables to be able to compare.

But none the less... down here in the tradewind belt, I'm getting tired of getting soaked on the way to the boat, driving into a 12 to 14 inch chop with a 15 knot wind blowing solid water into my face.

I'm up for a new inflatable and would opt for the driest ride possible. Hard bottom with a 15hp outboard are a given.

Would love to hear from anyone who has an opinion.

Thank you,
Bry

[a64pilot]

People love to denigrate the Zodiac line, but mine is relatively dry.
I believe it's mostly due to large tubes, I think the larger the tube, the drier the dinghy.

[Vasco]

I had an AB 10'06" and it was quite dry. I now have a Highfield 10' 03", aluminum. Not quite as dry as the AB but still very good.

How big is your present dink? You need one over 10' to be relatively dry. Except for Brig. Even their 10'06" one is wet. Don't get a Brig. All from personal experience. All with 15 hp engines.

[Cotemar]

I will 2nd the vote for the HighField as being a dry Dinghy.

We have the 11'4" HighField CL340 HYP which weighs 134 lbs.

We have a Susuki 20 hp on it.

Light and FAST.

[SVTwilight]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

People love to denigrate the Zodiac line, but mine is relatively dry.
I believe it's mostly due to large tubes, I think the larger the tube, the drier the dinghy.

Agreed on the tube size. The bigger the tubes are the drier the ride. I had a 12 foot zodiac (a great boat that my brother still has 12 years later) that was very dry and now an AB 10.5 Aluminum that is quite dry. FWIW, AB seems to oversize their tubes in their smaller models compared to other manufacturers...

[sailorgirl1954]

We have 16 years Caribbean experience here. The quicker you get up on plane is critical, size of dink and engine size, size of pontoons, hard bottom design. All of which are in direct proportion to cost, no getting around that fact. Our new dink is dry, Walker Bay 365 Odyssey Deluxe, 12ft with a 30hp which we got for 1/2 price new end of season. pam

[barnakiel]

I was driving a jockey seat Avon mil specs on a Maxi yacht and it was nearly dry. Best dinghy in the world. I will try to dig out an image of something similar now.

b.

[barnakiel]

Similar to this:

http://www.ribsforsale.com/images/bo...0rib%204_l.jpg

Ours had flooding double bottom, quite a heavy thing once flooded.

b.

[Russ]

10 ft Duraboat in Aluminum. At 110 lbs Lighter than hard bottom inflatable driven with 6 hp. Gave up on airboats as they rot no matter what you do. Their only advantage is getting back in from the water. Russ

[Cheechako]

I think you'll find bigger the tubes the drier it is. But that doesn't mean you are going to stay dry in the conditions you mention. :>)

[Bulawayo]

I don't believe there is such a thing as a dry dinghy. We have been through Avon, AquaPro, Caribe etc and have found our OceanCraft (Australian) to be our best so far; high bows and big tubes and with the flip up spray deflectors/fenders itssbout as dry as we have experienced. Ours is a 3.4m and wears a 25hp or a Yam Malta. The kids have a 2.4m and use a 15hp or a 5hp (yeah, 2x dinghies and four outboards).

[Tingum]

The bigger the better. Get the largest one you can manage. I feel the dink is the most important piece of cruising gear on any serious cruiser.

[zeehag]

caribe 10. the others i tried were all wet including caribe 9, both models, V and sport. i also found caribe sport boats have flat hull and cannot dig in to move boats when you need to tow your mothership. if you get caribe, make sure your entire hull is V, not half of it.

[kelbylinn]

You might consider a bullfrog rigid tender. I have a 10' with 15hp 4 stroke and with its aluminum hull, it handles water pretty darn well. Yacht Tenders, Utility Boats, Dinghies - Rigid Aluminum Hull Boats.

[patprice]

Best advise I can give is, when the waters are choppy, to slow down! What's the hurry, enjoy the cruising life.

And....you can always pick the seasoned yachtie, they immediately head for the leeward side of the ducky lol.