Inflatable Dinghys

[Wolf Pack]

Hi All,

We are gonna be new R-29 owners in July. I searched the Tug Nuts site for both dinghy and tender. Found a few good pointers about davits (one sling system I actually liked the looks of), but not so much about what is recommended for the dinghy itself.

Maybe some of you good folks out there can give us some hints on which inflateable dinghys are best, easiest to use, etc. Same for small motors.

And how are you all mounting them? I looked at the Hurleys, but they are more than I want to use. I saw a sling mount system in the $250 range and another simple looking one for $149. Some parameters for consideration. We don't mind using the swim platform area to carry the dinghy, but we still want that plaform to be totally functional for swimming (ie; we could stick the dinghy in the water while we are swimming and or lounging). Also dragging the dinghy up top is not appealing either.

Any help or suggestions you all can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks much,
Gene
Yes, now there are at least two Gene's out here--I am the inexperienced one. 🙂

 

[Nellie Too]

We haven't used our dingy that much yet but we bought a 8.5 foot inflatable with an inflatable bottom from West Marine. It is capable of a 8hp outboard ( I think a bit large), we use a 4hp. The boat is stable utilizing a hard bottom on the inflatable bottom. We installed D-rings like the existing ones ones but moved them aft about 8" from the rear of the transom step. We use ropes attached to the D-rings and run up through the rope handles attached to the side of the inflatable and tie them to the railing above the rear sink and fish box. This is an inexpensive alternative to installing a Hurley or similar system. I will put a picture on our album when I get a chance to mount the dingy.
Bob

 

[Stella Maris]

Gene,
Congratulations on your upcoming delivery! The R-29 is a fantastic boat as are all of the Ranger Boats (if my wife would let me....... I would buy myself a R-21 for playing at home.... I guess I would have to go home then though!). Ranger does really make a great boat with, a great line up of people there that will support you not only up to the time that you take delivery, but also after delivery! See if you can get any other manufacturer to do that!

Too answer your questions in regards to inflatable dinghy's, we had a West Marine inflatable for 24 years!!! We kept it out of the sun to protect it as much as possible. However, I do not care for the new West Marine inflatables. We are actually going to buy a Delphin YDA 200 from AMI Boats in Everett (http://amiboats.com/).

We like the weight, 68 pounds, as well as the inflatable floor. We will store it on top of the new hardtop that we are having built for Karma, our R-29. The storage rack was actually delivered for it today from Bolton Stainless. I will use a 3:1 purchase block and tackle system to get it to a point that I can pull it the rest of the way up. Even though we keep Karma in a covered slip, we will have a sunbrella cover made to protect it. We have a new 5 horse Honda four stroke outboard that we will use to power it.

If you happen to need a bimini for your new boat.... I happen to have one that is less than six months old that I will make you a great deal on!!!!

If you are not aware of it, we are currently planning a cruise to Desolation Sound in August and we have the 2nd Annual Ranger Tug Owners Rendezvous in Bremerton in September. If you are interested in attending either event, please send me a PM so I can get you signed up!

Again, congratulations on your new family member!

 

[baz]

Inexperienced Gene: 😉

Give some consideration to the Portland Pudgy dinghy/tender. See my posts of this dinghy elsewhere. It's a wonderful dinghy, well built and will last for ever -- it will also serve you well in a life threatening situation. It quite likely is more spendy that inflatables but then you gets what you pay for in this case.

Motors -- Take a look at the Torqeedo electric outboards.

Welcome aboard. 🙂

 

[j&lgray]

Hi Gene and Welcome to Tugnuts!

Like many things in boating, everyone has an opinion about dinghy's and believe that their decision was the best. Well, it is for them. We are very happy with the kind of dinghy that has a rigid bottom, called a Rigid Inflatable Boat or RIB. It has a fiberglass hull and an inflatable collar so it is both strong and highly stable. We had a Zodiac inflatable for many years with a folding wood floor that was great for storage. We wanted the RIB because it is more stable and we often beach it on the rocky beaches of the Pacific Northwest. It also rows very nicely which is quite a change from the flat bottom inflatable. Also, it is very lightweight and can take a 6 HP engine-which we also have as an emergency backup to push around around our Ranger 25.

Our dinghy is an Endurance. It is 8-2 long and matches the carrying the capacity that we are looking for. The website is: www.endurance-marine.com You will see other options for length, including longer than may match your Ranger 29 better. This is a Canadian company that imports these products from Asia. Being in Washington State, you may be able to do what we did and save $$ by driving to the Vancouver area and taking delivery on one.

For very little more $$ we got the mounting kit that puts the dinghy on the edge of the swim step leaving the swim step for walking on. We tip up the dinghy very easily with a couple of lines-no pulleys or machinery. Again, we are very happy with the product and particularly the money we saved from the many other options out there.

Good luck to you on your search for the perfect dinghy.

 

[baz]

Gene: Tell us what you decide on and why ? I'm sure that kind of feedback is useful to others here. Thanks... 🙂

 

[sportner]

There are some affordable 8'-6" air floor inflatables out there. Saturn, AquaMax, and Baltik can all be found for under $750, weigh less than 70 lbs., and can be mounted with Weaver davits and stand offs that will still leave access to the swim step and entry gate. Our last dinghy was an Mercury 7'-10" roll up that served us well with a 3.5 HP mercury 4-stroke, but I think when we get our Ranger 27 in June that one of the air floors would work well. The Pudgy is an outstanding dinghy / safety vessel but I can't picture my 6'-2'', 200 lb. body, with the first mate in it and still be comfortable. The air floor model will be a little longer, wider, and about 1/3 the cost. Just my opinion, ofcourse.

It will be interesting to exchange ideas and see other options at the gathering in September.

 

[jpmockler]

Has anyone come up with a dinghy/davit system for an R29 with a railing on the swim platform?

 

[Wolf Pack]

Yes, I also forgot to mention, our swim platform will have the rails as well. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Wolf Pack]

Yes, Karma, put Pam and Gene (Wolf Pack - R29) down for the September shin-dig.
Thanks much.