Your Opinion - Best Dinghy?

[leftbrainstuff]

AB hypalon and 15 HP 2 stroke. Its heavy so handling is always an issue but a seriously tough workhorse.

A fold up PVC and smaller outboard could be a good combo if you dont have the room for a rib.

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[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by Alii

Purchasing an inflatable (or almost any marine product) through Defender is the best insurance, in my view. Their customer service, including after-sale support, is the best.

Defender is the best!

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[sesmith]

Originally Posted by stevec195

Porta Bote. Our 8' works well for us as it can be folded and stowed easily while under way. Has enough of a keel that it can be oared or planes easily with a low power motor.


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+1. Same for us. We store it folded against stanchions, assemble it on deck, and hoist it in and our with our jib halyard. About 15-20 minutes on or off.

[accomplice]

I loved my old Porta-bote. My wife didn't like it so much, though. We sold it along with our old boat. I now enjoy the speed of a 3.8m Gemini RIB with Honda 15hp OB, but I miss the light Porta-bote that I could easily bring far up on any beach, whose bottom was so slippery that nothing stuck, and whose hull was so rugged I never feared a scratch or puncture.

Assembling it on deck, especially in windy conditions, was a challenge. The gunwales flexed a bit while rowing, but at least I could row it if needed.

[jorypear]

DEflatables are a MESS. Rigid Boats (www.rigidboats.com) is without comparison. Better performance, dryer, storage in the pontoons. No patching. I've had a 8.5 (150lbs) on a smaller sailboat and currently use the 12' Sport model. It actually performs like a boat, not a blow-up pool toy. They are made of fiberglass, but have the weight of an inflatable so you can use them on Davits. Worth a look! I'll never go back to anything else...


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