What size dinghy

[TNyeste]

Bought a Cutwater 30 and want to put a dinghy on the davits. Would like to use a small swivel attached outboard on it. What size and make are you using?

 

[LMRanger]

We have the R25SC and added an 8 foot RHIB with an aluminum hull made by InMar, model 260R-AL.
I put a Mercury 2.5 outboard on it but think I should have gone with the 3.5.
With the 2.5hp and the two of us we can get 6 knots which is enough to get ashore, beach of dock.

Ralph

 

[AGLyme]

Bought a west marine “RIB 260” for my RT 31 (has a 10 foot beam).
The RIB is 8.5’ wide, leaving 9” clearance on either end of the swim platform. I paid $800, brand new.
This boat typically sells for $1,250, but goes on sale on the WM site frequently.

I am surprised how quite stable it is.
Getting in, out & in the waves. I just attached it to the swim platform with the Weaver receivers that came with the RT.

Thus far I find it well designed and built.

 

[TNyeste]

We have the R25SC and added an 8 foot RHIB with an aluminum hull made by InMar, model 260R-AL.
I put a Mercury 2.5 outboard on it but think I should have gone with the 3.5.
With the 2.5hp and the two of us we can get 6 knots which is enough to get ashore, beach of dock.

Ralph

Thanks for the info. I was thinking the 2 1/2 but probably smarter to go bigger

 

[TNyeste]

Bought a west marine “RIB 260” for my RT 31 (has a 10 foot beam).
The RIB is 8.5’ wide, leaving 9” clearance on either end of the swim platform. I paid $800, brand new.
This boat typically sells for $1,250, but goes on sale on the WM site frequently.

I am surprised how quite stable it is.
Getting in, out & in the waves. I just attached it to the swim platform with the Weaver receivers that came with the RT.

Thus far I find it well designed and built.

Thanks will definitely look at 5ge 10 ft.

 

[scross]

Bought a Cutwater 30 and want to put a dinghy on the davits. Would like to use a small swivel attached outboard on it. What size and make are you using?

The type of dinghy is more important than the make.
Are you on the east coast or Florida? Then a slat floor, air floor or metal floor dinghy is fine for sandy beaches.
If you are PNW and deal with rocky landings and razor sharp oyster shells I’d recommend a RIB. Either glass or aluminum.
Weight is also important. Pulling up anything to vertical over 90 pounds requires a lot of strength. Our Zodiak Cadet Alu 270 is 72 pounds and pretty easy to pull vertical.
We have the lightest weight OB I could buy - a Suzuki 2.5 HP. Yeah, it ain’t fast but my back still works after lifting it on and off the dinghy.

 

[TristenT]

Highly recommend the Highfield Ultralite 260LT(8'6"). It sports an aluminum bottom and oversize tube and comes in at 77lbs. I found that with the larger tube diameter I have less of an issue with water splashing into it when it is on the weever davits while underway. This dingy is incredibly stable feeling, we commonly put 4 adults 2 dogs and gear in it to go to shore and it feels like we could still add 2 more people. Being that you have the cutwater 30ft with the 10ft beam id consider the next size up (9'5").
My second option was a Takacat for extreme light weight.

Ultralite 260SS - Highfield Boats

Ultralite 260 Space Saver Tender Boat - 8'6" length. The perfect combination of lightweight and usability in a small open tender boat. Contact Highfield Boats.

www.highfieldnorthamerica.com

 

[TNyeste]

The type of dinghy is more important than the make.
Are you on the east coast or Florida? Then a slat floor, air floor or metal floor dinghy is fine for sandy beaches.
If you are PNW and deal with rocky landings and razor sharp oyster shells I’d recommend a RIB. Either glass or aluminum.
Weight is also important. Pulling up anything to vertical over 90 pounds requires a lot of strength. Our Zodiak Cadet Alu 270 is 72 pounds and pretty easy to pull vertical.
We have the lightest weight OB I could buy - a Suzuki 2.5 HP. Yeah, it ain’t fast but my back still works after lifting it on and off the dinghy.

Thank you for the response.. I’m in the PNW so definitely a RIB.

 

[TNyeste]

The type of dinghy is more important than the make.
Are you on the east coast or Florida? Then a slat floor, air floor or metal floor dinghy is fine for sandy beaches.
If you are PNW and deal with rocky landings and razor sharp oyster shells I’d recommend a RIB. Either glass or aluminum.
Weight is also important. Pulling up anything to vertical over 90 pounds requires a lot of strength. Our Zodiak Cadet Alu 270 is 72 pounds and pretty easy to pull vertical.
We have the lightest weight OB I could buy - a Suzuki 2.5 HP. Yeah, it ain’t fast but my back still works after lifting it on and off the dinghy.

Thank you for the response.. I’m in the PNW so definitely a RIB.

 

[Martin610]

I second the Highfield Ultra Lite. Love it. Has held up well after several years. I use the Weaver Davits.

Beachmaster wheels were added last year. Those work very well on this dingy.

-martin610

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i had a takacat for 5 years. 8'6. then upgraded to a Hypalon version of the Highfield UL260. The hypalon is worth the investment. I used fresh air dinghy in Anacortes. good to work with.