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Old 04-13-2020, 02:06 PM   #1
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Sea Doo for a Dinghy?

I really don't know if this is a stupid question or not, but is it possible to have a Sea Doo for a dinghy? Is it too heavy and what type of hardware would you use?
I have a 34' Mainship Pilot.

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Old 04-13-2020, 02:20 PM   #2
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It would depend on what one, they weigh from about 400 pounds to over 1000 pounds. That makes a big difference.
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Old 04-13-2020, 05:03 PM   #3
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I'd give it a thumbs down but, only if you were planning on using the jetski for taking the dog to shore, fetching groceries, riding it to a restaurant for dinner. All of those are activities that require some amount of storage and the ability to ride it and remain dry.

Don't get me wrong, I like jetskis but wouldn't have one for a dinghy. They're two vastly different vessels.
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Old 04-13-2020, 05:40 PM   #4
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Best of both?
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Old 04-13-2020, 07:03 PM   #5
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Our tender (dinghy) is used for the following which would be challenging or impossible with a jetski: Grocery shopping; taking 4 adults and a couple of grandkids ashore; going ashore for dinner without getting wet; cleaning the waterline; picking and dropping crab pots. Your usage may of course differ and a jet ski certainly offers an experience not possible in most tenders. Do be aware that some cruising areas forbid jetskis, for example San Juan Islands, British Virgin Islands, and possibly others.
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Old 04-13-2020, 07:06 PM   #6
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A regular jetski is easy to flip while under tow. Would not do it.
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Old 04-13-2020, 07:15 PM   #7
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Some municipalities and counties ban the use of Jet Skis in their jurisdiction.

San Juan County in Washington was one of the first to ban Jet Ski's.

The Washington State Supreme Court upheld it in 1998.
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Old 04-13-2020, 07:18 PM   #8
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In the Crystal River area it would be a lot of fun (warm water). But not practical as a dinghy for all the already listed reasons. Better than nothing I suppose, especially if anchoring out and heading to a beach or sandbar is your main goal.

And no, you do not want to tow one in open water.
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Old 04-13-2020, 08:25 PM   #9
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You also have to take some precautions if you are towing it. Towing it can cause water to backflow into the engine. You have to disconnect something to keep that from happening....and from what I remember it was not that convenient. I had a SeaDoo twin engine boat that I always wanted to tow....but never did because of this.
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Old 04-13-2020, 08:28 PM   #10
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https://www.jetdrift.com/towing-jet-ski-behind-a-boat/
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Old 04-13-2020, 09:18 PM   #11
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Not a good match for the reasons cited. Here is one more reason it would not be such a good dink. We often transport our bicycles from boat to shore when we are on the hook. That is why I really don't like inflatables either, although there are millions of inflatables out there.

Did anyone mention they are all gassers, your boat might be diesel which means you have to carry gasoline on board. It is something many boaters are forced to do. My Dinghy has a 2 hp outboard with a built in tank. Holds about a gallon, I fill it about once a year. Jet skis are gas hogs, just an afternoon ride can suck up ten gallons.

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Old 04-14-2020, 10:19 AM   #12
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I use a sea doo speedster as a tinder. It's about 900lbs so it's only towable but very enjoyable. Jet drives are high maintenance and all Jet skis are not great in salt water after two years the only way to remove bolts are to cut them off. The ocean spray gets in everything and you can't protect with bottom paint in the tunnel or the jet drive. I go through 2-3 impellers a year because of jack assery and shallow water runs. Disassembly is required if you suck up a rope also. If you jump it 8ft in the air you will break all the hatch latches and need to use a jeep style hood latches to hold down the two large ones. Motor mounts will break next and will need to be solid mounted with a throughbolt and double nutted and at that time you will break the dripless so replace that too. 60mph in 6 inches of water is expensive and hard work. You got to pay to play but this is my least expensive hobby. Inflatable tinders are too easy.
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Old 04-14-2020, 10:56 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tisho View Post
I really don't know if this is a stupid question or not, but is it possible to have a Sea Doo for a dinghy? Is it too heavy and what type of hardware would you use?
I have a 34' Mainship Pilot.

Thanks
Why not!! It would be fun. I see it all the time when we cruise the PNW.

Well unless you are in San Juan County. Jet skis are illegal.

In Prince William Sound there was a young man and his wife that would deliver groceries, beer or ice, fishing gear by jet sled.

Go for it!!
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Old 04-14-2020, 11:42 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Joint Effort View Post
I use a sea doo speedster as a tinder. It's about 900lbs so it's only towable but very enjoyable. Jet drives are high maintenance and all Jet skis are not great in salt water after two years the only way to remove bolts are to cut them off. The ocean spray gets in everything and you can't protect with bottom paint in the tunnel or the jet drive. I go through 2-3 impellers a year because of jack assery and shallow water runs. Disassembly is required if you suck up a rope also. If you jump it 8ft in the air you will break all the hatch latches and need to use a jeep style hood latches to hold down the two large ones. Motor mounts will break next and will need to be solid mounted with a throughbolt and double nutted and at that time you will break the dripless so replace that too. 60mph in 6 inches of water is expensive and hard work. You got to pay to play but this is my least expensive hobby. Inflatable tinders are too easy.

I guess there's no need to ask how you know all that?
I like the boat and tinder names.
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Old 04-14-2020, 11:50 AM   #15
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Great way to reduce the complaints about your burbling generator in a busy summer anchorage!
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Old 04-14-2020, 12:20 PM   #16
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With the right boat, folks have used a jet ski as a dingy.

These have usually, however, been express cruisers with large swim platforms. Hurley even makes davits especially for jet skis.

Unfortunately, your Mainship doesn't have the large swim platform of a boat like a Sea Ray Sundancer. Aside from the size, can your platform handle the weight? Here the weight would include the jet ski as well as you when you loaded the davits.

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Old 04-14-2020, 02:24 PM   #17
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Joint Effort, that's quite an endorsement for a Speedster. Kind of makes me want to run out and buy one, no wait, I'm a glutton for punishment, I think I'll get two.

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Old 04-14-2020, 02:41 PM   #18
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Joint Effort, that's quite an endorsement for a Speedster. Kind of makes me want to run out and buy one, no wait, I'm a glutton for punishment, I think I'll get two.

pete
I have had a Speedster and also a Yamaha Exciter. They are an absolute blast....BUT....I never could figure how to use it as a traveling tender.

PS...the Yamaha engine and drive system was far superior to the SeaDoo. And the fit and finish of the SeaDoo was far superior to the Yamaha.
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Old 04-14-2020, 03:05 PM   #19
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If you had to go the store for groceries take a small and fast motorcycle to the Safeway store. Oh that’s stupid.

A dinghy is a tiny freighter whose major role is transporting people and “stuff” to the 34’ motherboat.

A jetski is a riding toy like most small motorcycles. If you’re even thinking about this you’ll need a real dinghy too. However if you eat, sleep and dream jetski’s you better sell the motherboat and buy jetski’s for all your friends.
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Old 04-14-2020, 03:17 PM   #20
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If you had to go the store for groceries take a small and fast motorcycle to the Safeway store. Oh that’s stupid.
I do it all of the time. Sometimes it takes me almost an hour to get to the store which is only 1.5 kms away and some how I've gone over 35kms and I'm covered in dirt. I get home and my wife asks me where the heck I went. I must be particularly stupid.

At least I have a good excuse now.
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