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sparrowhawk1 · 03-12-2018, 06:52

The last photo made it look thick here's another.

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danielamartindm · 03-12-2018, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Don't be so sure.
I'm a big guy and can happily sit on the gunwale and stand on the foredeck of our ally tender. (yes its a big beamy 14ft x 6ft far from tender tender)

https://boatcollar.com.au

And yes, I realise most can't carry a tender our size but the boat collar works just as well on small dinghy's.
With a solid buoyancy foam collar installed it will have all the upside of an inflatable but with none of the downside.

Just a hunch, but I think that would touch down on my sugar scoops when I lowered it from my davits :-(, but the boat collars are an interesting idea for smaller hard dinks!

Stonecutter36 · 03-12-2018, 07:42

We have had both hard and inflatable and would still be using the Hard except thought it was too big for the davits (big mistake) the inflatable is larger than the hard dingy and has less room inside . The hard dingy will row easier than even a small inflatable and any time the motor breaks down any distance is against the wind and hard to row against .But the hard dingy is still easier to row, specifically with a passenger. Now that we are in the Caribbean the only dingy sold hear are inflatable or walkerbay any good hard dingy you will have too make yourself from plans and find the space to do the construction . So think hard about what one you want the use ..I my self would want a hard dingy if I could find a place to construct it and once its complete no more deflating issues or hard to row back to the boat or shore..

gmakhs · 03-12-2018, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonecutter36

We have had both hard and inflatable and would still be using the Hard except thought it was too big for the davits (big mistake) the inflatable is larger than the hard dingy and has less room inside . The hard dingy will row easier than even a small inflatable and any time the motor breaks down any distance is against the wind and hard to row against .But the hard dingy is still easier to row, specifically with a passenger. Now that we are in the Caribbean the only dingy sold hear are inflatable or walkerbay any good hard dingy you will have too make yourself from plans and find the space to do the construction . So think hard about what one you want the use ..I my self would want a hard dingy if I could find a place to construct it and once its complete no more deflating issues or hard to row back to the boat or shore..

My outboard died , and I am.in Africa exploring rivers , I couldn't be happier on how the hard dinghy paddles even against the current (doesn't go fast but at least I am able to reach the boat )

Cheechako · 03-12-2018, 09:04

The inflatable rib, you wont be sorry. You dont need the complication of electric start. Just get a good engine and it will start in 2 pulls. If the 15 hp weighs the same get it. Although at 9.5 feet you are kind of in between 10 and 15 hp. 15 was pretty squirrely on my 9 ft RIB, but good on my 10 ft RIB.
A good RIB allows you to explore much further from the mothership without risking taking the mothership into places that may be more risky etc. It'll also get you home when a squall starts to blow in and you have a dingy full of food coming back from town etc.
A RIB wont beat up the sides of your mothership like a hard dingy. You wont get soaking wet like you will in many hard dingies.

Glansing · 03-12-2018, 11:58

Thanks. Great idea. Now, anyone know best way to find an inexpensive sail for my 8' Sinbad dingy i paid only $120 for? I keep trying www.searchtempest.com.

sparrowhawk1 · 04-12-2018, 08:11

Just find an odd used sail that's in good shape and cut it to size. Find the lightest ounce you can.

Glansing · 04-12-2018, 10:23

Thanks for both inputs, sparrowhawk!

SY Kelpie · 05-12-2018, 13:42

Found another possible DIY fast tender:
https://bateau.com/studyplans/GV10_study.php?prod=GV10

It's slightly larger than the Selway Fisher one, any comments?

sparrowhawk1 · 05-12-2018, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glansing

Thanks for both inputs, sparrowhawk!

NP. You can also use what's left over to make bags for the sail and your life jackets Etc. There's a company that makes all sorts of stuff out of used sails.

owly · 05-12-2018, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk1

NP. You can also use what's left over to make bags for the sail and your life jackets Etc. There's a company that makes all sorts of stuff out of used sails.

Isn't that the way Levis started out? Making pants for miners out of sailcloth in SF...

Franziska · 06-12-2018, 15:40

@Glansing

Try a Sunfish or Topper rig.

Really any dinghy rig built in large numbers (=cheap price) with a free standing mast should be adoptable.

Laser rig is perhaps a bit to big for an 8ft boat.

Btw. there are unmeasured (=not fit for racing) Laser Radial training sails around for around 150$ new.

Even though we use a Laser Radial Rig, Deck and Center board on our Spindrift 10 hull....

apirate · 07-12-2018, 15:32

I'm curious why cruisers haven't adopted use of polyethylene tenders such as the Whaly 310 (https://www.whalyboatsusa.com/product-page/model-310) or Polycraft at a higher rate. These boats are virtually indestructible, just as stable as a RIB, and at a lower price than hypalon versions.

They seem to have caught on in Australia and NZ but difficult to get in the states. Personally I like the idea of a dingy that will last a lifetime rather than an inflatable we will have to replace.

We are about to order the Whaly and will keep our Avon inflatable stowed in case we ever need it.