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STG · 02-08-2011, 16:58

I have tried to navigate through the threads as I am sure this issue has been covered repeatedly, but after a couple hours reading, I am giving up and going to throw it out there.....

I am currently looking for a new (used) dinghy for my sailboat and tossing the little 7' hard shelled boat as it is very unstable in calm water. I am looking for something used that will likely just stay on the davits and be used for a tender when at anchor. (I am mostly at dock except for overnight trips when anchoring out).

I think I could put a 9'-10' inflatable on the davits comfortably with maybe a 6-8hp motor. Here is where I run into a lack of info:

There are a lot of used Livingston boats for sale at much cheaper prices than the inflatable’s. Are the inflatable’s a lot more stable than say a double hulled Livingston? I am in Puget Sound in the PNW and it can get a little choppy out there.

As far as inflatable’s I did find numerous threads on RHIB vs. the soft hulls, and can make a choice there. I just want to compare the inflatable with hard. Preferably from someone in the PNW who has had both and knows the difference for these waters (or similar).

Are the Livingston’s a lot heavier than the RHIB's at which it would likely be too heavy for my davits? At least I wouldn't need to keep inflating it every week or so to keep it from going.......well you know.

Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated (as always).

Thanks,

Steve

Vasco · 02-08-2011, 17:45

Many of the Livingstons I`ve seen have extended their hulls. Don`t know what the significance of this is, just an observation.

ShaunJ · 02-08-2011, 18:05

My 7'6" Livingston Dingy is about 135#, 3 people max but they must not be too heavy. 450# is the max weight for this dink. It doesn't tow well on a long lead, I shorten it up close to the stern.
It is very stable, I can stand on the gunnel and it holds me up without taking on any water. Max HP is 5.

AnchorageGuy · 02-08-2011, 18:16

We switched to a Livingston after years with an inflatable and we really like it. we have the 9 foot and find it very stable. Have a look, The Trawler Beach House: A New Dinghy And A Big Change
Chuck

Cheechako · 02-08-2011, 18:37

Livingstons are stable for sure. I find them terribly uncomfortable as you sit on the center tunnel and have your feet in the trough. It will also beat heck out of the side of your boat compared with a RIB. If you are long term cruising the RIB wins IMHO. However, on a budget. a 10ft Livingston can be a bargain. It's a ctamaran...so you mono owners dont want one for sure... !

STG · 02-08-2011, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

Many of the Livingstons I`ve seen have extended their hulls. Don`t know what the significance of this is, just an observation.

Hey Vasco, not sure what you mean by “extended their hulls”. Are you saying they added to the freeboard height? I guess I can see it, as there apparently is only about 12” above the waterline according to Livingston, and that seems low for an area with any waves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

We switched to a Livingston after years with an inflatable and we really like it. we have the 9 foot and find it very stable. Have a look, The Trawler Beach House: A New Dinghy And A Big Change

Thanks Chuck. I read your story. That is the sort of experience I was looking for. So, you apparently had to switch due to the transom mounting. Looking back, ignoring how you would transport the boat and only going on functionality (stability, ease of movement in the water, etc.), do you think it is as good as the inflatable’s? My big concern is the low freeboard and potential for unforeseen waves. Does it do ok with a rogue 1-2’ rolling wave from a wake hitting you in the beam? The inflatable’s seem to roll with the waves ok, or worse case if running straight at them, a good spraying down. I just don't want to fill the boat.

STG · 02-08-2011, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

It's a ctamaran...so you mono owners dont want one for sure... !

Might be the one time I make an exception.

Marksman · 03-08-2011, 12:00

My experience with Livingstons and Inflatables:

Whith Livingstons, the bigger the better, we were given a 7.5 and it had only about half the stability of an 8. It was compleatly usless on the salt water, even dangerous, but an 8 foot version was much better. Even the 8 was not great with two people as you didn't pick up much boyancy untill the water was up to the tunnel. A 9 or 10 footer should be plenty stable with two passengers, and no, they don't tow well at all, they tack back and forth continuously unless you shorten up the painter greatly. They are roomy compared to a RIB and can hold a ton of groceries. Beaching is also more carefree as they don't damage easily and even if they do get beat up, the're cheap to replace (relatively speaking).

Inflatables, are very stable no matter what the size, tow in a straight line and can be made more compact when required by simply letting the air out. They do have more drag than a Livingston until up on a plane but then can attain higher speeds more safely though that's probably not something most folks would even care about. The RIB will have less windage hanging on the davits due to it's lower profile, and I think they generaly have greater weight capacity (someone correct me if I'm wrong). They are also more attractive to thieves so davits are a good place to keep them rather than simply tethered to the mothership.

My personal preference is a non infatable but given a choice between a livingston and a RIB I would take the RIB.

STG · 04-08-2011, 05:45

Thanks Marksman,

I am leaning towards the Livingston. I am going to look at a couple and perhaps buy one today. I have talked to some cruisers who have had them before too, but didn't have davits so they went with (de)flatables for storage and of course the towing ability.

I like the look and compact size (lesser length for equal stability compared to hard dink) of the inflatables for hanging off the back, but don't want the maintenance of having to keep adding air every few days to keep it rigid, not to mention the tear and abrasion risks when beaching.

In looking at Livingston's spec's, it appears you need at least a 9'-10' boat though to put 3 people in safely (let's assume one is a 250lb'er for sake of argument

and the 9' is only rated at 550lbs with motor and all gear leaving only 10" freeboard. Worse for the 8' as you mentioned. The 10' boat has 12" freeboard, but sounds pretty long (not to mention the 190lbs) to hang off the back of my narrow boat (10' beam and much narrower stern). Spec's wise though it is my preference if it doesn't look too big.

Anyway, the price is right for these and I could easily get rid of it without much of a loss if I decide it doesn't work out. I'll be taking it on a two week cruise next week mostly anchoring and a lot of shore runs to the islands. We'll see how it works out.

Thanks for the info.

Steve

**minaret** · 04-08-2011, 07:47

I think Livingston's are uncomfortable and wet. They dont have enough weight capacity, freeboard, or engine capacity. And they're built really poorly, much heavier than they need to be because they're built mostly out of chop matt. Plus I used to work with the guy who owned the company and he was a real loser.
I use a 11.5 Whaler SS for towing in the islands, just got back. It's a much better boat, usually for only about twice the price. You can put a huge motor on it, I've seen them with 30's installed. I run a Tohatsu 18 and it planes with a family of four and groceries easily. Just my 2c.

11' Boston Whaler

And heres the 9' tender-

Boston Whaler 9' tender (rare)

funset20012 · 28-09-2015, 16:40

10' extended 1 ft
livingston allows more floatation when working on the motor, quicker planeing with 4 people with my 18 hp

FSMike · 29-09-2015, 05:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by minaret

I think Livingston's are uncomfortable and wet. They dont have enough weight capacity, freeboard, or engine capacity. And they're built really poorly, much heavier than they need to be because they're built mostly out of chop matt. Plus I used to work with the guy who owned the company and he was a real loser.
------

Lmao! Minaret, tell us how you really feel!

belizesailor · 29-09-2015, 05:30

Used to have a Livingston 10' and really enjoyed it. Stable and fast with a 9.8hp. Would easily plane with several people aboard. The key downside for me is the damn things are heavy, way heavier than they could be if built differently.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 30-09-2015, 04:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by minaret

I think Livingston's are uncomfortable and wet. They dont have enough weight capacity, freeboard, or engine capacity. And they're built really poorly, much heavier than they need to be because they're built mostly out of chop matt. Plus I used to work with the guy who owned the company and he was a real loser.
I use a 11.5 Whaler SS for towing in the islands, just got back. It's a much better boat, usually for only about twice the price. You can put a huge motor on it, I've seen them with 30's installed. I run a Tohatsu 18 and it planes with a family of four and groceries easily. Just my 2c.

11' Boston Whaler

And heres the 9' tender-

Boston Whaler 9' tender (rare)

Awesome review minman!

No way would I ever even entertain owning a tender built by a loser!