Anyone Using a High Performance Cat / Tunnel Hull Dinghy ?

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I wish I could remember off the top of my head, but I know that country has been in the game for awhile. Do a google search using a SA mirror so that SA companies are given priority in the search results.

I keep forgetting, depending on how long you have been out cruising and how little time you might have had during that time on the Internet, I've found a page that I'll just give the link, tell me if you find anything interesting......

Summer Series - Inflatable Powerboat Racing / Thundercat Racing - Our Associates - Inflatable Boat Association South Africa brings you a new and exciting racing series!

...
Bob

So we spent 2 days looking at SA dinghies... These are our thoughts: a lot of companies and designs look good on websites, but we like to make sure that the quality is there. The only boats we saw live were Geminis. They are well-made boats. They are CE certified, so manufacture and design quality is there. And they're in hypalon...

If it wasn't for mundane tasks of carrying groceries and friends in the dinghy, my other half would go with their racing version at 4.1 m and 75 kg
He's not as enthused about their RIBs (Waverider series below 4.5 m) as "they don't look as nice as WB"...

We also contacted Takacat and they were very helpful and prompt with responses. You can buy the dinghy from them and have it delivered for $200-$300 direct from China. One thing that popped into our minds was that the warranty terms are a third of the ones offered by WB. But we did put them on our short list.

[deckofficer]

Hope I haven't started something here that I'll regret when I'm out cruising. lol A nice peaceful anchorage punctuated my 60 MPH tenders flying across the water. Could be worse than a swarm of PWCs. I of course will hope that folks putt out of anchorage, then open it up for the quick run to town.

[Sunspot Baby]

There used to be "light" and "heavy" models in the Livingston but when I looked recently they only listed the thicker/heavier unit. Am I remembering right?

The 10' is now 190 lbs before engine, fuel, etc. That's too much weight for me. Too heavy for my wife and I to handle and more than I want to hang on my davits.

George

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Hope I haven't started something here that I'll regret when I'm out cruising. lol A nice peaceful anchorage punctuated my 60 MPH tenders flying across the water. Could be worse than a swarm of PWCs. I of course will hope that folks putt out of anchorage, then open it up for the quick run to town.

Having a fast dinghy for us means that we can anchor in a sheltered spot, take the dinghy out to explore all the interesting places, snorkel, catch fish, and still get back before the winds turn.

Taking it through the same anchorage is umm... repetative?

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Katiusha

Having a fast dinghy for us means that we can anchor in a sheltered spot, take the dinghy out to explore all the interesting places, snorkel, catch fish, and still get back before the winds turn.

Taking it through the same anchorage is umm... repetative?

I just meant leaving and returning to the anchorage should be in the putt-putt mode.

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I just meant leaving and returning to the anchorage should be in the putt-putt mode.

Of course, if there are other boats around.

[Therapy]

I think the cat dingy would leave less of a wake at speed than going slowly.

Go for it!

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Therapy

I think the cat dingy would leave less of a wake at speed than going slowly.

Go for it!

Your probably correct. Stuff enough air under the hull and the water is no longer supporting much of the tender's weight directly, but with the cushion of air in between.

[Katiusha]

Well, if you're worried about the wake, you could always go with a FIB: Polaris Motor. FIB stands for Flying Inflatable Boat and indeed it's a dinghy that flies. Well, it's a RIB too, but I guess they decided that FIB sounds better than FRIB.
I'm not sure how to control something like this in the air though...

[deckofficer]

They would be a lot of fun. I'm a private pilot and have time in both ultralights and hang gliders. Constant exposure to our corrosive surroundings, I'm not sure a preflight inspection is going to catch everything. If kept away from the salt air, I would feel more trusting.

Adventures with Flying Inflatable Boat (FIB) and beautiful panoramas - YouTube

[HCDCanada]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Am I the only one considering one of the high performance cat/tunnel hulled dinghy? These are made for high speed rescue but also would make a great, economical tender. Some models will accept 50 hp and hit 70 mph, but if you want a planing dinghy with minimum hp, they would be a good choice.

Tunnel hull cat inflatable boat

XTM xtreme tunnel hull cat inflatable

DUX® HammerHead PD-400

High- Performance Inflatable Boats

Tunnel Hull Catamaran Inflatable Boats

I have a Aquarius (im actually the North American Distributor) the 3 main manufactures are Aquarius, Caesar and Gemini and the are all based out of SA
we have just released a 11ft Tender (race boat) the best advice i can give you is go out for a demo ride, make sure who ever you are looking at can service you properly

I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have concerning these boats ours or the competition let me know what i can do to help.

Todd

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Katiusha

Well, if you're worried about the wake, you could always go with a FIB: Polaris Motor. FIB stands for Flying Inflatable Boat and indeed it's a dinghy that flies. Well, it's a RIB too, but I guess they decided that FIB sounds better than FRIB.
I'm not sure how to control something like this in the air though...

My mate is starting the build of a 46ft cat in Feb 2012 and it will be set up for one of those FIB's.

He is currently completing his training hours before purchase.

I will stick to the water and underwater myself.

[LifePart2]

We just lost our trusty but heavy Caribe RIB with 15hp mercury So now we need to find a new one.

Looking at those Takacats - seem very interesting.

Deckofficer - Did you buy something in the end? What did you get? Why did you choose whatever it is that you did buy? How is it working out?

Katiusha - did you get a Takacat? Comments?

Mattofosho - can you give us an updated review on the Takacat (I believe you have the 3.2m lite with 5hp engine?):

Durability? do you have the PVC or Hypalon? How does it stand up to being dragged on beaches, tied up to rough wharfs or rocks etc? How long have you had yours now?

Handling? How does it fare going up-wind in a blow with some waves? Can you row it against the wind? What size engine are you using and is that enough to get planing with two people and some groceries? How wet is it?

We need something that is able to go exploring for some distances - sometimes we travel a mile or two in our dinghy, so need something with some reasonable speed - that can also be rowed for safety's sake, which is why we want something lighter than our big RIB.

Thanks

Noel

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by LifePart2

Katiusha - did you get a Takacat? Comments?

We ended up with a Walker Bay RIB - it's light (injection moulded hull), very sturdy, and in hypalon with delivery costs about 1/4th less than hypalon Takacat not including the delivery. And in Walker Bay you can replace the tubes later, if needed.

Link: Genesis Deluxe RIB : Walker Bay

So we cheap-ed out

[LifePart2]

Interesting. With the engine on (what size?) is it light enough for two of you to pull up a beach? And does it plane with two plus groceries?