Choosing our dinghy
We just signed on the dotted line for the new main tender (aka 'dink') for Pikorua. This post is about what we ended up choosing and some of the considerations that factored into the decision.
The Mission
We already have a Takacat 280 with electric motor that we can use for short trips. Since it is so light it is ideal for beach landings because we can pull it up the beach. It will live on the swim platform or up on the flybridge aft deck.
But we also need a main tender as a vehicle for long range exploring and snorkelling excursions, hauling groceries/supplies/ebikes and ferrying our VIP friends around in a manner to which they are accustomed.
So this is the criteria we went by:
- The biggest size that will fit in the space available. That limits it to a length overall (LOA) of around 4.6 - 5.2 metres (15 - 17') and max beam of 2.3 metres (7.5').
- Our crane has a capacity of 680 kg (1500 lb). Ideally the boat plus engine weight would be around 400 kg or less to leave us some spare to cover fuel, anchor etc.
- Able to handle decent seas/a bit of a chop.
- Good power/weight ratio (PWR) to give us speed and range.
We decided we wanted a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) with a side console. RIBs provide great stability and protection while alongside. They can carry good loads and get on the plane quickly.
In the RIB world there are 2 hull materials to consider - aluminium (AL) and fibreglass (FG). Aluminium is lighter and more rugged. Fibreglass hulls enjoy a softer and quieter ride, and some would argue they are easier to repair.
The short list
Time to break out a spreadsheet of the candidates:
| Make | Model | LOA | Beam | Hull | Boat only weight (kg) |
Max HP | PWR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | ALX 16 | 4.88 | 2.14 | AL | 221 | 70 | 0.32 |
| Highfield | Ocean Master 460 | 4.61 | 2.09 | AL | 298 | 80 | 0.26 |
| Highfield | Patrol 500 | 5.00 | 2.28 | AL | 441 | 100 | 0.22 |
| Brig | Navigator 485 | 4.85 | 2.30 | FG | 415 | 75 | 0.18 |
| Brig | Eagle 5 | 4.95 | 2.30 | FG | 380 | 115 | 0.30 |
AB and Highfields have great reputations for quality and longevity on the forums. I didn't see as much about the Brigs but I expect they are good as well judging by when we visited the showroom here in Sydney. Pricing wise they are all roughly in the same ball park.
Availability was also something to consider. Stock is in short supply since everyone decided to buy a boat during the pandemic and global supply chain issues are causing wait times to blow out past 1 year. We aren't sure when Pikorua will be delivered but we think we are safe if the dinghy can be delivered by around Christmas at the latest.
A process of elimination
The Patrol 500 is targeted at the commercial market, but ultimately it is getting too far up there in terms of weight plus it looks a bit too workman like for us. Similarly the Ocean Master (now called Classic) didn't seem as bougie. The Eagle series is the luxury line from Brig but since you can't even place an order until January next year it was out. That leaves the Navigator 485 but we didn't like how a lot of the weight was towards the transom meaning it would be harder to get on the plane especially considering it's relatively low PWR. The AB is also weighted more towards the transom but at least has the option of installing the console more forward.
And the winner is... The AB ALX 16.
Get your motor running
My ideal engine would have been electric or diesel powered so that we don't have to carry gasoline on board but electrics don't have the range and there is no such thing as a mid-range diesel outboard.
Suffice it to say, the engine had to be an EPA friendly 4 stroke with electronic fuel injection. The dealer was recommending a Mercury 75 but I was worried about possible warranty issues as it was above the 70 HP max.
In the 70 HP size it pretty much comes down to Yamaha and Suzuki. Reviews and performance specs are similar (all good) so I don't think you can go wrong with either. The Yamaha was our choice because it was the lightest (119 kg).
With a combined boat + engine dry weight of 340 kg we come in at 50% of the crane capacity. Plenty of head room for extras plus we save on wear and tear.
Dink bling
We ordered the lifting harness, bimini top with stainless steel tubing grab rail and transom ladder factory options. We will work with our local dealer (Marine Co) on an arch for the nav lights/aerials and the "rocket launcher" (you know, for fending off pirates 🏴☠️... just kidding - they are for holding fishing rods). We are also getting a hot/cold freshwater shower installed so you can rinse off the salt water after a swim.
Still working on the electronics but I'm thinking of going with the Vesper Cortex system as it has VHF, AIS B+, NMEA 2000 integration and alerting/monitoring. Will also look at installing a combined chart plotter/fish finder/radar package from either Furuno or Garmin. More on that later in a follow up post I think.