Some years ago, I purchased a used. west marine, zodiac roll up at a
yard sale and had an old 2hp kicker on it. I used in the area you are
moving to. More specifically, on the wesport river where there was
nearly always a 3 to 4 knot current (except slack tide). It did the job
for us. Not nearly as effortlessly as a RIB but, it worked. When I
sold that boat the buyer offered to buy the roll up and I sold it. So,
As I was searching for the new boat I went into Ocean state job lot, A
local chain, liquidation type place, where I had noticed they had sold
some off brand PVC inflatable boats. One 8'6 rollup and a 9'6
inflatable V hull, plywood floor. I read and researched and researched
and could find very little negative and a few positive write ups. I
opted for the latter and thought I should return it... Well a waited
too long for the return widow and kept it.
After buying the new boat and launching, I finally unpacked, assembled
and inflated the inflatable boat. I couldn't be happier. The boat held
air all season and seemed comparable to any other boat on the dinghy
dock. I did end up buying a 2.5hp Lehr Propane powered OB for the back
of it. I love the propane option. I use the same bottle for the grill
and they can be changed out in less than a minute. You motor till it
dies, unscrew the expended bottle and screw in the new. 1 or 2 pulls
and your off again. It only weighs 35 lbs so putting it on the rail is
pretty easy.
The roll up was hard to control through the water due the the flat, soft
bottom, the inflatable keel handles much better. 2.5 HP is enough for
us for now and the boat can take up to 8hp I think.
The boat is called a Bestway Caspian Hydoforce Pro 110 and I paid $450
for it. The smaller one was $369 i believe. I'm sure I'll get at least
a few more years out of it. It was tied to the dingy dock most of the
summer and it still looks brand new. The boat only weighs about 65lbs.
So, I can pull up on deck without too much effort and a spare halyard
makes that even easier!
I'd love a RIB with a 10hp but, I don't have davits and the engine is
probably 100lbs. So, the boat, davits an engine hoist... your looking
at 7 - 10K all in. I spent 450 for the boat and 950 for the engine on
sale at west marine. I also had a bunch of WM gift cards from family
members that saved me another 300 so my out of pocket was like under
$1100 for the tender and motor!
Oh, and the boat came with big tubes, a pump, oars, and the nice fill
caps. Again, I'm quite happy with the purchase. I'm willing to bet the
boat was made in the same factory as some of the big name boats.
Danny
On 3/1/2017 3:24 PM, Bob McLaughlin via CnC-List wrote:
Relocating our C&C 110 from a Midwest lake where I had no need for a
tender to now sailing on Narragansett Bay, LI Sound, Buzzard's Bay,
Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, etc, I'm in need of a basic inflatable
to serve as a tender in harbors without a launch service. I've used
them many times on charters but never really paid much attention to
detail.
I'm looking for something relatively compact for 2-4 people that is
easy to set up and collapse and stow, so I think that's best a
roll-up. Early in my thinking, I'm eyeing something like the 8'6"
Achillies LSI-260: 4 person capacity/820lbs, Hypalon, overall weight
64 lbs, inflatable floor, with perhaps a ~4-5HP outboard. (Or maybe
the 9'6" or 10'2" LSI versions of the same design..) I don't think I
need a boat to plane, just basic transportation. No davits, it will
either be towed or stowed.
I welcome input from those of you with inflatable experience to share
your thoughts on brands, material, features, design, size, etc. What
factors should I be considering as I make my selection?
Regards,
Bob McLaughlin
C&C 110 "Blue Devil"
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_______________________________________________
This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
