what type of bottom/floor do I want?

[livendive]

So I'm in the process of buying a 32' cruiser and am going to want a dinghy to run around in. I'm thinking 9-10', with a 5-10 hp motor. I want to be able to plane it up easily with two adults and our 50 lb dog, and I'd prefer that it still be able to plane with 3 adults even if that takes a little longer. My guess is an inflatable floor is a bad idea with a dog due to the potential for claw damage, so that means I want a slat floor? Am I going to need a RIB in order to get the performance I want, or will an inflatable keel get me there just as easily. Locally there's a 2007 9' Nordik with 5 hp Mercury and Minkota trolling motors for $1300...would that seem to fit the bill or would it likely be underpowered? I suspect that boat was a Costco special, but I'm not sure of that.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: what type of bottom/floor do I want?

Do you plan to hang the sib/rib at stern area, lie at front deck area or just tow the beast with cruiser ?

Happy Boating

 

[livendive]

Re: what type of bottom/floor do I want?

I'll be stowing it on the swim platform. I went by and looked at that 2007 Nordik 275AD tonight. The gas engine is a 2002 model, and essentially brand new (has never had gas in the internal tank, and clean as a whistle under the cover, albeit with some scratches on the outside of the cover). It ran great in a garbage can, the electric motor (Minn Kota endura 30) has never been in the water, and the boat itself has only been wet once and was clean as well. Included were a life vest, carrying bag, auxiallary gas tank, new deep cycle battery, a couple manual pumps, and an electric pump, so...I bought it. I figure it may not do everything I want it to, but it should be close enough for now, and I shouldn't lose too much money on it if/when I upgrade. I plan to launch it tomorrow night just for fun.

 

[livendive]

Re: what type of bottom/floor do I want?

Well, I got the new boat out tonight. Nordik is an off-labelled version of Silver Marine, so basically this is a silver marine 275 AD with a merc 5 hp 2 stroke. I'm 235 lbs, and it got me and a couple gallons of gas from idle to plane in about 3.5 seconds. Very stable to stand up in, but very twitchy on a plane...turns felt like I was sliding more than anything, similar to driving on patchy ice, wondering when traction is gonna catch. Overall, a fun toy that should serve its intended purpose well for at least a year till I decide to upgrade (unless I see a deal on a nice 9.9 before then).