Dinghy Options.

[Pdoyle58]

Recently purchased a 2024 R27 OB. Did not come with factory dinghy rack. Trying to decide to purchase an aluminum bottow or roll up dinghy. Closed bow or open bow. I am able to configure a rack for above canvas top above the cockpit. Fold up seems to make more sense when transporting boat from site to site. Not having to design a rack that will withstand 70 mph winds when driving on Highway. Does anyone have a roll up dinghy ? Pros cons of a roll up ? Tyia.

 

[scross]

Recently purchased a 2024 R27 OB. Did not come with factory dinghy rack. Trying to decide to purchase an aluminum bottow or roll up dinghy. Closed bow or open bow. I am able to configure a rack for above canvas top above the cockpit. Fold up seems to make more sense when transporting boat from site to site. Not having to design a rack that will withstand 70 mph winds when driving on Highway. Does anyone have a roll up dinghy ? Pros cons of a roll up ? Tyia.

Had one. Came with boat. Got rid of it ASAP. Much happier with Alu RIB.
1. Performance: Cannot plane easily, resulting in slower speeds; they are not designed for high-speed, long-distance travel.
2. Ride Quality: The flat hull creates a rough, uncomfortable "pounding" ride in chop and can cause significant spray.
3. Handling: Prone to sliding in turns and less capable of tracking in a straight line compared to V-hulls.
4. Durability: Less durable, especially with cheaper PVC materials; the soft, flat floor makes it less robust for dragging over rocks.
5. Limited Power: Usually restricted to smaller, lower-horsepower outboard motors.
OK for: Short trips from boat-to-shore in calm harbors, lakes, and rivers.

 

[Pdoyle58]

Had one. Came with boat. Got rid of it ASAP. Much happier with Alu RIB.
1. Performance: Cannot plane easily, resulting in slower speeds; they are not designed for high-speed, long-distance travel.
2. Ride Quality: The flat hull creates a rough, uncomfortable "pounding" ride in chop and can cause significant spray.
3. Handling: Prone to sliding in turns and less capable of tracking in a straight line compared to V-hulls.
4. Durability: Less durable, especially with cheaper PVC materials; the soft, flat floor makes it less robust for dragging over rocks.
5. Limited Power: Usually restricted to smaller, lower-horsepower outboard motors.
OK for: Short trips from boat-to-shore in calm harbors, lakes, and rivers.

What model do you have now ?

 

[scross]

What model do you have now ?

Zodiac Alu Cadet 270. It’s a bit long (9’) but we made it work on our 2017 C-28. Carries up to 4 people. Only 82 pounds. A smaller 240 (7’11”) would be a good choice too for up to 3 people. It comes in at 73 pounds I believe.
Not sure how you would manage either one on a O/B boat though.

 

[Martin610]

I had a roll up dingy from West Marine. We were not happy with it. Very hard to maneuver. Without a keel it slipped around terribly. Lot of pounding in any sort of chop. I have a Highfield UL240 now. Much happier with the aluminum RIB.

-martin610

 

[JMarshallR25]

I have a Zodiac 270, but it is the aero version with the high pressure air floor. Inflated, it has a keel so tracks well, and it planes easily with a 5hp or 6hp motor. I don't know where I would put a hard floor dinghy on my R25, but I can easily transport this one deflated.

 

[hawk232]

I have a roll up achilles hypalon dinghy that has an inflatable keel and high pressure floor. I only use a 2hp so planing is not a consideration regardless of boat type. Not sure how I would store a RIB or bigger engine on the R27.

 

[gswearin]

Several folks on here have the Takacat and like them.

 

[scross]

I looked at high pressure air floors before deciding on the Zodiac Alu RIB. I think an air pressure floor for a dinghy or Takacat would work great on the sandy shores of the south east US. But on the oyster shell encrusted rocky shores of the PNW I’d be very nervous about the tear resistance of an air floor. When I see how deep the scrapes are in my hull I’m glad I went with aluminum.

 

[JMarshallR25]

I looked at high pressure air floors before deciding on the Zodiac Alu RIB. I think an air pressure floor for a dinghy or Takacat would work great on the sandy shores of the south east US. But on the oyster shell encrusted rocky shores of the PNW I’d be very nervous about the tear resistance of an air floor. When I see how deep the scrapes are in my hull I’m glad I went with aluminum.
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I'm in California. My solution to rocky beaches - large, easily detachable wheels:

C-Tug Dinghy Wheels | RAILBLAZA

| C-Tug Dinghy Wheels | RAILBLAZA

www.railblaza.com

Never had a rip or tear.