Small Whaler, Small inflatable, or RIB? Thoughts?

koliver wrote:
*If you choose something big and hard, your hull will get scarred up,...

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Not necessarily.* Depends on the design.* There are hardshell dinghies that have rubber bumper strips all around them.* Even the cheap Livingston has that, or used to.* I'm not familiar with the ones made by the new owner.** We've had our Livingston whack into the side of the boat on occasion and there were no marks or scratches or dings.* Hitting the motor against the boat would be a different story.

koliver wrote:
I certainly subscribe to the "go big or go home" theory of Dinghy choices, however, one caution. Several years ago I tried towing a 19' Fibreform with a 150hp outdrive. Definitely a bi**h to organize for docking or anchoring.

*

If you are considering anything significantly bigger than what you can comfortably lift up a beach with two people, it will be awkward to manoeuvre around when you are getting set for docking. If you choose something big and hard, your hull will get scarred up, your wife will blame you for a bad choice, and you will ultimately get rid of it. Just saying



-- Edited by koliver on Monday 23rd of January 2012 09:22:48 PM

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*Scarred up?* I gave two ways of preventing that...don't take it to the slip or tie it up tight.* That's one problem with recreational boating...everyone thinks you got to do it the same way as everyone else.* Like a herd of sheep.

While there are some things best done one or two ways for safety...most thinks in boating can be done a lot of ways.* People need to think outside the box more...the ones that do...I think they enjoy boating a whole lot more.

Hi Scott -
the problem I would run into in docking with a dinghy larger than maybe 13' or so is that it would be just myself and my GF aboard the boat - and she is not very "boaty". I don't see her jumping in the dinghy to go anywhere with it, and even if she did - then I'd be docking my boat singlehanded (not easy).
But yes - a smaller (13' or so) boat is manageable enough that I could tie it broadside to my swim platform, or tuck it under my bow.

7tiger7 wrote:
Hi Scott -
the problem I would run into in docking with a dinghy larger than maybe 13' or so is that it would be just myself and my GF aboard the boat - and she is not very "boaty". I don't see her jumping in the dinghy to go anywhere with it, and even if she did - then I'd be docking my boat singlehanded (not easy).
But yes - a smaller (13' or so) boat is manageable enough that I could tie it broadside to my swim platform, or tuck it under my bow.

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*I would stick with my 11 foot whaler to start...then keep a list of what it does or doesn't do well.* What you find lacking...see what other type small boats will do and are still manageble.

If you're not comfortable...it's NOT recreational boating...it's a chore!

Just don't spend $5000 on a rig that a $500 rig will do almost as well.* It's a lot less heart breaking when it flips over or gets stolen!


-- Edited by psneeld on Tuesday 24th of January 2012 01:07:59 PM

Indeed.
Has anyone here had their dinghy's stolen? Or know "bad areas" that are more prone to dinghy theft?
I always wondered about how someone can steal a dinghy - wouldn't it be impossible to register it?

7tiger7 wrote:
Indeed.
Has anyone here had their dinghy's stolen? Or know "bad areas" that are more prone to dinghy theft?
I always wondered about how someone can steal a dinghy - wouldn't it be impossible to register it?

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There have been dinghy's stolen, and more often, dinghy motors stolen from our marina over the years.* Not a lot, but every year seems to bring a few instances.* Dinghies under 16' with less than 10hp don't need to be registered in Washington.* But this occasional theft of boats or motors is why we keep a clamp lock on the motor and a cable lock securing the dinghy to the GB.*

Granted, a determined thief can defeat this stuff, but the poblem seems more to be people looking for something to sell rather than wanting a specific dinghy or motor.* There has sometimes been evidence of tampering on boats nearby the one that actually lost the dinghy or motor.* So it seems it's mostly cases of people looking for easy targets.* A lock might make them move on to another boat.

7tiger7 wrote:
*- wouldn't it be impossible to register it?

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*Depends on the jurisdiction.* In California if you hang an outboard on your dinghy, it must be registered.* If one doesn't use an outboard, the dinghy needn't be registered (unless it is sail equipped and over a certain length.)* No reason why one couldn't register a motorless dinghy either and be subject to annual registration fee and property tax.

7tiger7 wrote:
Indeed.
Has anyone here had their dinghy's stolen? Or know "bad areas" that are more prone to dinghy theft?
I always wondered about how someone can steal a dinghy - wouldn't it be impossible to register it?

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When we were in the states and now in Central America we always lock/locked our dinghy at a dock and hoist it at night.* We hear of* dinghies that get stolen every year on the radio nets.* The prize is the engine not the dinghies.* The dinghies will be afloat the next morning with out the engines.* On some, the transoms are cut off the inflatables just so the outboards can be handled more*easily because of the elaborate locking systems for engine to the dinghy.* With all the warnings, it's amazing how many people just trail their dinghies at night on their painters.

7tiger7 wrote:
Indeed.
Has anyone here had their dinghy's stolen? Or know "bad areas" that are more prone to dinghy theft?
I always wondered about how someone can steal a dinghy - wouldn't it be impossible to register it?

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*A friend had his stolen while anchored in Block Island. It was one of those crazy weekends, maybe Juky 4th. The harbor Master found it the next morning nosed into the beach, still running (idle). Luckily it still had cooling water so no real harm was done...he was lucky.

*

*

In some cruising grounds a huge dink will simply be cut off of the dock.

Where the dock is small , and some fool gets there and ties alongside , blocking the dock from 30 other cruisers , BY BY is an option.

The best way to tie to a public float is with 20 to 30 ft of line .

Never a problem , no matter hoe busy it gets.

I absolutely love our LT11 Caribe hard shell inflatable.* We have had it for 5 years of hard use now in the Florida/Bahamas sun.* We fish out of it, pull the boys on their kneeboard, beach it, throw lobsters and conch in it, use it as a family truck.

We have had ZERO issues with it.* I scrub it once or twice a year with comet, then put a protectant on it.* It lives under a cover on our davits when stored for long periods.

Tows well, is light enough for our less than perfect davits.* We use a 15hp 2 stroke Johnson, I'm not a fan of small 4 strokes, they are heavy, slow and hard to fix.

With just me aboard it will run 21 knots on my GPS, slows down with a heavy load, obviously.

I've owned 2 whalers in my life, a 1973 17 montauk, and a squall.* The montauk was pretty and durable but was the 2nd wettest, 2nd worst riding boat I have ever been in in my life.* And I've run A LOT of small boats.* It was eclipsed in wettness and filing jarring ride only by my buddy's 13 whaler.

The 17 was a lot of fun though, my high school girlfriend looked great on the bow.

I can honestly say that I would feel safer in a solid chop in my 11' Caribe than I would in that 17 whaler.*

My Whaler 11' with 35hp Johnson 2 stroke.


-- Edited by Daddyo on Thursday 9th of February 2012 12:16:46 AM

<ul>[*]I have not voted in the poll because I don't feel that there is a "best" dinghy for everyone. *That being said, I will tell what we settled on, and are very happy with. *We carry a 10'6 Caribe dinghy with 15hp 2 stroke out board. *It is on Weaver snap davits at the stern, and is easily lifted with a comalong. *It rides dry, has good speed, fairly comfortable in a chop, and Lou's feet stay dry. *It is very stable for boarding. *We beach it, fish it, haul in it, but mostly explore the reefs and shallow areas for great snorkeling.
*[*]That works for us. but your mileage may vary. *Just pick the one that suits your needs. *By the way, since I did not vote, I do not know the results of the poll. *Would you please publish them?[/list]

-- Edited by Moonstruck on Wednesday 8th of February 2012 09:11:27 AM

Dougcole wrote:
I absolutely love our LT11 Caribe hard shell inflatable.* We have had it for 5 years of hard use now in the Florida/Bahamas sun.* We fish out of it, pull the boys on their kneeboard, beach it, throw lobsters and conch in it, use it as a family truck.

We have had ZERO issues with it.* I scrub it once or twice a year with comet, then put a protectant on it.* It lives under a cover on our davits when stored for long periods.

Tows well, is light enough for our less than perfect davits.* We use a 15hp 2 stroke Johnson, I'm not a fan of small 4 strokes, they are heavy, slow and hard to fix.

With just me aboard it will run 21 knots on my GPS, slows down with a heavy load, obviously.

I've owned 2 whalers in my life, a 1973 17 montauk, and a squall.* The montauk was pretty and durable but was the 2nd wettest, 2nd worst riding boat I have ever been in in my life.* And I've run A LOT of small boats.* It was eclipsed in wettness and filing jarring ride only by my buddy's 13 whaler.

The 17 was a lot of fun though, my high school girlfriend looked great on the bow.

I can honestly say that I would feel safer in a solid chop in my 11' Caribe than I would in that 17 whaler.*

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*Safer??? or more comfortable?

<table style="width:100%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="96%"><h2>*</h2><h2>I found this...I love the horsepower rating</h2><h2>*</h2><h2>Model: LT11</h2></td><td align="right" valign="top" width="2%"></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width:750px;" border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> Type:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Light RIB Runabout Tenders </td><td rowspan="6" valign="top" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Overall Length (M):</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">3.38</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> Persons:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">5</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Max engine power:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">20S hp</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Net Weight:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">70 kg</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Price inc. Vat:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">2,938.00</td></tr></tbody></table>

psneeld wrote:<table style="width:100%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top" nowrap="nowrap" width="96%"><h2>*</h2><h2>I found this...I love the horsepower rating</h2><h2>*</h2><h2>Model: LT11</h2></td><td align="right" valign="top" width="2%">

</td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width:750px;" border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Type:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Light RIB Runabout Tenders </td><td rowspan="6" valign="top" nowrap="nowrap">

</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Overall Length (M):</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">3.38</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Persons:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">5</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Max engine power:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">20S hp</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Net Weight:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">70 kg</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">Price inc. Vat:</td><td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">2,938.00</td></tr></tbody></table>

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*Looks like someone forgot the decimal.* 20.5 HP = 15 KW

And just when I was thinking of marketing a 205 hp diesel outboard!* Darn my luck!

*

The Caribe 10'6" is also rated for 20hp. That is what I had, with a 20 Yamaha 2 stroke. It needed smart tabs on the back, or with just me in it, would want to lift the bow too much on startup. I never pushed it but it got to about 45 degrees the first time,so I immediately went to the big fins on the anti cavitation plate, then added the smart tabs. After that, it rode well with just one or up to 4 people. With two, wife in the bow in a chop wasn't comfortable, and she disliked sitting in the back while getting up on a plane, so going to a bigger dinghy with a console and 40 hp was the next step.
I would recommend that type of dinghy over a Whaler for the same reasons as Doug Cole.

Max Engine:* 20S hp

*

They are probably specifying a 20 hp short shaft.

I might have overstated a little to make a point. * The 17 was probably safer than my caribe.* As far as ride, it was about the same or a little rougher, but the one advantage that it had is that you stood up to run it, much more comfortable in rough seas.

On a small whaler, as tough as they are, you are seated on a bench.* At least the carib you are sitting on the tube which has some give, so you don't get jolted as much.

I don't consider running a boat that pounds and covers the helmsman in spray to be very safe....even if it won't sink.

I don't mean to be picking on whalers so much, all in all I have very fond memories of both of mine.* That squall was a fun little boat too, it is how I learned to row and sail.

Personally, if I had a big enough momma ship and enough $, this is what I would choose as a dinghy:* http://www.hellsbayboatworks.com/index.php?/boat-pages/boat-tender*

Anyone want to make a pac type contribution?* I'd take you bonefishing in return, heck, I'd even do most of the poling.

Moonstruck, I'm glad to hear that we have the same dinghy, as I have been looking at 42 Sabres and I want to keep my Caribe and 15 hp.* Do you have a swivel bracket for the motor, or do you take it off?

Years ago I had a 10' Avon, center console with a 40hp* Suzuki on it. That thing would fly and the ride was very soft. It also had a small leak that I could never find. (Had to pump it up about every 4 days.)

I loved the boat but if I were cruising extensively in the PNW, I think I would opt for one of the hard bottoms. BullFrog, Livingston, etc.

BullFrog Boats

*

My Avon:

SeaHorse II wrote:... if I were cruising extensively in the PNW, I think I would opt for one of the hard bottoms. BullFrog, Livingston, etc.
BullFrog Boats

*

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*My friend Carey has a Bullfrog and we have a Livingston.* While they are both hardshell dinghies I think the Bullfrog is the much better boat.* The Livingston is (or was, I don't know about now) inexpensive, incredibly stable, and nigh on indestructible.* The downside is that when loaded down, the smaller ones like our 9' model have very little freeboard.* Not a problem in a calm anchorage but not what you want if you have to make a trip in rougher water.* They are also limited in horsepower--- the 9' model, for example, is limited to 9hp IIRC.

The Bullfrog, on the other hand, while much more expensive, is just as long-lived but has much better floatation, like an RIB.* It can take much more power-- Carey has a 15hp Honda on his 10' Bullfrog but I believe that model can take even more.* So in addtiion to handling heavy loads better and more safely than the Livingston, it does world's better in rougher water and its much higher speed makes it a viable craft for going from an anchroage seveal miles to a store or community.

in my opinion the Livingston is a fine little utility shoreboat but its versatility is limited by its low freeboard and relatively low horsepower rating.* The Bullfrog is a much more versatile boat if one is willing to pay for it and has a way to carry it on board.* A Bullfrog is heavy, although there is a fellow on our dock that carries a 10-footer like Carey's vertically on the stock, teak-strip swimstep of his Island Gypsy on Weaver-type snap davits.* His motor, however, is carried on a separate mount on the transom and he uses (I assume) the boat's boom to move the motor between the mount and the deployed dinghy.

We hope to acquire a 10' Bullfrog someday but we'll tow it instead of carrying it on the boat.

Well...
found a very nice Whaler 15' with a Honda 4-stroke - and jumped on it. So now am selling my Whaler 11' if anyone is interested.

Details?

I delivered my Rib Nouvorania to the specialist repair guy.
hopefully no need for new tubes....hola.

cant wait to get it back though, it is really a very diverse "dinghy", it is fast, fun and comfortable.
i use it for shoreboating, fishing, getting around the Long Beach harbours and marinas.

Here's details of the Whaler 11' I'm selling:

http://www.trawlerforum.com/t47863974/for-sale-whaler-11-sport-15hp-johnson-trailer-3400/