looking for a dinghy --ideas

[Herschel]

Would you happen to recall which model of Intex you owned?

It was a Seahawk II. And I agree with you about the tarp. I even use a tarp with my new hypalon Achilles to ease pulling it along rough surfaces. Good luck.

[Catigale]

Here's the thing: I can't be lobbing a couple-few grand at some Hypalon Zodiac military-grade assault craft inflated with unicorn farts. I'm not shooting the Panjshir River rapids to Baadqol on a hostage rescue mission, and I've got pizzas to buy for you bilge dwellers. So, I had already pretty much decided on getting one of the more "upscale" and hardier Intex Mariner models, reportedly certified by

Best post of the season!

On Cape Cod, with lots of chunky rocks to beach around, we went solid plastic dinghy. We car top it and tow it behind our to our gunk holes. Used to be difficult to car top,myself, but Kmac has met by 6 foot muscle bound assistant who can overhead it by herself now.

[81venture]

I have a small dinghy now...about 8 ft

Plans are when we sell the mac and upgade to a lager slipped boat one day is to use my classic 1954 Deluxe Run-a-bout as our dinghy

She's a Feathercraft and is made from aircraft grade polished aluminum

[Three Gypsies]

We found a SinBad the Sailer 8' sailing dinghy in a junk pile . Someone had dragged it up concrete and wore thru the keel . The keel was easy enough to patch . We stripped off the sailing rig , I Styrofoamed up the dagger board slot and glassed it over on the bottom .

We mounted a 28lb Minn Kota trolling motor , hooking it to a 'wheelchair' battery ( a small sealed deep cycle battery ) , this we connected to a solar cell mounted in the bow .

The dinghy is self contained , never needs refueling . The battery and cell powers the dinghy about 5 miles a day at max speed . Max speed is about 5mph , but we run about 4 mph ,if we need to make distance .

We use the dinghy , mainly , to take our dog , Mac , to shore , twice a day , but we have done everything from exploring to hauling groceries with her .

She cruises along , silently , with two adults and Mac aboard . She is light without a gas motor and easily tows behind the Gypsy . Her name is the Pee Pee Limo , since its Macs chauffeured limo to land to do his business .

[Herschel]

We mounted a 28lb Minn Kota trolling motor , hooking it to a 'wheelchair' battery ( a small sealed deep cycle battery ) , this we connected to a solar cell mounted in the bow .

I am curious about the way you rigged it up. I just got a Minn Kota, a battery, a box for the battery, then I put a 50 amp breaker switch on the side of the box, and spliced in some extra wire to get the motor wiring forward to the seat/box, and got a strap to hold it under the seat of my Achilles dingy. Have put it together, and it fits and works, but haven't actually launched the rig, yet. I would like to see a picture of your layout showing the system, and especially, how the solar charger is rigged, if you could manage it.

[Three Gypsies]

We mounted a 28lb Minn Kota trolling motor , hooking it to a 'wheelchair' battery ( a small sealed deep cycle battery ) , this we connected to a solar cell mounted in the bow .

I am curious about the way you rigged it up. I just got a Minn Kota, a battery, a box for the battery, then I put a 50 amp breaker switch on the side of the box, and spliced in some extra wire to get the motor wiring forward to the seat/box, and got a strap to hold it under the seat of my Achilles dingy. Have put it together, and it fits and works, but haven't actually launched the rig, yet. I would like to see a picture of your layout showing the system, and especially, how the solar charger is rigged, if you could manage it.

With a small solar cell , there is no need for a controller so the solar cell connects directly to the battery .
The cell is screwed down on the bow deck .
The motor also connects directly to the battery .

The battery , in box , is strapped down ahead of the bow seat , to try and keep the weight out of the stern .

[Sumner]

How big is that solar panel?

Sumner

[Herschel]

Sumner asked: How big is that solar panel?

I am curious about that, too, and what the endurance is for the Minn Kota and what is the rating of the Minn Kota you have: 30, 45, or 55 lbs of thrust?

[Three Gypsies]

How big is that solar panel?

Sumner

Don't remember exactly its about 30 watts .
Produces a little over 2amps .
Its a nice trickle charge without overcharging .

[Three Gypsies]

Sumner asked: How big is that solar panel?

I am curious about that, too, and what the endurance is for the Minn Kota and what is the rating of the Minn Kota you have: 30, 45, or 55 lbs of thrust?

Our Minn Kota is a 28 lb thrust , top speed is about 5-6 mph , the range is about 5 miles at the #4 speed ( of 5 speeds)
or 3/4 throttle . Our dinghy could probably handle more thrust and a bigger battery , but we haven't seen the need for it .

[DaveB]

We have 3 Mini Kota 30 lb thrust.
Use one for my Kayak 12 ft Assenend . cut off 10 inch tube on shaft. other in for my two inflatable dinghies.
Kodiac 8ft and 9.6 .
I have been using it for salt and fresh water past year. Just paid $190 for two of them shipped to my door.
Power them with Mightymax 35 amp hr deep cycle.(27 lbs) Motor is 18 Lbs.
Flush water when done, I lubed every fitting with Magic lube.
These motors are strictly fresh water so they say. Fresh/'salt water run and mine lasted 1 year and still going strong. At $80 I can afforded another.
I still have my 2.5 Suzuki outboard but pain to dry gas them when storage.
On my inflatables both can carry group 24 deepcycle battery. This would last over 6 hrs at level 3 on the Kota 30.
The 35amp hr last about 3 hrs on my heavy 12 ft. Kayak. at #3 setting.
Does same on my Inflatable Kodiac 8ft.
The Suzuki weighs 27 lb empty and 31 lbs full of fuel.
Kota weighs 17 lbs, 35amp battery 27 lbs =44lbs .
The Suzuki will go twice the distance and weigh 13 lbs less. bring a quart of gas and go beyond you want to.
Dave

Sumner asked: How big is that solar panel?

I am curious about that, too, and what the endurance is for the Minn Kota and what is the rating of the Minn Kota you have: 30, 45, or 55 lbs of thrust?

Our Minn Kota is a 28 lb thrust , top speed is about 5-6 mph , the range is about 5 miles at the #4 speed ( of 5 speeds)
or 3/4 throttle . Our dinghy could probably handle more thrust and a bigger battery , but we haven't seen the need for it .

[Herschel]

Three Gypsies wrote:

Our Minn Kota is a 28 lb thrust , top speed is about 5-6 mph , the range is about 5 miles at the #4 speed ( of 5 speeds)
or 3/4 throttle . Our dinghy could probably handle more thrust and a bigger battery , but we haven't seen the need for it .

and

DaveB wrote

We have 3 Mini Kota 30 lb thrust.
Use one for my Kayak 12 ft Assenend . cut off 10 inch tube on shaft. other in for my two inflatable dinghies.
Kodiac 8ft and 9.6 .
I have been using it for salt and fresh water past year. Just paid $190 for two of them shipped to my door.
Power them with Mightymax 35 amp hr deep cycle.(27 lbs) Motor is 18 Lbs.
Flush water when done, I lubed every fitting with Magic lube.
These motors are strictly fresh water so they say. Fresh/'salt water run and mine lasted 1 year and still going strong. At $80 I can afforded another.
I still have my 2.5 Suzuki outboard but pain to dry gas them when storage.

Thanks, sounds like about 4-5 miles at a moderate speed from a charged, good battery could be expected. Curious about the fittings that were lubed. Are you talking about the places where the shaft turns and the clamp on fittings? Not aware of any thing you can do to the motor itself.

[DaveB]

I cut the Shaft about 10 inches for my Kayak , built a 1x4 inch oak riser behind my seat for the Kota.
Max speed in calm waters were never more than max speed a Athlete would do and never measured GPS speed but max would be about 5mph and at 3 speed 3.5 mph. This is on a Assend 12ft Fishing Kayak.
My girlfriends 11.5 precision I stay even at speed 2-3. and she can paddle my doors off if only I paddle.
The Suzuki 2.5 hp on my 8ft Kodiak with me alone at 220 lbs was just about plane, something like 9-10mph.
The Kodiak had high pressure floor with keel.
Dave


Thanks, sounds like about 4-5 miles at a moderate speed from a charged, good battery could be expected. Curious about the fittings that were lubed. Are you talking about the places where the shaft turns and the clamp on fittings? Not aware of any thing you can do to the motor itself.[/quote]

[Three Gypsies]

Our Minn-Kota is designed for freshwater , but ours now has about 7,000 miles of cruising and being towed behind the Gypsy , on her . This was mostly in saltwater .

This is her last cruise , from here she goes home to become spare parts to her twin sister .
I couldn't ask for better performance than that .

I built a motor mount on the stern of Gypsy and bought a Bass Pro brand 55 lb thrust to use as an emergency get home motor
should our Honda ever break down.
This Motor started showing rust right away , to the point I took her off the stern and stowed her under the cockpit .

[Herschel]

This Motor started showing rust right away , to the point I took her off the stern and stowed her under the cockpit

I bought a freshwater Minn Kota because that is mostly where I sail, but I am curious what the difference is between the fresh and salt water Minn Kota's. I assume it is more than just the paint job (i.e., white for salt and black for fresh).