Which inflatable

[svaron]

We have a 1990 54 Extended Deck Pilot House with a Marquip 800 pound deck mounted electric Davit.

We are trying to decide which inflatable to buy. Ideally we want to keep the weight under 700 pounds with engine and fuel.

We would appreciate any feedback regarding the Nautica, Avon, Zodiac and Novurania.

Also, any feedback on experience with a similar davit system and the type of inflatable (with weight load) being hoisted.

Thank you...

Sam

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I maintain the workboats for our sailing club. We have and have had Zodiac and Avon inflatables. In my opinion they are both junk. Transoms de-laminate, consoles rip out etc. The worst we had was a Zodiac that had tubes that slid into a track. In 5 years we replaced the whole tube system twice. I have heard that Noverania makes the best inflatables. I can also speak with experience about the engines. Whatever size you want make sure it is a 4-cycle. I have had several brands,(they are ALL 300% better and 500% quieter than 2 strokes), I think the Yamaha engines are far better than any others. The 4-cycle engines are a little heavier so keep that in mind and perhaps choose a lower horsepower to save weight. Good luck!!

 

[Passages]

We have an Avon 310 RIB on the bow of our 42. Great little boat and fast with the 15 hp 2 stroke merc. Boat & motor weigh in at about 250 lbs.

For your application I would suggest something bigger like a AVON center con with a 40-50 hp OB. You should still be under your target weight.

I had a Zodi for 6 years prior to my Avon. I agree that the Zodiac is junk but disagree on the Avon. The Avon has NO WOOD to delaminate, the glass is holding up we'll despite my son's weekly abuse.

 

[svaron]

Thanks... we are definately looking for a center console inflatable.

Sam

 

[Nonchalant1]

Sam,

First you gott'a consider your intended use. If it's really a dinghy and it's use is only to get from the boat at anchor to the docks, islands, do a little exploring, etc. I'd consider a smaller engine. If you want to pull skiers, tubers, etc. that's the only reason to get a bigger motor. A 40HP outboard will weigh almost as much as the boat, and remember that it's all on one side of your boat so it can create or add to list towards that side, particularly if that's the side your davit is already on. Of course, if you have a little list to one side now, maybe set it up with the motor on the other side.

A big motor will also make the boat tail-walk with a single driver. I speak from experience having a Nautica RIB12 Deluxe with center console and a 40HP 2-cycle Yamaha motor. It's fast, but it'll rear up like a bronco with just one person in it. I think Nautica's are excellent. No complaints here on an 8 year old boat. I belive Caribe also makes a really good boat, since I see them all over the Carribean just blown up and left sitting out in the sun and saltwater for years. I asked one of the locals about them and he said they're extremely durable.

I completely agree with the others on a 4-cycle motor, particularly the silver Honda's. I've used them on fishing boats and they're very quiet, very dependable and much, much less pollution going into the water, but they're a little heavier than the 2-strokes.

Doug Shuman

 

[svaron]

Doug:

What size of Davit are you using for the Nautica 12?

 

[Mike36c]

I have an 8' Avon roll-up with a 2hp Honda 4 stroke, it inflates in the cockpit and the 28 pound motor is easy to handle. It's probably too small and slow for you but we use this rig all the time on the hook and so far its been great.

 

[Liquid Asset]

I would recomend that you find a dealer that specializes only in inflatables. I havea 10' Apex. I purchased it from Suncoast Inflatables. they carry about 5 or 6 different brands of inflatables and can give you from low end to hight end for what fits your budget and your desires. Plus, they can provide repair and anything else you need just for the inflatables. It was a big help. Good luck.

 

[MicroKap]

I have an AB Inflatable (www.abinflatables.com). The model I have is the Nautilus 13 DLX with a 50hp Honda four stroke. It has an amazing ride, doesn't feel unstable with just a driver and the engine doesn't sound like it's even on when "crawling" about. With four people onboard, it will do close to 40 mph. It has a built in gas tank and solid locks on all hatches. There's a good amount of storage room for an anchor, air pump, life jackets, etc. It planes very quickly and has a very stable ride. It's amazing how well the tubes absorb the shock of any waves or wakes. Nobody has to hold on for dear life. It came with the purchase of my boat, so I'm not sure where it was purchased or for what price. I have a Marquipt 1000 lb davit that lowers and retrieves boat, motor and me very easily. It's on the centerline of the bow of my 1980 60' Sportfish. I can't say what it will do to the "balance" of your 54' motoryacht.

Larry K.
1980 60' Sportfish
Monmouth Beach, NJ

 

[ThirdHatt]

I am dealing with this same dilemma as we speak. My 58YF came with a 1988 HBI 13.7' center console inflatable with a Yamaha 35hp, and it is just too big for the boat. With the engine at one side of the flybridge, the bow sticks over the other side nearly a foot. I have an 800lb davit that has been two-parted. Adding a pulley does make it easier on the lifting motor, but DOES NOT increase the lifting capacity of the davit, as the construction and support system has not changed. I removed the old HBI and temporarily replaced it with a dinghy I already had from my 41TC, a smaller Avon 3.45 Supersport which is 11'4" long with a 30hp Johnson. This setup with full fuel and battery is well under 600lbs. I am looking to sell both and find a Novurania 400DL which is 12'6" long and weighs in at about 750lbs. I looked into Nautica, but they come with large built-in fuel tanks and are extremely heavy for their size. Nautica and Novurania are the two brands that I always see on the large private boats and those are the two brands that keep getting recommended to me throughout my research. If weight is no concern, go with the Nautica. If weight is a concern, go with the comparable Novurania. The Novurania will have less fuel capacity, but will still be of first rate quality and will be as light as possible for any given size. Hope this helps......

 

[svaron]

Thank for your insight.

In researching the Nautica, they have the two series; Venture and the Deluxe. If you go on their website, and look at the bare boat weight, the Venture is actually a bit lighter than the Deluxe.

I agree, it seems that the choice comes down to either the Novurania or the Nautica.

Up here in the Northeast, it is difficult to see these boats on display. It seems that the only Novurani dealer up here is Defender Marine.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Doug:

What size of Davit are you using for the Nautica 12?

It's a Marquipt Low Profile 800. It has always performed perfectly. I even have a rig set up to raise and lower my heavy (like 150#) radar arch using the davit.

Doug