Help me find my dinghy for an R-25

[Wolfboy]

We bought an R-25 classic last fall in Anchorage and I've been planning for this summer ever since. One of my planned purchases is an inflatable and outboard to go beach exploring in Prince William Sound, but I don't know what to get. There aren't many sandy beaches around here so I don't know what type of bottom/floor works best for rocky conditions. I'd like it to be able to haul 4 people, but not be so heavy that I can't get it on the cabin. And it can't be so long that it wouldn't fit up top, or on the swim step for those trips we do not plan on fishing. And on top of that, I'd like it to last awhile. What dinghy and motor combo would you go with and why?

 

[BradOwens]

I would go with two inflatable kayaks and skip the motor.
Easier to beach, and inflatables are forgiving if you hit some rocks, as long as they aren't real sharp. I've used one in Southeast Alaska and it was perfect for exploring the fjords and coves. The light weight of an inflatable kayak makes it much easier to get on and off the roof than a dinghy. We have an Aquaglide Tandem XL which will hold two adults and one large child, and we love it. It comes with two folding foam seats and one inflatble jump seat.

I think Sea Eagle makes an inflatable kayak type boat that has a transom to accept a small outboard, but I don't have any experience with them.

 

[scross]

I'd choose a dinghy with an 8'6" length or just a bit over that so that it doesn't stick out much past the sides of the boat.

I'd get one of these five listed in order of weight:
1. AB 8 UL Lammina UltraLight Aluminum Hull Gray 2019 Length: 8' 5", Material: Hypalon - CSM, 68 Lbs
2. Mercury 280 Dynamic RIB White 2019 Length: 8' 10", Material: Hypalon - CSM, Weight: 89 Lbs
3. Defender RIB265 Gray 2019 Length: 8' 6", Material: Hypalon / CSM, 94 Lbs
4. Achilles HB-270AL Gray 2019 Length: 8' 10", Material: Hypalon - CSM, 98 Lbs
5. WEST MARINE RIB-275 Aluminum Hull Inflatable Boat, White, Length: 8'6" Hypalon 106 pounds

Notice that these are all Hypalon fabric. PVC is cheaper but may not be as long lasting as Hypalon. Aluminum floors cost more but can be lighter than fiberglass floors.

That said, Vicki and I have a no-name 8' 2" rigid fiberglass floor dinghy that is pretty easy for me to lift upright on the davits. We rarely carry more than two of us and supplies.

 

[NorthernFocus]

If you're talking about four adults at the same time you'll be hard pressed with anything that will fit on the swim step or can be easily lifted up top. But if you're only concerned with getting ashore you can use a small boat and shuttle people to the beach. I wouldn't get anything larger than a 2.5hp outboard. It's easy to handle and stow and any more horsepower doesn't do you any good unless it's enough to get on plane.

We used to use an small (7.5ft ?)Alaska Series with the grizzly claw bottom or whatever it's called. Made specifically for landing on rocky beaches. In recent years we've been using inflatable kayaks. We've got a Saturn that is essentially a 13ft long skinny raft. Works well with two people and a dog. A third person can sit on the floor for a short ride to the beach. It rides on the swim step at hull speed but has to be put up top or pulled in through the transom door for running.

As far as materials go, up here vinyl will last just fine unless you leave it outside year round. We don't get enough sun over the course of a summer to hurt it. All we've had are vinyl boats so far and never seen any UV damage after several years of use. The barnacles will wear the bottom out long before the sun does any damage.

If you're like me it will take you a season or two to figure out what really works for you. If you're interested in a used boat to get you started I've got a small wood floor achilles that came with the boat when we bought it. We've never put it in the water. I'll make you a deal just to get it out of my garage. Still have the St Croix swim step davit system to go with it. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Seaquel]

I will piggyback Dan's comments (Northern Focus): a dinghy small enough and light enough to work easily on your swimstep (or stowed above), including the weight of a small outboard, will not accommodate four adults.

Here's what we do on our R27 Classic, which like your R25 Classic, takes advantage of convenient stowage both on the swim step as well as atop on the sport racks:

Swim step: stow an 8' dinghy on the swim step (we alternate between the standard Ranger RIB w/fiberglass hull or a Walker Bay RID w/Tube Kit). One advantage of the Walker Bay is the injection-molded lapstrake hull that takes abuse beaching on rocks or barnacles better than a fiberglass hull. It also rows better, has more spacious interior, more dry bench seating, and of course can double as a sailing dinghy. Either dinghy will carry up to three adults + outboard. The minimal benefits of a larger outboard don't seem worth the extra weight and stowage issues, so we opted for the Yamaha 2.5hp and are pleased with it, although we row more than we motor.

Sport rack: on the port side, we carry a SeaEagle Razorlite one-person kayak (plus room for a large dog) and this comes in a two-person configuration as well. Opposite on the starboard rack we also a Tower SUP Board that is convertible to a kayak set-up.

So between the dinghy and the two inflatables (both drop-stitch technology which is superior performance on par with a hardshell but much lighter), we can get four (or more) off the boat. When we have grandchildren with us, we use the dinghy with 2.5hp outboard to "ferry" multiple trips back and forth between boat and shore to transport a larger crew.

 

[Todd2]

I agree with the last two posts, so will not repeat, but would like to add:
If you plan to tow, keep your dingy no longer than 8'6" long (for an R25 w/o wide load permits), IF you plan on transporting it on swim platform davits. If not, this doesn't apply to you. However, in Houston, TX where I live, the HPD has a 'truck enforcement division' (or something like that). I see them pulling over semis and RVs towing their cars virtually every single day while I'm going to, or returning from, work. I also have to get an annual "mechanical" trailer inspection by a state vehicle inspection station (or no trailer plate renewal). Technically, it's only a trailer inspection, but my boat is on the trailer and they can't help but see it. Yes, I can remove it for the inspection. But I'm going for 100% legal because I feel they'd measure if I hung over later transporting on public roads going to a local lake. Of course, YMMV. Also, keep in mind that docking will wear out a dingy if it hangs over the side of your boat.

Hope this adds info to your decision making process. Good luck.

Todd

 

[SgtAlf]

Regarding Sea Eagle boats. I had a Sea Eagle SR14 for 20 years before she started coming apart. I called Sea Eagle to inquire about how to properly repair same. The Factory was amazed I had a 20 yr old boat. Bottom line I purchased a new hull, which I have now had for 5 years. I swear by their products.
I run a 12' Kaboat for a motor dinghy, which I keep deflated in the center cockpit storage.