MacGregorSailors.com

I am considering the purchase of an dinghy and was hoping to get some suggestions.

What I'm looking for would be used on freshwater lakes, holds a minimun of 2 adults, weights under 60 lbs. and can be easily inflated and deflated. Would like to keep the cost to under $400.

I know, try not to laugh to hard.

Also, does anyone have any experience with a product called "Windglider"--it's a muti-sport inflatable that can be used as a windsurfer, sailboat or towable, etc and can accomodate two adults

If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

Thanks
Dennis

Inflatable have there problems - leaks, tears, instability, wear from draging up on shore. Have a look at this.
http://www.walkerbay.com/
BPowell

Its a little over your price but worth a look

http://store.yahoo.com/inflatablesstore/sv-svx250.html

We have used an inflatable for years on the rugged beaches of the Northwest. The key is to get a one made of real inflatable material. Early on we had (still do as a kids water toy) a Sevylor vinyl boat, low priced and you can tell why. This material has to be treated gently, nothing sharp, don't leave it out in the sun.

The ones made by zodiac (PVC Decitex polyester) or the ones from Avon (Hypalon like mine) will last for years of rough handling even on rocky, shell (Oysters up here) covered beaches. Bump and bang docks, the motor or prop without any wories in these boats. They cost more, but in the long run are worth it. Unlike the previous post, a good marine dingy does not have to be babied.

Ours is BoatUS by Avon, 8'6" slat bottom. Here is slightly smaller two person 6'7" one of the same design. The slat floor makes it real easy to deflate, roll and stow. Doesn't plane, but will handle a 4hp motor with ease. We occasionally use a 6hp on ours, but mostly just row it. Only weighs 44 lbs and at $679 is more than you want to spend but you won't regret it later.

The bad think about the walker bays is storing them on board. You can squeeze them on upside down on the bow but it's a pain. Towing it all the time is also a pain. I find that at any speed faster than about 12 knots towing any dingy is to much trouble. We often pull ours up on the bow if we want to go fast, which is often. It fits there inflated great, and is also easily deflated or inflated on the bow with a simple foot pump.

We almost bought a windglider last year as a toy, but I don't think I'd want to use it for dingy duty. I can't see hauling water, gas and groceries around on it. It does look really fun for play time though.

Duane,
I've seen an advertisement for a Honda 4-stroke, air-cooled, 2 horsepower outboard that weighs only ~30 lbs. Would it be worthwhile for your inflatable?

Cost is about $ 900, and the advantage, of course, is that it's a very light weight 4-stroke.

Frank...
I have the honda 2 HP motor for my 9 foot inflatable. I bought it off of Ebay for less than 500 dollars. This time of year several marinas on the east coast sell off NEW items on Ebay. I bought both the Mercury dingy and the motor.

The motor weighs around 22 lbs and has a one liter internal tank. It is easy to store dowm below and to hoist in and out of the dingy. The best feature is a centrifugal clutch so it idles in gear! No need to shut it off to stop. The clutch is an option ($20.00)

Being air cooled, I broke it in on a 2X4 clamped into my vise on the workbench in my garage. Thrust is great with 2 people on board and it can maintain a speed of 5 mph or so.

Duane's web site has pics of last years trip to the San Juans and my wife and I and the honda are in one of them.

The honda would be great, I really liked Steve's when I saw it last summer. But we already owned the 6hp yamaha which we used with our previous sailboat. It's a bit oversized for the dingy, but as long as you don't open it up all the way it works fine. The mixing oil is a pain, but what the heck, the motor is free and practically new.

I'm going to mount a bracket for it on the port transom this summer. I'll carry it there for use on the dingy and it will also be able to be lowered to serve as a trolling and backup motor for the mac. I doubt the 2hp honda could do much trying to move the mac, but the 6hp yamaha should be able to easily move the boat at 4 - 5 knots.

We have found we enjoy making trips without the mast, just as a powerboat. Having something to backup the Tohatsu when the sails aren't along would make me more comfortable.

I don't know a thing about this one, but it is worth a look. Costco had a dingy called the SeaHawk II for around $90. Like I said I don't know anything about.

Al

http://www.qualityinflatables.com/68375.html

Costco had the sport 400 last summer at less than the price shown here.

I bought a new Briggs and Stratton Air Cooled 5 HP Outboard last year. I had alot of trouble with it. The gear shifter wouldn't work, it kept stalling and finally the drive shaft broke. It was a real lemon and Briggs finally agreed to take it back. In addition, it was very loud. I thought the outboard discussion would be an opportunity to warn against purchasing that motor. I'm replacing it with a 6hp Nissan.

I was wondering about the B&S. The price is certainly right, but I noticed it was specifically not recommended for salt water. Although most of my sailing is fresh water, I didn't want to limit myself to fresh water only.

I'm looking at the 4HP Nissan/Tohatsu four stroke as well. Don't know how they compare, but several hundred dollars cheaper than Yamaha and Honda.

Cabbela's seemed to have a good price on Nissans.

I borrowed a 6hp Nissan last summer for the dinghy. It was great. The Nissan made the Briggs look like a dinasaur. I looked at Suzuki 4 strokes also. I'd buy the Nissan over the Suzuki because I don't like the Suzuki internal gas tank. I'd rather just use a portable gas tank. I haven't checked-out the Tohatsu.

I saw Steve's new Honda 2 hp last June, hidden in a corner of his garage. Steve and his wife hosted a dozen of us for a backyard BBQ, even though he couldn't join us for our Channel Is. cruise. Hope to cruise there again (So. Calif coast). Thanks Steve.

I forgot that the Honda was only $500 on eBay. After seeing Steve's, I cannot imagine buying anything else to take along on my Mac, with space & weight at such premiums. The advantages are overwhelming ... price, weight, 4-stroke, quiet, air-cooled. The horsepower is low, but I think it's still better than oars. Even the internal tank seems an advantage to me, since carrying the extra tank becomes an option. If you're considering a kicker, and you've never seen this Honda 2-horse, you owe it to yourself.

Two HP seems a little too small, though the low price, weight and size are certainly attractive.

Nissan Marine motors are made by Tohatsu; they're identical, as are the prices. Tohatsu The listed site has both, and they're listed for $90 less than Cabela's. I'm looking at Tohatsu rather than Nissan for no other reason than that would give me a pair of Tohatsus, sort of like big and little brothers.

I believe all the smaller motors have internal gas tanks, which I consider a real plus for inflatable dinghy use. Certainly the Nissan/Tohatsu do, but they can be hooked up to external tanks if desired. I presume the Suzuki can as well.

Thanks Chip. You just saved me some money with that Tohatsu site. I'm going with the 6hp. I have a 7/11" Mercury Dingy. I put the lifters on it and with a 6HP it just flies!! The little water gocart. I'd like to mount the dinghy motor somewhere forward on the Mac but haven't thought about it enough yet. The Mac is in storage.



Her is my son with the Briggs and Stratton 5HP.