Where to stow inflatable

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

I am looking for an inflatable but I am worried that it will be a pain. I am looking at a 9'6" air floor to roll up and stow on the bow. My 258 only has about 8' of bow so I don't think I can leave it inflated. It weighs about 80lbs so it isn't light but is doable to lift to the bow. I rather not mount on transom since docking will be hard.
Oh and I will probably get a trolling motor and a gas outboard. Trolling motor will be easier to stow on the boat and the gas will be for nearby places from our marina. I am on the CT river so currents are strong. Stronger than rowing so a motor is a must. I won't be going far with trolling motor just from shore to the anchorage.
What are your thoughts?

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:16 pm

I've got a 9'6" with the sectional floor panels for our 348. Honestly, I haven't used it a lot. Storage being the issue. We're in a short slip (really about a foot less than we should have, but it's $3k more to get a larger slip). So I can't really leave it inflated on the swim platform because the bow would stick out too far into the fairway. There's also the question of where to store the outboard. Unless you get a small 4-6hp (which won't give you a lot of speed) then you've got to factor where it'd get stored. Our transom locker isn't quite big enough. I use a large duffel from REI with some closed-cell foam padding in it for that.

I wouldn't bother with both a trolling motor (and battery) and an outboard as that just doubles your storage demands without a lot of reward. That and you've got one more battery to keep charged. At some point an electric Torqueedo or similar kind of outboard might be interesting, but right now they're darned expensive.

Just know this, you will not get up on plane with a 6hp or less outboard. I've got a 9hp, but I had to add some tabs to help keep the rear of the sponsons from digging down and causing the bow to go skyward. With the tabs (and they're really more like just flaps under the area between the transom and the sponson tips) it'll pop up on plane right quick. But handling is seriously screwy if you get going much faster. Like, frighteningly so. Be SURE you use the kill-switch tether so it doesn't run off if you happen to get chucked overboard.

I've single-handedly pulled it up over the bow rails onto the deck with out too much trouble. Having a second person's assistance helps. This being without having the outboard or gas tank attached. An air-floor model would likely be a bit easier to haul up.

As for storing it aboard, the bag is HUGE. And I notice a performance hit if it leave it stowed on the bow, even more so if passengers want to ride on the bow cushions on the way back to the marina.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:24 pm

Additionally, I don't know that I'd go with a 9'6" again. The added size/weight of it hasn't been worth the reduced usage. I've only had to haul five adults in it ONCE in the 4+ years owning it. I could get by with a smaller, air-floor model instead, along with a smaller outboard.

For convenience Moeller makes the 'Dinghy Mate' gas tank that clips to the transom. But this does put the weight farther back. With a regular flat tank you can push it forward to help balance better. But I do like the added clear foot room gained. That and the tabs help counter the issue.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Reason for both trolling and gas is I would just take the trolling motor out on the 258. I will not take the gas motor since like you said no place to store. And dealing with the gas tank would be a pain. The trolling motor should fit in the trunk and the battery can go almost anywhere. The gas would stay at the marina for short trips on the inflatable only. The one I am looking at is rated for 15hp so planing should be okay. I would like a smaller inflatable but we are 2 adults and 2 small kids. I don't think I can get away with an 8'6".

Also I will be using it for fishing locally so both motors would be handy.

I guess the main concern would be trying to inflate/deflate on the bow. I am glad you said you have done it but your 348 bow is a lot larger. I don't know if there is enough room to inflate it. I had a large inflatable before and it was a pain to inflate just on the ground. This one is less than 1/2 the weight so I am guessing a little easier but still a pain.

When I measured the bow I have about 8' from the rail to the base of the windshield. I can lay it over the rail to inflate or over the windshield but I am thinking it will not be easy.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:54 am

What you want versus what you have, that's the issue. As they said in Jaws "...we're going to need a bigger boat."

I inflate the dinghy on the 348's swim platform and doing so is not without challenges. My foredeck is large enough that I could do it up there but I'm not sure there's a flat point on which I'd want to be using the foot pump. Given the smaller area of the 258 I'd likewise have concerns.

If you want a fishing boat, get a small Carolina skiff or Whaler. Yes, lots of things "can" be done with a dinghy but that doesn't make 'em the best choice for it. Especially not an air-bottom when it comes to fish hooks...

A 15hp would exceed the HP limits of most 9'6" inflatables (it's listed on the transom). They're not rated to handle that much power, nor balanced for that kind of weight. And I kid you not, a practically keel-less dinghy up on plane at speed is a FRIGHTENING experience. The handling gets VERY, VERY twitchy.

Next thing to consider is the weight of the outboard. Test how readily you can swing that much weight around at awkward angles. And how well you could fish it back up from the bottom if/when you accidentally drop it overboard while trying to wrestle it onto the swim platform. I'm no small guy but I've had issues with our 9hp Johnson outboard more than once. Important tip: put a line on it before moving it. Make sure the line is tied to a cleat and long enough to reach the bottom. And watch out for the prop gouging gelcoat...

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Like I was saying I wouldn't bring the outboard with me on the 258 it will be used for going short distances around the marina. We have a beach to launch the boat so not an issue there with the heavy motor. There are a bunch of places very close that are quite nice and only very small boats can go there.
I am looking at a mercury 310 which is rate up to 15hp. I know what you are saying about the twitchy factor, I had a 12.5' with a 20hp on it. I loved it but you had to know the limits.
I am thinking there isn't enough room up there for a 9'6". I would do most of the inflating with my electric pump but I like to top off the tubes by hand to get the correct pressure. And like you said there isn't much room up there on the bow.
I did find a mercury 270 which is rated for 4 people(1200lbs) and is only 8'4" and rated for 8hp. That might be a better option. Probably won't plane with the family but as long as I can fight the current and make some headway I will be happy. Currents are in the 5-6mph range right now so it may be slow going upstream.
Unfortunately I think the only way to know for sure if I can do it is actually buy something...

I do love boat shopping even if it is only a tiny inflatable.. still fun.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 15, 2013 1:37 pm

Good you've thought about the current, and understand the handling issues.

I can really get our 9'6" flying along with the 9hp but I'm *well aware* of just how close it is to tossing me right out of it. I'm too big, and old enough, now that I really don't want to push the thrill past the point of getting tossed out into cartwheels across the water. The recovery time would cut into the rest of my summer fun...

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Just wanted to post my findings.
I bought the mercury 310 air floor. I really like it. It is light enough for just me to pick it up. When it is inflated it is harder to manage but still doable. I did buy a 55lb trolling motor and it works great for tendering. While its no speed demon it does move fairly quickly fully loaded. Some day I will try to gps it for curiosity, my guess is about 4-5 mph. Also, I love the silent aspect, it is one of my favorite parts of the day to just cruise around in that thing..
I am able to inflate/deflate on my bow without much issue. An automatic electric pump would be great but by hand only takes about 10-15 minutes and good exercise.
I do have my eyes out for a 2 stroke to mate to this but they are scarce around here.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:17 am

this is the system we have on the family boat..

it works great for docking the dinghy when in slip or anchor.. granted we have a davot and can either tow or toss the boat on the upper deck..

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/weaver-industries-rbd100-snap-davit-kit-for-inflatable-boats

this is a cool option http://www.fisheriessupply.com/weaver-industries-hoist-leaver-hydraulic-dinghy-lifting-arm-plus-rotating-outboard-bracket

weather · **Posted:** Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:10 am

When I first got our dinghy, I tried putting it up on the deck - I could get it up there without much issue, but when stored up there inflated, you had to stand to see over it while cruising. I quickly decided I didn't like that option after standing for an hour on our first cruise w/the dinghy. I've now got a Zodiac Zoom 310 (10'2") with a 2 stroke 9.8HP on it. I plan to buy/create some type of proper davit, but until then I've just been pulling it up onto the swim platform and fasten 2 lines on it's stern and one on the bow to the aft cleats. Works perfectly, motor stays on and the gas tank stays in the dinghy. I'm not sure how large your swim platform is - on mine I can get it on with the keel about 5" in from the edge of the platform, and the rest just hangs off. I don't suspect you are going to want to inflate it each time you use it, unless that is the only way you can get it aboard.
For the record, I can get up on plane with 2 adults and 2 kids - but only if there is wind at my back, I should probably look into some tabs. With one adult and 2 kids it gets up very fast and handles well at full speed, of course you need to be careful. I've got (but not installed yet) an aftermarket wrist kill switch that you can add to older motors (mine is a '76).

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

The swim platform option is really not going to work for me. I don't have an extend platform so there isn't much room as it it. Docking would be ridiculously hard to see with the dingy in the way and no way to get on an off the dock with the dingy taking up all the swim platform.
It isn't that bad to inflate and deflate, i could use the exercise.. kids get impatient though but that's life they are lucky to get what they are getting. When i deflate it it gets tied to the port rail on the bow so i have no trouble seeing.
Maybe next year I will try to come up with a quicker solution like investing in a extended swim platform but I am happy the way it is for now.
Thanks for all the suggestions though....

Paul I. · **Posted:** Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:35 pm

I had a 2007 V258 with a 8' inflatable. I normally leave it at the slip, but when needed, I would but the bow of it on my swimming platform and make up a bridle for it. It always worked out great. When coming into the slip, (stern to) my wife would tie it to the bow cleat to get it out of the way.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

That sounds interesting. So you basically towed it but the bow of the inflatable rode on the swim platform? Am I picturing that correctly? I didn't want to tow the normal way since I would have to drive slow.
Do you happen to have any pictures of how you had it setup?

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Where to stow inflatable

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