Inflatable Dinghy Customizations?

[TheU1991]

Anybody have any handy tips on how to turn an inflatable dinghy into more of a dive boat? My cousin and I are looking to use it for lots of beach diving. We're getting a 10' boat. Any of you have good customization tips or any DIY upgrades we can make?

[stevemc1]

Look up ladder for inflatable boat. There are ladders that can be used for them. Dive flag, cooler/seat combo, anchor, motor, lots of things.

['o Cino]

I have a 3m Achilles. If you cut part of the top off a Sparkletts water bottle, and drill a hole in the bottom side to feed the terminal end of the rode through, it's perfect for 150+ft of rode + chain + anchor. Keeps everything tidy. I also use halyard snaps to secure the anchor line tie-off, and the terminal rode end...just in case something bad happens, two clips pulled, and you're on your way.

Good Luck, small inflatables are a blast!

[TheU1991]

thanks for the reply guys. my cousin and i bought the dinghy together, and he had started another thread with some pictures of the boat. i'll post them here as well.

we saw this thread on another site, and liked the idea that was pictured at the bottom of page 1. hopefully we can save some space on the boat by making a little roll over bar like that. http://www.extremespearfishing.com.au/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2951&highlight

[TheU1991]

we're working on getting an outboard now. looks like we'll be getting a late 80's/early 90's 7.5hp gamefisher for it. you guys think that's a sufficient outboard for 2 or 3 people to ride on?

[Orbayburak]

I am thinking about something like this drawing. The boat has to be hard floored(wood or aluminum). Idea is a hip high center bar that is attached to transom and the floor(not permanent, removable). The goal is to hold on to it over your shoulder while the boat is moving or to lean/sit on it while r&r fishing or even just standing up. What do you guys think?

['o Cino]

I am thinking about something like this drawing. The boat has to be hard floored(wood or aluminum). Idea is a hip high center bar that is attached to transom and the floor(not permanent, removable). The goal is to hold on to it over your shoulder while the boat is moving or to lean/sit on it while r&r fishing or even just standing up. What do you guys think?

No offense on your design, but it looks like a broken collarbone is just one hard wake hit away. If your shoulder is under the bar, it's where I would totally avoid.

For the OP: I'm running a Mariner 8hp 2-stroke, works fine, but a 9.9 would be a lot better.

[TheU1991]

we ended up getting a 15hp evinrude for cheap. i know it's a little big for a 10' but hopefully it won't cause us too many problems

:toast:

['o Cino]

we ended up getting a 15hp evinrude for cheap. i know it's a little big for a 10' but hopefully it won't cause us too many problems

:toast:

Way to score on a motor! I would love to have 15 ponies to move 2 guys, tanks and weightbelts. Have you gotten a BoatUS membership yet? The towing and vessel assist is great insurance.

[Orbayburak]

No offense on your design, but it looks like a broken collarbone is just one hard wake hit away. If your shoulder is under the bar, it's where I would totally avoid.

For the OP: I'm running a Mariner 8hp 2-stroke, works fine, but a 9.9 would be a lot better.

Thank you for your input. idea. You could even hit your head and split your skull open.:slap: How about if i put some padding on like squat shoulder padding? I just like the idea of having something to hold/lean on while standing up on the boat, specially on choppy waters

[seabasshunterSB]

Something that size seems like it might get it the way more then benifit you. If I were to do something like that I would make it a lot shorter in lenght and maybe off to one side. Starting at the rear like in the design, ending in the middle of the boat. That way you have something to hold onto when standing but also have an open bow area. More room for gear, standing room. Also round bar for the metal used would cut down on owch factor, just a thought.

[nilsonov]

The 15HP is just fine. With 3 guys on my 10, i wish i had 20hp. You definitly need the floor panels though, floor rails help a lot too. if you cant find one i''m sure its not hard to cut out of ply wood.

[TheU1991]

The 15HP is just fine. With 3 guys on my 10, i wish i had 20hp. You definitly need the floor panels though, floor rails help a lot too. if you cant find one i''m sure its not hard to cut out of ply wood.

what do you have on yours, a 15hp too?

[benthosslayer]

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4016/4282713097_313842fdc6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4282713097/)
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2757/4282714907_6b915de6d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4282714907/)
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4025/4282713889_efa66a87d6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4282713889/)

This one was set up for pole holders and livewell/cooler. Stainless and bolted to the floor for quick removal. This could easily be duplicated and adapted for spearguns and dive gear.

[Calif_Diver]

:gun:http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4016/4282713097_313842fdc6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4282713097/)
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2757/4282714907_6b915de6d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4282714907/)
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4025/4282713889_efa66a87d6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4282713889/)

This one was set up for pole holders and livewell/cooler. Stainless and bolted to the floor for quick removal. This could easily be duplicated and adapted for spearguns and dive gear.

Is that a Saturn? If so what size ? did u build the pole holder rack? Looks good.

[benthosslayer]

That was the saturn, it was a SD430 I believe, the 14 foot model with wood floors. I made the rack myself with stainless tubing and a JD squared tubing bender. The boat was great, couldn't be beat for the price. I forgot to tie it down on the trailer while driving and it took off like a kite attached to the winch about 20 feet up in the air on the freeway, flipped the trailer and so on, two decent patches and the boats looks like new and doesn't leak abit. I sold it to an ab diver up in Sacramento and he's had it for a few years now and loves it.

[Calif_Diver]

Wow ,ill make sure i tie mine down, have the same boat with a 40 honda ,you are rigjt for the price its a good deal.

[divinbuoy]

thanks for the reply guys. my cousin and i bought the dinghy together, and he had started another thread with some pictures of the boat. i'll post them here as well.

we saw this thread on another site, and liked the idea that was pictured at the bottom of page 1. hopefully we can save some space on the boat by making a little roll water delivery san antonio (waterable.com/texas/san%20antonio-tx) over bar like that. http://www.extremespearfishing.com.au/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2951&highlight

nice this looks like a great idea.

[the_boatman]

I have a 11' Avon with a 9.9hp Mercury and it get me 3-5 miles offshore with two friends and gear just fine(about 5-8mph). The guy i got the boat from had a 25hp on it and let me use it a few times and it was SO much better(about 15-20mph)!!
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[sb spearo]

I have a mercury 3.4 with a 15hp johnson,
Even loaded down with 3 divers, weight belts gas can and coolers, It bounces way too much in chop for any kind of hard gun/gear rack.
We basically lay everything flat in the bottom of the boat and then sit on top of the pontoons and hold on.

[mainphrame]

I have a 3m Achilles. If you cut part of the top off a Sparkletts water bottle, and drill a hole in the bottom side to feed the terminal end of the rode through, it's perfect for 150+ft of rode + chain + anchor. Keeps everything tidy. I also use halyard snaps to secure the anchor line tie-off, and the terminal rode end...just in case something bad happens, two clips pulled, and you're on your way.

Good Luck, small inflatables are a blast!

They are a blast but keep everything as tidy as possible. I have my anchor and line in a backpack. Keep everything as stashed as possible but dont forget to tie everything down. :gun:

[laguna80]

I'm still working on my setup as well. Like the above said, it's hard to keep everything organized. I'm gonna get a milk crate for the anchor and line, was thinking of getting a blue rubbermaid type thing to dump gear into as we get into the boat (hopefully that will keep everything from being thrown around on deck), but deck space is very limited, so I might just leave it as is. Mine's a soft bottom with a wood floor, so I'm not bolting anything extra on to keep it easily transportable.

[mainphrame]

I have a about 6 d hooks i glued on my AMI inflatable and they work phenominal for tying equipment and everything down. I usually store everything in a 5 gallon bucket. I often bring frozen water bottles for my catch and, god forbid, insurance.
Just keep speartips corked or covered. Be safe bud!