Cheap Dingy

wduncan50 · #1 07-11-2012

I was in B.J.'s the other day (don't get the wrong idea that's a discount store) and I found and bought a Coleman inflatable dingy for $499.00.

This dingy can be seen here: 9' Inflateable

It seems like a good dingy for the price.

I also bought a Coleman outboard made by a China firm (Parsun). At $899.00 for 5 hp I figured it was worth a try.

5 HP BMS (Black)

Thought some of you might want to check it out.

sww914 · #2 07-11-2012

Kinda large impulse buy, was it up front next to the checkout line with the gum, fingernail clippers, and lighters?

wduncan50 · #3 07-12-2012

No, we were going to go to Jacksonville FL from Orlando to look at buying a Porta-bote when a friend told us about this deal.

It was a bit more expensive but, it's new with a warranty.

Captainmeme · #4 07-12-2012

The boat weighs around 70 pounds without the motor.
Does the boat have lifting points? Does the manufacture suggest a way to rig a lifting
harness?
Are you going to cover it to prevent UV damage?

I still haven't decided between a hard or soft dinghy. I was leaning towards a hard dinghy because I can build it myself (save a few dollars) but storage on deck is a problem. The price of this one is attractive but I am concerned about durability.

olson34 · #5 07-12-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by wduncan50

No, we were going to go to Jacksonville FL from Orlando to look at buying a Porta-bote when a friend told us about this deal.

It was a bit more expensive but, it's new with a warranty.

Just be aware that you made an "apples to bananas" comparison. Either type of dinghy has a list of good and bad features that pretty much mirror each other.
We have rolled up a slat-bottom Zodiac and stored it on deck or below decks for many years, while friends with Porta-boats have lashed their folded "ironing board" dinghy against the stanchions. If you anchor where the shore has sharp rocks or oyster shells you'll want the hard bottom dinghy, as a for-instance.

One interesting bit of trivia is that our Zodiac is 20# lighter than your new Coleman. That's a lot more boat to lift up and heave over the lifelines after you inflate it on the foredeck. Even 50# is a lot when it's both large and awkward.

Regards,
L