Inflatable Options

[Squid1962]

Does anyone have any thoughts on transporting a 8.5' Avon on an Express 330? Not real keen on towing around Buzzards Bay/Block Is/MV.

 

[Bg56126]

We pull ours up across the back of the transom if we have a bigger crew or if it's just 2 - 3 of us, we will put it right inside the cockpit. It's a bit of a pain to pull the motor off and get it in but works well when we're running. I also make sure to drop it back in the water when we get to where we're going, just incase we need to run about the boat for some reason, we don't want to have to climb over.

 

[Fishtales]

I've towed, put in cockpit and inflated when used. All 3 are a PIA. Not many other options I could come up with except use a launch service.

 

[Squid1962]

Thanks. Yup, taking the motor off is a pain. Question, will a hard bottom fit through the transom door starboard? If not I guess it is over the gunwale. Ugh! I guess I could deflate a bit.

 

[fsc60]

I have an 2001 330. I take the motor off and store in the cockpit. I have an 11ft aluminum bottom dink that we put upside down on the hard top. Tricky but once its up there you don't even know it. We went to block Island with it, 60 mile ride. No issues. I have bottom paint on the dink, so bringing it in the cockpit is not an option.
I attached a pick of us in Montauk.

 

[Squid1962]

Thank you

 

[Squid1962]

The next question is how the heck do you get it up there?

 

[drbatts]

On my 305 and previous 265, I have tried all the options except the hardtop option. In my case the antenna layout of both boats would have had to be redone to allow a dingy up there. The hard bottom inflatable makes it more difficult to store as you cannot completely deflate it and it weighs considerably more and probably has a heavier engine to take on and off. I do remember seeing a post a few years ago in which a member with a marlin put a davit in and had a cradle on the fish box for the inflatable.

 

[Squid1962]

Thank you. I was thinking about davits but that's an exploration for the future. Taking a 5 HP off is easy, just getting it up and over the gunwale seems an issue. I hope my wife brings her muscles.

 

[PointedRose]

Thank you. I was thinking about davits but that's an exploration for the future. Taking a 5 HP off is easy, just getting it up and over the gunwale seems an issue. I hope my wife brings her muscles.

Can use a couple of sailing blocks/pulleys (harken, ronstan) - maybe one with a ratchet function, maybe the other with a cam cleat fiddle block. Could make it 4:1 or 5:1 mechanical advantage and maybe could attach from the front of the hardtop to pull the dingy up and on. Your wife will be happier that’s for sure. You’ll want it when you land the monster tuna too

my boat came with a davit for a lobster pot puller, and the height of the davit is probably about 6’2” for me - lower than the hardtop

 

[fsc60]

Drbatts that may have been me with the Marlin, I designed this and had it fabricated, all anodized aluminum and fully removable. Worked great but cost a fortune.
As for getting the dink on the hard top, 2 can do it, 3 makes it easy, i put towels under the areas that might chaff and tie it down. I remove a 15 hp 2 stroke Merc which is harder than getting the dink up top.

 

[Fishtales]

Thanks. Yup, taking the motor off is a pain. Question, will a hard bottom fit through the transom door starboard? If not I guess it is over the gunwale. Ugh! I guess I could deflate a bit.

I have a early 70s 2S Evenrude 4hp. 33 lbs perfect for an inflatable, but still a PIA over the gunnel and installing. I used a roll up floor vs a hard bottom. Just made stowage easier.