Your Recommendation for Dinghy for a 2012 Ranger 29?

[Smokeyham]

Hi,

I am looking for recommendations for a dinghy to add to my 2012 Ranger 29. I will be doing America's Great Loop and want to have the dinghy easily available (i.e. probably using Weaver Davits) off the stern.

I've had a recommendation for Portland Pudgies, but I am not wild about the look of those. I'm thinking an inflatable with a rigid bottom would be the way to go. For power, I am looking at the Torqeedo 1103CL, since I really like the idea of not having to carry gasoline on board.

I am assuming it is very important to have dinghy that is shorter than the boat's 10' beam, since I will be going through ~170 locks, in addition to many marinas.

Thanks for any thoughts on the above.

 

[SummerSteve]

When we bought our used Cutwater last year, we asked the dealer to outfit it with a dinghy and davits... After contacting the factory, they recommended the Highfield 240 - an Aluminum bottomed RIB - which is a little shorter than the typical 8'6" RIBS that most of the Tugs and Cutwaters that I've seen carry - and which are subject of lots of discussion here about being hit by spray / wash when underway.

After a season's use - I'm very happy with the Highfield - Had the davit attachments redone over the winter as they were separating and my attempts at repair were less than satisfactory.

Not sure if the proper surface prep was done on the initial install, but took to a trusted inflatable repair shop in Annapolis (Not the Big One - who are famous for bad customer service) - so hopefully, they'll stick better this season.

Good luck -

 

[M/V Miss Kendy]

We had a West Marine fiberglass hypalon RIB on our SeaRay 320 and the admiral hated it not having a flat floor. We now have a Cutwater 28 and opted for the Highfield CL 260 aluminum double hulled with the flat floor and a locker in the front for the gas tank/storage that doubles as a seat. We have it set up on the Weaver system with the Weaver winch attached to the eyebrow that covers the cockpit door. Very easy to manage and a very stable and comfortable tender for the 2 of us.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I'm going with a Zodiac Fastroller 315 inflatable (inflatable floor and keel) to match my Torqeedo Travel 1003. Having weaver davits with 4" offsets installed. 2011 R29

 

[BB marine]

We have a Gala 270 Gala is a division of Grand Marine, Canadian company. The boats are well made Aluminum RIBS. slightly lighter then the fiberglass hulls but very durable. I have it set up with Weaver standard Ranger/Cutwater offsets. The 270 is 8'10" long 5' 7" wide with 17" tubes, 4 person capacity, 10 hp max hp. It would be a great size dingy for a Ranger 29' (marginally big) for my C26 but it works.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I went with the Takacat 260 Sport.

super light. flat floor as hard as a standup paddle board

 

[Namaste]

You might not like the look of a Portland Pudgy. It is a matter of personal taste. But everyone in the marina who has gone with a deflatable is envious of its toughness.

 

[Margaret Lower]

Same subject, we bought double aluminum hull West Marine RIB-:350, $3,699 + freight. Also got the Weaver Davits system for (I think) $400 more. Oh, forgot...full zippered cover. Never installed it before I sold the boat. It has never touched the water. If you're interested, $3350 will buy it. Dwsw9663@gmail.com

 

[Margaret Lower]

Correction!!

In previous post about West Marine dingy I said I bought RIB.350 model.

WRONG. It's a model RIB.275. 8'6" length. Sorry. West Marine price today is $3499 plus freight

 

[Smokeyham]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I will keep all of those in mind. We have a boat show going up in my area in a couple of weeks and I hope to see some dinghy's in person, as well as looking at my local West Marine store.


From the comments it seems that most have gone with the 8' 6" length? It seems that would have sufficient weight capacity for my needs, and I like the idea of a dinghy that is shorter than my beam.