Dinghy size for 10 meter?

Teejae · Post by **Teejae** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:05 am

Hi folks,

I'm new here as I'm in the final stages of buying a 10 meter mid-cabin. This will be my first boat and I'm very enthused. Great forum you all have here with lots of information. It really helped my peace of mind knowing to check for stringer issues with the survey (has no issues - yay!)

One question I have that I haven't been able to find an answer to in the achives is how big a dinghy will fit? The boat has Weaver davits on the swim platform and I am thinking of using these and getting an RIB of some sort. Best would be if it could fit my wife, 2 kids, and large dog, so 10.5 - 11' would be nice, but I don't want the ends dragging in the water..

I will post pics once I pick up the boat.

Thanks,

Teejae

1988 Trojan 10M mid-cabin

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:52 am

I have a 10' 2" high pressure air floor Hypalon fabric dink and a Mercury 9.9 2 stroke built to 12 hp specs.

We can get on plane easily with 2-3 people.

The outboard is kept in the lazarette and the dink easily folds up to stow in the gunnell beside the port seat.

The 9.9 weighs in at 63 lbs and after a few close calls, I purchased a St Croix portable mini crane. It has two tiny brackets through bolted to the transom and assembles in seconds. REALLY!

The crane is used to lift the outboard out of the lazaretter and SAFELY lower it onto the dink.

This year I fashioned a harness with five quick disconnects tied to a stainless steel ring. With this arrangement you can now lift the entire dink, outboard and all up and oot of the water and run at planing speed with no issues.

Trhe St Croix crane is slightly offset toward the port side of the transom which makes the entire arrangement perfect!

Wood floor dinks have issues planing.

Ribs cannot be stored easily.

Our high pressure air floor dink weighs only 84 lbs!

I suppose I need to get a few photos taken and posted.

Whatever dink you chopose, be sure to get HYPALON fabric - not PVC or plastic.

ALso, get one of those PWC mini anchors that come in a bag with some line. This is a must have item. Also use cautionon where ard how you plan to store that dink gas tank.

I can't remember if the mid cabin model has a lazarette or not?

RWS

Teejae · Post by **Teejae** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:10 am

Thanks for the info RWS. There's an outboard mount on the transom, but I'm hoping to use the Weaver davits if we don't have planing issues, and just have the outboard rotate.

I don't think The mid cabin has a lazarette. We have a hatch aft in the cockpit but the Onan genset is in there. There is space on either side of the genset but it wouldn't be easy to get in/out regularly and we'll be launching and retrieving very often as my folks have a mooring buoy we visit and need to dinghy in from.

The St. Croix site is great - thanks for the link. Also good to hear about the Hypalon and the anchor. How do you hotrod a 9.9 to be 12hp - I want to do that!!!

Any other folks have experience with a dinghy on the transom?

Thanks,

Teejae

Post by **Moderator** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:14 am

Pouting the dingy on the transom wont cause you any planning issues . HYPALON is supposed to last longer then PVC , It is a lot more money I have a Hypalon Rib But the next one most likely will be PVC-coated polyester . I don't see it worth the extra cost . I would go with a Rib if you carry it on the transom .I don't carry mine on the transom ( I use the bow) but I know many that do no issues West marine has some nice ones both hypalon and PVC

Many 9.9 2 stroke outboards can be changed to a 12 or 15 hp . A 9.9 Johnson or Evenrude takes a larger carb to change to a 15 , a Nissan or Tohatsu takes a $30 Cam ( not cam shaft

) to a 12 or 15 hp .But you could just get a 15hp to start with .

I can't tell you about 4 strokes or other brands

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:15 am

Have you considered a rigid fiberglass dinghy? They last longer are stronger and more durable. Heavier tho. The capacity can be greater, and your but stays dry!

This is my 10' Snug Harbor carrying quite a load! Them's Bigguns!!!

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:24 am

Welcome to the forum Teejae. I have a PVC Zodiac and a self-contained Mercury outboard (small and light) mounted on Weaver davits (on the swim platform) I have never needed to get on plane with it so this small, light set-up works well for me. I personally prefer PVC because of cost and if neccessary, repairs are easy. Mine is an 8ft but I would prefer a 10ft. Bigger is better but like you say, keeping the ends within the transom width. I find that if the shoe fits, wear it.

gardnersf · Post by **gardnersf** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:32 pm

I have an airdeck Mercury inflatable. It is 8'6" but it was from my previous boat. A 10 or 11 fot will fit no problem. I have a 8HP yamaha I bought second hand. Not sure if they can be juiced up.

I keep the inflatable on weaver davits on the platform and keep the fuel and motor on the cockpit deck. I'm looking to have an engine mount made behind the port seat. I took the L shaped bench out this year to try some different arrangements.

JonChristman · Post by **JonChristman** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:21 pm

brave comments foofer....