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northoceanbeach · 09-03-2014, 10:51

I've got an upcoming sail planned starting in two months I has no dinghy. I've been looking and they are very expensive.

Last year I was the guy getting blown past in an old avon 8 with oars. This year it's for keeps. So I'm making an investment for years to come.

I have a 26 foot boat. I'm cruising the San Juan's and British Columbia before heading to central California to hopefully use my dinghy to get to surf spots. In my mind I look pretty cool.

Hopefully in the future I will go to Mexico and or the marquesas. Who knows.

So my rational brain says to get a wood floor inflatable with a small motor. My "I'm cool" mind says rib. No problem towing a rib in the PNW. Everyone does, but out on the pacific I'll have to hope it fits on the foredeck.
Here are the two I found which appear to be good deals. Tell me your opinion.

1992 Achilles inflatable, 1993 tohatsu 3.5
$550

2007 danard rib. 2007 mercury 4-stroke 6hp. Cover, wheels, 3.5 gallon fuel tank. $800. I'm thinking that's a great deal and the one I'm leaning towards.

Please help quick. Only two days to decide.

Cheechako · 09-03-2014, 11:03

The older achilles are great boats on a budget. They were hypalon and seem to last forever. The plywood floors are a PITA to remove/ assemble if you 're doing that.
Trouble is... in the PNW.. alot of beaches have rocks and sharp barnacles, so a RIB is better for that or even a hard dingy. It's going to be hard to get a dingy on the foredeck of a 26 footer so plan well. maybe a folboat would be best for all the above?

CaptTom · 09-03-2014, 11:07

It all depends on condition. If it's any good, the RIB sounds like a great deal.

Not sure how "cool" you'd look trying to land one on the beach any kind of surf, but the RIB would more stable, durable, faster and easier to get in and out of.

northoceanbeach · 09-03-2014, 11:35

No I'm going to anchor the dinghy outside the surf zone and jump off the side.

Sunny day, wetsuit half on...

robert sailor · 09-03-2014, 12:16

Each to his own but if your sailing a 26 foot boat I'd keep the dink off the foredeck unless in protected waters. Depending on your budget an airfloor is nice as they fold up fairly small or your dink with wooden floors as the boards can be stowed below bunks

SkiprJohn · 09-03-2014, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Each to his own but if your sailing a 26 foot boat I'd keep the dink off the foredeck unless in protected waters. Depending on your budget an airfloor is nice as they fold up fairly small or your dink with wooden floors as the boards can be stowed below bunks

Just to be clear. You're not suggesting towing in unprotected waters are you?

northoceanbeach · 09-03-2014, 16:41

Can't I deflate the pontoons and lash it down? Thèyrr not very big deflated are they?

Maybe I'm picturing 8'x4'x2'

**minaret** · 09-03-2014, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

No I'm going to anchor the dinghy outside the surf zone and jump off the side.

Sunny day, wetsuit half on...

I use a doubled anchor buddy for this in the PNW. No wetsuit required. Doubling allows you to park the dinghy as much as 150' off the beach and still retrieve it by pulling on the stern line screw anchored to the beach. Here's a horrible example of it in action. Don't remember the last time I dragged a dink over rocks...