What size dinghy?

[Pedro]

All right ,before I go to defenders spring sale to buy my first dinghy I need some input. I have the 28te and plan to either carry it on the cabin roof or swim step. It must carry three of us,I'm not sure what size we will need.Anybody have experience with two adults and one child in an inflatable, I'm 6'1,235#, I keep looking at the 8'-6" finks and they seem awful small,Pete

[jetter]

I'm using a 8'6" Highfield. It has large tubes and is rated for 6HP. I like the aluminum hull with floor so your feet stay dry. About 90lbs. I've had 4 adults on it. Not roomy but stable. (I can stand on tube).I travel with it on weaver davits. This means no access to swim platform and would be problem for fishing. At anchor it is no big deal to drop and free up swim platform. It would be too heavy if you wish to use the cabin roof.

[jetter]

Photo attached. O/B now mount on travel bracket on platform.

[catalina_mike]

I had a West Marine 10'2" rigid hull that I returned because of the person's capacity being 3.5. Long story.. But we now have a Zodiac Cadet 290 that fits great on the swim step. I am currently using these:

http://www.allboatproducts.com/Davits-f ... ystem.html

I had to take the outboard in for warranty work so I have only traveled with the outboard on the West Marine one and we did fine. I will mount the motor then figure out the rest. I made a pulley assembly that I hook to the radar arch and pull it up myself. Works pretty well.

[Pedro]

Mike, Which cadet did you buy? The rib or solid floor? The cadet fits 3/4 people well?

[Cape Codder]

We have a Hypalon Mercury 270 Airdeck, 4 person capacity, 1200 pounds. Up to 8hp. 10 year warranty.
When placed on the swim platform correctly, the transom of the inflatable lines up perfectly with the transom door, and does not "hang over" either side of the hull.
The 2hp Honda is enough for our purposes. Only 30 pounds....which is far better for me.....versus a 55-60 pound outboard. If I have a larger outboard, I just KNOW that while attempting to put that sucker on the transom, someday it's in the drink.......along with me........
Perfect set up for heading into town, or some harbor exploration. Runs for about an hour one 1 quart of gas!!!!!!
http://www.bustersmarine.com/270airdeck.html

[catalina_mike]

Mike, Which cadet did you buy? The rib or solid floor? The cadet fits 3/4 people well?

It was the double solid floor that addes about 30 lbs. Buy the wife likes not stepping down so far like the west marine one. Rated 4 persons. The pully system was a requirement to lift it and I have a 6 hp motor.

[joebuz]

Here are my thoughts. I like inflatables. I've had rigid and inflatable hulls and I believe inflatables are much more stable. I have hauled them behind and put them on top. And I like to carry her on the swim platform. Really easy on/off and much better/efficient/safer than dragging behind, IMO. However, on the swim platform I don't like the dink wider than my boat because it can be a problem coming up to a pier. So, IMO, that is critical in determining the length if you decide to store her on the swim platform.

[Pedro]

Mike, Sounds like you and I are trying to meet the wife's needs as best as possible, mine is a good sport and encourages my boating for fishing , but when she's aboard she wants comfort and ease of use, so the boarding the dinghy comment regarding the rib is important feedback

[DesertAlbin736]

...she wants comfort and ease of use, so the boarding the dinghy comment regarding the rib is important feedback

Whether hard shell or inflatable (we have a Boatex 8 ft 2 in lapstrake hardshell), snap davits on a swim platform are the neatest thing since sliced bread for boarding and stowing.

So Pedro, you're from Groton? We were there for a week last summer with our A25, docked at Norwest Marina on the Pawcatuck & made a run up to New London from Westerly.