"Dinghy" for the Mac

[Divecoz]

Yep Dave as is my brothers.. Just keep an eye out for Issues.. His might have been a Fluke.. A Bad run of transom plates?

[Hearts content]

I have the RU-260 from West Marine. Can inflate it on the bow and toss it in. Keep a Honda 2hp on the back stern rail.

The RU-260 can be rolled up and stored down below in several spots but I tend to keep it in the rear berth.


Heart's Content

[csm]

Ixneigh, your folding boat is interesting. How did you join the plywood panels? I've been thinking about a three panel with the rubberized fabric like they use for waterproof bags, along the seams, but don't know about the durability. I've studied a bit on the skin over frame designs, but they too complicated. Do you have any pics pf your folder?

[Keel_Hauled]

I've got a 8.5' PVC inflatable I picked up this spring with a 7.5 HP Honda 4-stroke. I'll add a kicker mount to the stern starboard to keep the Honda (and maybe have something to push the boat if the wind AND Suzuki DF50 fail me) and keep the dinghy folded below or under a cover forward of the mast.

What solutions has anyone else used for the registration lettering on the inflatable ? I tried the stencil route and was anything but happy with the results. I hear the Vinyl stick on letters don't adhere well to PVC. I saw a kit for order at http://boatnumberplate.com (not affiliated and not promoting them) but the glue for that is another $24... There has got to be a cheaper, yet still aesthetically pleasing, way to number the dinghy...

-K

[Dawgfish]

A friend told me about an inflatable kayak @ walmart for $50 that weighs 8# and rolls up to backpack size....since its seems i mostly need to get to shore for me and the dog for relief around rocky areas or short on docking funds or flat out emergency I think ill try one soon, ill send a review

[mastreb]

I tried to go the inflatable kayak route on my last boat-- you won't be happy unless you like being wet. It could barely float me, was just three inches above-board, folded in the middle, and was impossible to tie off to anything or enter/exit to the boat without major gymnastics. Look to the $400 West Marine inflatable mentioned earlier in this thread as the cheapest workable solution IMHO.

[Dawgfish]

thanks for the feedback on the kyak. you saved me some drama i think...now to plan B!!!....
I used to have a 6 foot john boat as a kid . was half aluminum and half fiberglass. could pick it up and walk with it @ 9 yrs old. anyone know where i can find one?
all this inflatable stuff is nice and all but its still inflatable ....(what goes in must come out)....for me always @ the wrong time...i feel pretty luck to keep air in my tires !!!

[cruiser]

thanks for the feedback on the kyak. you saved me some drama i think...now to plan B!!!....
I used to have a 6 foot john boat as a kid . was half aluminum and half fiberglass. could pick it up and walk with it @ 9 yrs old. anyone know where i can find one?
all this inflatable stuff is nice and all but its still inflatable ....(what goes in must come out)....for me always @ the wrong time...i feel pretty luck to keep air in my tires !!!

Just do a web search on "jon boat" and you will find lots of information. This one is a starter
http://aaawelder.com/johnboat.html

[Dawgfish]

thanks for the link. looks like fun to build. Im not sure id like to tow it behind my X....