MacGregorSailors.com

Hey, I own a Mac. I have good taste

Ray

The 8' Walker Bay has been a great choice for us and our 2000X

The water tender 10 sells new at WM for about 600 bucks.

I think both of these are great choices. I look at them every time I find one or the other at WM. My sister-in-law has a WB 10, and I have sailed it with her and my brother-in-law. Since I already have a $700 sail kit for an inflatable (that folds up into a small bag), plus I like to take my "little sailboat" with me when I tow my travel trailer, I have decided not to go with the WB or water tender option, but I agree they are fine choices. If I screw up this decision and puncture my Achilles (and have to fork over a pricey bottle of spirits to boot) I may have to revisit this one. but until then, I'll forge ahead on the "heels" of the Achilles choice.

Thanks everyone. Lots to think about. I don't have an "admiral". Lost last year. Cousin and wife will join me on my Florida keys trip this winter. Need the dinghy to go from boat to shore. anchorages all around. (Will also use marina slips when available.)

Looking at this one because 4 person light weight and inexpensive. Looking at a used 1 1/2 hp outboard.
Thanks again for all the comments.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/solstice- ... --10156412

Looking at this one because 4 person light weight and inexpensive. Looking at a used 1 1/2 hp outboard.

I can appreciate the attractiveness of this package at this price. Having opted for something similar myself in the beginning of my inflatable "saga", I will only suggest that you watch the over inflation issue carefully, especially if you try to go into the hotter climates in the summer. The sun can really drive up the pressure in Florida summers. My first PVC inflatable came with a pressure gauge, but the second one did not. The problem with over inflation first occurred by separating the side chambers from the floor chamber(s) in stress spots. Likewise, mine had a keel chamber that became compromised within the overall floor system. Like one of the review's for this boat stated, when the floor seams are compromised, the floor becomes like a big balloon. The trick is to deflate the boat partially when storing it out in the sun, then topping it off/re-inflating it to operational level when ready to use. All of that said, I do wish you well with your choice.

Try the Portabote. I have had a 12 ft and now have a 10 ft. Very stable as it has a small keel. Takes about 25-30 minutes to assemble, less with a little practice. The trick is to use a ratcheting cargo bar (40" to 70" to spread the gunnals to mount seats. Weighs approx 80 lbs & can be stowed on deck of boat easily. You have the advantage of easy storage in off season. Not to say the inflatable is not a viable option but I find the Portable more suitable to also use as a fishing boat. If you ever get to Chicago area I plan to sell my 2001 X this spring on this forum and wont need Portabote. Approachong 80 YOA and its time.

The Porta Bote rows nicely, and can be stowed on a Mac. We had a 10 foot model and it served as our dinghy for about 8 years. The hull could be folded up and stowed on the foredeck, but it's awkward up there. If on the edge, against railings, it obscures forward visibility. If laid flat, it prevents the forward hatch from opening. The transom and seat bundle is fairly bulky, and took up a lot of room down below. We managed to swamp the thing twice while trailing it. We were in 4 foot following seas the first time, and the second time was going up the Snake River with wind against current. Both times it was a real mess trying to get the water out and haul it up on deck for stowage. It's one thing to set up or pull out when on the dock, but if you try doing it out on the water, it's difficult. I ended up rigging a gin pole with the mast raising rig, attached to the mast, so I could hoist the hull in and out with some mechanical advantage. After considering these shortcomings, I ended up switching to a 9.5 foot high pressure inflatable made by Zodiac. It's much more compact than the Porta Bote when bundled up, and weighs about the same as the Porta Bote hull alone. The seats and transom add another 50 lbs or so.

Dan, I know I am "beating a dead horse" here, but I was thumbing through my new Overton catalog last night and discovered a pressure gauge for inflatables. I thought I would throw it out there in case your WM inflatable doesn't come with one. Cheers

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... e&i=766429

NiceAft wrote:Another question is if you get an inflatable, and store it onboard somewhere, what are you capable of lifting comfortably?

My Achiles folds up into a neat package about 2' x 4' (estimated), but it weighs 75 lbs.(34K), and the 6hp Merc four stroke weighs about 50 lbs. (22.6 K). These numbers you should also take into your considerations.

Ray

Earlier I posted I was looking at the $400 west Marine boat. Junk, sorry, but I bought the Achilles LS-4. about 65 lbs plus the floor. Has a wood floor and sturdy. Found a slightly used one, without any patches. Now I'm getten happy. 4 of us to shore and groceries and water, this dinghy will do it. Now looking for a small outboard. Should be ready when the boat comes out of storage.

Herschel wrote:Dan, I know I am "beating a dead horse" here, but I was thumbing through my new Overton catalog last night and discovered a pressure gauge for inflatables. I thought I would throw it out there in case your WM inflatable doesn't come with one. Cheers

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... e&i=766429

For $16.00 that is great advice. Thanks!

I bought the Achilles LS-4.

Congrats on the change of plans. If my contact at Defender is correct, the Achilles is engineered to withstand pressure changes a lot better than the $400 PVC types. I still have a few weeks before I pop for my Achilles. I think the model I am looking at is an LT 4. Should be similar. Let me know what you think when you get yours. By the way, I enjoyed a nice stay at Grand Haven last June. We camped for a long weekend at your Grand Haven campground. Looked like a nice area to have a Mac.

PecosBill wrote:Thanks everyone. Lots to think about. I don't have an "admiral". Lost last year. Cousin and wife will join me on my Florida keys trip this winter. Need the dinghy to go from boat to shore. anchorages all around. (Will also use marina slips when available.)

Looking at this one because 4 person light weight and inexpensive. Looking at a used 1 1/2 hp outboard.
Thanks again for all the comments.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/solstice- ... --10156412

Welcome aboard Bill. Keep those people around you, including us.

Herschel wrote:

I bought the Achilles LS-4.

Let me know what you think when you get yours. By the way, I enjoyed a nice stay at Grand Haven last June. We camped for a long weekend at your Grand Haven campground. Looked like a nice area to have a Mac.

I really like this area but when I retire (August) I want to become a visitor. Tie up on the wall or anchor out. The Achilles dinghy is in my garage. This one is red. Should be easier to spot in a sea of grey dinghies at the dinghy dock. LOL The price was right for any color. I can handle it by myself so that I like. It is really sturdy, and being older it has a 4 part wood floor. Beautiful condition, the guy really took care of it. The transom is solid and well treated every year. He kept some kind of renew "stuff" on it to help prevent sun fade so the whole thing looks nice. AND THATS ALL I NEED.....well, except a motor and autopilot and............

i have the achilles LT2
http://www.achillesinflatables.com/boat ... s/lt/LT-2/
i wanted a shorter boat- for when i put it on my davits so that it was not way wider than the boat.
and the no transom- makes for better carrying capacity, and its transom will hold the 3 hp motor easily.
nice and light
very good construction
no complaints

The Achilles dinghy is in my garage. This one is red. Should be easier to spot in a sea of grey dinghies at the dinghy dock.

Neat. Can you post a picture of this red "Rubber Ducky"? Herschel

Herschel wrote:

The Achilles dinghy is in my garage. This one is red. Should be easier to spot in a sea of grey dinghies at the dinghy dock.

Neat. Can you post a picture of this red "Rubber Ducky"? Herschel

Try as I will, I guess I don't know how to post an image.