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jlindsey124 · 04-02-2011, 11:16

Hello,

I'm trying to find out the best size dinghy for a formosa 51. I'm interested in an inflatable ocean craft from seamax, Home Page - Heavy Duty Inflatable Boat, Inflatable Dinghy, River Raft & Outboard Sale

Can anyone give me advice on the size i should have, the max size possible, and any other general info?

also, if anyone knows of a good used classifieds site to find used dinghies and outboards that would be very helpful.

thank you,
Jlindsey124

ps. my girlfriend, dog and I will be the main people on the ship with friends and family to join occasionally, if that helps.

**Dockhead** · 04-02-2011, 11:55

There's no pat answer to that question. It depends very much on how you plan to store it.

On a boat similar in size to yours, I have a 3.6 meter Avon rib with wheel steering and a 25 horsepower engine. It is not hard to handle with electric davits. It planes with four or five people aboard and is capable of covering some distance in comfort, great things in a dinghy. But without the davits it would be unfeasible. Are you going to store the dink on deck? What kind of deck space do you have for that purpose? That will give you your answer more than anything. And, if you are planning to roll it up and stow it on long ocean passages, that is yet another different answer.

jlindsey124 · 04-02-2011, 11:59

we plan on putting a pulley system on the back of the sailboat and keep the dinghy there while underway. much like they have in this picture.

anjou · 04-02-2011, 12:04

Welcome to CF

Are you a member of the Formosa group ? That might be a good place to ask the specific question and get good advice

jlindsey124 · 04-02-2011, 12:12

we plan to mount a pulley system on the back of the sailboat much like the one in the image below. i have been looking into outboards and i have found some 7.5 and 9.8 mercurys for around $500. they are pretty old but it seems outboards nearly last forever. any advice on this too?

zeehag · 04-02-2011, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjou

Welcome to CF

Are you a member of the Formosa group ? That might be a good place to ask the specific question and get good advice

there are 2--formosa51 and leaky teaky yacht club... i htink the 10 ft dink of whatever type would be fine and perfect.

anjou · 04-02-2011, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeehag

there are 2--formosa51 and leaky teaky yacht club... i htink the 10 ft dink of whatever type would be fine and perfect.

I knew you would reply with some details Zee

S/V_Surya · 04-02-2011, 12:32

Do not get PVC go for hypalon if you can find it. Get a RIB (Rigid inflatable Boat). To find a good used boat try craigslist.

jlindsey124 · 04-02-2011, 12:32

we will mount it with non-mechanical davits at the back of the ship.

so a 10 footer. ive been eying a 10.5. would that be ok?

jlindsey124 · 04-02-2011, 12:33

why should i avoid the PVC?

zeehag · 04-02-2011, 12:34

rofl, anjou----i wish i had a 51-- 41 is good, but the 51 is awesome. so much deck room-- i would suggest a 12 ft, but the 10 ft dinks are good and fit most everywhere on the 51..pvc dies ded ded ded in 5 yrs. hypalon at least lasts 10-15. original hypalon lasts 20+. IF YOU DECIDE TO "SAVE MONEY" AND BUY PVC, COVER IT WITH A COMPLETE COVER.

VirtualVagabond · 04-02-2011, 13:13

This is the link for the Formosa 51/Husdon Force 50 owners site. Force 50 and Formosa 51 Owners Group

They're a great bunch, active, experienced and very helpful.

I saw a Formosa 51 with a RIB on davits and a covered GRP dinghy in a cradle on the deck just behind the main mast. Plenty of room there.
The RIB was used most of the time, but sometimes they'd drop the GRP dinghy in with the main halyard. It had a sail and rudder too, and could be rowed of course.
Visiting kids could sail it, or the owners if they were wanting to explore in remote areas without using up outboard fuel. And if they had too many people they'd just tow it behind the RIB with the extra bodies.
It worked well for them without having to have a big, hard to manage RIB on davits.

Vic

Anzo · 04-02-2011, 13:16

You could fit a Bristol 24 on there

Jack Tar · 05-02-2011, 10:44

Yep stay away from PVC if you can. The larger the tubes used on the construction of the dink the better. 17" or even 18" are so much more stable than their smaller relatives. A V hull Hard Bottom with a flat deck inside works best. Dinghy davits can be bought used from a good second hand marine store. Second Wave-Marine Consignment Stores my local toy store. I have a 8 Hp Merc and it does just fine. The weight of anengine is always an issue but if your using davits it not an issue as long as the davits are strong enough to hold the weight. Through bolt the mounts and use backing plates inside. This is a must. If you ever want to put the dink on the fore deck just use a picking pole. One end attached to mast the other to a halyard. A 4 or 6 to one pully arangment like a life sling uses and you can pick the dink out of the water and swing it onto the deck. My Formosa also has long enough sheets on the main and mizzed that I can use either for lifting too.